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I heard it would be scary. I heard, "I'd never go, even if I had to" and "Why would you want to do that?"  But I made the decision to go to the gynecologist anyway.

Young women go to gynecologists for all different reasons. They go to learn about birth control and get checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy. They go just to talk to a doctor or nurse about any sexual issue.

"I went to the gyno when I was scared I was pregnant. We discussed protection and how I can stay safe from sexual no-nos," says Jocelyn, 15, of Houghton, MI.

I went because of a yeast infection that was hard to treat. My pediatrician suggested I go to a gynecologist for an examination. I wasn't scared; I thought it was about time I got rid of the infection.

Making the Date

My pediatrician gave me the name of a gynecologist at a public health clinic. Because of my health plan, I needed a referral to see this gynecologist. Usually, this isn't the case, and you can see a gyno without a referral.

My mom made my appointment, but you can make your own by calling a health clinic or a recommended gynecologist. They may ask about your referring doctor, health plan, and reasons for making the appointment.

If you're under 18 and want to see a gynecologist, you don't need your parent's permission. You should always call the clinic or doctor's office first and ask them about their confidentiality policy. 

My visit to the gyno was set for April 16th. As the date got closer, I got more nervous. I'd only heard not-so-great things about going to the gyno and I felt I ought to be scared. But I wasn't. Once the day came, I didn't feel all that "prepared," but I knew I had to go.

The Arrival

Once I got to the clinic, I checked in at the front desk. The clinic looked inviting. Seeing other people my age made me less nervous.

Since I was with my mom, they gave her the forms to fill out. Most questions asked for basic information about insurance and phone numbers. Then they took me in right away, while my mom waited in the waiting room.

First, the nurse checked my weight and height. I also had to give a urine sample. Next, I went into the office of the gynecologist who was going to perform the exam. She asked if I had any family health issues and if I wanted to be on birth control pills. Though I didn't, she said that I could come back if I wanted to go on birth control.

The meeting was a chance for me to ask questions. But I wanted to start the exam, so I saved my questions for later.

The doctor took me into the exam room, which had a well-lit, clean, and comforting atmosphere. There is usually a doctor and a nurse in the room during the process. I had a female doctor, but if you get a male doctor, there should be a female nurse with him. If not, you can request one. Having a female nurse may make you more comfortable, especially during your first exam. 

The Exam

The doctor gave me a cloth robe. I only had to remove the bottom half of my clothing. She gave me a "rundown" of exactly what she was doing as she did it. She told me to relax and take deep breaths.

She started by using a device called a speculum. This is a plastic or metal instrument that's used to hold open the vaginal walls during a pelvic exam. Doctors usually choose the size of the speculum depending on your body size and level of sexual activity. Since I was small and not sexually active, she used a small speculum. Though it hurt a little, it was only in for less than two minutes.

During a pelvic exam, the gynecologist examines you for anything unusual (like inflammation or discharge). She also gives you a series of tests, the most common one being a Pap smear. This detects any changes in cells around the cervix. The doctor collects samples of cells on the cervix that are then sent to a lab and tested for cervical cancer and abnormal growths.

Luckily, I couldn't feel any of these tests. The only uncomfortable part was the speculum.

Next, she used her fingers to examine my internal reproductive organs. She was checking to make sure there wasn't anything abnormal, like a cyst or lump. This was uncomfortable, too, but not very painful and over fairly quickly.

After the pelvic exam, I received a breast exam. As she was doing it, she reviewed ways to do one at home. No pain, all gain. Then I was done.

Trip Over

I survived, and it really wasn't too bad. The last thing I had to do was go back into her office and ask final questions. I asked how long it would take for the Pap smear results to come back and how often I should get these exams done.

She said that I'd probably know the results in less than three weeks. She also said that it's necessary for females who are 21 and older or having sex to get exams at least once a year.

With a sigh of relief, I must conclude that going to the gynecologist was worth it, because you can save your life with a just a short exam. As for my yeast infection, the doctor prescribed medication and it cleared up in a few days.

Editors' Note: To make an appointment with a gynecologist, ask your regular doctor, family, or friends for a recommendation or find a clinic in your area. You can find a clinic by searching online, or looking in the yellow pages under "clinics" or "family planning," or calling Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).

To learn even more about the gyno exam, check out www.firstvisit.org.

 

National correspondent Colleen Farrell, 15, of Plainwell, MI, contributed to this story.