At your first appointment, your doctor, nurse or gynae will take a full medical history. This includes asking questions about your health, sexual activity, and anything else related to your reproductive well-being.

Once that’s complete, you’ll be asked to step into a separate room or area, get fully undressed, and put on a gown. A gynaecological appointment requires you to be naked, but you should never be fully exposed during the appointment (i.e, you should never be asked to remove the gown completely), and your gynae should only expose the areas s/he needs to, as s/he’s examining you.

• Being nervous is normal…but you don’t need to be!
• You don’t need to wax or shave before your appointment.
• You can bring someone with you, or you can have them wait outside.
• Be prepared for honesty.
• If you have your period, it’s a good idea to reschedule.

The female reproductive system is intricate and delicate, and sometimes things can go wrong. These are usually easily treatable if they’re detected early, which is why regular gynaecological check-ups or women’s wellness exams are so important.

Your annual gynae visit will help ensure that you’re in good reproductive health overall. Your doctor or nurse will also be able to advise you on contraceptive options and protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That means you should start seeing a gynae or going for women’s wellness exams when:

• You start having sex
• You suspect there may be something wrong, even if you aren’t yet sexually active – for example, unusual periods or lack of periods, unusual discharges, etc.
• You’re aged 21 or over (regardless of whether you’ve started having sex).

• General check-up, which could include taking your blood pressure, conducting a urine test, weighing you, listening to your lungs and heart, feeling the glands under your neck and arms and in your groin area, and possibly a haemoglobin test, which requires a finger prick.
• HIV/STI screening, if you request it
• Breast exam, where your gynae feels your breasts for any lumps or abnormalities.
• Pelvic exam, where your gynae first checks the outside of your genital area, and then the inside with the help of a tool called a speculum. This opens up your vagina and enables your gynae to see your cervix. Finally, your gynae will use his or her fingers to reach into your vagina and conduct a brief internal exam.
• You’ll also have a pap smear, which takes just a few moments. Here’s a helpful article on exactly what to expect:Pap smear: what to expect at your first visit. Once the examination is complete, you’ll get dressed and be on your way. Your doctor will let you know the results of your pap smear within a few days.