Should I keep my GYN appt?

Often, girls with irregular cycles are put on birth control to stabilize them. It’s worth checking things out, and possibly finding a solution to your problem.

Yes, it is good to establish a baseline of your system before you become sexually active. There is a lot of variability in what a person’s “normal” cycle might be, and it does change over the course of your lifetime. A period that lasts 2 weeks might be a sign of problems that are better addressed before you are trying to start a family. It could also be causing you too much blood loss with fatigue and anemia. They will probably ask about family history, so if you can find out about any Gyn issues your mother, grandmothers and any sisters, aunts or female first cousins you might have, it could be helpful.

Whenever I’ve had to deal with uncomfortable situations like a Gyn appointment or getting a massage, I remind myself that this is the person’s chosen career and they see several other people naked every day – skinnier, fatter, taller, shorter, cleaner and dirtier. The Gyn office is used to seeing nervous people, so when they call you in tell them it’s your first time there. If you want the nurse or medical assistant to stay in the room as a chaperone during the examination, it is your right to request that and many women do.

You’re young, it’s not easy to develop a good trusting relationship with your doctor, but it’s something you should try to do. You’re putting your life in their hands. Think about that. My doctor and I don’t hide anything from each other.

Don’t be annoyed if they ask you several times if you are sexually active or if you are pregnant. Many sexually active women feel they need keep this information from their doctors this because they will be judged or something. They ask several times in (hopefully) neutral ways just to impress the importance of the question and to make the woman feel comfortable about it. So they heard you the first time. Try not to let it make you feel uncomfortable or that something is wrong because you’re not.

Yes, at age 19 you are ready. It only feels awkward at first, but it’s necessary.

At age 20, I had pre-cancerous cells and I was a virgin until 18. Catching anything early makes you more likely to get rid of it and move on. Do it!