This Page Exists Because You Are Nervous. That Is Completely OK.
You have been putting it off. Maybe for months, maybe for years. Maybe someone told you that you "should" go to the gynecologist and you smiled and nodded and then immediately changed the subject because the thought of a stranger examining the most private part of your body fills you with genuine dread.
You are not being dramatic. You are not being a baby. The anxiety you feel is valid, incredibly common, and the single biggest reason women delay essential healthcare.
This guide exists to remove every unknown. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly what happens at a gynecology appointment, in what order, and what your rights are every step of the way. No surprises.
Before Your Appointment
What to Bring
- Your insurance card and a photo ID
- A list of any medications, supplements, or vitamins you take
- Your menstrual history (approximate date of your last period, how long your cycles are, how heavy your flow is). If you track your period with an app, bring your phone.
- A written list of questions or concerns. It is easy to forget things when you are nervous. Writing them down gives you a safety net.
What to Wear
Anything comfortable. A two-piece outfit (top and bottom) is slightly easier than a dress because you will be changing into a gown. There is no need to shave, wax, or groom in any particular way. Your provider has seen every variation of every body. They do not care about your grooming choices.
Can You Go on Your Period?
Call the office and ask. For a general health history visit, menstruation is not an issue. For a Pap test or cervical screening, mid-cycle samples are ideal, but providers can often work around light flow.
What Actually Happens (Step by Step)
Step 1: Check-In and Paperwork
You will fill out forms covering your medical history, family history, menstrual history, sexual history (if applicable), and any symptoms or concerns. These forms are confidential. Answer honestly; your provider uses this information to take care of you, not to judge you.
Step 2: Vital Signs
A medical assistant will check your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Standard procedure for every medical visit.
Step 3: The Conversation
Your provider will sit down with you (fully clothed, in a chair, making eye contact) and review your paperwork. This is your chance to ask questions, discuss concerns, and share anything relevant. Common topics at a first visit include:
- Your period (regularity, pain, heaviness)
- Contraception (if needed)
- Sexual activity (if applicable) and any related questions
- Vaccination (HPV vaccine)
- Family medical history
- Emotional wellbeing
This conversation is the most important part of the visit. Your provider is getting to know you as a person, not just as a patient.
Step 4: The Physical Exam
If a physical exam is indicated (this varies by age and reason for visit), your provider will step out while you change into a gown. A chaperone (a nurse or medical assistant) will be present in the room during the exam. This is standard practice and exists for your protection.
The exam may include:
- Breast exam: Your provider will gently palpate each breast to check for lumps, changes, or tenderness. This takes about 30 seconds per side.
- Abdominal exam: Gentle pressing on your lower abdomen to feel for any tenderness or masses.
- External genital exam: A visual inspection of the vulva. Your provider will explain what they are looking at.
- Speculum exam (if needed): A speculum is a smooth, medical-grade tool gently inserted into the vagina to visualize the cervix. It may feel like pressure or mild discomfort, but it should not hurt. If a Pap test or HPV test is needed, a soft brush collects cells from the cervix in under 30 seconds.
- Bimanual exam (if needed): Your provider inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina while pressing on your lower abdomen with the other hand. This allows them to feel the size, shape, and position of your uterus and ovaries. It takes about 15 seconds.
Step 5: Get Dressed and Debrief
After the exam, your provider steps out while you dress. They will return to discuss any findings, answer remaining questions, and outline a plan (prescriptions, follow-up, lab orders, referrals).
Your Rights During Every Visit
- You can say "stop" at any time. If anything hurts, feels wrong, or makes you uncomfortable, say the word and your provider will pause immediately.
- You can decline any part of the exam. Your provider will explain why each step is recommended, but you have the final say. Informed consent is not optional.
- You can request a different provider. If you are not comfortable with the person in the room, you can ask to reschedule with someone else.
- You can bring a support person. Parent, partner, friend, or anyone you trust.
- Everything is confidential. Unless you are a minor and there is a safety concern, nothing discussed leaves the exam room.
Myth Busting: "The Gynecologist Will Judge Me"
Your MomDoc provider has chosen a career in women's health because they believe women deserve respectful, thorough, and compassionate medical care. They are not judging your body, your sexual history, your grooming, or your nervousness. They have seen everything, and the only thing they care about is your health and your comfort.
If you have ever had a bad experience with a provider who made you feel judged, dismissed, or uncomfortable, we are sorry. That is not how healthcare should work. At MomDoc, we hold ourselves to a different standard.
You Have Already Done the Hard Part
Reading this page means you are thinking about it. That is the hardest step. The actual visit is shorter, gentler, and less scary than what you are imagining right now.
Call MomDoc at 480-821-3601 or book your first appointment online. Tell us it is your first time when you call, and we will make sure you are scheduled with extra time so nothing feels rushed.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your MomDoc provider regarding your specific health needs.