Ask Women on Yik Yak | Hey so long story short I have my first ever gyno appt in July and I’m terrified. Any advice for making sure I’m clean/ anything else I need to know that they don’t tell you? Long responses welcomed and encouraged! I need all the guidance I can get!

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Ask Women 20h

Hey so long story short I have my first ever gyno appt in July and I’m terrified. Any advice for making sure I’m clean/ anything else I need to know that they don’t tell you? Long responses welcomed and encouraged! I need all the guidance I can get!

Anonymous 19h

Just went for my yearly appointment on Friday and you don’t need to really do anything to prepare. They see probably so many ppl a year that you’re likely not even odd to them they’ve seen so many ppl with unique issues it’s crazy. Just when I went in there there were like 2 other girls in the waiting room for their appointment after I left. If anything…you can shower? I just showed up after work ngl

💤

Anonymous 16h

Doctor here. Don’t worry about anything. If they judge, they are a f’ing AH. Just normal routine. If you want to be nice, a shower in the morning. No need to shave or anything special for us. Also a woman myself.

Anonymous 18h

Depending on where you go you might also not get a pap smear. My obgyn starts them at 21. Also, when they insert a speculum they’ll probably lube it up so it’s less uncomfortable. I’m saying this bc a) metal cold :( and b) they have you sit on the paper cover, and when you appointment is over there probably will be a little wet spot left behind. Don’t be embarrassed by that. They literally add more wet to the preexisting wet. My friend once acted embarrassed about the whole things and like, I

Anonymous 15h

Wear tall sock to keep ur legs warm. Fun socks are recommended as you may get compliments

Anonymous 14h

Some people put google eyes on the vulva to make the doctors laugh, which can make it less scary? I’ve never had an exam, only hormone checks. You’re gonna be okay! You can tell them it’s your first visit and you’re scared, and ask that they explain things or go extra slow

Anonymous 12h

If your looking for something to “prepare” just shower and use your body. Nothing extra or out of character cause you don’t wanna throw your PH off on accident or something but just make sure you stick to your normal hygiene list is like best practice! I know for me when I get nervous but there’s not much I can really do per se, I have to have SOMETHING to focus my brain on to make myself feel better.

Anonymous 19h

I mean you can do an at home uti or bv test but if you are going for a checkup why would want to interfere if you should have those. Also it’s the gyno assuming you have the organs you are gonna get a pap for cervical check which will encompass, std tests, uti, not bv that you have to specify for.

Anonymous 11h

If you want some reassurance there are some amazing OB/GYNS on social media that make educational videos on all aspects of women’s health. I’m sure if you look it up on youtube you can find lots of providers and patients talking about what happens and what to expect. It’s how I’ve gotten most of my knowledge about gynecology and it definitely makes it feel more approachable and less scary. Best of luck, and don’t worry, doctors see people’s bodies all day every day, nothing will surprise them.

Anonymous 5h

This is such a wholesome thread

Anonymous

#1 19h

Thank you for responding, however this is literally my first time and I’ve been highly sheltered so I truly don’t know what any of those procedures entail. I truly need to mentally prepare for what they will ask of me, instruments used, what normal procedures are etc.

Anonymous

OP 19h

Most likely they will ask about your sexual health whether it’s orientation, history and birth control methods. Maybe give advice if you are looking for some. But it’s usually a speculum and a swab.

Anonymous

#1 19h

What is a speculum?

Anonymous

#2 19h

I’d say don’t freak out too much they know when it’s your first time with them. The pap has felt like a pinch every time. And if they don’t have a nurse in there with you you can always request one. I’ve always had a nurse in the room with my gyno that’s just how the office I go to operates. They check reproductive areas for any abnormal pain or cancerous tissues. And they’ll swab you during the pap and also if you want a general STI screening. The appointment takes like 10-20 minutes

Anonymous

#2 19h

Thank you for your response! I’m sorry if this is awkward or embarrassing (I’m embarrassed myself to ask) but what procedures did they do with you?

Anonymous

OP 19h

Wait are they literally going to swab my private area? I thought they would do like X-rays or just look at it not touch it

Anonymous

OP 19h

Normal physical stuff that every doctor does. Like weight, blood pressure, temperate, general stuff. Then they give you a hospital gown and you have to fully undress so they can properly examine for lumps and cancerous cells. They ask if you’ve felt any pain in the past or if you have pains sexually, the usual gyno stuff, do your pap and then if you have questions they’ll answer them. Then they’ll leave so you can get dressed and you can go home

Anonymous

#2 19h

What is a pap?

Anonymous

OP 19h

I never had to do an x ray I don’t think they’d x ray the inside of your organs. They grab a speculum fitting to your size, use that and have like those dental lights, and do 2 swabs, for any cancer cells and for any abnormal bacteria in your body and you get the results back in a few days. It didn’t hurt it’s like if you stuck a cotton swab up your area by yourself

Anonymous

OP 19h

It’s a screening to detect for cervical cancer

Anonymous

OP 19h

It’s a device they insert to your vulva, into the vaginal canal, to get to the cervix and allow for the cervical check done by the pap which is a swab, some people feel it stings some don’t and just says it feels like pressure.

Anonymous

#1 19h

Oh my goodness! I had no idea, that sounds very intimidating. Thank so much for this explanation!

Anonymous

#2 19h

Oh that’s definitely an important procedure! Thank you so much for the explanation!

Anonymous

#3 18h

ITS METAL? Thats terrifying

Anonymous

#3 18h

Promise it’s chill. It’s nerve wracking the first time, it nothing bad really happens, an they’re gonna explain everything to you as they do it. Don’t be afraid to ask for a different doctor or ask if a procedure is necessary, etc. you have control here. You are paying them.

Anonymous

#3 18h

You make a great point! Do they try to rope you into extra stuff for money very often?

Anonymous

OP 18h

You can ask if they have the plastic one I’ve never had mine done with the metal. They’re all different sizes anyway

Anonymous

OP 18h

i would recommend looking up what happens during a pap smear on the mayo clinic website, it’s a very helpful explanation :)

Anonymous

OP 18h

Nah, they shouldn’t. It’s really just you walk in, get in the down, they’ll press on your stomach a bit to see if there pain/lumps, do the same to your boob, take a quick peek inside, and it’s over. If you have an issue or want meds (ex. I have an iud) then they’ll talk about other stuff, but it’s over and done pretty fast

Anonymous

#3 18h

Also yeah the speculum looks intimidating as hell, but it’s very smooth metal and won’t poke or prod you any more than necessary. It really just feels like a stretch with too cold fingers

Anonymous

#3 18h

Gown*

Anonymous

#4 18h

I will definitely do this, thank you!

Anonymous

#6 15h

I love this haha thank you!

Anonymous

sleepin 15h

Thank you so much for the reassurance! I appreciate you!

Anonymous

OP 14h

Metal is easier to sterilize! That’s why they use it :)

Anonymous

#7 14h

I see! That does make a lot of sense!

Anonymous

#8 12h

Also just keep reminding yourself, doctors see the human body EVERYDAY and nobody looks the same. So they are seeing multiple versions of the same parts. So while it is new and scary to you, it is their normal workday🫶

Anonymous

#7 12h

Oooo that’s a fun idea! Thank you!

Anonymous

#8 12h

Thank you so much for the reassurance!!! I appreciate you!

Anonymous

OP 2h

the one they used for my pap was plastic, but i went to an obgyn for the iud insertion i believe they used metal, so i think it depends on the place