No, your gynecologist (gyno) is a medical professional whose job is to provide care, not judgment, and they have heard it all before, so you should feel comfortable being honest about personal topics like sexual history, birth control, or body hair to get the best care. They want to offer a safe space for you to discuss concerns, and your honesty helps them give accurate advice for your reproductive and sexual health.
No, your gynecologist doesn't care if you have hair and most will tell you not to use a razor or wax down there because both can cause ingrown hairs that can become infected and cause cellulitis. The only time it's helpful to remove that hair is if you have a skin issue in the area that isn't easy to see with the hair.
1. Worrying about hair "down there" We don't care if you shave, trim or wax before your appointment. It doesn't obscure anything we need to see or get in our way at all.
If It Is Your First
All your paperwork should be filled out before the GYN exam and any questions you may have should be written down. For your first time visit, your doctor will recommend you avoiding: Using any type of douche. Relying on tampons and other things inserted into the vagina.
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Exam Time
After you and your doctor have discussed your history and any current concerns, the doctor will leave the room so you can change. You'll need to take off your clothes, including your bra and underwear and put on a paper gown.
“It should feel like pressure; it can feel uncomfortable for a couple of minutes, but if it's causing acute pain, it is absolutely okay to say, 'Stop, this hurts. ' And they should absolutely stop and then try to figure out what's going on,” Lincoln says. “You're not supposed to be crying or in pain.”
Some things that you do in the days before a Pap smear can affect test results. For the most accurate results, you should: Not have vaginal sex for two days before your exam. Not use tampons, vaginal creams or medicines, birth control foams or jellies, lubricants or douches for at least two days before the test.
Many gynecologists will just do a general health exam and not a pelvic exam on the first visit. They'll get your height, weight, blood pressure, and temperature and talk with you about your development. You can ask questions about your body, find out what to expect at future visits, and learn how to stay healthy.
Do I need to shave or wax before my appointment? No, you don't need to shave or wax.
When menstruating, it's generally not necessary to cancel your appointment. Most gynecologists are accustomed to conducting examinations during menstruation. However, speak to your doctor if you're uncomfortable or have specific concerns.
A shower or bath the night before or day of your appointment is all you need to do, no douching or other types of intrusive cleaning.
A gyno visit is a great way to catch any potential health issues early on; for example, a Pap smear can detect cervical cancer early on, which is why it's often recommended for women over 21 years of age. If you skip your gyno appointment, you could miss out on important information about your health.
As an ob-gyn, I want you to know that pubic hair is normal. Whether to groom or let it grow is your choice—no one else's. And there is no reason to apologize about your pubic hair, to your ob-gyn or anyone else.
“An OB/GYN still can perform an exam when you're on your period, but it's also OK to reschedule the appointment if you are feeling uncomfortable,” said Rosemary C. Sousa, M.D., OB/GYN with Norton Women's Care.
Ordinarily, yes. You will be given a gown and asked to remove your clothes, including your bra and panties. You can undress in privacy and put on the gown before the clinician comes in for the exam.
At your appointment, you may be asked to change into a clinical gown (like a hospital gown) for modesty and comfort. We recommend wearing comfortable, two-piece clothes and shoes that are easy to remove so you can change without stress.
How you prepare. You don't need to do anything special to prepare for a pelvic exam. For your own comfort, you might want to schedule your pelvic exam on a day when you don't have your period. Also, you might be more comfortable if you empty your bladder before the exam.
HSIL changes seen on a Pap test can be CIN 2, CIN2/3, or CIN 3.
Do Pap Smears Hurt? While the procedure can feel a little uncomfortable, most people describe it as brief and manageable. Some experience mild pressure or cramping, like menstrual discomfort. Sharp or intense pain is rare, but if it does happen, let your provider know so they can adjust to help you feel more at ease.
Avoid intercourse, douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap test. These may wash away or hide concerning cells. Try not to schedule a Pap test during your menstrual period. While it can be done at this time, it is best not to do so.
Potentially painful gynecologic procedures include the pelvic exam itself, intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, endometrial biopsy, colposcopy and cervical biopsies (including loop electrical excision procedures), hysteroscopy, and induced abortion.
A Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is a test to look for changes to the cervix that may indicate cervical cancer or a precancerous condition. The cells taken from the cervix during the Pap test can also be used to test for the presence of HPV and can determine the HPV sub-type.
How wide does a speculum open you? While many people imagine their vaginal walls getting stretched drastically, usually, the widening is only slight. For instance, it will only need to be widened an inch or less for a routine Pap smear.