When was your first Gynecology Exam?

I was 13, because start bad periods. My mother took me to hospital.

I had no idea what is pelvic examination. Cold doctor, painful exam inside, I cried much, very bad experience.

College. Student health clinic.

@Nuwa This is so sad (though alas not the first time I hear of things happening this way). Some doctors do not seem to take into account the difficulties of teenage girls..

When I was pregnant as a teenager. Doctor was calm, explained everything they were doing and kept checking on how I was feeling.

I think I was somewhere around 14 or 15 when I finally got a speculum used on me. I was just there for my normal back to school thing I'd been doing for years and I guess they just figured I was ready. I was shocked at first when I was told I'd be getting one, but I sort of knew it would be coming at some point, and to be honest, my doctors would look between my legs every year anyways, so the only real difference this time was the stirrups, speculum and then my first bi-manual. The bi-manual, honestly, was more uncomfortable than the speculum. They used a "little girl" one me, so that's probably why... That and I was having, uh.. gas at the time and wasn't expecting fingers stuck in me with a hand pressing on my lower abs.. I'm amazed I didn't fart on the table and I'm still not a fan of the pressing down part.... It was a little awkward of an experience, but I wasn't mortified by it or anything. Though, I did have one friend that got her first at 16 because she still hadn't started her period. Her doc apparently had large fingers and wasn't nice with the speculum, per her.. I wasn't there, so some of that could just be her being panicked by the whole thing. I just remember her retelling the whole thing about the duck bills from hell, but she otherwise didn't seem traumatized. A cousin of mine did get her first gyno, spec, pap, etc. at 12 because her mom's side (married in) had a history of cervial dysplasia and cervical cancer, so they just wanted to make sure nothing started young.

17 to get on birth control for my first boyfriend

I was 13, because start bad periods.

@Nuwa After this painful examination, did you at least have the treatment that relieves your bad periods ?

A cousin of mine did get her first gyno, spec, pap, etc. at 12 because her mom's side (married in) had a history of cervial dysplasia and cervical cancer, so they just wanted to make sure nothing started young.

Oh that poor girl! That seems very young to go through something that invasive. I hope her experience wasn't too traumatic

I was 18. A freshman in college and a virgin. But I wanted to get on birth control in preparation of having sex with my boyfriend. I originally went in requesting an IUD, but the gyn talked me into the pill.

I went to the student health center, and saw the only female gyno on staff. I was kind of shocked at how short she was…not patient at all. Got me in and out very quickly and was not very careful or gentle during the exam.

My first gynecological exam happened when I was 14, while I was in the hospital for appendicitis. It was completely unexpected, and I felt really anxious because I had no idea what was going to happen. Everything felt rushed and overwhelming, and I remember being embarrassed on top of already feeling sick and in pain.

What helped me most was that my mom stayed with me the whole time. She held my hand and talked to me softly, which made me feel safer and less alone. Even though the exam itself felt uncomfortable and intimidating, having her there gave me some comfort.

Afterwards I was relieved it was over, but also a little shaken because it had all happened so suddenly.

@SanfteSpur Oh it must have been horrible! Was that gyn exam meant to confirm that the pain was not gynecological?

My first gynecological exam happened when I was 14, while I was in the hospital for appendicitis. It was completely unexpected, and I felt really anxious because I had no idea what was going to happen. Everything felt rushed and overwhelming, and I remember being embarrassed on top of already feeling sick and in pain.

What helped me most was that my mom stayed with me the whole time. She held my hand and talked to me softly, which made me feel safer and less alone. Even though the exam itself felt uncomfortable and intimidating, having her there gave me some comfort.

Afterwards I was relieved it was over, but also a little shaken because it had all happened so suddenly.

Did they do a full examination? What happened to your hymen?

N.

@Onyourexantable I’ve often been shocked when reading how young women with no or limited sex experience were coerced into getting a complete gynecological examination for obtaining oral contraceptives. That surely dissuaded many and led to unwanted pregnancies!

@SanfteSpur Oh it must have been horrible! Was that gyn exam meant to confirm that the pain was not gynecological?

@Jacana Yes, exactly. The gynecological exam was mainly to make sure that the pain I had wasn’t coming from something gynecological. During the abdominal ultrasound they weren’t completely sure whether my right ovary might be twisted, so they wanted to rule that out before confirming it was appendicitis. It was really scary at the time, but looking back I understand why they did it.

@Nagus

Did they do a full examination? What happened to your hymen?

The doctor mainly did perform a vaginal ultrasound as part of the examination, because she wanted to be sure my ovary wasn’t twisted. Since I was only 14, the doctor was extremely careful and explained everything step by step. She tried to make the procedure as gentle as possible, which helped me feel a bit more reassured even though it was still overwhelming at the time. My hymen, of course, remained completely intact.

@JTMac My mother accompanied me, but she stayed out most of the time

Young 14 or 15.

I am 28 and I’ve still never had a full gyno exam despite getting a pap smear from my PCP. I especially want to experience the bimanual exam and rectal exam if/when I ever get one.