[nikki_22]

I'm a 22 year old healthy female. I have never had a pap test or been to a gynecologist. (yeah, I know that's really bad). I quit smoking about 6 months ago after smoking for 4 years. I don't drink and I eat healthy. I run every day. I want to find a good women's health doctor. However, I am embarrassed to tell them I have never had these exams before. I just didn't think about it that much -sex was never talked about in our house. I've been thinking lately that I need to go. I just don't want to get a big lecture about it. I'm thinking they will ask me to fill out all this medical history that I don't have! How should I go about this? I just went to the regular doctor and he said I seemed to be very healthy. He said I should get the pap test, etc. just to make sure everything is OK. I have never even been in a gynecologists office! What are the tests that are done? Do they hurt? How much do they cost? I don't have insurance and only make 7 bucks an hour. What is included in a regular annual visit? I have normal periods, am very regular and have only had sex with 2 guys. One, I'm with now and I know he doesn't have anything-he got tested last month. The other guy was when I was 16, we only had sex once but he didn't use a condom(yes, I know that was stupid of me). His friends all said he didn't have anything. I even asked his ex after we broke up and she said no too. He didn't have an orgasm when we did it, he didn't want me to get pregnant. Could I have cervical cancer from HPV from one time w/o ejaculation. It's been a long time, wouldn't I have symptoms by now? Anyway, any advice about finding a good doctor would be welcome! Thanks a bunch!:)

[MayfairLady]

Just think of this exam as another part of your healthy lifestyle. They do not hurt but can feel unconfortable. Going will give you the peace of mind you are looking for. It is routine exam for the doctor or nurse performing it and they are sensitive and trained to make you feel comfortable... no lectures! :) I'm from the UK so not sure about the costs etc. for you. Please go, it really is no big deal, the peace of mind you will get when you do will be worth it!

[shygrneyzs]

Since you have no insurance and little money, check to see if there is a public health agency/clinic in your area. The costs are much less than a regular doctor's office. Perhaps a women's clinic. If there is one in your area or even a clinic associated with a University Medical School (which can be very affordable).

Pap smears are not as bad as they used to be. I hated them too because the equipment was usually cold and made of steel. But modern medicine has advanced to warm and not made of steel equipment and bedside manners have much improved. Since this will be your first experience - please explain that and you will be treated with some extra care and attention.

Here is a site that explains the first visit: Strong Health - Homepage

Good luck to you and don't be embarrassed. It is something all us women go through. Better to protect your health now than worry later. Take care.

[J_9]

Oh, hun, this is NOTHING to be embarrassed about. First of all, once a woman becomes sexually active it is imperative that she have yearly exams done. You probably did not contract HPV from your experiences, but we can't tell you for sure.

Now, as far as the doctor's visit, take Shy's advice above about clinics in your area. It's not necessary to repeat what she said.

As for the history sheet. When you fill it out, be honest, tell the truth. They will ask you things like allergies, heart disease in your family and who it was, high blood pressure in you or your family, cancer in you or your family. You know, just the usual stuff.

When it comes to the exam you will walk in the back, out of the waiting room, the nurse will weigh you, get your temp and your blood pressure, then take you into a private room. There she will ask you to undress and put a gown on, usually opening in the front so they can do a breast exam. She will leave the room while you do this.

Then the doctor will come in with the nurse. Don't ever let a doctor, male or female, do an exam on you without a nurse. He/She will most likely examine your breasts first. He/She will show you the proper way to do a breast-self-exam so that you can do it monthly.

Then you will scoot down on the exam table, put your feet in stirrups (you will still be covered, doctors respect your privacy). Once you are scooted down the doctor will insert a speculum, they are plastic these days, into your vagina so that the doctor can get a clear view of your cervix. At that point the doctor will take a little scraping of your cervix (you don't really feel it) and place it on a slide to be cultured for cancer, STDs and the like. After the speculum is removed the doctor will put a couple of fingers in your vagina and his/her other hand on your belly to feel your uterus as well as your ovaries to make sure everything is in the right position and the right size, then the doctor is done and your exam is over.

It really only takes about 5 minutes at the most. It took longer to explain it than the actual exam takes.

It is best to be proactive in your health.

[jillianleab]

Had to spread the love, J_9, but you're answer was spot on!

nikki, the exam really is nothing, and a good doctor won't make you feel guilty for not going in sooner. A good doctor will tell you that you should have been in before, but the important thing is you are here now and taking control of your health.

Before my first appointment I was scared out of my mind, but trying to play it cool. When the nurse took my blood pressure she looked at me and said, "Are you nervous?", lol! I said "No!" (again, trying to play it cool), but she just smiled and said, "Ok, good, nothing to be worried about at all!" After the exam was over I wondered what I had been so freaked out about. Look into where you can go and make the appointment, you'll be glad you did.

[prinzess1173]

I'm a 22 year old healthy female. I have never had a pap test or been to a gynecologist. (yeah, I know that's really bad). I quit smoking about 6 months ago after smoking for 4 years. I don't drink and I eat healthy. I run every day. I want to find a good women's health doctor. However, I am embarrassed to tell them I have never had these exams before. I just didn't think about it that much -sex was never talked about in our house. I've been thinking lately that I need to go. I just don't want to get a big lecture about it. I'm thinking they will ask me to fill out all this medical history that I don't have! How should I go about this? I just went to the regular doctor and he said I seemed to be very healthy. He said I should get the pap test, etc. just to make sure everything is ok. I have never even been in a gynecologists office! What are the tests that are done? Do they hurt? How much do they cost? I don't have insurance and only make 7 bucks an hour. What is included in a regular annual visit? I have normal periods, am very regular and have only had sex with 2 guys. One, I'm with now and I know he doesn't have anything-he got tested last month. The other guy was when I was 16, we only had sex once but he didn't use a condom(yes, I know that was stupid of me). His friends all said he didn't have anything. I even asked his ex after we broke up and she said no too. He didn't have an orgasm when we did it, he didn't want me to get pregnant. Could I have cervical cancer from HPV from one time w/o ejaculation. It's been a long time, wouldn't I have symptoms by now? Anyway, any advice about finding a good doctor would be welcome! Thanks a bunch!:)

Don't be nervous.It,s natural to be though.I go every six months now.Don,t avoid it!! I,ts important to take care of yourself!! Try a clinic maybe.. :)