It's not necessary to shave or wax your vagina before getting a gynecologic exam,” Dr. Ross ensures. “Vaginal grooming is your personal choice. The main consideration on how to prepare for an exam is to simply be clean, so showering or using a vaginal hygiene wipe prior to your visit is suggested.”
Nope! You do not need to shave before a gynecologist appointment (or any doctor's appointment!). Your doctor doesn't care how you care for your pubic hair, because it isn't a health or hygiene concern.
There's no need to groom for your doctor — It's not uncommon for a patient to apologize for her unshaved legs or pubic hair grooming habits or body appearance when lying on the table. Rest assured, there's never a reason to apologize.
There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.
While your doc or nurse is going to ask some very personal questions (like whether or not you've had sex, or if you're dating anyone), they should never judge your answers. Nothing you say will shock them or make them feel differently about you. Seriously! So, it's super important to answer them honestly.
After you check in for your appointment and a medical assistant takes you to the exam room, let them know that you are on your period. You can remove your tampon, pad or menstrual cup in the restroom. Inside the exam room, pads are available to lay underneath you if needed.
You can call your doctor ahead of time to find out if your boyfriend (or anybody else) can accompany you. For a number of reasons, however, it's unlikely that he'll be allowed to be with you. It might make you feel a little better to read up on what a pelvic exam consists of and what it will probably feel like.
A typical pelvic exam only lasts a few minutes. You undress below the waist and cover your lower body with a sheet or gown. You lie down on the exam table with your legs raised in foot rests or leg rests called stirrups.
Surgilube® Sterile Surgical Lubricant is a water-based, carbomer-free lubricant that has been trusted by medical practitioners around the world since 1932. Surgilube® adheres to instruments well and is available in a range of sizes including single-use packets and multi-use tubes.
It doesn't take much to prepare for a pap smear. Some women may feel like they need to shave their pubic hair, but it's unnecessary for this test. You should only tackle it if you'll be more comfortable. Your doctor has seen it all, so a little bit of pubic hair won't bother him.
The night before your surgery, wash with soap you were given. Do not shave your abdomen (stomach) or pubic hair. Shaving before your surgery gives you a higher chance of getting an infection. A person from the health-care team will use clippers to get you ready for surgery if hair needs to be removed.
A gynecologist diagnoses and treats issues with female reproductive organs. They deal with all aspects of sexual health like preventive care, cancer screenings and physical exams. Some of the services and tests provided are: Pelvic exams and external genital exams.
Dr. Minkin told us that, although "there is no biological reason to remove pubic hair," shaving down there is a safe option for removal, as long as you're doing it correctly. "The major concern with shaving is cutting oneself — but as long as you don't get cut, there's not much harm," Dr. Minkin said.
Hair is removed to avoid problems during and after surgery, for example when stitching up wounds or applying dressings. However, some studies claim that removing hair could cause infections after surgery and should be avoided.
It is not more hygienic to shave pubic hair. Some girls decide to remove it (as a personal preference) but there are no health benefits. In fact, there are risks associated with shaving your pubic hair including: razor burn (rash), redness, itching (from hair growing back), and infection in the hair root.
The short answer is no, you don't need to. Your doctor has seen it all before and won't be fazed by your pubic hair. In fact, pubic hair can actually help protect against infections and irritation. That being said, if you prefer to shave or trim your pubic hair for personal reasons, that's perfectly fine.
Two days before your Pap test, avoid intercourse, vaginal creams, suppositories, medicine and douches, as these may obscure abnormal cells. Should you groom or not groom? However you take care of your body, you should keep doing it. It is important for you to feel comfortable during your first exam.
Why does a speculum hurt so much? Pain may be a sign that your muscles are overly tense or that you have a condition that's making the experience painful. To prevent pain, communicate your concerns and relevant health information to your provider. Let them know at any point if you're experiencing pain.
Yes. Most health care providers permit patients to bring a friend or family member into the exam room with them. However, it's a good idea to call ahead and ask your health care provider if this is okay with her or him.
A little spotting (very light bleeding) is normal after a pelvic exam. If you have heavy bleeding, call your healthcare provider.
Dress To Undress
Minkin. Wear comfortable clothing you can get out of easily. Tuck a pair into your purse and forget the lace-up boots and the intricate body shaper. Also, if you're having a mammogram before or after your Pap test, "wear a top and skirt or pants," said Dr.
Yes, it's totally okay to get a pelvic exam when you're on your period. But most nurses and doctors would rather do your pelvic exam on a non-period day when you're not bleeding, or at least not bleeding heavily. That's because menstrual fluid (aka period blood) can affect the results of some lab tests.
It is better to see a doctor and have them address your concerns early, than to risk infection. Retained tampons are generally easy to remove using a vaginal speculum, which allows your gynecologist to see the tampon and remove it.