My first trip to the gyno is coming up, and I’m a little stressed—the doctor’s a man! What exactly is going to happen?
Answer:
Guy gynecologists are every bit as sensitive and easy to deal with as female ones, so don’t let the fact that your doc’s a male freak you out. (If you really can’t deal, simply ask for a female M.D.) As for the play-by-play, here’s the scoop:
1. First, you’ll meet with your doctor in his office. (Ask your mom to wait in the reception area if you need to tell or ask him about any sexual activities, drug use or smoking fessing up is very important so he knows what to screen you for. This chat is confidential by law.)
2. Next, you, the gyno and a nurse will head into the exam room. (If you’re alone and there’s no nurse, don’t hesitate to ask for one to join you.) You’ll don a butt-baring paper gown, no undies allowed. Your doctor will explain exactly what he’s going to do and what you’ll feel, which makes things less stressful.
3. Then, you’ll get a breast exam, have your blood pressure, weight and heart checked. Next, you’ll lie on the exam table, and he’ll press on your abdomen for signs of internal weirdness, like a problem appendix.
4. Finally, you’ll pop your feet up into some stirrups and he’ll check out your vagina, cervix and uterus. He’ll examine the outer genital region, then he’ll gently insert a speculum (a short, smooth, tube-like plastic or metal device), which lets him see way inside. This step isn’t painful, but yeah, it feels kinda weird. He’ll then use something that looks like a large Q-tip and lightly rub some cells from your cervix for a pap smear. (This test checks for a healthy inner environment.) Following this, he removes the speculum and inserts one or two fingers, while he gently presses on your abdomen with his free hand-so he can check your uterus. Weirdness, yes; pain, no. That’s the big finish. He’ll leave the room so you can get dressed, then you’ll have a last chat. (Now’s the time to hit him up for any body or birth control questions you forgot to ask.) If you don’t get any private time with him, phone his office later to get your answers.
