An obstetrician-gynecologist or Ob-gyn specializes in female reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. Your expert provides you with routine medical check-ups and preventive screenings to guide you throughout your ‘turning into women’ journey. Females aging 13-17 often face their period-problems. In such cases, a visit to an ob-gyn becomes a must. It is usual to get a bit nervous or embarrassed about their first visit. But you can overcome it by gaining knowledge about what happens in the first appointments.
The following are some of the situations where generally women visit their gyno. And these are the experiences you can have if you are visiting for the first time:
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Consultation with the ob-gyn
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The first step includes your encounter with your consultant. You have to sit in front of the doctor and inform him/her about your issues. He/she will throw some basic gyno-related questions at you. These questions could include:
1. What is your basic menstrual duration? When does it begin and end?
2. For how long are you missing your periods?
3. How often are you involved in sexual activity and its history?
4. Have you gotten pregnant before?
5. Did you go through any abortions?
6. Have you taken anti-pregnancy pills?
The questions asked inside the medical room are quite personal. But you shouldn’t hesitate as it is all confidential and be honest with your doctor. These questions will help him/her to understand the full picture better and clearer.
General examination
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After a basic introduction and clearance of all the queries, your ob-gyn will lead you to the examination room. He/she will run the preliminary test. This test includes measuring your blood pressure and noting your weight and height. Once done with the tests, the physician will opt for a genital exam.
The gyno will examine your external genitals and the vulva. The outer genital examination is generally done to check for any abnormalities in the structure of your genitals. This general examination is very crucial because your doctor needs to create a detailed report. It also helps them to understand the root cause of the problem.
Breast Exam
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This test is a must for women who are 21 years or above. Younger women are at lower risk for breast cancers. But if you are an adult, then you are most likely to attain one. There is nothing to worry about this test. Your physician will simply conduct a breast examination and prepare a report based on your condition.
He/she might also offer you some tips to take better care of yourself. Many experts even suggest ways on how you can spot if there is anything wrong. For further details, you may connect with a multispeciality clinic through this website.
Pap Test
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This test is also for adult women of 21 years of age and above. The Pap test or Pap smear test involves swabbing of the lower portion of your uterus connecting your vagina and the cervix. The Pap test aims to collect a small sample of your cervical cells.
This sample is taken by an ob-gyn. Some basic tests are done using the sample. He/she checks if there are any signs of cervix cancer or any other gynecological ailments. However, cervix cancer is very rare while other ailments are easily treatable.
Pelvic Exam
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The Pelvic Exam consists of three parts. The initial part of the exam is done during the general examinations. It is the external genital exam of your vulva. The vulva consists of all the external parts of the vagina. Those can be seen outside like the labia, clitoris, and opening of the vagina. You can even ask for a mirror if you want to evidence it.
For the further stage of the Pelvic exam, your physician will use a speculum to study your vagina and cervix. The doctor may also take some cervical cell samples if required to run certain tests. If you experience any pain, feel free to let your consultant know. He/she might switch to a smaller speculum. Altogether, this part of the test won’t take more than a minute or two.
The final stage is where your doctor will conduct a bimanual test of your reproductive organs. Although it may sound scary a bit, there is nothing to worry about. This test intends to check the situation of the organs by examining your uterus and ovaries. Yet again, don’t forget to tell your doctor if you feel any pain. However, this test will take about a minute or less.
How do you prepare for your first Ob-gyn visit?
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Most women often get nervous before their first gyno appointment. But there is nothing to be afraid of. You just need some basic preparations before visiting your doctor.
To begin with, you need to fix your appointment in the middle of your cycle. Experts prefer to run tests when you’re not on your periods. If you have irregular periods, they should be brought to the limelight of your physician.
Certain things must be avoided for at least two days before your tests. They are sex, douche, usage of powders or creams, and use of tampons or putting anything inside your vagina. You can also prepare a list of your queries that you want to ask your physician for clarification.
Some women tend to get confused if they need to shave down there or not. Well, it is your choice. It doesn’t matter if you shave because it doesn’t cause any problem during your examinations.
Conclusion
The first appointment with an ob-gyn is always a unique experience for every woman. Apart from the compulsory tests, your physician will also suggest you receive the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). This vaccine protects you against cervix, vagina, and vulva cancers. Gynecological health is an immanent part of taking care of yourself. So don’t be afraid of asking all your gyno-related queries to your doctor.
