hello, im new

[fallenangel00.livejournal.com]

hi, my name is amanda, and i am 17 years old. i have never been to the gyno, for the fact i am too scared to go. i honestly think i should see a doctor, for the fact i think i have major problems below deck. heave flood-like periods run in my family, and i am a lucky girl to get the gene. along with the waterfall, i have intense cramps and headaches. sometimes i even spend days puking anythingi attempt to eat. i dont even move most of the time im on my period. but thats not the end of it. i have a discharge that kind of lasts throughtout the entire time im not on my period. that has been going on for at least a year and a half, but im scared to do anything about it. its rather gross. plus i get so sick to my stomach and sometimes even a fever. is there anything i can do to lessen the flow/pain? im sick of being a girl!

another thing. im very scared to go to the doctors/gyno. im shy just going to the doctors for a physical exam. but i do think i need to go. plus, my boyfriend and i are extremely sexually active. he wants me to go onto birth control to be safe. having birth control prescribed means going to the gyno. how can i get over my fear of this?

thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for the comments.

<3amanda

Comments

[dodogrrl.livejournal.com]

it's not that bad. the best thing i would suggest is to find a female gynecologist, and be sure to tell her that it's your first exam. write down any questions you have, and bring them along. say something like "before you start i have a few questions," that way you'll get to chat with her before the exam begins, which should make it less intimidating. good luck!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

It's a good idea to go to the doctor -- not necessarily a gynecologist, general physicians can do pelvic exams -- once you're sexually active, regardless of whether you want birth control pills.

I'm not sure how you can get over the fear, other than to try to find a doctor who's mellow and gentle (which might mean asking around) and to go in there with lots of knowledge about the procedure. There should be a huge bank of information about that at http://www.vaginapagina.com -- is there still?

Ask more questions here as needed, but check that site out, too.

[everyperson.livejournal.com]

Go to the doctor. Or perhaps Planned Parenthood would be better for you. If you don't have a Planned Parenthood in your area, call the local health department. They most probably offer free and reduced cost exams and birth control if you qualify. They won't notify your parents. Find out if the person giving the exam will be a woman. Most health departments have nurse practitioners performing pelvic exams. That may set your mind at ease. It's really not a big deal... They see hundreds of women and there's no need to feel shy.

If you're sexually active, you need to have a pelvic exam. Birth control is also a fantastic idea.

This sickness/fever/discharge you describe could be some sort of infection, especially since you're sexually active. Chances are, it's something that can be easily cured, BUT, if you don't get yourself taken care of... certain infections can cause permanent damage.

Take care of yourself, and feel empowered for doing so, not embarrassed.

[xviragox.livejournal.com]

It's really not bad. I agree about finding a woman -- a woman is more likely to be excited for you that this is your first exam.

And just think -- once you get it done, you (hopefully) don't have to think about it for another year! If that's not enough motivation, think about how much better your menstruation might be once you're on BC. Mine went from "ugh" to, "oh."

[throwing-stoned.livejournal.com]

If you are mature enough to be having sex, you should be mature enough to go to a dr.
They see hundreds of vaginas daily. There really isn't anything to be worried about. It doesn't hurt its not THAT embarassing.

[fieryhot.livejournal.com]

i'm 20 and i just went to the gyno for the first time last month, even though i've been sexually active since i was 18. i too was nervous about it and kept putting it off.
anyway, it really wasn't that bad. its routine for the gyno, and mine was really nice, she got her undergrad at my college, so we talked about that, which helped take my mind off of what was going on down there. i'm sure most gynos (or at least, younger women gynos) know how uncomfortable a first exam can be and will try to do what they can to make you more comfortable.
so, try to find a woman gyno, and set up an appointment. take control of your health.