Someone asked us:

Q. Can a gynecologist tell if you’re a virgin or not?

Virginity means never having had sex, but people may define “sex” differently. But in general, there is no easy way for a nurse or doctor to determine if you’ve had sex or not — which is all the more reason you should tell her or him.

It’s important to be honest with health care providers so they can get an accurate picture of your health and needs. While it might feel embarrassing to talk about your sex life with a relative stranger, being upfront can help health care providers determine if it’s a good idea to test you for sexually transmitted infections, prescribe birth control, recognize pregnancy symptoms, or talk with you about possible problems with your sexual relationship. Tell your nurse or doctor if you’ve had vaginal, oral, or anal sex, because all of these things put you at risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Planned Parenthood health centers strive to provide nonjudgmental services that are confidential and affordable. Click here to make an appointment at the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.

-Nathan at PPFA