First visit to the gynecologist: how to prepare?

First Visit to Gynecologist: What Expect How Prepare?

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First visit to gynecologist for many young women anxiety-provoking event associated with uncertainty often various myths. However gaining clarity about visit course importance possible reduce fears form positive attitude towards care for own reproductive health from early youth. About how prepare for first gynecologist consultation how examination proceeds tells Health and Beauty Center Adoria gynecologist Jana Bjornsone.

First Gynecologist Visit Key Aspects:

• First visit: if no complaints recommended age from 13 to 15 years mandatory – upon starting sexual life.
• Visit course: consultation includes conversation history taking if necessary gynecological examination tailored to patient's age situation.
• Preparation: includes preparing information about menstrual cycle health history daily intimate hygiene adherence.

When Suitable Time for First Visit?

No one specific answer to question when exactly go to gynecologist first time. For young women without complaints not yet started sexual life first visit per general guidelines can be planned age from 13 to 15 years. This age often coincides with menstruation onset growing interest in own body sexuality.

Need consider first visit especially for young women not yet sexually active not always means full gynecological examination. Its goal often get acquainted with doctor build trustful relationships ask questions receive professional understandable answers about own body health.

Gynecologist consultation before sexual life start valuable preventive measure however if no specific concerns questions at this age visit recommended not mandatory. Gynecological examination can be necessary earlier in cases if arise any complaints questions including:

• Menstrual cycle disorders – very painful irregular too heavy long periods;
• Unexplained recurrent pain in lower abdomen;
• Unusual vaginal discharge itching burning sensation;
• Questions about contraception sexually transmitted infections (STIs) especially before sexual life start;
• Desire receive information about own reproductive health HPV vaccination.

However situation significantly changes upon starting sexual life. In such case important schedule gynecologist consultation as soon as possible even if no complaints. Important for several reasons including discuss choose most suitable safest contraception method understand sexually transmitted infections risks prevention options if necessary perform testing. At same time during this visit performed initial reproductive health assessment provided recommendations for further visits.

• How often plan gynecological check-ups how proactive approach helps avoid various health problems in future read article: "Regular Gynecologist Visits: How Often Why Important?".

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What Happens During First Gynecologist Consultation?

Each gynecologist consultation individual but exists general plan according to which it usually proceeds. Understanding visit course can help reduce fears anxiety however most effective approach to anxiety reduction understanding promotion timely informative visit. During it young woman opportunity get acquainted with doctor look around office in conversation with specialist get answers to questions about which often uncomfortable even embarrassing talk with others.

Informative consultation allows reduce tension as gynecological examination during such visit may not be performed young woman opportunity emotionally prepare for next visit examination on gynecological chair. Moreover such approach reduces also various myths incorrect preconceptions young women get from non-professional sources in virtual environment.

1. Conversation history taking: visit starts with conversation. Doctor asks questions about general health condition past illnesses allergies used medications family history e.g., whether relatives had gynecological oncological diseases. Very important questions about menstrual cycle – when started first periods how long cycle how long heavy periods are they painful. If young woman started sexual life also asked questions about it used contraception. All provided information confidential.
2. General examination: depending on situation can be measured blood pressure performed height weight measurements.
3. Gynecological examination: this part often causes greatest anxiety. Important know full internal gynecological examination not always performed on first visit especially if no complaints not started sexual life. If examination necessary includes:

• External genital organs examination: doctor visually assesses external genital organs condition;
• Examination with speculum: if necessary doctor uses special instrument – gynecological speculum to examine vaginal walls cervix. Procedure can cause slight discomfort but should not be painful. Important try relax. This examination performed only for young women who already had sexual intercourse.
• Bimanual examination genital organs palpation through vagina: doctor with one hand through vagina usually inserting one two fingers other hand on lower abdomen palpates uterus ovaries size shape position. This examination performed only for young women who already had sexual intercourse.

4. Additional tests: sometimes can be necessary gynecological ultrasound – if not started sexual life performed through anterior abdominal wall in other cases most often transvaginally or tests taking e.g., smear from cervix for oncocytological examination usually recommended from 25 years age or earlier if specific indications. Decision on necessary tests made by doctor based on information obtained in conversation examination results. However first gynecologist consultation goal often exactly informational preventive.
5. Closing conversation: after examination tests doctor discusses results provides recommendations on healthy lifestyle hygiene contraception if relevant answers all questions. If no complaints repeated gynecologist consultation usually recommended once a year.

Upon pregnancy gynecological examinations should be performed more frequently. Most important information about gynecological care during pregnancy learn reading article: "Gynecologist Consultation During Pregnancy: When Why Needed?".

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How Prepare for First Visit Reduce Anxiety?

Preparation for first visit to gynecologist more psychological than physical. However some practical tips can help feel more comfortable.

• Suitable time: best plan visit when no periods unless bleeding itself reason for visit. If heavy bleeding other acute complaints visit must not be postponed.
• Personal hygiene: sufficient with daily hygiene procedures – shower washing. No need use special intimate hygiene products deodorants perform vaginal douching as can interfere with examinations.
• History preparation: try remember date when last periods started how regular cycle. If any health problems surgeries also inform doctor about them. Starting first periods girl recommended use some menstrual cycle tracking app on smartphone as periods monitoring very essential reproductive health aspect.
• Comfortable clothing: preferable choose clothing easy to remove put on.
• Support person: depending on young woman's age can go to visit together with mom older sister friend. However important remember conversation with doctor examination usually takes place one-on-one ensure confidentiality. Support person can wait in waiting area.
• Anxiety reduction: most important remember gynecology medical field caring for women's health in all life stages. Gynecologist specialist whose goal help not judge criticize. Visit normal health care part similar to dentist family doctor visit. Open communication with doctor understanding of what will happen best way reduce fears. Remember doctor always explains what will do at any moment can ask questions request break if discomfort.

Exactly comfortable atmosphere also supportive mutually cooperative-oriented communication key factors promoting positive experience reducing natural anxiety before visits forming basis for long-term trust regular health care. If young woman on first some subsequent visit does not feel safe comfortable understood completely justified even recommended seek other doctor with whom better mutual contact develops.

Gynecology for Young Women at Health and Beauty Center Adoria

Photo: adoria.lv

Successful first gynecologist consultation forms basis for further trust regular health care. Gynecology for young women at Health and Beauty Center Adoria – here experienced empathetic gynecologists ensure professional care support for each patient particularly caring for comfortable understanding atmosphere on first visit.