Still a Virgin. Do I Still Need to See a Gynecologist Yearly?

The yearly exam is a time to screen for overall health, and keep up on any changes that may be occurring. For a lot of women their gynecologist may be the only doctor they see on a regular basis, so this makes it even more important.

For some women who are still virgins, coming in every other year may be OK, if their gynecologist agrees and if they have normal pap smears. But few women fit into this category.Most gynecologists recommend that a young woman, regardless of whether or not she has engaged in sexual activity, should establish care with her doctor no later than 18-21 years of age. There are many reasons to see your gynecologist.

Many women have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer and need to be followed more closely. Their family history may require that they have special tests at specific intervals or start testing earlier, than someone with no family history.

Others, regardless of whether you're a virgin, may have menstrual pain or irregularities that need to be looked into. Ultrasounds to screen for ovarian cysts or cancer can be a helpful screening tool for this, or to evaluate abnormalities like PCO (polycystic ovarian syndrome). PCO is a syndrome of symptoms that can be distressing and cause many health problems, like abnormal hair growth, insulin resistance, and irregular menstrual cycles due to difficulty with ovulation.

Still others among you may have pain with your cycles that interfere with your ability to work or go to school and need special care and treatment. Causes can include endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and all of these can interfere with future fertility.

It is important for all women, even if you decide to remain a virgin, to come in on a yearly basis to maintain a quality relationship with your gynecologist and keep up on all your important health issues.

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What tips do you have for someone who is looking for a new gynecologist? What should I look for?

Choosing a new or first gynecologist can be very stressful for women. This health care provider consults us about some of the most intimate areas of our health. It's our Ob-gyn's who see us through some of the most emotional transitions in our lives with conversations including contraception, conception, childbirth, PMS, and menopause. For many women, the gynecologist is their primary or only physician and, therefore, needs to be someone with whom she feels comfortable sharing a lot of information. I know in any health crisis, the Ob-gyn physician is the first doctor most women turn to, so trust is critical.

The gynecological exam is a highly private and personal experience that can leave women feeling very vulnerable, so women need to decide if a male or female doctor will be more appropriate for them. One of the best ways to find a good Ob-gyn is to ask friends or family, or get a referral from another doctor you've known and trusted. You can ask them questions ahead of time about the Ob-gyn and you may feel more confident knowing they have had a good experience with their doctor.

However you choose your new Ob-gyn, always remember to prepare for the visit before the day of the exam. Make a list a questions that you need to ask, and prepare to review what tests you need to do and how often you should have them done. Just remember, your Ob-gyn knows it is a stressful exam and expects you to have questions. If you don't ask then it is assumed you are OK, with no questions. But, no question is too silly to ask. If you are worried about it, then it is important.

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