The dentist’s office. The principal’s office. Offices can be scary places. But what about the doctor’s office? Usually going to the doctor isn’t the most dreaded thing in the world, because we’re a pretty young and healthy crowd and because we all know the routine. But that all changes when we go to the doctor to make sure our sexual health is in order. We no longer know the ropes — how do we know what to expect?
The responsibility of taking care of our sexual health is a much more recent development in our lives — so recent, in fact, that many of us have not taken that crucial step. Girls: How many of you still haven’t had your first gynecological exam? It’s time to get started!
Of course, there are two types of doctor’s appointments regarding your sexual health. The first is the routine one, where the doctor’s goal is just to make sure everything looks normal. This type of visit can generate a little anxiety, but overall it’s no big deal. The second type is much more nerve-wracking. It’s the appointment you make when you’re worried you might have a sexually transmitted infection. I’ll cover what happens in both types of appointments, as well as things you can keep track of at home to make sure everything is going smoothly down there.
For girls, aside from your regular annual doctor’s exam, you should also schedule a yearly gynecological exam. A few things happen during this exam. You will be asked about your sexual history, about which you should be honest. A Planned Parenthood document states that one in two women will contract an STI during the course of her lifetime; one of the most common STIs is human papillomavirus (genital warts). This is also a good time to go over contraceptive needs and have your doctor help you decide which birth control method is right for you.
Next, you are poked and prodded in several ways. The clinician will examine your breasts, after which he or she will begin the pelvic exam. The pelvic exam consists of three standard parts — the external genital exam, the speculum exam, the bimanual exam — as well as a potential fourth part, the rectovaginal exam, for women with certain symptoms. By far, the best-known of these procedures is the speculum portion of the exam, or the Pap test. Yes, it is uncomfortable, and it will not end up high on your list of pleasant experiences, but it is not quite as horrifying as people imply. Christine M. Peterson, associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology, said that during the rectovaginal portion of an exam, the clinician will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to check for masses behind the pelvic organs and for rectal cancer. Sounds like fun, right?
And what should you keep track of at home, girls? It is recommended that you track your menstrual cycle, as well as perform breast self-exams to check for lumps whenever it is convenient. For guys, there is no routine medical sexual health exam. When you go in for a check-up, you should answer your doctor’s questions about your sexual health, and if you have any concerns, you should voice them. As far as home maintenance is concerned, you should make sure to perform a testicular self-exam about once a month. Regardless of how much time you spend down there with your hands, you should take a few serious moments to check for lumps and swelling in the testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer among men ages 15 to 35, so keeping track of your testicles is a good way to make sure you are healthy.
Finally, what if you’re in the doctor’s office because you’re worried about having an STI? Well, time is of the essence, so get yourself to the doctor ASAP. At Student Health, they will first go over your sexual history with you to decide for what you’re at risk. Then the clinician will perform a regular exam, as well as the appropriate tests, which may include a Pap test and other samples from the cervix during the speculum exam for women, according to Peterson, and a swab of the urethral opening for men. Symptoms of STIs include genital or anal rashes, bumps or blisters. Any abnormal skin problems in the genital area are an indicator that testing is a good idea.
If you do have an STI, Student Health will notify you, help you get treated and advise you about how to reduce your risk in the future. Peterson said the laboratory is legally required to notify the Virginia Department of Health of positive HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea test results, but Student Health can help you figure out partner notification strategies because you don’t want this STI traveling any further. Finally, they will schedule you for a follow-up appointment to make sure you’re on track and healthy.
So, STI testing is not all that different from a regular doctor’s appointment — it’s just scarier because the stakes are higher. However, since most people who contract STIs are unaware of them, regular checkups are an important way of tracking your sexual health. So, familiarize yourself with your breasts and your vagina or with your penis. Get to know what they look and feel like normally, so if something changes, you’ll notice. And if you haven’t been to the doctor lately, go!
Andrenne is a fourth-year College student. She can be reached at a.alsum@cavalierdaily.com.
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