Gyn Exams: Know Before you Go
Gyn exams are a critical part of women's health and should be undergone by every woman. Before going in for your first one you may want to prep yourself so you know what to expect.
For every young lady the day comes where they have to go not only to their general practitioner or maybe even pediatrician and they have to see someone who specializes in women's health. This can be a daunting task and a scary day as one prepares to undergo what will likely be the most personal and in many ways awkward moment thus far. Well gyn exams do not need to be like that and they are in fact one of the most important things a person can do to ensure that that they are healthy and not at risk for any serious problems like cervical cancer. Because it is so important it is critical that you know what to expect because it is going to be a lot worse if you are tense and surprised by what happens.
First of all the doctor will begin by discussing with your medical history. This is your opportunity to tell her about any illnesses you have had or surgeries and what sort of general health you are in now. Net she will give you a general physical. This will mostly be taking your blood pressure and temperature and making sure that you are not sick.
After this is when gyn exams really begin. First of all she will palpate your breasts to look for lumps or cysts. Next she will test you for sexually transmitted diseases. Then she will give you the pelvic inspection. This is where she will examine the exterior vulva and all of the interior organs including the cervix and uterus. She will most likely do a pap smear in which she takes a few cervical cells to examine them for human papillomavirus and cancer. This can be slightly uncomfortable and occasionally painful but it is brief and absolutely critical. Next there will be vaccinations if necessary. There is a vaccine that offers protection against HPV and that is frequently given to women to reduce the prevalence of the disease and offer some protection against the risk of cancer. Finally she will discuss your health and answer any questions you may have.
Gyn exams including a pelvic inspection should begin when a woman is 21 years of age but prior to that it is important to discuss women's health issues with your general care practitioner. This is particularly important for women who choose to become sexually active before they begin having full gyn exams. After the first one you should generally have annual gyn exams unless a problem arises or there is a need for a new type of birth control. If there is anything unusual be sure to contact the doctor right away so she can see you before whatever problem you are having gets worse or causes you more discomfort.
