OB-GYN appt.

[Skyblade]

Ok I'm probably adding fuel to the fire by adding yet another female post in the health forum.

Anyways, I decided today to make an appointment w/ an OB-GYN. I actually have to see my primary physician before he can make a referral, but I made that appt. for Tuesday.

I'm really really scared because I've never gone to an OB-GYN, yes never, and I am 24 years old. Main reason being fear, 2nd main reason being I'm not sexually active. Anyways, w/ my most recent relationship, I've come to realize that I think I may have this disorder called vaginismus. Of course I'm waiting till marriage to have sex but I have such anxiety about the actual act that when the time comes, I'm afraid I will be unable to do it. I tend to flinch uncontrollably or tense up when anything is near that area. Has anyone ever gone through something like this? I feel like a freak cuz I'm afraid of sex.

[Kitty]

You're probably just anxious because you've never had sex. I serioulsy highly doubt you have a disorder.

I'm sure the doctor will be able to ease a lot of your worries and anxiety issues.

[cornflakegirl]

skyblade - going to the gyno is normally not a big deal, besides getting over the 1st time nervousness. it sounds to me like you have some other stuff going on that could make the visit a bit more nerveracking for you.

did a bf actually tell you about vaginismus? i am shocked that anyone, especially a boy, knows what it is. did you look into it? does it sound like this could be the case for you?

let your gyno know what's up. i have a friend whose first gyno appt wasn't possible bc she wasn't able to relax enough for the doc to insert the speculum. trust me, docs deal with this more than you think. at work, i see a lot of women that i'd say have this condition. one woman i saw is given valium so she can get through her annual exam. what i can tell you from experience, that it really isn't that bad. in fact, i don't mind it at all. the key is to relax, which i know can be more difficult for some, but the more you relax the easier it is for the doctor & the less discomfort you will feel & it is over very quickly.

[Skyblade]

Yes, my bf did tell me about it. I actually didn't know anything about it. He was concerned for me and started looking stuff up and printed a bunch of stuff out about vaginismus. It does seem like it could be me as I do have the involuntary muscle contractions and cannot relax when there is contact in that area. For example, sometimes there isn't even contact, yet I complain that it hurts. So I know its a psychological thing and I have been able to relax sometimes, but not to the point where I could have sex w/ someone.

Also this may be a bit of a TMI, but I've never used a tampon, even after trying. I've told people I couldn't "figure it out" cuz I tried. I feel so....uneducated.

[midtwenty]

one woman i saw is given valium so she can get through her annual exam.

I work with a lady who has to take a Valium to have her teeth cleaned, for crying out loud.

Relax sky, it's not that bad at all. The best piece of advice I can give you is that if you see your doc and he/she makes you really uncomfortable or you feel your care isn't as good as it should be, find another doctor. Most OB/GYNs are used to nervousness and do their best to make you feel comfortable with what's going on.

[cornflakegirl]

sky - my friend who had trouble at the gyno never used tampons either & she WAS saving herself for marriage. she now can insert all sorts of things up there so there is hope.

have you tried ky jelly on your tampons?

[winneythepooh7]

A big word of advice: Go to a female. I went to a male gyno once and it was the most uncomfortable experience EVA. I felt he was really critical of me especially cuz when I went to see him I was really uncomfortable from a yeast infection.........He made me feel like it was my fault or something.

[Skyblade]

Oh yeah...I'm definitely requesting a female. God knows how much worse I could be having a male look at my hoo-ha.

[Kitty]

It's really not that bad. I went on Tuesday morning.

probably the worst part for me is that I totally shave down there, and its kind of embarassing..I don't know why.

[cornflakegirl]

It's really not that bad. I went on Tuesday morning.

probably the worst part for me is that I totally shave down there, and its kind of embarassing..I don't know why.

i see all kinds of bush & no bush all day long. honestly, my coworkers & i don't talk about what we that much. it shocks me though how many women will apologize for not shaving, legs & snatch, to both me (who puts their legs in the knee holds) & to the doctor. hello, you are with people that don't give a shit. i always tell them that mine put theirs to shame. i like to go on shaving sabbaticals.

i am all for women docs. i know everyone has their preferences but i do feel more comfortable with women, whether it is friends, therapist, gyno, primary care physician.

[pisces2473]

Sky, I think you should go, just for your own health (I started going 5 years before I had sex) and so that you can be fully educated about reproductive/sexual health. One thing you might want to do after you get the referral, is to ask for JUST a consultation, not an exam, so that you can go in, meet the doctor, explain all of your concerns and get some feedback/dialogue going on before the actual exam. Trust me, doctors are used to having nervous patients, especially those in the GYN field. It's invasive.

Do you think your nervousness is related to your religious desire to remain a virgin til marriage, like a guilt sort of thing? That guilt could cause some anxiety. Perhaps you can talk about that with your doctor or a therapist?

Also, I think it's fantastic that your BF is helping you with this and doing research and all that. And from what I've read about vaginismus, you might have it--and you can go from there in how you can treat it.

Hang in there, and everything will work out.

[shimmer728]

Hey Skyblade, I was also 24 before I had my first exam. I, too, freaked out and they couldn't actually get it done that time. I felt like a nervous teenager, but my gyno said they see girls like that all the time. So you're not the only one.

[GetMeOuttaDC]

Sky,

I want to chime in that the first time you have sex, use a tampon, or get a pelvic exam - KILLS. I don't know if you're a contact lens wearer, but you remember how the first few weeks of sticking something in your eye was hell, then you got used to it, and realized you were better off that way? It's kind of like that. And you know what else? It's totally normal, esp if you are smaller framed. Just make sure the doctor knows you're a virgin and it's your first pelvic exam, they will use a smaller metal thing. (hehe, I bit my doctor the first time they sprung that on me - the bitch decided that all women over 14 needed an annual exam.) And, they'll totally sedate you if you ask. Valium's nice.

[cornflakegirl]

it has not been my experience that any of those things were painful the first time - tampon, sex, or gynecological exam. yes for some, they can be uncomfortable, even painful, but it is certainly not true for everyone.

[pisces2473]

Oh yeah, and they will ask you about your history before the exam, so the dr. will know to use a smaller speculuum (the metal thingy Kelly mentioned). I'm NOT a virgin and I've been using tampons for years and I still need the smaller one.

[shimmer728]

I'm glad to hear there are other women out there who had or have the same sort of anxiety over the first gyno appt. that I had. I felt like such a baby when I had mine. Good to know I'm not alone. :)

[Winter Storm]

I still think skyblade should try using tampons. Try some lubrication is your afraid of it being uncomfortable. That might help ease your fears of penetration and really, once you get used to it it's nothing.

And FYI, my first gyno appt was a peice of cake. I barely felt anything and they do use KY when using the speculum. Of course I'd had sex by then, but I think tampons might help you feel more comfortable with insertion.

[pisces2473]

I still think skyblade should try using tampons. Try some lubrication is your afraid of it being uncomfortable. That might help ease your fears of penetration and really, once you get used to it it's nothing.
Yeah, I was really surprised how easy tampon insertion was when I finally figured it out. I think it's really bizarre that people are afraid to use tampons. I cannot stand feeling my period come out of me and sitting on a pad. UGH. I think I had my period for 6 months when I was like, "I'm getting tampons!!!"

[Kristyn]

I was really nervous when I had my first Gyn appointment when I was 18, and to make it worse my period came at an irregular time, aka. a couple days before my appointment. The good thing is, they didn't do the full exam because of it, and I had a chance to get used to the Gyn office, those tacky pink slip-on dresses they make you wear, and get comfortable with the Dr. It was really just a breast exam and a chat about whatever I wanted to talk about.

As for tampons, my Gyn asked me if I used them (which I didn't at the time, had tried unsuccessfully before and gave up on it), and actually encouraged me to use them. She said to start with the smallest one and work up from there...she said it would make my next Gyn. less uncomfortable/painful when she actually got to do the full exam. Now, I have no problem using any size tampons.

If it helps, have a friend tag along with you (obviously not into the exam room with you, but who can sit with you while you wait). I brought a friend, and it really helped to calm my nerves.

[midtwenty]

A big word of advice: Go to a female. I went to a male gyno once and it was the most uncomfortable experience EVA. I felt he was really critical of me especially cuz when I went to see him I was really uncomfortable from a yeast infection.........He made me feel like it was my fault or something.

I will NEVER, I repeat NEVER, go to another female gyno in my entire life. EVER. I've been to three, and all three of them were rude, rough, and completely disinterested in me or my reproductive health. So screw 'em. My current OB/GYN is a male doc and he's one of the best (gyno or GP) that I've ever been to. So he's it for me. When he retires, I don't know what I'll do.

[Skyblade]

Thanks for all your help. I too am glad I'm not the only one afraid of this.

[mishl982]

And FYI, my first gyno appt was a peice of cake. I barely felt anything and they do use KY when using the speculum. Of course I'd had sex by then, but I think tampons might help you feel more comfortable with insertion.
Mine was a piece of cake and I was a virgin :) She also used the smaller speculum and told me to remind her next time that she needs to use the "small tools" on me, hehe. Just remember to relaaaaaaaax but not so much that you release gas! I'm always afraid that I'll do that!

[Bijoux]

Oh yeah, and they will ask you about your history before the exam, so the dr. will know to use a smaller speculuum (the metal thingy Kelly mentioned). I'm NOT a virgin and I've been using tampons for years and I still need the smaller one.

Wow, its interesting to read everyones responses. Almost everyone here seems to have gotten used to the exam. I am pretty impressed. I have NEVER had a gynecological exam that wasn't excruciatingly painful. (yes I try to relax as best as I can, but the more painful it is, the harder it is to do this)
I have asked for a pediatric speculum. I have asked to not have it opened all the way. I have problems even with the bimanual portion.
I have never had children and I am not heterosexual, so I don't have sex with penetration.
Not that this is common, but I guess I just want to say that ...NOT everyone
feels the exam portion is a piece of cake.
For me it doesn't matter, if its a man or a woman, an internist or a gynecologist who has been practicing for 40 years...
I recently heard about a new type of speculum which doesn't open the vagina with blades but is as big as a magic marker with a light on the end of it, and it opens the vagina with air. It is being used in Europe now. Its called a Veda-scope I think.
Its about time doctors here tried something new, for folks like me.
Bijoux

[Tayl405]

It's never comfortable having a speculum up you, but it's never been painful for me. The only thing that actually was was a biopsy, but I highly doubt that you'll get that done Skyblade.

I didn't use tampons until I started having sex-- I couldn't figure it out either, and it hurt. I also didn't realize until lately, that I was using the wrong size at the wrong time. Like, I would be using super tampons when my flow was light, and that can be very uncomfortable.

Good luck! You'll feel so much better after you go!

[Angyl]

it's kind of crazy how everyone is so different...

my first "exam" was with my GP, and I didn't like it at all. his tools were all cold and i felt awkward. I've had my share of bad OBGYNs too. One guy, supposedly the best in town was in and out so quick I felt violated. My best ones have been at PP. but I'm going to an all women clinic here, so hopefully I should be happy. My coworker said they were really nice.

I'm always nervous, even though I do use tampons and am not a virgin. It's just sort of invasive in ways, but the docs (if you have a good one) are always really good about calming you down however neccessary.

Jsut make sure you do your research before you go. Ask women friends who they go to. I like docs who warm up the tools so they're not so freaking cold, and ones that think sort of progressively. I'm sure coworkers and friends can give you plenty of recs.

[Tayl405]

What are GPs and PPs? :confused:

[Skyblade]

Yeah, I got the referral and it takes such a long time to get an appointment. I made the appointment weeks ago and it still isn't until May 17th. I'm hoping it won't be excruciatingly painful, I know it will be uncomfortable, but I worry about it being painful.

[heatherf]

Yeah, I was really surprised how easy tampon insertion was when I finally figured it out. I think it's really bizarre that people are afraid to use tampons. I cannot stand feeling my period come out of me and sitting on a pad. UGH. I think I had my period for 6 months when I was like, "I'm getting tampons!!!"

Jen, I was the same way! It was in 7th Grade and I had to play softball with WHITE pants on! Pads NEVER worked for me, I would leak all over the place! So I just started using tampons as soon as I figured I could.

Skyblade- If you are concerned about the pain, take a few ibuprofen before your appt. My Ob/Gyn told me to do this before an appt a long time ago when they were going to be doing some sort of biopsy (which they never ended up doing cause another dr got to me first, blah blah blah- I'm fine :) ) Secondly- since you have really bad anxiety about this- you should tell your Dr way ahead of time and maybe they can give you a Vicodin or something that will really knock you mentally out and really relax your body. I highly suggest it. It's your very first appt- you want it to be as relaxing as possible.

[blueyes]

I'm reading this and just laughing - my OB/GYN is my mom's and my sister's and he delivered me and my sister. He's older now; I have no idea how my mom trusted this young guy to deliver her first two kids. I figured if he didn't mess up with Mom and I turned out fine (relative, I suppose ;)) - hey, works for me.

I did originally go to a female and was EXTREMELY flipped out with the whole experience - she was rude, rough, and awful. This doctor is ten THOUSAND times better. It is purely personal preference, Sky - so if you don't like the first one, change! (same goes for discomfort - it's different for every chica, so ask if they can give you something to relax the first time.)

Remember, the medical information is YOUR's and you can go to whomever you want. It's your body, Sky - do whatever it takes to feel comfy in it!

[paiger81]

A big word of advice: Go to a female. I went to a male gyno once and it was the most uncomfortable experience EVA. I felt he was really critical of me especially cuz when I went to see him I was really uncomfortable from a yeast infection.........He made me feel like it was my fault or something.

What's funny is that I'm the exact opposite. I only like male doctors. The ONE & ONLY TIME I went to a female(2 years ago) she did not believe me that I only have had 1 sex partner. When she did the exam, I started bleeding & she started yelling she was convinced I had Chlymidia & I needed to be honest about my sex partners. I was in tears with this woman, and ended up bleeding for days afterward(that has never happened before). When the STD test came back & it was negative she called & said that I needed to come back for another test cause she was convinced it was an STD.

Ended up paying out of pocket to go to another OBGYN, a male, and he diagnosed I just had vaginitis(bacterial infection) which I've had in the past, even did another STD test and again all was negative. Went on antibiotics for a few days, and all was well.

I don't have my checkup till June, but need to find a new OBGYN since I'm down here.

Skyblade-I've had problems with my ovaries & have been to a Gyno since I was 12, it really is not a huge deal, and most docs understand that you will be uncomfortable at your first exam.

[blueyes]

whoa, paige! that's nutty - if my doctor started accusing me of lying, holy....I'd be outta there (naked or not) faster than you can say "HIPPA"!

sky, do what you gotta to be comfy.

[paiger81]

It was crazy, she had me so paranoid afterwards that I called Kirk up and was like "Have you been fucking around on me?! You sure as hell better be upfront right now!"

Poor guy, he was completely freaked out, swore up & down he hadn't done anything, but it was tense until I got those results in :googly: :razz:

[Angyl]

What are GPs and PPs? :confused:


GP: General Pracitioner (your normal doctor)

PP: Planned Parenthood. the best place in the world.

[ugarachel82]

Wow! Reading the responses on this thread is so interesting. I, too, didn't have my first OB/GYN appt./exam until I was 22. I was so totally afraid of the place and never really saw the need to do that. I have never been sexually active, and like Sky, have never had tampons work for me either. (Good to hear I'm not the only one, btw.) I finally got fed up with my irregular cycle and decided to do something about it. But if I'd know I could ask for Valium, I so would have. I had no clue what to expect, so when she asked me to lie in that position and stick that cold torture device up there, I totally freaked and reflexes took over. The doc had to walk out of the room, let me calm down, and start over! She was pretty understanding though, I'm sure she had seen people like me and walked me through the whole procedure. She kept saying that if I used tampons the whole thing would have been eaiser, which I didn't really think was helping at all. But anyway. I personally have never heard of the condition Sky talked about, but it makes sense and now I'm a little paranoid myself. The point is, the experience is a little nerve-wracking, but I survived and made another appointment with the same woman next week, so I hope this one goes better. And good luck, Sky, remember to relax, and I'm sure everything will go fine.

[shinyleaf]

Right, SKy, remember that the only thing you can do to make the experience easier is to relax. Try to make yourself "numb" down there... it hurts more if you "flinch". If you are nervous, be sure to tell him/her straight out so they can hopefully make you feel more comfortable. I usually look at the ceiling, get a song in my head, talk to myself like I'm somewhere else, go over a mental checklist of things to do, etc. I am pretty comfortable with medical situations in terms of not being embarrassed, so that helps, but the scraping from the PAP smear is not pleasant. At least it's over quick. I always request the same nurse-practitioner. I find they are more sensitive and in less of a rush than physicians.
In the meantime, before your appt', don't stress about it - there's nothing you can do to "prepare".

[Winter Storm]

I also need to add, that it depends on your gyno. I just had an annual with a new Dr., who was actually a very nice and cool chick (she jokingly advised me to continue using condoms until the guy puts a ring on my finger and buys me a house). Well, she was great, but rough. She didn't use any lube and I swear she had her whole hand up there grabbing at my uterus.

Needless to say, I felt like it was my first time.

[tartytwenty]

My Dr. is a Woman. In fact, it's Woman to Woman, and there are 3 Woman Doctor's all woman nurses and staff. I've seen all 3 doctor's. That's how good they are. When I make an appointment, I go to whomever is available at the time I am available. They are soo successfull, that it still takes weeks to get in. In fact, you typically book your yearly exam 3 months a head of time. However, every female that goes there, never goes back to male doctor's. Ever friend I referred there, was thanking me profusely. They are caring, sensative, nice and very gentle.

However, I never had a male Dr. There's no reason too, when i have a mecca of good Doctor's. My best friend went there for her pregnancy. They have a system of Doctor's on call so at least one will be available for when your baby arrives. They try and make every birthing. They also give out free samples of birth control (I'm talking 3 months of pills) and make sure they work for you, before writing a prescription. They follow up with calls, etc. to see how you're doing. Wow, ode to my Gyno!

[Kristyn]

My Dr. is a Woman. In fact, it's Woman to Woman, and there are 3 Woman Doctor's all woman nurses and staff. I've seen all 3 doctor's. That's how good they are. When I make an appointment, I go to whomever is available at the time I am available. They are soo successfull, that it still takes weeks to get in. In fact, you typically book your yearly exam 3 months a head of time. However, every female that goes there, never goes back to male doctor's. Ever friend I referred there, was thanking me profusely. They are caring, sensative, nice and very gentle.

However, I never had a male Dr. There's no reason too, when i have a mecca of good Doctor's. My best friend went there for her pregnancy. They have a system of Doctor's on call so at least one will be available for when your baby arrives. They try and make every birthing. They also give out free samples of birth control (I'm talking 3 months of pills) and make sure they work for you, before writing a prescription. They follow up with calls, etc. to see how you're doing. Wow, ode to my Gyno!

Mine is like that too!! She's wonderful, very relaxing and soothing. Now that I've moved from FL to Boston I need to find a new one up here, and you guys have me scared that I'll find some rough Nazi Gyno! Are places like the one listed above really that rare??

[spokes]

i have no idea why i am perusing this topic, but this answer made me giggle a bit:

"sky - my friend who had trouble at the gyno never used tampons either & she WAS saving herself for marriage. she now can insert all sorts of things up there so there is hope."

i sure that this is not meant how it is written - however i can't help but wonder what kind of "things" are going up in there? is there a website i can visit to check this out.....

[Skyblade]

Well, I just had my appointment (FINALLY). Everything went fine! The nurse was so nice and I told her I was a bit scared and she helped me to relax. There was only one moment where it hurt and it lasted a second, so that was good. Now I don't have to do that again for a whole year. (unless something strange happens)

[GetMeOuttaDC]

What's funny is that I'm the exact opposite. I only like male doctors. The ONE & ONLY TIME I went to a female(2 years ago) she did not believe me that I only have had 1 sex partner. When she did the exam, I started bleeding & she started yelling she was convinced I had Chlymidia & I needed to be honest about my sex partners. I was in tears with this woman, and ended up bleeding for days afterward(that has never happened before). When the STD test came back & it was negative she called & said that I needed to come back for another test cause she was convinced it was an STD.

:lol: I once did a self-bikini wax a few days before going to see the gyno, burned my skin, and had an allergic reaction to the wax, so my skin was all weird, and the hair was all patchy because I gave up halfway through... the nurse thought it was some new STD and didn't want to touch me; the doc nearly peed himself laughing when I explained myself... but I still got tested for everything in the book. (and came back clean. :green: )
But Paige's female gyn sounds way unprofessional. :mad:

[biodork]

I just went for my yearly check up on friday and will be starting on the nuvaring at the end of the month. So glad to start on something that is covered under my insurance plan!


PS-Is there some sort of rule or something that says a nurse needs to be in to help the Gyn? Maybe it's just the place that i go but the past 2 times i've been, with someone dif each time, the gyn's had to wait until a nurse came in to start.

[mishl982]

Ok here's crazy: my nurse practitioner gave me a pregnancy test... despite that [at the time] I had never had sex!!! Who do I look like, the Virgin Mary?

[GetMeOuttaDC]

PS-Is there some sort of rule or something that says a nurse needs to be in to help the Gyn?

Yeah, so the patient can't accuse the doc of inappropriate touching.

[mishl982]

PS-Is there some sort of rule or something that says a nurse needs to be in to help the Gyn? Maybe it's just the place that i go but the past 2 times i've been, with someone dif each time, the gyn's had to wait until a nurse came in to start.
Is the nurse in while the gyn is there? I know that when I go, a nurse does all the preliminary stuff, like check weight, blood pressure, ask me questions about my period and sexual activity and then the gyn comes in and does her work.

[MetFanL]

PS-Is there some sort of rule or something that says a nurse needs to be in to help the Gyn? Maybe it's just the place that i go but the past 2 times i've been, with someone dif each time, the gyn's had to wait until a nurse came in to start.

Do you have a male doctor? If so, then, yes, a female nurse or assistant needs to be in the room while you are being examined.

[shinyleaf]

SKyblade, I'm glad to hear everything went OK!

[winneythepooh7]

Dang, this reminds me, I need to make an appt. with my doctor. I need a refill for my b/c. Do you think the doctor can just fax the refills to the pharmacy or are they going to make me come in? She only has day hours, it's such a pain getting in there with work. I had a thorough exam I think last June or July so that shouldn't be an issue.........

[biodork]

Do you have a male doctor? If so, then, yes, a female nurse or assistant needs to be in the room while you are being examined.

I have a female doctor. That's why I always thought it was weird that a nurse had to be in there.

And Michelle-the nurse does prelim stuff, then she comes back when the doc does the examination.

[winneythepooh7]

I just went ahead and made an appt. for first thing Sat. morning. I want to talk to her about switching up my b/c since I think the pill I am on now has caused mucho weight gain. I can't tell my b.f. if I do this though. His close friends have twins now as a result of her switching up her b/c. I think this is the biggest fear of all the guys in that circle of friends.

[biodork]

I have switched BC's every year since I started, and now I'm on my fourth kind. I haven't had any problems. I'm pretty regular though with the pill and the time I take it. My body also usually reacts how its supposed to to meds.

I'm actually going to be starting on the nuvaring on the first though. This will be different! I've always had pills...

[biodork]

I have heard about the nuvaring and been suggested, but worried about the UTI's and things like that. What made you decide to go with that if you don't mind me asking?
My doctor recommended it to me, basically. It's really weird, I've actually had the opposite problem that most women have with BC's, I've had an increase in breakthrough bleeding with an increase in the hormone level I was taking. So my dr said that nuvaring is a lower dose of hormone, one of the lower ones so it would probably work well for me. I also don't get sick that easily (sorry if its TMI but I had a tampon in me for a month that I forgot about and didn't have any side effects with it) so I'm not really worried about UTIs

[mishl982]

wow, you really forgot for a whole month? I'm guessing you didn't have sex during this month? ;) :p

[biodork]

wow, you really forgot for a whole month? I'm guessing you didn't have sex during this month? ;) :p

Heh nope I don't think so...because sex is what actually dislodged it after the month.

[biodork]

Then the ring should work well for you, I did hear it is a good dose of hormones.

That's what I'm hoping! :)

[biodork]

I've actually been wondering about that a little, but my doc said that you don't have to take out for sex, but you can take it out for up to 3 hours if you need to. Actually I'm more worried because my bf and I don't use condoms, so I'm wondering if he has to worry about touching it while it's in there.

But seriously my bf is more worried about that than I am, and we have sex while I'm on my period so why the hell would he care about that??!

[biodork]

Yeah basically I'm supposed to put it in on the 1st and take it out on the 25 and that's when I'll have my period. But i'm just talking about during the rest of the month when I'll have it in, he's freaking out about it. Guess we'll just have to stick to having sex while during period time! :p

[kitalyn414]

bio - you don't need to take it out during sex. i was on the nuvaring for a while, but just stopped. (has taken a while to figure out my body doesn't like ANY hormones.)

anyway... its unlikely that your bf will be able to tell that it is in there when you are having sex. however, he will be able to feel it when he fingers you... so make sure he is aware of that. it is nothing to be freaked out about, however. really just a little plastic ring. tell him to get over it. :p

funny story - once we were doing it really hard and he pulled out. it was pretty dark in the room, but i saw something wierd on his weiner and thought, "i didn't think we were using a condom." anyway... he had somehow pulled the nuvaring out and it was just resting on top of his pee pee. it was pretty funny. i just shoved it back up there and we kept going. :lol:

[biodork]

funny story - once we were doing it really hard and he pulled out. it was pretty dark in the room, but i saw something wierd on his weiner and thought, "i didn't think we were using a condom." anyway... he had somehow pulled the nuvaring out and it was just resting on top of his pee pee. it was pretty funny. i just shoved it back up there and we kept going. :lol:

LOL! hahaha that's so funny. I think that's what he's thinking will happen. I'm gonna need to show him the ring first, hopefully that will make him feel better. And then he will be getting over it (unless he wants to go back to using condoms) :D

[madlisa]

I realilze nobody has posted here in awhile so I may be talking to the air but I have some great advice for several of the problems everyone has mentioned....see a nurse practitioner or a nurse midwife the next time you go for your annual exam. I am a women's health Ob/gyn NP and I do everything the doctor does (except major surgery). We do your pap smears, write prescriptions, deliver babies, the whole deal. These are usually the people who work in planned parenthood. The biggest difference b/n us and the docs is that we can spend more time with you at your visit. I love taking the time to do teaching with women about their anatomy, sexuality, and birth control. That is what we do best. A lot of doctors offices have NPs. I work with 6 docs in a private practice. Always ask questions and relay your fears when you go to the doctor, it makes you visit so much better and easier. Plus, you should take part in your health care, don't always leave to them. Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of crap and cheesy, but it's all true.
lisa

[cornflakegirl]

Plus, you should take part in your health care, don't always leave to them. Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of crap and cheesy, but it's all true.
lisa

i don't find that cheesy at all. women need to take a greater responsibilty for their bodies & their health. going to a doctor to have everything fixed doesn't always work. no one knows our bodies like we do. so we need to pay attention to them & let doctors know what is going on & ask questions, lots of questions. doctors don't know everything & can't always figure out the problem in that 15 minutes.

madlisa - what type of schooling did you have for that position?

[pisces2473]

Lisa and Liz, you are both right. I learned at a very young age that we are our ONLY advocates. No one else knows what's really going on inside, and no one will speak up for us. We have to do it. And we have to make sure doctors help us achieve our health goals, even if they think it's a trivial matter.

For years I thought I had PCOS, but my doctors wouldn't listen. I kept persisting, and someone finally listened.

[madlisa]

madlisa - what type of schooling did you have for that position?[/QUOTE]
Hey Liz,
I did my bachelors in nursing and worked as a nurse for 4 years after that. Then I received my masters in nursing with a duel degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a certified nurse midwife. It was a bitch to do and I owe somewhere over $70k for that masters, but I love what I do. Right now I work as a nurse midwife seeing patients in a ob/gyn office and delivering babes in a hospital. I get a kick out of all these great stories and concerns. I wish more people in my office would bring these up to me.
From all of your collective responses I take it you work in a docs office? Or did you read Our Bodies Ourselves way too many times? ;)
lisa

[cornflakegirl]

madlisa - what type of schooling did you have for that position?
Hey Liz,
I did my bachelors in nursing and worked as a nurse for 4 years after that. Then I received my masters in nursing with a duel degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a certified nurse midwife. It was a bitch to do and I owe somewhere over $70k for that masters, but I love what I do. Right now I work as a nurse midwife seeing patients in a ob/gyn office and delivering babes in a hospital. I get a kick out of all these great stories and concerns. I wish more people in my office would bring these up to me.
From all of your collective responses I take it you work in a docs office? Or did you read Our Bodies Ourselves way too many times? ;)
lisa[/QUOTE]


our bodies, ourselves is my bible. highly recommend it. i work at an abortion clinic so i have learned a fair amount there. i had extensive training, plus being around nurses & docs, mostly nurses, i have learned some stuff.

i am going back to school, eventually, to become a direct entry midwife. i'd like to have a homebirth practice or work at a birthing center. i have taken some midwifery & doula classes taught by midwifes & advocating for one's self was always a topic.

madlisa - what school did you go to? & where in cali are you moving to. i lived in san francisco for a couple years & that's where i took midwifery classes. there are a lot midwives in that area & in california. i have been to a couple of conferences there. lots of midwives, doulas, & aspiring midwives in attendance.

[madlisa]

Well, look at you wanting to catch babies! I went to grad school here at Emory Univeristy (which is why it is so expensive). I have delivered well over 500 babies in the last 3 years. I am moving to Orange county, California for now. Possibly San Diego, we'll see. San Francisco has one of the best nursing grad programs in the nation. I almost went to school there but man it's expensive out there. To tell you the truth, I will probably take a break from midwifery for a bit and just be a nurse practitioner for the mean time. I got kinda burnt out. I work in a practice where the 3 of us midwives deliver 80 babes per month. The hospital I deliver at delivers over 17K babies per year. I take a lot of call because I am the "young energetic one." Well I am not so energetic these days. Plus, the midwifery in CA is real different. I interviewed with a couple places like birth centers, etc, but I couldn't ever do home births after my experiences. I did a lot of high risk stuff and the malpractice issues these days are too much of a risk to me. I won't even get on that soap box. If I ever deliver babies in California it will be in a hospital. That is just me though. Lots of luck to you! It takes a real dedicated person to be a midwife.

[paiger81]

Going today....I find it funny that last night I made sure to shave my legs. I'm sure my doc must have seen people with hairy legs before, but I feel the need to make a good impression.
:heehee: :heehee: :heehee:

[biodork]

Going today....I find it funny that last night I made sure to shave my legs. I'm sure my doc must have seen people with hairy legs before, but I feel the need to make a good impression.
:heehee: :heehee: :heehee:
Lol i do that too! I always feel bad if i forget or can't because I just shaved recently and it's too short to shave again.