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Ask The Expert Archives on Puberty,
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Questions on Puberty, Gyn Exam Procedures and Pap Smears answered by |
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| Q: Intercourse
the night before your annual exam Is it ok to have intercourse the night before your annual exam? I heard it is not good so you can have an accurate reading. A:
You are right. It isn't a good idea to have intercourse the night before your annual exam. |
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| Q: Inflammation/atypical
pap smear I had a pap smear in November and it had to be repeated in December because it was too bloody to read. I called my ob to find out the December results and I was told that my test had come back with inflammation / atypical. I was told to wait 3 mo. & come back in to be retested. I do not want to wait this long because we have been planning for almost a year to start trying to conceive with my next cycle, February 2000. We had protected sex while I was ovulating this cycle and I spotted for 3 days. I have spotted after sex before but normally it is a deep penetration position. What should I do? Can I be tested now? How do I get to talk to my doctor, not the phone nurse? If I can be retested is it reasonable to ask them to rush the pathology? I was last tested on December 20th. A: You should wait 3 months. Your doctor is right. |
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| Q: Interviewing
a gynecologist My husband and I are thinking of trying to have a baby soon. I am 27 years old and haven't been to a gynecologist in 5 or 6 years. I would like to have a check-up before we start seriously trying. Do you have any questions you could suggest asking potential doctors (kind of like an interview process)? I have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities based on suggestions from friends but I want to find the one that is right for us. I would appreciate any suggestions you could offer. A:
Ask for explanation of the exam every step of the way. Ask about the tests you will be getting. |
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| Q: Gynecological
care I have been going to the gynecologist since age 19. I have never had a normal pap smear. My first pap came back with abnormal cells (mild dysplasia) the second was the same way. I then had a colpo and everything was fine with that. My next pap was abnormal again. I just recently had another colpo which showed the same as my pap. They now want to do a procedure called alletz (sp?), which I have never heard of and would like to find out more info on. If you could, please inform me of this procedure and explain it to me. I work as a medical assistant in a family/Peds office. I am not totally stupid about this whole thing. They told me it will be in office and with no sedation! Ouch! I appreciate any info you can give me. Thank You. A:
"Lletz", "Leep" or "Loop Excision": The use of a wire loop with electrical energy
flowing through it to remove abnormal cervical tissue and is commonly done under local anesthesia. |
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| Q: Are
there special gynecologists for younger women? Hi. I would like to make an appointment for a check up and birth control pills. Should I see a doctor who specializes in young women, because I am only 18, or should it not matter? If you could give me some advice that would be great. A:
A regular gynecologist is okay, but it would be better if it is one that specializes in the care of young women. |
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| Q: Colposcopy I was told that I needed a colposcopy, but at the time of my pap smear I had a urinary infection. Should I have another pap smear now that I have no infection? A:
Just get your colposcopy. |
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| Q: First
appointment with an OB/GYN When should a teenager first set up an appointment with an OB/GYN? A:
According to the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist Guidelines for Women's Healthcare, a teenager's
first visit to an OB/GYN should take place between the ages of 13 and 15. |
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| Q: First
pelvic exam I'm not sure you can be of service to me but its worth a try. I recently scheduled my daughter for her first pelvic exam. She is only 13, but has been complaining of pain around the pelvic area. She is concerned about having an exam done. I told her that it would be fine but she is not yet convinced. I was wondering if you could describe to me what happens in an exam for younger girls, or adolescents. Also, I was wondering if it is time that she have a genital exam. We have gone to the doctor together, but the doctor has not yet given her exam. Please respond as soon as possible. A:
According to the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist Guidelines for Women's Healthcare, a teenager's
first visit to an Ob/gyn should take place between the ages of 13 and 15 and at any age if the patient has any
symptoms. The exam takes only a few minutes. It includes a breast examination and evaluation of genitalia. It can
be uncomfortable but not painful. |
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| Q: My First Exam I'm 14 years old. I am getting ready to go to the gynecologist for the first time ever. I am scared and I think it will be disgusting. Can you tell me what will be going on during a normal examination? I'm going because I have severe cramping and my bleeding became extremely abnormal after the month of November, after being normal for along period of time before that. A: Do not be scared. What you should do is find a Gyn you feel comfortable with and before
the exam ask him/her for a description of the gyn exam. |
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| Q: Confidentiality
Laws Do most gynecologists have confidentiality laws, like if I went in for a screening and I told the Dr. I was sexually active would they tell my mother?? wondering A:
Confidentiality is related to ethics, your doctor should be like a priest. |
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| Q: General OBGYN Exam I have a question about the obgyn examination. My boyfriend and I are seriously considering marriage in the near future. How important is it to get an examination done before you get married? We wanted to know if the examination will effect our first time having intercourse. We wanted our first experience to be virgin and tight without me being stretched out first with a medical device. We want the experience to be something we go through together. If I did have the examination would there be a drastic change, or no change at all? Is there any way to get birth control pills without the examination? Everybody in my family is almost forcing me to go see the gynecologist but I just wanted to know if it is absolutely necessary. I just wanted some outside advice A: There will not be drastic changes. Yes you need not only a gyn but also a general exam. |
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| Q: Prior to OBGYN Exam? How long should one abstain from sexual activity before a gynecological exam? A: It is generally recommended at least 3 days. |
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| Q: Abnormal First
Pap My daughter had her first pap done about two months ago, and also got on the pill for the first time. She is 18 years old and still a virgin. We discussed the pill and decided to go ahead and start. She has been on the pill for two months now. Her pap came back abnormal. (the first one she has ever had) It was done at the health office. She just graduated High School and will soon start college so she doesn't have a lot of money. Seems to me two months is a long time to get results back. And she was scheduled for another pap August 5, 1999. It seems that if it was that serious they would get her in there a lot quicker. I want to know should we be real worried? I remember having an abnormal pap when I was younger, then the next one was alright. I may be a bit panicky, but how serious could this be? A:
"Abnormal Pap" is not enough information to answer your question, please be more specific. |
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