[Irunontofu]

This is really akward, but I need some answers from ladies that have (possibly) been through this. Every year it is required that you get a health checkup. So I went last year, and I didn't expect it at all, but the doctor checked "down there." Ok, I can live with breast exam, but the other one was bad. Seriously, I was 15 and not sexually active (I am still not sexually active though it is legal at my age, 16.) So now this year I have to go again, and I am really nervous. I don't have any problems, I'm not having sex or anything so why is it nessisary (sp?)? I am scared that since I am 16 I'll have to have a pap done. Is it ok for me to refuse this part of the physical?<br><br>
I am dreading this and it's really getting me worried and down. Thank you.

 

[Tesseract]

Where do you live? In the US, I'm not aware of anyone who requires 16yos who are not sexually active to have pelvic exams or pap smears... or breast exams. Usually girls your age don't have them unless they want to go on BC or they have some kind of problem. I would imagine that in most western countries, the right to refuse medical treatment is fairly fundamental.

 

[faded_amaranth]

My friend's mom wanted her to get a pap smear and go on bc since she will be starting college. My friend went to the gynecologist and was examined but they didn't do the pap test b/c she was only a week away from being 18 and they told her that they don't do pap test on any who is not sexually active and under 21. A couple weeks ago I got my physical for college and the doctor said that women she get a pap test when they become sexually active or they turn 18. All the mentioned doctors practice in Pennsylvania so I don't know if it applies to where you live. Even though these doctors disagree on age, I think 16 is a little young if you are not sexually active.

 

[Irunontofu]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I do live in the us. I am glad to hear that a pap isn't needed at my age. I don't like the physical, even if it is not internal. I am wondering if I can refuse that. I am worried that if I refuse the external exam then my physical won't be complete for school.

 

[Tesseract]

That is the only concern. It's entirely possible your health plan could make life difficult and try to deny benefits or something. But legally, I'm pretty sure no one can actually force medical treatment on you without a court order, especially something that's so unnecessary. Whether you need a pelvic exam is a matter of medical judgment and should not be decided by anyone other than you and your doctor. I don't personally know a single gyn who would recommend a pelvic exam for someone in your situation. If your doctor agrees it's not medically necessary, the doctor and her staff should be able to fend off the insurance people. If it's the people in the doctor's office trying to pressure you to have the exam, be very firm and clear with them that you are refusing a pelvic exam because it's not necessary and you don't want it.

 

[Irunontofu]

So now that that concern is gone... I am worried about the external exam. I mean, everything is ok, so why even look at the outside? I know its normal for doctors, but I feel violated. Its such an intimate thing, and I'm a very private person. I don't want anyone, even the doctor looking at my personal areas. Especially since the doctor did last time. Surely once is enough, since everything was normal.<br><br>
Tesseract and faded_amaranth, thanks for your help.<br><br>
Oh yeah, the pelvic is internal, right?

 

[GhostUser]

this doesn't make much sense. who is requiring you to get an exam? a physical doesn't include a breast exam or a pelvic or even anyone looking at you down there.

 

[Banshee Beat!]

As far as i know, a genital exam is not necessary for just a normal physical, for school and things (especially if you are not sexually active). You should try going to a nurse practitioner. I am a teen too, and when i go to the doctor, she does a quick exam down low, but when i go to the nurse practitioner, she never does.

 

[Irunontofu]

Its a normal physical for school. Apparently you need to get one every year for school, and the school sends you forms before the start of the school year.

 

[Tesseract]

Pelvic exam means the whole shebang involving your genital area, including the part with the speculum and the part that's just done with the hands. If you're not having a pelvic exam, there shouldn't be any need for you to drop your pants AFAIK. If you are uncomfortable and unsure what they want you to do, don't be afraid to ask the doctor to walk you step by step through exactly what will be happening and why before you comply. You are well within your rights to demand a complete explanation up front, so don't be afraid to!<br><br><br><br>
It's a good idea to have a general physical exam where they check your height and weight, draw blood to check your blood chemistry, and that sort of thing, but I'm not aware of any reason for you to have anything down there examined at this point unless you're sick.

 

[GhostUser]

a school physical should not involve a breast exam or a doctor examining you down there at all.<br><br><br><br>
did you tell your parents about this? was that your normal doctor who examined you?

 

[Dirty Martini]

A school physical (for playing sports) is required but does NOT require examination of genitalia. When you make the appointment, make sure it is clear it is a physical for general health, not an "annual exam".

 

[Poppy]

If it makes you more comfortable, schedule an appointment with a female doctor.

 

[Elena99]

Your school is requiring you to? That sounds weird. Is this some sort of private school?

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Irunontofu</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
This is really akward, but I need some answers from ladies that have (possibly) been through this. Every year it is required that you get a health checkup. <b>So I went last year, and I didn't expect it at all, but the doctor checked "down there."</b> Ok, I can live with breast exam, but the other one was bad. Seriously, I was 15 and not sexually active (I am still not sexually active though it is legal at my age, 16.) So now this year I have to go again, and I am really nervous. I don't have any problems, I'm not having sex or anything so why is it nessisary (sp?)? I am scared that since I am 16 I'll have to have a pap done. Is it ok for me to refuse this part of the physical?<br><br>
I am dreading this and it's really getting me worried and down. Thank you.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
does this seem strange to anyone else?

 

[Astarte]

I can understand your surprise and a pelvic exam at your age shouldn't be necessary if you're not sexually active, but it's really not a big deal. You will have to start getting them in a few years for the good for your health. Lots of people are somewhat squeamish about it, but there's nothing special or magical about your genitals... you're not going to pop out of existance because you had a doctor examine you. It's unpleasant, but they're used to it and it's better for you if you become so as well. GPs do them every day. Thankfully we don't have to!

 

[Tesseract]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>purrpelle</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
does this seem strange to anyone else?</div>
</div>
<br>
Now that you mention, it does seem very strange, that this would be sprung on her like this as part of some sort of school-required exam. The whole idea of a school-required physical exam strikes me as strange, but then I have no idea what kind of requirements are involved in sports and stuff. But yes, this whole pelvic exam thing does seem very strange... and ominous. Do your parents know you underwent this exam last year, and do they know that it is apparently going to be part of this year's exam? I'm starting to worry something's not quite legit here.

 

[Blue Plastic Straw]

Most schools require kids to have a "sports physical" before participating in sports. All it involves is checking your heart, lungs, making sure you're in good health and not going to keel over dead while running track or whatever. It strikes me as really odd that someone would have a pelvic/breast exam in that context.

 

[Dirty Martini]

She probably scheduled a "physical" and most doctors I know have interpreted a "physical" as an "annual" so it doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[astro]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>purrpelle</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
does this seem strange to anyone else?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
It certainly set my alarm bells off. If this doctor was aware of the patients age and the fact that she wasn't sexually active, he (assuming it was a man) should not have performed the exam.<br><br><br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Astarte</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I can understand your surprise and a pelvic exam at your age shouldn't be necessary if you're not sexually active, but it's really not a big deal.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I have to totally disagree with you on that point. It absolutely IS a big deal to a young woman who is not yet sexually active and who may have never been touched in such an intimate way by anyone before. The OP also said that she "felt violated".<br><br><br><br>
Irunontofu, I'm sorry that happened to you last year. If you haven't already mentioned this to your parents, you really should because what happened to you sounds very suss to me. Based on what you've said in your post, there's some evidence that this doctor may need to be reported to the appropriate medical board in your state/area.