Your First Pelvic Exam

[moderatorII]

(Posted by the Moderator on behalf of Brandye)

As women we have specific needs in health care – especially for our reproductive systems. During adolescence and, preferably, before becoming sexually active a thorough pelvic exam is indicated. Throughout our lives, this should be done, along with a pap smear, on a yearly basis. Because our genitals are internal and mostly hidden from view and touch, maladies of all sorts can get ahead of the capability of medicine with, sometimes, no symptoms. Even diseases that may be little threat and very noticeable to men can have devastating effects on our bodies. Your male friend with a case of clap (gonorrhea) will know it almost immediately – it burns terribly during urination. This common disease in us can render us sterile before showing any symptoms. We need to be examined regularly, especially from the beginning of sexual activity for the rest of our lives.

We each both eagerly await and dread our first gynecological examination – the internal, the pelvic. For those of you who have not had this experience the very fact that you are visiting this website indicates that it is about time. By the time we are sixteen, a few years after we begin menstruating, this should be done; and should be done before you become sexually engaged. If pain is experienced or other symptoms - very difficult periods, smelly discharge, absence of menstruation - are present this should be done earlier. So, what is going to happen?

It is actually quite simple, not painful and only takes about ten minutes. Most of the time you are with the doctor will be spent talking. Each doctor has her own way with this exam but we all accomplish the same things. Mine are focused on education as much as anything. The nurse will get you situated with a gown in an examination room while I tell your mother she is not going to be with you. If you are old enough for a pelvic you deserve the privacy of any other woman. Some mothers become persistent and I gently inform them that they can see another doctor because “your daughter is my patient.” There are some doctors who disagree with this approach but it is within your rights to ask for privacy and this should be respected.

We will begin by talking about your feelings about your health and, specifically, how your development is going. How long have your breasts been developing, how long have you been having periods? How frequent, regular and long are your periods? Do you use tampons or pads and have you any idea what a menstrual cup is? (Guess what I use most of the time!) Any irritation, pain or discharge from your vagina? I usually begin the exam with the breasts. You will lie flat on your back while your breasts, sides and armpits are pressed. Then, sitting up, I will show you how to do a self-exam. Recently, there have been studies published indicating that the breast self-exam does not make much difference. Statistically, that may be true but the fact remains that some women are the first to discover lumps and that enables treatment before things get too serious. Besides, most breast lumps are benign but you should know they are there. This also emphasizes your responsibility for your own care. You should be comfortable taking care of your own body because you will be living in it a long time. And you have about 350 periods ahead of you which require a bit of self-care.

Then back on your back. I will begin at the bottom of the rib cage and press firmly from several angles right down to the mons venus. Actually, I am seeking information on many organs and conditions that are not reproductive. Is everything in place? As firm as it should be? Then raise your knees and spread your legs. Unless something else is discovered, I do not have you use the stirrups at this first exam. We can find out what we need without those and you will get plenty of practice in the stirrups during your life. I may place a small pillow under your hips. Then your lips will be spread for a visual examination. Is everything there? Does the clitoris seem overly developed? Is everything the right color and size? This visual exam will extend all the way back past your anus. There will also be some pressing along the sides of vulva. An exception to the use of the stirrups would be if the woman tells me that she has begun sexual activity. Then I will use a speculum and do a pap smear to check the cells around the cervix. If I have no reason to believe that you are sexually active, the dreaded speculum will never be seen or felt.

Some doctors will give you a choice of the internal part of the exam being rectal or vaginal. I strongly prefer the vaginal for a few reasons but you can choose where I insert my finger. Through the walls of the rectum, some of the “touch” examination seems less accurate. With a finger inserted, I will again press firmly on parts of your lower abdomen. Mostly checking to insure that everything is in the right place and to determine if any pain is caused. That may require further checking. You may feel some discomfort as I examine your cervix and, once in a while, a sharp but brief pain if I bump an ovary.

Another advantage of the vaginal approach is that I can see if your hymen is abnormally tough. I draw no conclusion from the absence of a hymen. Tampons, sport, riding bicycles or horses, masturbation can all have removed it. At least half the virgin fifteen year olds have little or no hymen remaining. If your hymen is particularly resistant, I will ask whether you wish to have it partially cut to facilitate use of tampons or make your later introduction to sex a bit easier. This is a small touch with a scalpel that feels like a pin-prick and takes ten seconds. At worst, after a bit of antiseptic is put on (that will burn a little) you will want to wear a panty liner for a few hours. I have them available.

We will then chat about what I have observed and the importance of hygiene and the risks of sex. You will leave the office with the whole collection of pamphlets published by the NHS and Planned Parenthood – STDs, contraception, menstrual distress, sexual response, and we will discuss these in as much detail as you wish.

For women who get all the way to near marriage or departure for university or work, we get a bit more detailed on contraception and protection and the dangers of promiscuity. This is a real “sex lecture.”

[yippi]

oh, how wonderful! thanks so much for doing this Brandye.

i only wish I had read this before MY first visit. thankfully my doctor was great and explained everything first.

I don't think anything can take away the butterflies feeling, but knowing all this would have sure saved me from a lot of the worrying beforehand.

[Delilah]

hi everyone,

I havent bin for my 1st checkup yet but I feel lots better about it now i read this.

thanks a lot brandye.

[Junocozmos]

My first exam was horrific. I was 13 in there cuz my period was erratic...didnt know what to expect. The doctor was very apathetic and rude. Wish I knew then what I know now!

[Brandye]

Juno,

I hear this entirely too often. Rarely about women doctord. I am biased but when I get messed with I want the messaer to know what it feels like - physically and psychologically. Most other treatment I will use the best available. man or woman.

Hopefully, schools and internships are getting this turned around. 13 and being treated that way is inexcuseable.

[Junocozmos]

This was actualy a male Gyn.
I certainly never returned to him.
Since that visit , I will only see a midwife for my exams.
Mine is a wonderful young woman who is gentle and personable. And I will be very happy to pass on the wisdom of my first horrible expirience to my daughter so that she may feel free to be picky about who she sees.

[missi]

Hi. I actually went to the nurse this morning, and asked her about whether I need a pelvic exam.
I am 22 and waiting until I get married to have sex.

My nurse told me that as 'i have never had sex, it can be a very difficult exam' and that i dont need to have one done until i have had sex. everything on these boards indicates otherwise, and i am not really sure what to do now?

[JustifyMyLove]

My first pap wasn't too bad. My doctor explained everything to me. I hadn' t had sex yet, so having something that large (compared to my b/f's 2 fingers) shoved in me--while not being aroused--was quite unpleasant. Then there was "The Pinch." How I will never forget "The Pinch." It wasn't that bad, but when you're not expecting it, damn.

Then I saw my b/f that night and told him all about it! He coddled me...I love him soo much. and i miss him.

[missi]

whats 'the pinch'??

[LadyOfLucidDepths]

I haven't went for mine yet, but i have to.. i got no choice... but One doctor i went and i was going to get one done.. i was... 16? yea.. and she told me she wouldnt do it because i wasnt 18.. yet i was active since i was 13..?? that didnt make sense.. but Now.. after sex.. since ive been on depo-vera, i've been kinda bleeding.. only when the drug is wearing off... like... only within the last month at the end of it.. it happens.. or it has... and now.. it turns out that isnt a sideeffect.. or so the doctor i go to said.. but now.. turns out i gotta go to a specialist, so they can test the cells in my uturus...so.. something could be seriously wrong? i duno im pretty scared about it. Brandye.. what do you think it could be? cause the doc never really told me.. WHY? or what it could be.. or what could happen.. or anything.

...please dont wait.. like i did.. mind you i tired to getto go to one.. but thats the response i got from that doctor. but just dont wait for it.. go for it!! because somethign could be wrong.