First Ob/gyn appointment terrified

Awww, don't worry about going to your appointment. I was a virgin when I went to my first gyno appointment and it was not bad at all. The doctor will be extra gentle especially if you have never had sex. My doctor used a smaller speculum and made sure to tell me everything she was doing. If anything, I felt a little cramping when she did the actual pap smear, but it was not painful at all. I'm proud of you for going because I know it's very scary when you've never done it before, but I promise, it's super quick and easy! Let me know if you have anymore questions!

Hey! Don't panic.

I had my first pap last year. Like you, I was so terrified! You really don't need to worry. It wasn't that bad. It was uncomfortable, but I wasn't experiencing excruciating pain. It's more like feeling pressure down there. The more you tense up though, the more it may hurt. I told my gyno it was my first pap, and she was so helpful and explained what she was doing as she went, that way I knew what was about to happen. It was quick as well!

Don't feel dirty! Pap smears can help detect a number of things like cervical cancer, which is good to catch early.

I have never had a bad experience at the gynecologist. Maybe bad news, but nothing major. It will be awkward at first you stop to naked from the waist, sit on a regular exam table with protective paper and they give you a blanket to cover up woth. It's always going to feel weird the first time they do an exam, you'll feel exposed, but it should not hurt and a good doctor actually makes it feel lime they are not looking.

Hi!

There’s no reason for you to stress. Sure, it’s not the most comfortable feeling something having cold and metal put inside of you. But I wouldn’t say it hurts to the point of tears and having to take a nap because it hurt so much...unless you have a very large cyst inside of you and it gets touched?

Anyway. Take a deep breath. You’ll be fine. After your first appointment, you’ll get over the awkwardness of bearing your all to your doctor. At the end of the day, it’s probably the 300th vagina they’ve seen lol.

Im so sorry you are stressed so much!! I’ve only had good experiences at the gyno. I personally looked for a female doctor bc I knew I’d feel more comfortable. It feels really uncomfortable during the exam but it doesn’t hurt me. And it’s fast. Talk to your doctor let her know you are nervous and she will talk to you and make you feel more comfortable

Tell your doctor that it's your first time being examined and you're nervous. Also, ask that they use the pediatric speculum (it's smaller). Some gynos really can be gentle. My last exam was with a new gyno (we moved) and I didn't even know she was in there.

I would say it all depends on what you are getting done. For instance just a routine pap for me is just a little uncomfortable but not painful, while having an IUD removed is painful! I have a great relationship with my OBGYN because I have been going to her for years. My biggest advise for you it to talk to them and find someone you are comfortable with.

Also don't rely just on horror stories of others, people stretch the truth often when it comes to medical visits lol

It isn't that bad. The full exam is maybe 3 minutes of uncomfortable pressure. I have to get yearly pap smears (family history). They don't hurt any more than the rest of the exam. I normally bleed for a few hours afterward, lile a light period (bring a pad for after). My OB/GYN is fantastic, she's super gentle and makes me feel comfortable.

Don't worry! A normal pap and check up is not painful. The speculum can sometimes be uncomfortable, but they will likely use a much smaller one for you. Tell them you are nervous and this is your first exam. Also tell them that you are still a virgin. (They will ask you this anyway). Just relax and breath. The only time I've ever had pain at the OBGYN is getting my IUD, but that is another story lol

Just relax. A pap smear is uncomfortable but its totally normal and once its over, its over. It takes less than a minute. There is usually always lube for that virgin or not. The doctor will ask if you have ever had one before. They will ask if your visit is just routine or if you have any concerns. Then they will just ask routine questions like birth control or if you experience any pain. Nothing heavy unless your there for something specific, so maybe thats where the "dirty connotation" comes from. Doctors have seen so many hoo-hah's i dont think they are particularly staring at yours but what they need to do with it. I had a whole baby last year and i've had all kinds of eyes, and specimens down there. I got over it lol

I've only ever had positive experiences. Only once has it hurt even a little bit, and for the most part the doctors are super professional and are great at making you feel comfortable. Every exam I've ever had has been really fast, and if you tell them it's your first time they can do more as far as telling you what's going on.

Getting regular check ups is super important, and once you do it once it gets better every time you go. It will never be the best thing ever, but at a certain point it stops being a big deal.

I think it’s probably going to be awkward for you because it’s always awkward but there isn’t anything to be afraid of. It’s really good that you are taking the proper health precautions before you get married and begin a romantic life with your FH!

I wouldn't say I've ever had a bad gyno experience, but it doesn't mean I look forward to my doctor's appointment lol. It's okay to be nervous, I still get nervous when I go. Explain it's your first time and the doctor should be understanding. This is their job, so they are used to looking at this stuff all the time!

Pap smears aren't too bad either, just some discomfort. I compare it to a bad period cramp.

I've never experienced pain during a pap smear. It's a good thing you're going though. Even if you aren't sexually active I believe you're supposed to start having paps at 18 or 21. It might be a little awkward, but it's nothing to worry about.

I love my OB/GYN. I honestly don’t mind going. I mean, it’s lile the dentist... or the BMV. i don’t really WANT to go, i don’t look forward to going.. but at some point you kind of have to go and you just go. My MD explains everything that he’s doing before/while he’s doing it, gives me a heads up if I’m going to feel something (pressure, a scrape, etc), and explains what results mean/statistics/changes in research.

Your OBGYN will know it’s your first time- hello medical history- and will also have a verbal conversation with you (about your physical well-being/sexual wellbeing) before heading below the belt.

Its hard to relax when when someone says ‘hey i need you to relax’ but honestly that’s the best thing to do. Before you go, maybe ‘practice’ what it feels like to relax/contract your pelvic muscles so you can tell the difference prior to the appt.

First of all, you will be ok. It can be uncomfortable, but the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor about your fears. I have never had any major or lingering pain having a pap. I got my first when I was 18 and am now 31. So I can say that while it is an awkward experience it gets easier over time and is super important to do! So many times things are caught early because of you being proactive! Just breathe and try your best to relax. You can do this!

I'm sorry to hear you are so stressed. I hope that some of the positive experiences people have shared are helping you feel better.

I was a virgin the first time I went to the gyno too. I was about your age...maybe a little younger. I was super, super nervous. But, like others are saying, the doctor is going to do everything he/she can to make you feel comfortable. The exam is also over very quickly. When you are on the table, just try to relax and close your eyes and maybe think of the words to your favorite song or something. Then, once it's over...it's over! It gets less and less scary each time you have to go.

Hey girl, it'll be ok! I've been a bunch and I still get nervous because it's a doctor (I also get nervous at the dentist, dermatologist, etc... no one likes to be poked and proded) but If you have a great doc they'll know how to distract you. Mine just made sure I kept talking about my last vacation so that I was focused on the questions and not the process. It'll be over before you know it.

Just try to keep your brain and breathing calm and your body will make it all a little less uncomfortable. You got this, girl!

My first well woman exam was when I was 18 and I was still a virgin and it didn't hurt at all. None of the ones since have hurt either. (I'll be 32 this month). You might feel a little pressure but that's normal and like PP said make sure the doctor knows you've never had an exam and haven't had sex (which they'll ask about anyhow when taking your history) and that you're nervous. And just ask that they use the smaller speculum (which they likely would do regardless).

Also, I'm a physician and I promise you the doctor has seen it all and has helped many other women be less nervous about their exam. They want you to feel comfortable and safe. And you're doing the right thing by making an appointment and taking ownership over your health.

I recommend searching reviews online and finding a female physician as you'll likely be more comfortable with a woman. The best thing you can do for yourself is try your best to trust the doctor and to relax as much as possible. The women who have pain often times experience it because they are tensing up.

It might help to use a mirror at home and take a look at yourself if you've never done that before. It's good to know your own body and become acquainted with yourself. The unknown is always scarrier than things we're familiar with.

It is a breeze! I personally can't even feel when the doctor does the Pap smear and have no discomfort from it. Talk to your doctor and tell her about your nerves. It is easiest if you can get talking to your doctor (wedding plans are always a good topic!) and it makes the appointment much less stressful during the exam! Good luck!!