Thinking of getting tested?  Nervous? Curious? Well, I felt both when I decided to get checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). I had heard unpleasant things from my girlfriends about getting tested—unfriendly clinic workers, uncomfortable pelvic exams...the list goes on!  I was intimidated. But my boyfriend and I had decided we should both get tested before our relationship got more serious.

The Date

First I called a few Planned Parenthood clinics near me, but all their appointments were filled. In fact, I would have to wait nearly a month to get an appointment at one of them (so plan ahead!). Then, I decided to call a local teen health clinic and was able to get an appointment for the following week.

In case I didn't want my parents to find out about the visit, they asked whether to call my home or cell phone, and if they should leave the clinic's name or simply say "doctor's office." I appreciated the confidentiality.

Honest Answers

When the day came, I admit I was anxious. It takes strength and independence to arrange an appointment and go to the clinic on your own (kudos to all who have!).

Upon arrival I had some paperwork to fill out. Nothing unusual—signatures for confidentiality papers, information about my sexual health history. It took five minutes tops.

Here is where the adventure actually begins: A nurse led me to the examination room and asked me questions based on my answers from the paperwork. Her questions ranged from my general and sexual health to my stubborn disdain for the Pill.

For instance, she asked questions like "Are your periods irregular?" "Do you smoke?" and "If you have had sexual intercourse, how many partners have you had?" While no one's used to talking about sex with a stranger, it's important to be honest.

A Pap-What?

Afterwards, she left the room to let me undress and change into a dressing gown. Glancing at the stirrups projecting from the examination table, I cringed. Was I going to spread my legs so wide? Would she see everything? What if I had the strangest vagina she'd ever seen? Okay, so, that probably wouldn't be the case, I told myself, as she came back into the room.

First, she examined my breasts. If you've ever done a breast exam on yourself, you'll know exactly what awaits. She lightly pressed various parts of my breasts, checking for anything strange, like lumps, dimples in the skin, or discharge from the nipple. It took a minute, tops, and wasn't as awkward as I had thought it would be.

Then came the pelvic exam. Before she did anything, she pulled out what looked like (I feel totally immature writing this): a clear dildo. "It's a speculum," she explained, and it would be opened, slightly, so that she could see the inside of my vagina and eventually perform a Pap smear.

"A Pap-what?" I asked. Apparently, a Pap smear is where some cells are brushed off of your cervix (the opening at the back of the vagina) and tested for anything abnormal. For example, they are tested for HPV, an STD which, if you have certain types, can lead to an increased risk of cervical cancer. At the same time, another culture will be taken to test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

I'll admit, it felt a little strange dropping my knickers. Before inserting the speculum, she looked at the outside of my vagina, making sure there weren't any sores or lumps. Then she inserted the speculum...and I waited for it to hurt. But, it didn't. I could feel it, but in an "Oh, I'm wearing a tampon" sort of way. In fact, the entire procedure lasted less than two minutes. Two minutes!

Lastly, with a gloved hand she inserted two fingers into my vagina, and with the other hand, pressed on the outside of my stomach, asking me whether anything hurt. It certainly didn't. It just felt strange for obvious reasons.When she finished, I felt so, so silly for worrying. In fact, I felt relieved. I had done it—and it was so simple, so easy, so painless that I encourage every girl (and guy!) to go get tested. What do you have to lose?

No Nasty Surprises

If you've had sex, then an exam and testing are really important to make sure things are all right "down there" and that you didn't get an STD. Nervous? Ask your partner or a friend to come with you. This is our health we're talking about, and dropping my panties for a few minutes sounds better to me than dealing with nasty surprises down the road.

Editor's note: If you also want to get tested, you can find confidential clinics near you through http://www.nfprha.org/clinics/, or by calling 1-800-230-PLAN to be connected automatically to the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.