Since meeting with an OB-GYN can involve discussing your personal reproductive health, many women are nervous about making their first appointment. However, your first visit with this provider should occur in your mid- to late teenage years, and women over the age of 21 should meet with a gynecologist annually to screen for abnormalities. Here’s what you should expect during your first appointment.

3 Aspects of a Gynecologist Appointment

1. Medical History Disclosure

Before you meet with your doctor for the first time, you’ll be asked to fill out paperwork regarding your personal medical history. In addition to detailed information about your monthly cycles and your pregnancy history, you may also be asked to give a list of current and past medications, previous medical conditions, and personal concerns you may have. This information will be kept confidential between you and your doctor, but it will help them zero-in on important information about your health. 

2. Discussion With Your Provider

After reviewing these documents, your OB-GYN will want to meet with you privately and discuss your chart. At your first appointment, your doctor will want to know what you need help with during your visit. For instance, while many women go to the OB-GYN for the first time to acquire birth control, others visit to discuss a new pregnancy or infertility issues.

3. A Physical Exam 

If you made your appointment for a preventative check-up, you might also have a physical exam. This will include a breast exam to check for tissue irregularities and a pelvic exam to look for ovarian cysts. If you’re over 21, your doctor will likely recommend a Pap smear, which involves taking a small tissue sample from your cervix to analyze it for the presence of cancerous cells. This may be slightly uncomfortable, but should not be painful.

If you’re due for a women’s wellness exam, turn to the team at Innovative Women's Health Specialists. Based out of Chattanooga, TN, this all-female team of OB-GYNs can help with everything from birth control and routine exams to cancer screening and pregnancy care. They know that visiting the gynecologist for the first time can be nerve-wracking, which is why they’re committed to creating a warm, comfortable environment where you can be in control of your health. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (423) 771-9680 to schedule your first appointment today.