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Hi! At this point, I'm just checking back when asked a question. When my life gets less hectic, I'll start browsing to find questions to answer. But please ask; I will answer within 24 hours.

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im 18 years old and my boyfriend and i have been together for almost a year and were thinking about having sex.. if we do, do i need to see a gynocologist (sp?). thats what ive heard but i need to know if its really necessary and how i would set it up. and what would happen there if i went?

Since there are many more horrid answers than good answers to this one, I'm going to add another (hopefully good) one.

When you are 18, you should probably start seeing a gynecologist weather you are having sex or not. They used to tell women they could wait until they were having sex, but lately I've been hearing that having pap smear and breast exam results on file from beforehand to use as a reference can be helpful.

How you go about setting it up depends on what type of health coverage you have. If you have insurance through your parents, I do believe that if your parents ask, the doctors are required to tell them in most states. Although personally, my mom came with me to my first appointment. We went to her gynecologist, who she found by asking one of our neighbors who had the same health plan who she liked best. I've almost always seen female gynecologists, so I refer to the doctor as "she" throughout. I do believe there are more male gynecologists than female ones, however.

If you don't have any health coverage at all, call Planned Parenthood. They might be a bit annoying about birth control, but you can select "condoms" as your preferred method. It's easier than explaining that your not having sex. :)

Every gynecologist always gives a urine test for pregnancy. Don't take it personally, it's just part of standard procedure and the nurse will get in trouble if she doesn't check.

You'll undress and put on a hospital gown, and the doctor or nurse practitioner will give you a breast exam. You will lie on your back and the doctor will use her fingertips to examen your breasts. It doesn't hurt, but if your very ticklish it might tickle a little. If you don't know how to do a breast self exam, ask and they will teach you how. The breast exam looks for lumps or other irregularities in the breast that could be a sign of breast cancer.

Next, you'll get a internal exam. Your feet will go up in the "stirrups" that come out of the end of the table, and they'll tell you to scoot down until the end of your butt is just hanging off the end of the table. It's really hard the first time, but try to relax. When your getting into position, remind them your a virgin. To help you relax, the doctor should talk to you and tell you what she's doing. If your nervous or jumpy, she'll probably touch your leg, then the outside of your vulva, and then insert a finger coated with KY. She move her finger around inside you while pushing on your stomach to examen your uterus. Then she'll insert a speculum. A speculum is a tool that holds your vagina open so the doctor can look inside and take the "pap smear". To do that, she will take a big Q-tip and rub your cervix to get a cell sample. It feels really odd, but it's very rarely painful.

If you were going to have any STD tests, they would be done now, with additional Q-tips. Since your not sexually active, she probably won't bother.

When she's done, she'll tell you it's ok to get dressed now. I use the gown to wipe off the KY that always ends up on my thigh. You get dressed and your done for a year. :)

If you have any questions about birth control, STDs, your period, or anything remotely related, go ahead and ask the nurse on your way in. Or the doctor when you see her, or the nurse on your way out.

I understand it's rather nerve-wracking to go the first time. You can take your mother, or a friend with you. I don't recommend taking your boyfriend, but they won't stop you.

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(Rating: 5) oh my gosh thank u so much... that is so helpful. ur the kind of person i need on speed dial to get advice on everything lol... thank u so so much!! :)
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