It's a misconception that pelvic exams are painful, says Barbara Snyder, M.D., chief of Adolescent Medicine and associate professor of pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, N.J.
"It should not hurt!" she stresses. "If it does, either the patient has a problem that is causing her pain or the exam is done too roughly or incorrectly. The speculum part of the exam is a little uncomfortable but not painful. Similarly, the manual part of the exam is also a little uncomfortable because of pressing on the uterus and ovary area & much of the discomfort can be minimized by relaxing those muscles," she says.
Finally, your doctor will examine your breasts for lumps, discharge, or thickening. Your doctor will feel your breasts and may squeeze them slightly to check for discharge. If you don't know how to perform a breast self-exam, your doctor can explain how to do it at this time. A breast exam shouldn't be painful, but if your breasts are often tender, you may experience some discomfort.
If your Pap and STD test results are normal, your doctor's office may not notify you, but if there are any abnormalities in your test results, you'll be notified about further treatment.
Ask Away
A major part of a gynecologist's job is to provide education and counseling to women about reproductive health issues. Before your appointment, prepare a list of topics and questions you'd like to talk to the doctor about, such as birth control options, changes in your body or menstrual cycle, STD and pregnancy prevention, and sexual practices.
Relax
Regular pelvic, breast and cervical checks are vitally important for a woman's reproductive health. If you are nervous about your first exam, Dr. Snyder offers a few tips to help you relax.
"Know what to expect. Take someone with you (mom, friend, boyfriend). If [you are] very nervous during the exam, trying relaxation/visual imagery techniques or chat with the nurse or whoever else is in the room. The more one can relax the abdominal and thigh muscles, the easier the exam -- since tightening these up also tightens up the vaginal muscles and makes the exam more uncomfortable," she says.
And remember -- once you've armed yourself with some knowledge from your doctor and some protection from the pharmacy, you'll be ready to soak up the summer love under the boardwalk
