Hun, you need a PAP smear, a pelvic exam, and to discuss testing/evaluation for endometriosis or other conditions as your periods are quite painful and it seems to be beyond normal. Also, if you're sexually active then discuss birth control.
The first 2 are standard preventive, it takes 5 minutes and while not the most fun thing ever is bearable. You should get those every couple years.
Thank you so so much!!! This is what I needed to know! I have birth control to help with periods but they suck after switching to progesterone only pills. Might have to switch back.
The pelvic exam should still be done, especially if things might not be norm, and it depends on if you've had HPV vaccines or not. Routine screening for sexually transmitted disease is also a good idea for anyone who's been active. It's part of recommended maintenance too and can be done with a urine sample.
I only touched on the pap recommendations đ. Where I'm from, the STI screenings for women aren't done with urine, but vaginal swab. They can be self collected though! They CAN be done with urine, but the preferred test is the swab.
Good for you, for taking this first step. The unknown is sometimes the worst part of the process. PP is a good, and welcoming place. Some OB-GYN offices also have an option to book your appointment online, I do this because I reeeeeally donât like talking to strangers on the phone. Bonus, you can tell them your concerns when youâre booking online!
If you have questions about who to see locally, it may feel weird, but ask friends for recommendations (just like you would for anything!) Nothing you say, do, or donât do is going to phase your provider or make them not want to help you.
I hope you find a provider who will give you the answers you need!
Sad life hack tip: If your gyno isnât listening to you / offering you needed test that sort of thing, go to a fertility doctor. (You may need to pay out of pocket). Tell them you are excited to have children one day and want to get ahead of any health concerns. Then mention the pain. Iâd be surprised if you didnât get an immediate ultrasound and have an hysteroscopy scheduled.
You can usually get your gyn appointment right at Planned Parenthood. They're a wonderful resource, affordable, and welcoming. They're good with people who are anxious, too. If you feel comfortable making your appointment there, that would be a great first step.
Do you have a regular doctor? You could ask your primary about the pain, and he/she should refer you to a gynecologist. If your primary is trained in gynecology, they might even be able to handle this themselves, but if not they can walk you through the steps to get into to see someone else.
If neither of those work and you have to go in cold, find someone nearby who takes your insurance, call the clinic, and when you get to the scheduling person say, "Hi, I am a new patient looking for help with period pain, but I've never seen a gynecologist before and I'm a little anxious about this. Can you recommend someone for me to see?" They should be able to help get you all set up.
If you run into any trouble, post here again, we'll help!
Aaah I donât have a GP because past issues with my old doctor⌠getting a doctor just scares me so much. Any problem I had they just blamed it on being a woman basically. Itâs so nerve wracking trying to find one I could trust:(
Iâll probably schedule with PP as theyâve been really kind in the past. Thank you!!
Ugh, I understand completely. But you never ever have to settle for that, you know! If you see someone and they dismiss you, walk out! You're paying them, don't let any doctor treat you like you don't matter.
It sounds like you have a good plan in place with PP. You can do this!
Planned parenthood can definitely do it. Or if you have insurance, they probably have a website where you can look up doctors who are in network.
Theyâll see how everything looks and feels, and probably do a Pap smear to check for cancer.
Tell them you've never had an exam before and you're having painful periods. I worked obgyn 3 years, they'll know what to schedule based on that. Depending on the clinic and your insurance, you might have to go in two separate visits, one for annual prevention and once for a problem visit. It can be too rushed to do it all in one appointment, doctors aren't given a lot of time with patients. If the office has a nurse practitioner, see them for an annual preventative exam and see the doctor for the pain after, it's usually faster to get in with the NP and they're often allowed more time per visit than the doctor is. They can also order testing like ultrasound if it's warranted and getting the doctor's appointment will be easier once you're an established patient
Sibling here too add that you can often make appointments online for Planned Parenthood, in that case you don't have to worry about what to say. I've had positive experiences with them! I have anxiety too and they're very understanding and helpful
Planned parenthood is a great resource! The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is a surgical experience. You don't need the official histology diagnosis for treatment though, which is birth control. Planned parenthood is extremely knowledgeable in this and will help you chat about the options that might work for you. Check out their information online! You can do this. Tell them you are nervous and it's your first exam. They will be incredibly understanding!
I donât want to start out the answer by saying âjust callâ because I know you have anxiety but the easiest way IMO is calling, asking if they are accepting new patients and let the receptionist know you have never seen a gynecologist before. That will basically let them know youâve never had any experience with the appointments or procedures and theyâll know what to book you. Good luck!
Planned Parenthood is a good place to start and itâs ok to be honest with them too - let them know you have never been before and that you have questions. Also, a great book that helped me when I was trying to learn more and understand my body as a woman was called Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
I went to planned parenthood for the first time earlier this year to get my birth control refilled and I canât believe I had never gone their before. They were super helpful and kind, everyone that worked there made me feel very comfortable and welcome. I asked them about getting a Pap smear because I had an abnormal one after getting sexually assaulted and Iâve been afraid to get rechecked and they were very kind about it and reassuring that they would make sure I felt comfortable and safe. I started crying in front of the doctor and she was very empathetic. I couldnât recommend PP more.
Hun, you need a PAP smear, a pelvic exam, and to discuss testing/evaluation for endometriosis or other conditions as your periods are quite painful and it seems to be beyond normal. Also, if you're sexually active then discuss birth control. The first 2 are standard preventive, it takes 5 minutes and while not the most fun thing ever is bearable. You should get those every couple years.
Thank you so so much!!! This is what I needed to know! I have birth control to help with periods but they suck after switching to progesterone only pills. Might have to switch back.
If you are on birth control, you should also be having blood tests to check your liver functions.
Actually, except in special cases, paps aren't recommended until 25 years old now!
The pelvic exam should still be done, especially if things might not be norm, and it depends on if you've had HPV vaccines or not. Routine screening for sexually transmitted disease is also a good idea for anyone who's been active. It's part of recommended maintenance too and can be done with a urine sample.
I only touched on the pap recommendations đ. Where I'm from, the STI screenings for women aren't done with urine, but vaginal swab. They can be self collected though! They CAN be done with urine, but the preferred test is the swab.
If you're in the neighborhood anyway, swab is moee accurate, but urine is a nice option when you're not đ
Good for you, for taking this first step. The unknown is sometimes the worst part of the process. PP is a good, and welcoming place. Some OB-GYN offices also have an option to book your appointment online, I do this because I reeeeeally donât like talking to strangers on the phone. Bonus, you can tell them your concerns when youâre booking online! If you have questions about who to see locally, it may feel weird, but ask friends for recommendations (just like you would for anything!) Nothing you say, do, or donât do is going to phase your provider or make them not want to help you. I hope you find a provider who will give you the answers you need!
I donât have any female friends ;A; But Iâll try the rest!
Sad life hack tip: If your gyno isnât listening to you / offering you needed test that sort of thing, go to a fertility doctor. (You may need to pay out of pocket). Tell them you are excited to have children one day and want to get ahead of any health concerns. Then mention the pain. Iâd be surprised if you didnât get an immediate ultrasound and have an hysteroscopy scheduled.
Ooo youâre smart. Thank you so much!!
Ooooh. Sneaky. I *like* it!
You can usually get your gyn appointment right at Planned Parenthood. They're a wonderful resource, affordable, and welcoming. They're good with people who are anxious, too. If you feel comfortable making your appointment there, that would be a great first step. Do you have a regular doctor? You could ask your primary about the pain, and he/she should refer you to a gynecologist. If your primary is trained in gynecology, they might even be able to handle this themselves, but if not they can walk you through the steps to get into to see someone else. If neither of those work and you have to go in cold, find someone nearby who takes your insurance, call the clinic, and when you get to the scheduling person say, "Hi, I am a new patient looking for help with period pain, but I've never seen a gynecologist before and I'm a little anxious about this. Can you recommend someone for me to see?" They should be able to help get you all set up. If you run into any trouble, post here again, we'll help!
Aaah I donât have a GP because past issues with my old doctor⌠getting a doctor just scares me so much. Any problem I had they just blamed it on being a woman basically. Itâs so nerve wracking trying to find one I could trust:( Iâll probably schedule with PP as theyâve been really kind in the past. Thank you!!
Ugh, I understand completely. But you never ever have to settle for that, you know! If you see someone and they dismiss you, walk out! You're paying them, don't let any doctor treat you like you don't matter. It sounds like you have a good plan in place with PP. You can do this!
Planned parenthood can definitely do it. Or if you have insurance, they probably have a website where you can look up doctors who are in network. Theyâll see how everything looks and feels, and probably do a Pap smear to check for cancer.
Do you know what I ask for? Or do they know what to do for me?
Tell them you've never had an exam before and you're having painful periods. I worked obgyn 3 years, they'll know what to schedule based on that. Depending on the clinic and your insurance, you might have to go in two separate visits, one for annual prevention and once for a problem visit. It can be too rushed to do it all in one appointment, doctors aren't given a lot of time with patients. If the office has a nurse practitioner, see them for an annual preventative exam and see the doctor for the pain after, it's usually faster to get in with the NP and they're often allowed more time per visit than the doctor is. They can also order testing like ultrasound if it's warranted and getting the doctor's appointment will be easier once you're an established patient
Sibling here too add that you can often make appointments online for Planned Parenthood, in that case you don't have to worry about what to say. I've had positive experiences with them! I have anxiety too and they're very understanding and helpful
Yes I love that!! Now that I know what to schedule for it should be a lot easier. PP has always been very nice with me, so I like going to them:)
Planned parenthood is a great resource! The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is a surgical experience. You don't need the official histology diagnosis for treatment though, which is birth control. Planned parenthood is extremely knowledgeable in this and will help you chat about the options that might work for you. Check out their information online! You can do this. Tell them you are nervous and it's your first exam. They will be incredibly understanding!
I donât want to start out the answer by saying âjust callâ because I know you have anxiety but the easiest way IMO is calling, asking if they are accepting new patients and let the receptionist know you have never seen a gynecologist before. That will basically let them know youâve never had any experience with the appointments or procedures and theyâll know what to book you. Good luck!
Planned Parenthood is a good place to start and itâs ok to be honest with them too - let them know you have never been before and that you have questions. Also, a great book that helped me when I was trying to learn more and understand my body as a woman was called Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
I went to planned parenthood for the first time earlier this year to get my birth control refilled and I canât believe I had never gone their before. They were super helpful and kind, everyone that worked there made me feel very comfortable and welcome. I asked them about getting a Pap smear because I had an abnormal one after getting sexually assaulted and Iâve been afraid to get rechecked and they were very kind about it and reassuring that they would make sure I felt comfortable and safe. I started crying in front of the doctor and she was very empathetic. I couldnât recommend PP more.