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I'm Not Sure About This Whole Gynecologist Business
Okay, I'm a 15 yr old girl and my mom wants to take me to the gynecologist. She does the laundry for the house. Whenever she does our (my sister's and mine) she always mentions how she notices a certain... substance in my underwear. The thing is that I've noticed as well and it only comes out when I'm... sexually stimulated (by dreams and such. I'm a virgin and I don't masturbate. Shocking, I know). With this being true, I always write it off as me getting wet and ignore it. I'm really terrified to go, but she's thinking about asking my doctor for a referral soon. From anyone who's experienced this before, what should I do?
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Wow. Looks like you are in need of a female perspective.
You should go to the gyno. NOT because there is something wrong with you - you are probably just fine. There is nothing abnormal about the amount of discharge you are experiencing. Some women have more discharge than others, both when they are aroused and when they are not. You are young and you are still learning what is normal for your body. This might be your normal.
You should go to the gyno because going to the gynaecologist is part of being a healthy adult. Like going in for a physical, or going to the dentist. It's something you do to be a responsible adult and care for yourself.
It is a bit scary the first time, and it can be uncomfortable, that's why I think you should go. It's good to get it out of the way and know what to expect. You don't want to wait years and have a real serious problem before you go for the first time. That just makes it worse.
A others have said: You are entitled to see the doctor alone, and the doctor cannot reveal anything you say to them to your mother without you consent. Period. That will not happen.
You are also entitled to NOT see a doctor if you don't want too, but I think you should. You are probably fine, but its good to get checked out and make sure.
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I am not a girl, nor have I had your problem, but I have been married for a long time and have raised two girls. The only thing I see of concern here is your being scared to see a doctor, even if it is the "GYN". Here is what I suggest, look up "Yeast Infection". It is not likely that you have one, (from your description), but it is the most likely thing for it to be. Though for you it is not very likely. Yeast Infections also come with a rather strong smell and you didn't mention that, you did mention you are not sexually active and yeast infections are very rarely seen in non active females. It is very possible for it to be fluids caused by sexual excitement, there is several types possible. I do think you should make an appointment with a Gyno and talk with him or her and tell them what you have told us here. Doctors are there to talk to, as well as exam. Don't call to schedule an exam, call and tell them you would like to talk with a doctor or nurse, they will ask you what it is about, tell them, they may even tell you then and there what your experiencing and you won't have to go in.
You are fast becoming an adult and you have to put away your shyness of being naked around doctors and frame of mind is where you have to start. Someday, your Gyno will deliver you the best thing life has to bring, your own daughter and you will be there to help her over come her shyness of doctors.
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First at 15 years of age by Federal law you and only you are responsible for your reproductive health. Your mother cannot force you to go to a doctor and she cannot be told anything about your visits to a doctor that concern your reproductive system.
This law is known as HIPPA, which stands for Health Information Personal Privacy act. Within the law congress included an article concerning the sexual heath of young people starting at age 14. Under this law Congress has granted young people the right to medical privacy and confidentiality beginning at age 14 and extending through the age of maturity which in most states is age 18. At age 18 you are an adult in the eyes of the law an your parents are no longer entitled to any information on your medical records.
This law was passed so young people could be perfectly open and frank in their discussions with their doctors concerning their sexual health and reproductive system knowing the have full medical confidentiality and privacy.
Your mother can no longer be in the exam room with you without your consent. You and only you can release any information on you reproductive health system doctors visits and this must be in writing to the doctor. Should the doctor or any staff member release information to anyone without your written permission they face a 5 year jail term.
Under this law you do not need parental permission to make an appointment for a GYN exam or to see the doctor. You can even ask for birth control pills should you want them.
As a minor your mother can drag you to the doctors office. Once their you can invoke your rights under HIPPA and refuse to be examined if that's what you want. You can go ahead with the exam but again invoke your rights to privacy under HIPPA and mom will never know what you and the doctor spoke of or what you were examined for or the results of the exam.
Under this law should a girl between the ages of 14 and 18 become pregnant her parents cannot force her or prevent her from having an abortion. As to whether her parents can force her to give the child up for adoption that is not so clear.
So the short answer to your question is: You or anyone over the age of 14 cannot be forced to have an examination of their reproductive system by anyone. This would include the police in the case of a rape, although it is recommend that the women comply.
It is up to you as to how and when to inform mom of your HIPPA rights. She is not going to like it. But the law is the law and was written to protect the privacy of young teenagers, mostly for those who are sexually active, so they will seek medical help for any problems.
You can tell her at home that she has no legal right to force you to be examined or you can comply to a point and wait until you get to the doctors office to invoke your rights under HIPPA and the doctor will be their to support you.
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