Q: Do I have to use stirrups for a gyno exam?
A: That depends on the exam. When you’re having just your uterus and ovaries checked, most doctors will allow you to lie in a “frog” position, in which you put the soles of your feet together and your knees out to the side. But when the doctor needs to use a speculum to check your cervix and do a Pap smear, finding your cervix is more difficult if your legs aren’t in stirrups. If you’re uncomfortable with stirrups, ask if you can lie in any other position. And be sure to breathe deeply and talk with your doctor while she’s performing the exam. That should help you relax.
Q: Could I be allergic to semen?
A: That’s unlikely. Less than 5 percent of the population is allergic. Burning or itching after sex is probably an allergy to something in your spermicide or lubricant. Experiment with different products, and if you are still having discomfort, ask your doc about a vaginal infection. Should it turn out that your partner’s semen is the real problem (you’d settle on this after ruling out everything else), try wearing a condom.
Katharine J. O’Connell, MD, is an assistant clinical professor of OB-GYN at Columbia University.
Comments (28)
Hi, I had a embarrising gyno exam done the other day by my family doctor who is male and there was a nurse in the room. I honestly hate having these done but it was the 1st time I had a male doctor do this. The probIem is when he put his gloved fingers inside me I sort of got exicted over the feeling of his touch. I know this is so wrong. I am a virgin. I have never been with a guy my whole life so maybey it is just part of my hormones because I never had a guy touch me down there. I don’t want to feel this way. I won’t switch to a lady doctor they make me real tense and uncomfortable (no offense). I had bad experinces w/ lady docs. I want to stick with the doc I see. He is a very good doctor in our community. He is on a bunch of medical boards. My friends reccomened him to me. He also has helped me alot this past yr. over my medical problems. I am was not thinking of him in a sexual way at all it was just the touch felt good when he first put his fingers inside.
passing blood when going tothe toilet
we have no child.
because we try, but can’t born a child.
we wat a child
we have no child.
because we try, but can’t born a child.
we want a child
so what is this problem
what if i have my period way longer than im supposed too. its scaring my because ive had my period for 2 weeks. it stops and starts whenever it feels like it.
Would a genital herpes test come up positive if you have had pre- cancerous cells in the cervix or if you have hpv?
i am man.age is 52 year .hight is 5feet 4 inches ,very slim. wuight is 56 kg only,
PL GIVE ME TIPS FOR
1- HOW I CAN INCREASE MY WEIGHT
2- HOW I CAN INCREASE MY BODY-HEALTH – I AM VERY VERY SLEEM
3- HOW I CAN INCREASE MY WORKING STAMNINA
4-HOW I CAN INCREASE MY MEMORY POWWER
I have been having long lengths of time between my period this year. up to 10 weeks. I was feeling really tired and sometimes dizzy my doctor had me do a sugar and thyroid test. thyroid was fine but my insulin was slightly elevated. i went on a no sugar or starch diet for three months. made me feel better, but my periods are still long in between. just recently i have been experiencing real sharp pains down in my pelvic area. I am now going on 10 weeks since my last period. My husband and I would like to get pregnant. I have been off the pill for over a year. I am 27 years old, been on the pill for about 4 years. do you have any idea on what is going on?
Hi.
i have been worried because i noticed my labia minoras right and left side are different sizes. the right side of my labia minora is very large and loose, while the left side is small. is this normal?
Hi,
Is it possible to be pregnant with left Ovarian Cyst that is 2in.? Then I’ll like to know how long it takes to be pregnant after stopping birth control pill for a while because I was put on birth control pill due to my Ovarian cyst and I stoped that pill for over 6 months or more.
My Gynecologist told me that my ovarian cyst is not a big deal, but i am having hard time during sexual intercourse not everytime though, it is only once in a while. Is it going to be like this forever?
I take Yaz birth control. Is it okay or safe to not take the white inactive pills and start with a new pack of pink inorder to skip my period If I just do it every once and a while?
what procedure do you suggest to do if you have high risk of hpv and genital warts?
sometimes my vagina iritates when i pee and it itches. and i pee a lot more often than usual. what is it why do i get this…? lately i havent been drinking a lot of water is that part of it?
okay ive heard lots of things about eating and drinking (reg drinks)NO alcohol! and tht different fods and things you drink will make ur down stairs smells different!?… true?! and whta ones!
I was diagnosed with PCOS a few weeks ago after a discovery of multiple ovarian cysts on both of my ovaries. One, which is on my left ovary, was the size of a tennis ball. For a couple weeks I wasn’t following up with my appointments to monitor the cyst, & this morning I woke up with severe pain on my left side, along with intense pressure. I went to my gyno and he told me that my cyst has ruptured(It was leaking when they 1st found it as well) & he advised me not to worry about it. As I’m sitting here looking up info on ruptured cysts, I’m reading about the complications it can cause to my body. I’m only 19 years old & I one day want to have children and I really don’t want to spend my holidays in the hospital, but it is causing me pain and pressure. Should I be concerned that my cyst has ruptured? He prescribed me darvocet for the pain but it doesnt really work. I’m also experiencing really bad headaches, could that also have something to do with the cyst or PCOS? Your opinion helps.
Hey Colleen! I was your age when I was diagnosed with PCOS. I had one rupture while I was at work, and had no clue what was going on so work rushed me to the ER by ambulance. I am now 28 years old and still battle it. It is hormonal, so you can experience headaches, facial hair, and now will be at higher risk for developing diabetes. They told me the chances of me getting pregnant were slim, but guess what… I am 19 weeks pregnant now and having a beautiful pregnancy! So anything is possible. Just make sure to eat a balanced diet, stay away from caffeine and listen to your body. The cyst rupturing is just something where they cannot do anything about it anymore, but drink a lot of fluids and use naproxin sodium with the darvocet if they won’t give you anything stronger. Good luck!
I HAVE BEEN TAKING PROVERA FOR THE PAST FOUR (4) YEARS INODER TO BRING DOWN A PERIOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY GYNO TOLD ME I HAVE PCOS. I TOOK TEN PROVERA FOR FOR TEN DAYS IN APRIL AND SAW A PERIOD MAY AND TOOK SOME AGAIN IN OCTOBER AND THE PERIOD CAME IN NOVEMBER 08. IN DECEMBER ONE MORNING TO MY SURPRISE I SAW MY PERIOD COMING ON ITS OWN, WHICH I HAVE NOT SEEN IN YEARS. ITS NOW JANUARY AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING YET. IS THIS A SIGN THAT IT MAY EVENTUALLY COME ON ITS OWN NOW AND I COULD POSSIBLY GET PREGNANT?
I started taking yaz two weeks ago. when can i start having sex with my husband without the risk of getting pregnant?
i have been getting sort of headache or a pain on the right side of my fore head..it also streches down to just above my eyelid..im scared that it might be a tumor and i was wondering what are some of the things it could be..please reply
i have a problem with my period i got 2* for month and its start dots dots for 7days and starts coming normaly for 17 days, and i feel paining even if i finish period always my underwear become dirty something like yellow and browndark. please tell me what wrong with me, i didnt take any medicine .help me plz.
Me and my boyfriend have been together for 8 months and at frist when having sex id swell up after a few times of intercourse. Now i am right away. Is that normal? Also i am having bathroom problems, I’ll feel as if i have to urinate but when i get there i barely can and as soon as i stand up its like i have to urinate again. Is this normal? Whats going on?
My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year now. Before that I was on birth control for 11 years and my period has always been spot on (even off the pill) its been very very consistent. This month, however, my period started an entire week early. I did some research and learned it could be implantation bleeding but it should be very minimal and only last a day or two max. I am on day 3 and still going strong which is why I think it isnt that. My question is could I still be pregnant and should I take a home pregnancy test next week when my period should be scheduled?
I have had my period for 2 weeks and it’s scaring me! what can be going on?
Emily, It may be the form of birth control you are using i know that has happened to me a few times and it was the amount of hormones in the birth control you may want to go to the doctor and ask if they might switch it for you?
I am having my period today and was wondering if it would be safe to have sex (using protection)from my partner next month around the 21st of the month and this is my second one for this month and I go only about every 26 to 28 days.
Okay I need help In September I had my period it only lasted about two days and was very light i took a pregnancy test it was negative. Last month same thing i got my period on the right date but it was super light and only lasted two or three days i have not taken another pregnancy test, and i heard that excessive amounts of liquid intake can mess with the test results well i drink well over a gallon of water a day, could i be pregnant has this happened to anyone HELP!!!
and i forgot to mention i started bleeding a week after i was spotting and that lasted about a week and was also very light