Life After Puberty
My First Pelvic Exam
Preparing for your exam
Call your local clinic or family doctor to book an appointment. Be sure to book your appointment at a time when you won’t be on your period, because blood can affect the results of your Pap test.
Before your appointment, you may want to prepare some of the questions you’d like to ask your doctor. If you have any questions about your menstrual cycle, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, etc… you may want to write them down so you remember to ask your doctor at your appointment. In particular, be sure to ask your doctor about any concerns you might be having about your reproductive health.
On the day of your exam, it might be a good idea to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to change in and out of. If you’d like, you can bring a friend to come with you to the exam. You’ll need to bring your health card with you and you may want to show up a little bit early for the appointment.
When you arrive at your appointment, let the staff know that you are there. They will likely ask you to wait for a few minutes and you may have to fill out some quick Paperwork before the doctor sees you. Next, you will be shown into an examining room and asked to change into a gown for the examination. Sometimes, a nurse may take your weight and blood pressure before the doctor arrives for the exam.
Do my parents need to know?
By 21 years old regular pelvic exams are an important part of staying healthy for every woman. However, if you are sexually active, then it is important to get your first pelvic exam a little earlier.
Some young women may be afraid to tell their parents about getting a pelvic exam because they don’t want their parents to know that they are sexually active. While it is important to have an open relationship with your parents (and they may be happy to know that you are being responsible about your health), you do not need a parent’s permission to have a pelvic exam. You can arrange the exam yourself directly through your local clinic or family doctor. Remember that what you tell your doctor is just between the two of you.
Last Modified: September 12, 2007
