#firstgynappt

I’ll preface this with the fact I’ve seen the OB/GYN at my family doctor before, for ovarian cysts, and she’s the type of person with a sense of humor, so she knows that she can joke with me all she wants.

My first pap smear was great. First, she rolls in with the GIANT speculum on the work table, with her assistant telling me she’s warming it up so it won’t be cold. I’m sitting at the table, getting ready to be spread eagle, and I say, “I dunno, doc, that looks a bit too big.” As I say that, she uncovers the actual speculum she’d be using on me. (Which is, the plastic ‘pediatric size’ one, which I find very comfortable.)

As she was telling me what she was doing the whole time, her assistant was asking me about how my year had been so far (It was March) and I had told them about how I got something stuck in my vagina and had to go to the E.R. to get it removed. My doctor and assistant start laughing so hard as I’m describing this. So much so she had to stop so she didn’t hurt me. She looks down and says, “Is there anything in here that I should be worried about?  Any more things stuck in there?!” Which caused me to laugh, at which she yelled out, “No don’t laugh! You’ll break the speculum!”

I don’t think a lot of people can say their first pap smear was a blast, but mine certainly was. You just have to find the right doctor, which I know with limited insurance options can sometimes be a hassle. I hope more people can find a OB/GYN that can make them laugh as much as mine does. :D

Amazing!  That sounds so great!  I hope you continue to have a life full of wonderful, fun pelvic exams!

Submitted by @captsimmons

My first visit to the gynecologist was when I was 15. I immediately loved her, and she was so helpful in finding a birth control that was right for me! She’s actually the woman who delivered me, and both my mom and grandma love her as well!

Love me some intergenerational GYN care! <3 Continuity of care rocks!

So my first OBGYN story went pretty well, all they did was a breast exam and we talked about birth control (which I don’t remember why I didn’t get any that day but whatevs) that was about a year ago. However… about a week ago was my 2nd time and it went really weird. First, my aunt and I went into her office for the consultation on birth control. She asked why I wanted it, so I said that I feel ready to become sexually active and that I don’t want to get pregnant. Then she asked if I believed in god and I thought that was a bit of a weird question but I said yes because my aunt was right there, then she asked if I new what the bible says about premarital sex and I didn’t really know how to respond to that. Then she goes on about abstinence and yada yada. I still ended up getting birth control, the implant, but it was really REALLY weird how the consultation went. Some people are saying that that was illegal but idk I let it slide because it’s probably her culture or something.

Well I’m glad that you were confident enough that you got the birth control that you wanted and needed out of that, but I’m so sad to hear that she acted that way to you!  It was deeply unprofessional of her, and if you are interested in pursuing action against her (not necessarily suing, but maybe reporting her to the medical association), you would be well within your rights to do so.

I saw my first GYN at 17. These were back in the bad old days when you had to have a pelvic exam to get birth control. But not being on birth control at the time just wasn’t an option as I knew I’d be sexually active soon with my then (and now) sweetheart.

I wasn’t nervous at first. My mother had taken me along to one of her appointments when I was younger, so I knew what to expect. (In the intervening years we’d moved five states away. So there was no way I could see her longtime doctor.) And I had asked the women and girls I knew who they went to. I chose someone with unanimously glowing reputation.

Now, I say I wasn’t nervous at first, because I did not expect the doctor who walked in to be a seven foot tall behemoth of a man. I don’t think I’ve seen a larger human being in my life. (You would think all those people I asked would mention something like that!) So, yeah, the nerves came on hard. Fortunately, he was also a lovely doctor with decades of experience. He’d gone into the field largely for obstetrics, but you could tell he genuinely loved his job. His bedside manner was the best I’ve ever experienced from any doctor. He knew all the right jokes to crack to keep me calm and had no judgement at all when I asked for my prescription.

I made the point of going back to see him a few times through college and a little while after until he retired at the end of 2007.

I’m so glad to hear that even though he made you nervous originally he proved to be a good, caring, provider!

I was 17 when I went to my first GYN appointment to get on the pill. In all honesty, it was a little awkward - the doctor was male and he’d seen my lady bits 17 years prior when he was delivering me from my mom’s lady bits 😂He was very professional though, and since I was only 17 at the time I didn’t need a Pap smear, it was just a normal pelvic. I was a little nervous beforehand, but it wasn’t painful at all and he assured me that I was healthy.

I’m glad to hear everything was okay and that things worked out in the end.  This sort of stuff can be so scary!

Submitted by @constituencyofone 

I was 20 and went because my cramps and back aches were so bad during my period that I was passing out or having to miss class. In the waiting room, my forms included one about weight loss and satisfaction with my body as part of a weight loss regimen the office tries to sell. It was quite infuriating, and every time it is included in my paperwork I write exactly how I feel.

I ended up not needing a pelvic exam because I had never been sexually active at that point. My doctor prescribed me the birth control pill I am on now (3 years later and it still helps so much). She told me I should be proud that I am still a virgin.

When I went the next year and had a pelvic exam due to my age, she told me the same thing again and made a point to mention she had to get a different speculum for virgins. I wonder what she will say this year, since I am now sexually active…

I go to this doctor because I am still on my parent’s health insurance plan. But I can’t wait to find a more body- and sex-positive OB/GYN.

I hope she can see past her own biases to continue giving you the best care possible.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed for yoU!

My first GYN story was awful. Mom brought me in to her GP because my periods had stopped four months prior. We waited 2 months for an appointment. The doctor, a woman, didn’t listen to my concerns at all (I’M NOT PREGNANT YOU PEOPLE AREN’T LISTENING), was super demeaning to me, implied my periods stopped because I was fat (despite being in better condition than a year ago), took blood for a pregnancy test and hormone panel. Called back a week later, not pregnant (no shit) and never explained my hormone panel. Never seeing her again, I do all my GYN stuff through planned parenthood now, where they told me in 1 appt I had amenorrhea, gave me hormones to see if I could have a period, and put me on Mirena later that month

I have so much love for the empowering work that @plannedparenthood does for people, just like in this story.  So glad to hear that you found that!

My first gyn exam happened a few months ago at my regular physical appointment at my family doctor. I’m 23 and have never had sex or even used a tampon, so the PA I go to had been putting off my first Pap smear, but this year she said I should do it. I was super nervous and scared, but she was incredibly kind and really tried to make it as comfortable as possible. But when she started putting in the speculum, I kind of freaked out and tensed up and it started to hurt. As soon as I told her it hurt she stopped and just said “it’s okay, this isn’t going to work today, we’ll just try again next year.” Even though the Pap smear didn’t work out or go as planned, I’m so appreciative that she was understanding and kind. And I think next year when I go back, I’ll be less nervous and will actually be able to have the pap smear done .

Yay! I LOVE that story!