A:  At your first OBGYN visit, your provider will want to collect a comprehensive health history. This includes a personal medical history, family history, and sexual/reproductive health history. The provider will then perform an exam and testing as indicated. For example, if you are less than 21, an exam will include listening to your heart and lungs and palpating your thyroid. If you do not have any pelvic concerns, you do not need to have a pelvic exam. Once you are age 21, you should begin having pap smears performed every three years. This is a screening test for cervical cancer. If you are age 21 or above, you can expect that a GYN visit will include a speculum exam to perform this. Many tests, including tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas, can be performed using a urine sample, so you can expect to have to leave a sample if you would like STI testing performed.

Another part of a GYN visit is a birth control discussion. If you are interested in that, we will review all the options with you. If you are not interested, that’s fine too!