Sensory issues + GYN appointment = ???

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I have my first GYN appointment in about a month, and I don't want to go. I can't even think about it without having an extremely negative reaction - physically flinching away from the thought of some stranger touching me.

I can't stand being touched even by people I know except under very specific circumstances. I hate normal doctor's appointments and usually break down crying over one thing or another. The combination of both of these things - an appointment with a doctor who is not only going to be touching me but doing strange, uncomfortable things - is terrifying to me.

Does anyone have any advice? Anything that makes being touched less unbearable? If someone could even just tell me what to expect, I would be beyond grateful - I can't stand to read the articles I've been finding online because of the patronizing tone they all seem to have.

Is it strange that I'm not at all bothered by the idea of having a (male) doctor seeing me naked? Nudity is no big deal to me, nor is the thought of being seen by a male doctor, but I guess these aren't very common views...?

It's really not that bad. Uncomfortable, yeah, I don't like people touching me much, but it really doesn't take long.

re; male doctor, i dont care either. maybe its an aspie thing? to me a doctors a doctor theyre all trained the same, theyve all seen/done it before. why should it matter? not like your gunna be posing for him, a gynie exam is about as unsexy as it gets really.

re; what happens, i have never had a gynie exam per se, as i am still only twenty however i have had a three sexual health checks before as i have one everytime i change partner, and they like to have a look in those, i believe its pretty similar. what they try and have you do is lay on a bed feet in stirrups, things to kepp your legs bent and apart, and then try and insert a speculum and open it to have a look. if you dont know what a speculum is then you should google it as i dont know how to explain it other than big hard and cold.

first time i went i tried to let them do this but it was way too uncomfortable and i was nervous which makes you tense up, which makes you tight, which makes inserting a speculum a very painful experience. i gave up on that pretty quickly.

since then i have always insisted on inserting it myself, the doctors are always pretty shocked at the suggestion and quick to refuse but i make it pretty obvious that its that or nothing and they tend to given pretty quickly.

i lie on the bed with my feet on the bed, not in stirrups and my knees loosely spread. take a few calming breath to steady my hands and focus on relaxing my vagina. then you can insert the speculum. its not too bad really the worst bit is the cold. it shocks you a bit and i find myself tensing reflexivly. just try to ignore it and relax and then it should slide right in.. after its in the doctor will try and take control and open it. DONT let him. if you dont like other people touching you, you wont like that. instead open it your self but take your time, this is the most awkward part as the handle is at an angle not deigned for you as usually its the doctor doing this. once open the doctor will have a look and then tell you when hes finished.
unless he sees something (unlikely) this should just take a few seconds, then you can take it out and your done.
all in all i think this sounds a lot worse than it is. as long as your firm in that you wont let them do it then theres no reason for anyone to touch you at all, and as long as you remember to relax then there will be no pain. though it will be a bit uncomfortable.

re; breast exam, i have had these done before as i was unfotunate enough to have a lump which needed removing, (luckily, non-cancerous! you wouldnt be having any equipment (ultrasound, etc) for just a check, the doctor would just do it himself. if you dont like being touched then i can see how you wouldnt be looking forward to it but i can say that its very simple and over very quickly,

you will need to remove all clothes which are covering your breasts and the doctor will use about three fingers to press lightly in spiral around each breast working from the outside in. this is to feel for any unusual lumps, tissues, skin that might indicate a problem.

chances are that you wont be asked to do this and if you are then you have the right to refuse and they wont make you do it, though from personal experience i would suggest that if they ask then you at leats try it. you can tell them to stop at any time, though it shouldnt take more than a minute or two.

either way its a good idea to look up how to do this on yourself on google and what your looking for. its recomended that all girls do this regularly, (ie, once a day in the shower) in order to get to know what there breast feel like and be able spot any irregularities before they become a problem. cancer is much less likely to be fatal if you catch it early on.

hope this helps you and remember the most important thing to do is RELAX. they cant make you do anything, you ARE in control!

good luck, and tell us how it goes,
ZooZoo

I personally would never see a male doctor for gyn stuff, though my GP is male and I get along with him just fine. I generally go to Planned Parenthood for gyn stuff, rather than to a regular gynecologist - the former don't look at me like they're sizing me up for future business (pregnancy), and the latter too often do (both male and female gynecologists do this, but the staff at PP seems to be more into just taking care of their current patient).