A Girl's Guide To Your First Gynecologist Appointment

All women will get to the point where they need to visit their gynecologist. For some, this will be earlier than others. No matter what age you are when you do need to see them, though, it can still be quite nervous.

There are a lot of myths and urban legends surrounding gynecologist appointments, but in actual fact, there really is nothing to worry about. For the most part, the appointment is just so that you can have a quick check-up and so that the doctor can make sure that your body is doing exactly what it should be. If it looks like there are any issues or potential problems, your doctor will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Got your first appointment with your gynecologist coming up and feeling a bit worried? Don’t be! It will be just fine. Here are some things to bear in mind to help you ease your worry.

 Spend Time Looking For The Right Gynecologist

When it comes to choosing the right OB/GYN, there are a few things you may want to look into. Firstly, look into the quality of reviews. Are they mostly positive? This is a good sign. You should then consider their experience and the types of areas they specialize in. Some gynecologists may specialize in fertility while others may specialize in areas like menopause.

It’s OK To Be Nervous

It’s perfectly normal to be nervous when you see your gynecologist for the very first time. The doctor won’t judge you for this - in fact, I’m sure that they have had to deal with a lot of patients who have been a lot more scared and nervous than you! Doctors understand that discussing something so personal like reproductive health can be very nerve wracking, but they will do so with the utmost professionalism and will try to put you at ease. You also shouldn’t be too worried about any examinations. The gynecologist will have seen it all before, and you can also request to have a chaperone in the room with you if you prefer.

You Don’t Need A Reason To See Your Gyno

Some people think that you need a reason to book an appointment with a gynecologist. For instance, some people will only see them if they have developed some symptoms that need checking out. But that isn't the case -  your gyno will still see you even if you don’t have a specific reason. In fact, it is often suggested that young girls start to see their gynecologist as soon as they start their periods so that they can overcome their nerves at an early age.

Reschedule If You’re On Your Period

There is only one thing that might make you want to reschedule your appointment - you are on your period. Getting certain examinations done, such as a pap smear, while on your period can make the results inaccurate. Not only that, though, but hormonal changes in your body can also make certain examinations difficult to carry out. For example, breasts can often get slightly lumpier while you are on your period, so there is no point having a breast exam done as the results could end up being highly inaccurate. So, if you are on your period, you should reschedule your appointment. You can always carry out your own breast exam using the tips at stylecraze.com once your period has ended!

Don’t Worry If They Refer You

Your gynecologist might think it is necessary to refer you to another clinic or specialist for further treatment, tests, or diagnosis. This isn't something that should worry you, and it is perfectly normal. Being referred doesn’t necessarily mean that something is majorly wrong. It just means that the gyno thinks that a specialist will be able to help you further. If you have been having difficulties trying to conceive, then your gyno might get you an appointment at mcrmfertility.com or a similar fertility clinic so that you can begin fertility treatment. Another example of a common referral is being sent for further tests, such as ultrasounds or swabs.

You Can Bring Someone With You

If you do get really nervous and scared before the appointment, you can always take someone along with you. In fact, most gynecologists encourage their patients to bring a relative or close friend with them. They can go into the appointment with you or wait outside in the waiting room. You can choose whether you want them with you at all times. Not only is taking someone with you a good way to settle your nerves, but if they are in the consultation room with you, they can also help you remember what was said. Your very first gyno appointment can often go by in a blur, and you might easily forget some of the terms and things said to you. When someone is with you, they can pay full attention and will help you remember everything the doctor said to you.

Be Open And Honest

When you are in your appointment and chatting to your gynecologist, it really is important that you are open and honest with them. They will need to know a lot about any symptoms that you are experiencing and anything that could be affecting them, such as your sexual history. In fact, as your sexual history and behavior will play a big part in your reproductive health, they will want to know as much about it as possible. So, this isn't the time to be shy. Your doctor isn't going to judge you no matter what you say - they just need to know as much as possible so that they can correctly diagnose you and help you out.

Drink Water

It’s a good idea to drink some water before you attend your appointment as most gynecologists will ask you to pee into a cup during your appointment. Don’t worry; you don’t have to do this in front of them! But they will need to test the urine to make sure that it is all clear and that there aren’t any suspicious bacteria or germs in it. So, make sure you drink plenty before you go. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to pee!

There’s no reason to be too nervous about your very first gynecologist appointment. Hopefully, all the pointers above have helped to settle your worries and calmed you down so you are relaxed for your appointment.