Who loves going to the doctor for a gynecologic (pelvic) exam?
Nobody really, just like not loving going to the dentist and having all that work done in the mouth. But, we do them all for health reasons, for preventive or corrective medical intervention.
Gyno exams should be done in neutrality – neither loving nor hating them. The woman should be able to lay there (yea, heels in stirrups, air flowing into the vagina, we know…), keeping her butt down and her vagina relaxed while allowing this quick procedure to take place. For a great video, click here.
To help assume such a positive attitude, you may want to understand what will be done and never hesitate to ask the clinician to give you a hand-held mirror and to show you the ‘inside’ of your vagina — it is yours and you should know what it looks like.
Knowledge is power, and power is control. Do not delay your next pelvic exam; reward yourself afterward with something that you can love!
P.S. Some women will not be able to have a gyno exam ‘in neutrality’ because of vaginismus, menopausal vagina, cancer treatment, severe anxiety, history of sexual abuse/trauma, or other conditions that may interfere. We encourage them to seek professional help to resolve those roadblocks.
I guess no matter how hesitant we are in having a gyno exam, we still have to do it once in a while to ensure that we are healthy.
I’ve never had an exam, kind of scared about it. What can I do about the nerves & is it ok to ask someone to go with me?
Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
It is difficult to imagine that there are others going through the same scary process!
We are rooting for you, and for others like you!
You make it seem so easy. I wish I could get to that point. Soon – hopefully!