How often is a gyno appt needed when you're abstinent until marriage?

Question

Hey ladies.. I feel like I'm probably the only 26-year-old virgin on this app, BUT I have actually surprisingly seen many of you on other post responses saying you're a virgin and waiting until marriage as well. Glad to know we can still benefit from this app with all its health tips while saving the gift of sex as something to be shared with our future husbands :)

Anyway, my question is about the importance/urgency or frequency of gynecologist appointments if I've never been sexually active and am not currently. I have had two gyno appointments, one at 22 and the other at 24 two years later. It's now another two years later and I've moved, lost the insurance coverage I had under my dad (oh the joys of turning 26 lol), so since I'd have to find a doctor, see if my Medicaid will cover it, and all that, I'm wondering if it's even all that necessary.

I was told I should go every other year, which is what I've done so far, and of course I don't want to sound ignorant of the importance of getting checked for my general health or any signs of disease, but I'm just curious.

Also, I was wondering if anyone could relate to my experience. The gynocologist I've seen was a very nice, normal woman that made me feel more than comfortable despite my nerves. I know it's normal to feel nervous (I was practically shaking my first appointment) but I wonder if that's the primary reason my doctor couldn't even get the speculum inserted both times. She literally got maybe a half inch in and then it felt like my vagina was about to be ripped apart, so I must've completely clenched up, and she had to use her fingers instead.

It's so weird. Obviously my vagina is small because I'm a virgin but it's just makes me wonder was it solely me tensing up from just the whole awkwardness of the procedure or am I gonna wind up having future issues like painful sex or other things like that.. I wear a regular size tampon by the way.

I know it sounds very prudish but just looking at the speculum it's like UMMMM how is this gonna work? And then even after they get it in there they gotta open it?! Yikes. Waaaa. Please tell me there's some out there who have also had the speculum fail..

I don't know if this might be slightly TMI in any way but if not here on this app's forum, then seriously.. Where else. Lol

Thanks ladies!
😳

Chrissy

Answer

You should still go every year to evaluate your cells and so forth. Virgins can have cervical cancer & abnormal paps. Better to be safe & catch something early then wait until you begin to have sex when your married and it's too late or you have infirtility problems :)

Answer

You shouldn't let the uncomfortableness scare you off. It's always uncomfortable lol. But you get used to it. Honestly, abnormal pap results are almost always caused from hpv, so some may say it's not a big deal if you're not sexually active but there are so many other variables.It's Definitely   a good idea to go every year after 21. I had a lump in my breast at age 20. It was noncancerous but I did get it removed and I have known women who have gotten breast and cervical cancer in their 20s. They have new Pap smears now where they test your dna and they are supposedly good for several years so I would talk to the doc about it next time you go.

Answer

Pap smears are a good idea after 21 yrs old. When I went to my first gynecologist about a year ago, the speculum freaked me out as well! I wasnt a virgin but its still hurt like hell and as a rape survivor I started crying and it was terrible. I didnt like my gynecologist at ALL and haven't gone back. For my next pap smear im just going to go to my regular doctor who ive seen for 10+ years. :-)

Answer

I was a virgin till I got married at age 25. The speculum has always been unpleasant. My dr says everyone's anatomy is different and my cervix is tricky to see. I remember my first exam at age 15 when I had an ovarian cyst. She had to use the smallest speculum she could find. 
You should still get an exam and pap at least every other year unless a dr says you can go longer. If you're worried about insurance not covering it, go to planned parenthood. I did that for a while. Yes, you will probably get a weird look when you tell them you're a virgin, but there's nothing wrong with it. And don't be offended if they offer birth control more than once. It's their job to help provide contraception.

Answer

I was a virgin until I got married at 27- you're not alone in your choice! I went to the gyno once, just to make sure everything was "normal" at 25. The speculum hurt soooo bad. I wish then I had asked her about my hymen and had a hymenectomy early. On my wedding night I couldn't have sex, not because I didn't want to but because my hymen was too thick. I had surgery and everything worked great as soon as I healed, but I wish I'd have asked about my hymen and gotten it removed early so we could've had actual intercourse on our honeymoon!! So that's my suggestion. I don't think you'd need to go back very often otherwise, if you're not sexually active and have no signs of infections.

Answer

I didn't go the the GYN till I was 19. My mom took me to the hospital thinking I had apendicitis. Turned out a cyst had ruptured and there were more of them on both ovaries. Now I go for a pap smear and general check up once a year.

Answer

I was a virgin until marriage. My GYN at the time acted like she didn't believe me (before she even did the exam.) 😒
I still HATE vaginal exams, and I've been married for 4 years now. For some reason they are very uncomfortable for me. 
I would say that you should go every year or 2, just to have peace of mind. Even if you aren't sexually active, you can still suffer from infections and other issues down there.

Answer

My doctor told me when I was younger that if you are waiting until marriage you should start going to the gynecologist at 18 and them go yearly after that.  As far as the speculum, it differs from person to person I believe. I'm married and have obviously had sex but I don't use tampons, and I think that makes a difference too. For me personally the speculum is always uncomfortable,  there is always pressure and I am often told to un-clench my knees and relax.

Answer

Hey I was a virgin until 28. My first gyno was before I got married and the speculum did not feel good. The nurse doing the exam said "Honey, a penis is bigger than this." But it's an entirely different story when you are wet and turned on 😉. My opinion is if you are waiting and not doing any sexual activity and your period is normal don't worry about it. Every 3 years or something more often in your 40s. However you can get an STD without penatration. Pap smears are not the whole story. But don't skimp on a yearly physical or other preventative care. And if you have a family history of issues be cognizant of that. So I wouldn't worry too much.

How often is a gyno appt needed when you're abstinent until marriage?

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