[ginger22]

In a few weeks I'm going to go to the OBGYN for the first time. I had a strange mishap with birth control so I need to go and talk to my dr. about it. Nothing big. I don't know if that's weird but I am only 17 so I guess it's not too late in the game to go for the first time? But anyway...It might be a weird thing to think about but like what exactly do they do? lol I know but don't know at the same time. What should I expect? Can they tell if you've messed around? I mean like I've never had sex but I've done other things. Will my dr. be able to see that or something? haha. I have the strangest questions. =P

[Saralaise]

Its not likely they will be able to tell anything; plus even if they can, its not like they are allowed to discuss it with anyone but you. I dont know about anyone else, but when I get my yearly "womanly exam" done, my doctor just asks me questions like "any problems with birth control...are your periods regular...etc" and then I get a vaginal exam done. No biggie.

[ItsASecret]

If you are not sexually active then they often say that there is no need for the actual exam. The first time I went I was not active, my endocrinologist forced me to go because my periods did not start till I was older than most girls...I was very unhappy with her making me go. When I got there my OBGYN said she was not comfortable with giving a patient the exam if they were not sexually active, because it can be a traumatizing first time.

[Iseulda]

No - they can't tell if you've messed around. And if they could they wouldn't care other than within the remit of their job, which is helping you keep a healthy vagina and reproductive system.

Looking at your hymen does not really give a gynaecologist any clear idea of your sexual experience as, at 17 and without sexual activity, the hymen will have widened considerably anyway. Also, non-sexual activity can tear or stretch a hymen anyway.

It is possible your doctor will ask you about your sexual activity - this is strictly professional and it will help him / her far more if you tell the truth. Your information will be kept in confidence.

I'd agree that an internal exam is not necessary unless there is a problem that the doctor needs to look at to diagnose and / or treat.

I'm a little intrigued as to what the strange birth control mishap was - but of course I'm only being nosey

[WildChild]

The nurse will take your blood pressure and ask you a few questions. She'll ask if you have any particular concerns. Then will ask you undress and slip on charming exam gown. She will leave the room while you undress. The doctor will knock and enter, she will chat with you a bit, listen to your heart and breathing, she will ask you to lay down on the exam table. You will have to scoot down to get your bottom at the end of the table and place your feet in metal stirups, this is so the doctor can easily check you vulva and vagina.

She will use a device called a speculum to spread the vaginal opening enough for her to examine your cervix. Then she will use a long cotton swab to rub your cervix to bet a little sample to test for cervical cancer - this is called a pap smear. She will slip a finger or two into your vagina and using her other hand on your abdomen, she can feel your overies. Sometimes that is a tiny bit uncomfortable but only for a moment. The doctor or nurse will also check your breasts for lumps.

That's pretty much it. It only takes a few minutes. You can ask any questions you wish, this is a good place to get information!

[Iseulda]

WildChild - why would they give a 17 year old who is not sexually active a PAP test?

Maybe a quick internal and check the ovaries as you say, but not a PAP test.

[WildChild]

She's on BC, why would they assume she isn't sexually active?

[Iseulda]

Fair point - I wasn't sure she meant the pill by bc, seeing as she isn't sexually active - and I'm still curious about that 'mishap'

[ginger22]

haha it's ok you are allowed to be curious about the mishap ... see it's more of a crazy stupid problem but ...

sunday: period ended took first pill
monday: took second pill same exact time as the first one
tuesday: 2am - woke up and basically puked my guts out every 15 minutes until I had to go to the ER around 9 am

The ER people said "oh well it's probably the birth control" but seriously thousands and millions of people take birth control and I've never heard anyone say "I threw up for 7 hours because of it" so now I have to go to the OBGYN. Like I don't know if I'm just stupid or if severe vomitting is a symptom of birth control?? but i would really like to not throw up when taking it. lol. So i had to stop taking it and now my whole system is flipping out like bleeding when I shouldn't and ugh its terrible! but yeah thats the "mishap" it's more of a silly malfunction in my body? lol idk?

[Iseulda]

Sounds like it was a reaction to the birth control - I expect it is just the wrong kind for you - it happens. The ObGyn will help you find a pill that suits you better.

Good luck with that. And thanks for satisfying my curiosity