I do not remember my doctors’ appointments when I was a little kid very well; what I do remember was screaming, being held down for immunizations, the taste of the oral Polio vaccine, and the scraping throat-culture tests from time to time. Nor do I remember regular/routine visits, but surely I went to them at least regularly because I was always up-to-date with the vaccinations that were required for school.
However, I question that too….
When I was in the fifth grade, my class went on a field trip at a roller skating rink. Long story short, a classmate and I careened and I broke my wrist. My mom picked me up and I did not go to school for a couple of days (pain!), but I did not see a doctor about my injury until about a month later when my arm was clearly more than a sprain.
I had one physical in my senior year of high school when, for the first time since I had developed, I was examined. The exam was cursory - I was fully clothed or, if I did have a gown on, I kept on my undergarments - included my first breast exam (I only remember cold fingers underneath my shirt… and embarrassment). I do not remember even any glances under my panties, nor was it deemed necessary as I had never participated in any sort of intimate relations at that point - I had not even had my first real kiss yet. I am sure I would have recalled that if it happened.
When I mustered up enough courage to go to the gynecologist for the first time, my focus was placed on what was going to happen with the speculum exam. Any external genital visual exam happened quickly and unbeknownst to me… or I was so concerned with the entire contents of Everything Else that it went completely unnoticed on my part.
In fact, it always does. It’s done quickly enough not to catch my attention, as I am completely anticipating the internal exam.