Planned Parenthood — How do I prepare for the gynecologist?

How do I prepare for the gynecologist?

Someone asked us:

Do a person’s first obgyn visits hurt? What do you do in preparation? I don’t know if I need to shave or not an am too embarrassed to ask my parent… (ftn/m by the way)

Your first visit to the gynecologist shouldn’t hurt, and you definitely don’t need to shave before you go. In fact, you don’t need to do anything special to prepare. It’s normal to be a little nervous the first time you go, but don’t worry! You can always ask beforehand if you can have a friend in the room with you if that makes you feel more comfortable. Here’s what usually goes down at the gyno.

Your gynecologist (or a nurse practitioner providing the same care) will start by asking questions about your body, health, daily habits, and relationships. If you’ve had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, you may also talk about birth control and STD testing. Try to be honest — they need to know this stuff so they can give you the best care. This is also a good time to ask any questions you might have.
They might check your height, weight, and blood pressure. Next, they might give you a short physical exam. The exam could include:
Giving you a pelvic exam, meaning they check your genitals and reproductive organs, like your vulva, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Pelvic exams usually only take a few minutes. Unless you have a medical problem, you can wait until you turn 21 to get your first pelvic exam. Often, the pelvic exam also includes having a Pap test.
Checking your breasts for lumps or other issues.
Testing you for STDs (if you’ve had any kind of sex). However, it isn’t always part of your gynecology visit — if not, you can ask your doctor or nurse about what tests you need. STD testing is usually quick and painless!
Giving you the HPV vaccine.

If at any point you feel awkward or uncomfortable, or if something hurts, tell the doctor or nurse. You deserve to feel as comfortable as possible.