Going to the OBGYN for the first time as a virgin in an HOUR! Help!!

@Kat - maybe. and that's a good point, but I think the cutoff for Gardisil is like ... 25ish? I got it at 21 or 22 I think from my GP.

I have never ever heard that you should go when you start menstruating. I've always heard 18 or sexually active like most other ladies :-)

I completely second the cranberry pills. I had terrible UTIs as a kid and throughout my teens way before I ever even had sex. I did everything the doctors said to keep clean and was always careful but I am just super prone to them. It got worse later on when I became sexually active but now I find if I take cranberry pills every day I don't get them. I used to drink the juice but couldn't always every day and you have to drink a lot! The pills are so much easier and effective.

I've never heard that before Anisea....I was 10 when I started....and that was traumatic enough, I assure you. OP, I didn't go until I was 20. It hurt some, but it was more awkward than anything else.

Relax and breathe through your nose.

If you get lube, make sure you test it on your hands or legs first to make sure you don't react to them.

Most of them can be pretty simple, but you never know if you've never tried them before.

8! It was terrible. I was overweight and it is the early side if normal. I was in a long bus trip to New York and then went immediately to see the rockettes. My poor mother. It makes a good story now though.

Anisea is wrong, you do not need to go when you being menstruating unless you have issues/pain/extremely heavy bleeding/etc. I am 30 and have never seen an OB/GYN but I get exams every 6 months and I started when I became sexually active.

Pee after every time you have sex (within 30 minutes but as soon as you can)- a UTI is HORRIBLE and will ruin your honeymoon (often called the honeymooner's disease ) It's not the most romantic to run to the bathroom after every round, but it'll save you a lot of pain - especially if your honeymoon is in a foreign country.

You should definitely get Gardasil as well, especially if your FH ever had sex or fooled around before. HPV can be spread from skin to skin contact so you don't have to have sex to get it and you often won't know if you have it. But Gardasil will vaccinate against the strains that most commonly cause cervical cancer.

Your first time will probably hurt and not actually be enjoyable for you. Just keep trying

How'd it go? I know we are all interested to hear about your experience.

Also, it doesn't HAVE to hurt your first time, unless he is "gifted". Take it slow, use some lube and you'll have a GREAT time

Research Gardasil before you get it please....the numbers are pretty sad medically speaking to just be putting it into your body without research. My dr. informed me that it only covers 3 strains, and it currently only works 60% of the time!!! I'm just not comfortable putting something like that in my body.

^^ so you aren't getting it because it "only" reduced your chances of getting that type of cancer by 60%??

I didn't get it and won't get it because it's too new. They don't know DIRT. They're using the general population (at least those that volunteer for the test) as research specimens. All I see in the future is this:

"If you or a loved one..."

Gardisil protects against the most dangerous and high risk strains of HPV, and thus, cervical cancer. To me, getting something that could potentially save my life is a no-brainer.

Why would she NOT have to pee in a cup? Virgins get UTI's all the time. And I'm not in agreement that 18 is a magical number. Especially in this day in age where Gardasil is a viable option and bc can and should be started earlier to prevent inevitable (and preventable) teen pregnancy.

Also, by and large, if something is approved by the FDA it has gone through rigorous testing for years (and I am a medical malpractice attorney). Are there exceptions to that? Of course there are, but they are few and far between.

Do some research on the process drugs (specifically, vaccinations) have to go through to get approved by the FDA. I think the notion that people who are vaccinated (and are ultimately being proactive in safeguarding their health from a condition that the majority of women and men will experience throughout their lifetime - HPV) are "research specimens" is pretty ridiculous.

But don't take my word for it. You can ask all those people who died of measles, polio, & scarlet fever for their thoughts on the matter.

@Kate - no, it doesn't reduce your risk of cancer by 60%...60% of the time it blocks the three strains. that's not even a 100% of the time it blocks THREE strains...and there are thousands. I don't want something in my body that only works 60% of the time on such a small number of strains...

but that's just my preference.

You've got enough advice here but I just wanted to say...Good for you for waiting. I wanted to wait, failed, and still wish I had. I'm not down on myself, but I know it's a very hard thing to do so props to you girlfriend.

18 or when you become sexually active. Whichever comes first.

I started getting my period at 9 so by 10 I was at my first appointment. I was petrified and my mom was even unsure of me going so young but they said it was needed to make sure things were okay. VERY awkward but ya get used to it.

I'm glad you're finally going! It goes not matter if we are sexually active or not, women should start to have check ups with an OBGYN at 18. There's nothing to be scared of. It can be extremely awkward at first, but you get over it. Just ask for a generic brand and make sure they don't just give you the BC company that pays them out.

Come on Hannah, tell us how your vagina is doing!

Hello everyone!

So yesterday was pretty much exactly how people explained it. My doctor was willing to prescribe BC without an exam since I'm not and haven't been active but said I would need one within the year. After all of the anxiety, I figured I might as well! Haha so pelvic exam, breast exam, and Pap smear were administered. It was awkward, it was painful (they used the pediatric size..embarrassing) but it was over in 5 minutes. I think the Pap smear hurt because of the angle. I use tampons with no problem all the time. The pelvic exam was just pressure, a little painful when he was pressing on my stomach, but not bad. Overall, I am thankful for my doctor and that I don't have to go for a whole year (WAHOO!) but I'm so glad I did it! Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement!!