I'm 22 and never been. I'm too scared!

I am 20 and I have never been. I am also a bit scared but I heard that I don't need to go until I start having sex. Maybe I will visit this year.

I went for the first time in college. I was most worried about the dr. telling me i was deformed or something! Its really not that bad. A pap smear takes seconds and they examine you....all things very important to your health. Its also important to go if you are having sex!

Hey! Well depends on first whether or not you're sexually active. Also if you're having menstrual problems - such as irregular periods etc, girls tend to go to the gyno a lot earlier - around 13.

I'm not sure how old you are - but most doctors recommend girls begin in their mid teens.

But 18 - is a usually recommended starting point.

I am 18 and will be having my first in a month.

Sabor, Estilo, Amor Curioso de Moda

I went the first time when I was 17 because I hadn't started my peroid yet. I did not want to go but my mom forced me. It wasn't awful. I'm on birth control now and only have my period 4 times a year which I love.

I think that if your sexually active you should go no matter how old you are, otherwise I think it is 18.

i haven't gone yet...i guess i should go because i pass the general guidelines that you've all posted here...hmmm...

Don't worry about anything at all!!!! I am 18 now and went the first time also when I was 18 because I had had sex. The doctor first asked me if I was sexually active and when I said yes she asked if I had had a pap smear done and I said no, and she said that I should have one. I freaked out. The nurse said my face went from blood red to white and I just froze for a little while. But the nurse schelduled an appointment for me, and at least at my doctors, the nurse shows you all the equipment they use and what each one is for before the actual appointment, and tells you everything they are going to do, so you know what to expect. I got to choose what nurse I wanted to do it and if I wanted anyone else in the room, so I got to pick my favorite very nice motherly nurse. When the actual appoinment comes they get a urine sample from you and then just do the check up. And at least at my doctor again, they do a breast exam too. Its really no big deal and I was freaking out for no reason. It is also worth it to make sure you are healthy. It feels much better to just do it and know that you are fine and healthy instead of worrying about being healthy AND worrying about having the check up done. So really don't worry, it sounds like the scariest thing in the world (it did to me at least) but its no big deal at all. Its just another part of your body that your doctor needs to keep track of to make sure your healthy, just like they would check your ears or heartbeat.

I went at 17, and will probably never go back. I wanted to get birth control but they told me I would have to get a PAP and I freaked out. I think if you just choose your doctor...find an older female if that is what makes you comfortable, you have nothing to worry about. I am sure science has come a long way in the last 15 years.

I was 19. The doctor I saw was horrible. I was in tears and she was very impatient with me. She told me to pull myself together and stop crying. What a b*tch. She wasn't very gentle either. After that I found an amazing dr and she was waaaay more gentle. She was so comforting and supportive. I still see her now.

I was 17. I was so scared my legs were shaking, but the doctor was very nice. Haha they love to have a conversation with you while they are examining you.

I was awful and didn't go until I was 25 because I was petrified. My doctor is seriously amazing, though, so it wasn't that bad. (I actually just got it done at my family doctor, not at a gyno. I see a Physician's Assistant who is really great.)

I was 16!
I advise you to go there as soon as possible! I'm getting a jab against cervical cancer at the moment, which I recommend to you, too. Further, if nobody checks your body, you won't notice if you've got any disease or anything like breast cancer! Ask your Mom to whom she is going and go there if it's a good gynecologist. Don't y'all need to go there to get the Pill, I thought you need a prescription to get it!?
Don't worry, it's not that bad! It sounds silly, but I go to a male gynecologist. First because he's the one that gave birth to me (I know, that was my mother, but I don't know the right word *lol*) and second because men are so more gentle with women! Women can be so gruffy, I experienced that before I went to my current Dr.!

I was 20 years old & it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It's very quick & it doesn't hurt, it's just uncomfortable.

I was 20 years old when I first went however I wasn't sexually active until I was almost 20. If you do become sexually active it is good to see your gyno as soon as possible to of course to get your pap, get birth control pills and get the HPV shoot to prevent getting the HPV virus. Do not put this off. Your heath needs to be the most important thing to you, especially if you are sexuality active. There are so many STD’s out there including the HPV that can lead to cervical cancer later down the road if untreated.

Most gyno’s are women, but be sure to ask before you set your appointment. I have always been more comfortable to talk to another woman. You might want to ask for a nurse practitioner instead. They are like a nurse but with a few more years’ education, but not quite at the status of a doctor. I found they tend to be more gentle, understanding and spend more time with the patient depending than with a typical doctor.

Tell the doctor it is your first time - they will be able to walk you through the whole process. The more you ask questions, the easier it is. A pap test takes no more than a minute at the most and it doesn't really hurt. It is more uncomfortable than anything. Just remember to breathe and it will be all over before you know it. Just know this is a normal thing a woman has to go through the rest of her life and it only happens once a year.

Good Luck!

I went for the first time when I was 35. I wasn't sexually active until that time. My gynecologist said that if I hadn't had a history of cancer/female trouble in my family, that it was okay that I hadn't come in -- theoretically. And, in my case, it was okay.

I would encourage you to have an exam around 18. As many have said, tell your doctor that it is your first exam and s/he will tell you everything that s/he is doing (if they are good). Ask your friends, your mom, your friends' moms what doctor they use. You can get a good idea about which doctor would be best from these people. But keep in mind that your relationship with your doctor is VERY subjective and personal. If you go to someone you do not like, don't hesitate to try another doctor.

My first exam was pretty painful and I don't think I have a low threshold of pain. I'd not had sex in a LONG time prior to my visit. If you took ibuprofen about an hour before the exam, it probably wouldn't be as bad.

Take responsibility for your health. Believe me, you want to know what's going on. Your body is your most precious possession, so take good care of it! This sounds very corny, but as I approach 40, it is becoming more apparent to me every day.

17 because its when i first started having sex and when i got pregnant. lol you definately don't think anything of them after doing it at least once a month for 9 months.

I think I started going at 18. I personally find the dentist to be a bigger pain. It only takes a minute and then it is all over. I only ever have a female do it, at least you know they have to have it done to as well, so they know what it feels like.

It is really important to your health. You can stand anything for a minute.

I went for the first time at 14 bc I was having horribe cramps each month. It was like someone was stabbing me and I would have to go home from school. My gyno gave me the pill since it would help with the symptoms. I have been on birth control ever since and it completly cleared up the cramps.
Luckily my gyno is great. My mom first took me to her doctor and she was very sweet and never judgemental. She has since retired but reffered me to her friend, who is equally great. I think a good way to find a doc is to ask your friends or female relatives. I went to college in state and referred many friends and they felt the same way.
Remember - you don't have anything they haven't seen before!

I was 17, I had sex for the first time and wanted to go on the pill.

i hated the experience..
the gyno experience that is