Since I just turned 18, do I have to go for a gyno exam?
My roommate just told me that since I just turned 18, I have to go for a gyno exam! Is this for real? I’m totally freaked out about someone examining me there.
If you are a woman, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you have your first pelvic exam if:
* You are 18 years of age or older.
* You are sexually active or plan to be. (This is impor- tant if you have been sexually active even once.)
* You have vaginal discharge.
* You have menstrual problems such as unusual pain or abnormal bleeding.
I know that the thought of letting someone examine your most private areas is totally disconcerting, but keep in mind that it will be a trained health care provider. If you choose to go to Student Health and Counseling, Anita Bowen, a certified OB/GYN nurse Practitioner, and/or Gary Wasserman, a gynecologist, are on staff. For a student, the cost is only $25 for an annual visit and $10 for a follow-up. This is typically much less expensive than the prices in the “real world”. If you want to get more information about what to expect before you go, drop by the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness (located in the Women’s Building, and I can fill you in on the details.
No one is going to force you to make an appointment, but it is something smart to do for your own health and wellness. The purpose of a pelvic exam is to make sure that your reproductive organs are normal and that you are free of cellular changes and infection that could become serious if left untreated. Additionally, it will give you time to discuss any concerns or questions that you have about your body and your health.
I only smoke when I drink or go out to a bar. I don’t have to smoke, and I could totally quit if I really wanted to-but it doesn’t seem like a few cigarettes when I’m drinking could really be that bad for me. Could they?
It sounds like you fall into the category of “social smoker.” Does this sound familiar? “I only smoke when… I go out with friends, I drink, I’m really stressed out, I’m at a party, I’m studying for exams, I’m at a bar, I’ve just finished finals, I’m trying to relax…” People who smoke “socially” usually don’t realize how often they are actually smoking. Since the effects from smoking are cumulative, even just smoking socially can really add up. It will have an effect on your heart and your lungs, not to mention your wallet and the extra time you will have to spend brushing your teeth, showering, and (gasp!) doing laundry to get the stink out. There is nothing sexier than stale cigarette breath… And it will get harder and harder to not smoke in social situations the longer you continue this habit. Your brain has a great memory (you did get into Washington University, right?) and will start to expect the cigarette when you are drinking or studying. Over half of occasional smokers will eventually become full-time smokers for an average of 6-10 years. So let’s say that an average pack of cigarettes costs $4 (the price will go up over the next 10 years, so this is an average) and that as a full-time smoker you smoke 1.5 packs a day. Over the course of 10 years, that’s $21,840! Things that make you go Hmmm…
Questions?
How many times have you had a question about your body or your health that you felt weird asking a friend or someone older? Especially when it’s about sex. Jill Ringold, who has her master’s degree in Public Health and is a certified health education specialist, is the health educator in the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. She’s here to help answer those questions that you really want to ask. If you want to submit a question, please send it to [email protected]
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