(no subject)

[morning-stand.livejournal.com]

Okay, so, I'm 15, and I've had my period for.. like...what 4 years? Well, I was wondering, when should i go to the gyno? Cause, I've never been, and hell I haven't even had a regular physical since forever. And also I've been trying to look into going on the pill. Anyone have any insight on the pill that would help my decisions? Your comments are appreciated.

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

It's a good idea to have a physical at this point, anyway. Your body's probably changed a lot since your last physical exam. You might have questions, your doctor might want some new baselines.

Why do you want to go on the pill? You'll need your doctor to help you decide if it's right for you, for whatever reason. You'll need a full pelvic exam in that case. You should also have a pelvic as part of your physical (and regularly from then on) if you're sexually active.

If you're not sexually active and there's nothing gynecological bothering you and you don't want the pill, then pelvics can start in the late teens.

I had my first pelvic at 16 because of chronic itch which turned out to be allergies to laundry detergent used on my underwear. I started getting regular paps at about 20, and have had regular pelvics and paps ever since.

[morning-stand.livejournal.com]

Yeah that helps. Well I wanted to go on the pill because I've heard that it helps with wacko periods. I'm not sexually active, but I've been having lots of talks about it with my guy. Is going to the gyno generally uncomfortable?

[geminigirl]

It's not the most thrilling experience of my life, but it's not really uncomfortable for more than a few seconds. Physically, anyway. I tend to make my appointments a bit too close to the beginning of my period, so things are unusually tender then.

Emotionally...I see it as routine maintenance, like getting the oil in my car changed. It's not fun, but it needs to be done to keep things in good working order.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Some people don't like it or find it uncomfortable. It's never bothered me. I didn't have a hymen by the time of my first visit (I had intercourse for the first time at 19, but other things can stretch hymens out) so I didn't have that pain to deal with. I guess I'm fairly stretchy, nothing doctors have ever done to my coochie has been a problem -- and I'm prone to abscesses in my inner labia and once required a biopsy for a skin disorder there, so I've had some fairly invasive gynecology.

Before just assuming you want the pill for wacko periods, go to the doctor (a family doctor who specializes in women's health, or a gynecologist -- I'd strongly recommend my doctor, but she works several hours from you) and describe your periods, and look a variety of possible solutions. The pill's best for some folks, but not all.

[amhranai.livejournal.com]

Your dr should tell you to have a pap smear when you go in for the pill, I know I HAD to go for a physical in order to get the pill at all. And once your start the pill or are sexually active (I would hope if you are doing the latter you have the first too...) then you should go for a physical once a year.

I went on the pill at 15 and have gone for a physical every year. Not the most fun in the world. Out of the blue, they caught some pre-cancer cells, and removed them, and they would never have caught that if I hadn't gone. I was 20 when they caught it and they have monitored it ever since.

My dr just told me now that I can start going for a physical every two years, because I have had the same partner for 4.5 yrs and have found a pill I am comfortable on, and that hasn't caused any changes in my body for years. And now I am 25, so I am not doing too badly :)

[melonaise.livejournal.com]

Whether the pill helps your menstrual symptoms (and doesn't induce bad side effects) is pretty much open to chance. If your period is bad enough that you willing to take the small risk of side effects, go for it. If you want to have frequent, unprotected intercourse (remembering that there are plenty of sexual alternatives), go for it.

But if your periods are regular and relatively light-- why mess with a good thing?