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Why is a pelvic exam really necessary? I am sexually active, but my boyfriend and I have only ever done anything sexual with each other, and neither of us have anything. I've asked this question to other people and they always say that "You don't KNOW," or that I shouldn't just take my boyfriend's word for it. I trust him, so I'm not considering that part, so ignoring a possibility of disease (which I doubt there is any), why is it so important that I have a pelvic exam?
Created by and for young women of color to provide information and offer support on sexual and reproductive health issues through education and advocacy. Through monthly features, message boards, and online peer education young women receive information on activism, culture, sexual health, and other issues that are important to them.
I am a 22 year old female, but I have never had a breast and pelvic exam. I know what happens (I've read your articles as well as other websites), and I'm terrified. I don't like people touching me in general (people sitting right next to me, my parents putting a hand on my shoulder), and the only person who can touch me is my long-term (over 1.5 year) boyfriend. I've discussed this fear with my doctor. I'm also a very private and am not comfortable being around others if I'm not fully clothed, even changing my shirt with my roommate in the room - another problem I have with prospect of the exam.
My boyfriend and I have recently decided we'd like to have sex, so I've gotten a prescription for the birth control pill. However, the doctor said she will not prescribe it year after year without doing a regular breast/pelvic exam; she hopes that after I've been having sex for a while I'll become more comfortable with the idea of the exam, but I'm not. I understand why I should have this exam, so I've even tried just scheduling one to force myself to do it. Unfortunately, after a few hours I began to panic and didn't calm until I cancelled the exam. There is no history of breast cancer or any sort of reproductive problem in my family, and I do a monthly breast exam on myself. How long can I safely put off the breast/pelvic exam from the doctor? My boyfriend will come with me, and the doctor said she can give me anti-anxiety medicine, but I'm still worried even if I go through with it I'll become depressed afterward (I have struggled with depression before). Even though these things would help, I'm still terrified, and I begin to panic whenever I think of it. I know I should have had an exam already, but I'd like to know how much longer I can safely delay it.
"In recent years there hasn't been much good news coming out of Washington on family planning and reproductive health issues. That's probably the understatement of the year. But today there is very good news to report because of yesterday evening's votes in the Senate.
I am going to the gyno for the first time about cysts in my ovaries and I want to know if they will have to look inside me. Or do they just feel my abdomen?
I always get a sticky white goo in my pants, when I wipe it off it sometimes looks abit yellow. It doesnt itch, smell or I dont suffer from any pain with it. What do you think it is, and who do you think i should see about it?
A wealth of information on diverse issues of adolescent health from the AMA.
A list of abortion clinic providers that can be searched by location in English or Spanish. Also has international listings.
A website all about breastfeeding and its benefits, featuring videos, help and advice on proper techniques, news and more.
A comprehensive resource on all things dealing with women's health and health issues, aimed at women and medical professionals. While there is lots of technical information, the site offers a wiki, forums and more.
MTV gets on the sexual health train by providing youth with information about documentaries, HIV awareness groups, healthy sexual choices, and pop quizzes on sexual health knowledge. Each section is full of links, information, themes for each month, and places for youth to take action and speak up.
Planned Parenthood offers clinics and facilities across North America and internationally to provide low- or no-cost sexual and reproductive health examinations, birth control and STI screenings.
Supported by the American Social Health Association, iwannaknow.org is a search function that allows youth to easily search topics of interest to them. Primarily devoted to preventing the transmission of STIs, there are also topics on puberty, love and relationships, and reproductive information.
Want to know what to expect at your first gynecologists' or reproductive health exam? We've got the lowdown for you here.
Vaginal discharge and secretions are a normal, healthy part of your reproductive system. The vagina -- which is not the whole of your genitals, that's called the vulva, but the flexible tube behind the vaginal opening and inside the body -- is a passageway between the outside of the body and the internal reproductive system. The pH balance of the vagina is acidic, with "good" bacteria, by design, which helps keep infections away. Vaginal secretions are how the vagina cleanses and regulates itself -- how amazing is that? -- in the same sort of way that saliva helps keep your mouth clean and healthy.
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