annoyances

[spiffychicky.livejournal.com]

this isn't about menstruation persey, but it's something that's definitely bothered me for awhile.
I cannot for the life of me believe how many girls I know have not been to a gynocologist yet. I was told, or assumed I guess, that once you get your period you go at least once, then more often when you become sexually active. Or something the that extent.
I was talking to my friend about going to get HPV vaccine and she said she had no idea where to get it. She said she just couldn't ask her general practioner for it because he was the "family doctor" and it would be too embarassing. She's a 19 year old, sexually active, and very body aware woman. I couldn't believe she'd never in her life been to a gyno.
Personally I think it's unhealthy, especially if your sexually active. And I certainly wouldn't trust my general practioner with my girl-y matters. I wonder why so many girls put off going.

Comments

[taldragon.livejournal.com]

it depends where you are - in the UK, seeing a gynacologist isnt so common, usually GPs do smear tests/advise on or prescribe birth control etcetc.

if she's 19, is she at college/uni? could she ask the doctor there?

[ravenkat.livejournal.com]

I'm in Canada and my GP does all that. If something strange came up, then I'd go see a gynecologist. Frankly, it's much more convenient to have my medical history in one place.

[taldragon.livejournal.com]

(also, it's "per se" not "persey")

[kateherself.livejournal.com]

I think there are a lot of reasons why women don't go to the gyno.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I think they should, but I think a lot of women are scared, or afraid their parents will find out their daughter's not a virgin, or embarrassed to talk about sex with someone they don't know. There's still a stigma about young women being sexually active, although a gynocologist who buys into that bs made a poor career choice.

I guess that it also has to do with how you are raised. My mom is a nurse, so I went before I became sexually active, to get birth control.

[goingdriftless.livejournal.com]

And I certainly wouldn't trust my general practioner with my girl-y matters.

I love my general practitioner. In fact, when I chose him, I chose him and his office because they are a family practice and will take care of pretty much anything routine I need done. They refer out to specialists when they need... for instance, I see a separate psychiatrist and allergist. But I think my doctor's great and trust him with all my gyn issues. (Though, he did refer me to another doctor in their practice to have my IUD inserted... she was much more experienced in insertions.)

So anyway... I'm just saying... it's totally cool if you're not comfy with it or if your friend isn't, but I wouldn't rule it out for everyone. For many women, seeing their GP might be a very good start on the track to their gyn health.

[spazmaqueen.livejournal.com]

You don't really have to go till you're 18 or sexually active, whichever comes first. As far as I know,or at least what every doctor has told me, you don't have to go after you get your period.

[vampodrama.livejournal.com]

I'm 26 and I've never been to a gyno. the reason why I'm not willing to go either is that I'm 26, I'm a virgin and there is just no fucking way I am going to admit to someone face to face that I'm a virgin at 26.

and yes, while you're all gonna tell me that it's OK and that it's no one's business, I have my reasons - ALL doctors, every single one, every single one I have seen is judgemental. yes. all of them.

[niseag03.livejournal.com]

FWIW - At 23 I went, was a virgin, and my doctor's eyes got big and went, "THAT'S GREAT!!" Judgemental, yes, but in a positive re-enforcement kind of way.

[http://users.livejournal.com/__justlikeyou/]

I'm 18 and I've never been...and I don't plan to for a while, either.

I have a few reasons, but it's mostly non-reason. I just don't want to go. I don't specifically dislike doctors, but I specifically dislike people I don't know and am not comfortable with poking around there - and when I'm not comfortable with something, be it wearing a particular article of clothing, going to a certain event, eating a certain thing or letting a stranger poke around in my netherbits, I cannot do it.

I also don't have the money, and I've been to my GP ... um. Probably over a year ago was the last time. I don't have any other doctors because I don't see a need for them and I [again] don't have the money to be jumping around with "medical professionals" all the time. If I have a problem, I can usually fix it - if something serious comes up like an infection, I'll contact them, but my GP never tells me anything I didn't already know, as she's one of the few good 'uns who don't proscribe medication unless they absolutely have to. My GP, also, being a lady, would probably be the one I'd turn to if I had girl issues.

and please, no one tell me that I need to - I've heard it, and I don't care to hear it again. just offering why I haven't.

[niseag03.livejournal.com]

I certainly wouldn't trust my general practioner with my girl-y matters.

That's who I go to for my yearly exam... She's awesome!! It also helps that we already have a relationship due to all my other medical stuff, that when it comes time for the pap smear, we end up talking all the way through it to where I don't notice so much what is going on. :)

Anyway, I've always heard you got at 18 or when you're sexualy active -- whichever comes first. It's definitely a good idea to go.

However, I know people who, in their 40s haven't been in 15 years. They figure, "Oh I had a clean bill of health, and I feel fine. Plus its just such a pain in the butt to go and do all of that." Yes, it is. But atleast one of those also ended up finding out breast cancer runs in her family, and had her relative (with the same POV as her) gone for her regular exam and mammogram... she'd have found out sooner and possibly been able to be saved.

Not going, you're gambling with a lot of things. I'm just as bad as anyone in wanting to put it off... but I also would rather get it checked out and KNOW everything is okay. Versus just assuming its all fine.

[stripling.livejournal.com]

I think it can be difficult for some because they don't have a doctor they feel they can really trust. Personally, at first I found it weird to have someone poking around in my nether regions, but I thought of it as like, a car tune up. Things become so routine for docs- it's like "ok, so this part works properly" and so on. And for me, making sure I'm healthy trumps any sort of shyness I have about my sexual history (or if I wasn't having sex, lack thereof).

[darkenedminds.livejournal.com]

My 20th birthday is in two weeks and I still see my pediatrician as my GP :3!! He gave me a pelvic exam and pap when I was 17-18ish, and pretty much told that since I'm sexually active (but have no interest in hormonal BC) with a monogamous partner, and nothing is wrong or unusual, and I'm pretty aware of my body and any changes, theres no reason for me to see a gyno unless I wanted to, at least till I stop seeing him

[winifred.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of it is upbringing. I grew up with a liberal dad who was determined to get me on bc *before* I became sexually active. My first GYN exam was at 14 or 15.

Talking to your kids about sex is tough. You want them to know about their bodies without inviting enough curiosity to get them in trouble. This includes normal stuff, like what the reproductive organs do and how to take care of them. Some girls grow up with "here's some pads, good luck" and nothing else. I consider myself lucky I knew as much as I did, when I did.

My sister wasn't so lucky. Her dad was a schmuck, and my mother was so mortified at my self-knowledge she overcompensated by throwing out the kid- and teen-friendly books I learned from. I guess she thought ignorance would keep my sister from exploring. She was wrong, but another side effect turned out to be that my sister was sexually active for eight years before getting a pelvic exam, and I know she wasn't 100% with her condom use.

Why did she wait? "I don't want anybody poking around 'down there.'" "Even if it's a doctor?" "Yeah. That's gross." !!!

To end my biglongstorynoreason, I honestly think that if she was more familiar with how her body worked to begin with, she'd be more motivated to take care of it and get it checked out regularly.