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First Pelvic Exam? Here’s What You Can Expect

The first pelvic exam is something that many young women are anxious about. Honestly, there is nothing really to be worried about, but it is just normal that you feel anxiety about the unknown. To help you get ready for that first gynecological exam, here is a look at some so that you can see what you to expect.

The purpose of a pelvic exam is very similar to every other physical exam you ever have had before. It is away for the physician to check your female areas and organs and to check for any out of the order gynecological problems. There actually is no set point in time when you should have your first pelvic exam, but it is absolutely recommended to have it when you are getting sexually active, if you have any problems out of the ordinary or around your 21st birthday.

If you have any pain in the lower belly or pelvic area, you definitively should see a gynecologist and be checked out. Another reason to have your first pelvic exam earlier is if you are not having your menstrual bleeding by the age of 15 or 16. If you started sexual activity and you are missing your periods, or if you have bleeding that lasts longer than 10 days, if you have extreme amounts of other discharge, burning, itching or smelling issues in your vaginal area, then you should see an OBGYN and have your first pelvic exam.

As with so many doctor appointments, you will be weighed at the beginning, your blood pressure will be checked and you will be asked to take off your cloths. Expect that you will have to remove your clothing and this will also include underwear and bra. In general, a hospital style gown will be provided for you. Most gynecologist appointments include a breast exam that is checking your breast for any lumps or other abnormalities to prevent cancer.

During the exam, your health provider will first of all tell you what you should do and also explain to you what is done and why it is done. You will have to lie down on a table and your stomach and legs will be covered with a sheet. In general, you will have to move your behind to the end of the table and place your feet in stirrups. Stirrups are holders for your feet to make the exam more comfortable and easy for you.

Your knees will be bent and your gynecologist will now ask you to spread your legs to either side and relax. At this point you might fell embarrassed, but do not worry. That happens to many of the women that are coming for an exam, even the ones that have had several pelvic exams. Just keep in mind that this is for your health and your gynecologist only wants to make sure that you are healthy and stay healthy. There will be an external check of your vaginal and pelvic area.

There will also be a speculum exam, the speculum will be placed into the vagina and the tool will gently open up to expose the inside of the vagina and a cervix. After a quick visual check, the healthcare provider will most likely do a Pap test. This test is done by taking a small q-tip-like tool to wipe your cervix area and get a sample of the cells. There might be a few other samples with similar small tools taken to check for other things such as yeast or transmitted diseases.

There will also be a bimanual exam, where the OBGYN will put a few fingers inside your vaginal area and then put light pressure on your belly. Relaxing and deep breaths will certainly make these exams comfortable and should you feel pain, tell your doctor immediately.

In general there are many things you can expect for your first pelvic exam, but besides the physical aspects, there will also be questions for you. You will be asked about your general health, family history of certain illnesses and diseases, your menstrual period, your breasts, about sexual activity and other vaginal relate problems. Be prepared for such questions as to whether or whether not you have had sex, how long your period lasts, when you had your first period, how strong the bleeding is during your period and when you breasts first started developing.