What to Expect at Your First GYN Visit — A Guide for Young Women in the Bronx

If you've been putting off your first gynecologist appointment because you're not sure what happens or you're nervous about it — you are not alone. Most young women feel exactly the same way before their first visit. The good news is that the reality is almost always much easier than what people imagine.

At Dr. Emily Women's Health Center in the South Bronx, we've been welcoming first-time patients since 2004. Our board-certified OB/GYN physicians — Dr. Brian E. Park and Dr. Vivian Roston — understand that a first visit can feel intimidating, and we take our time to make sure you feel informed, comfortable, and respected from the moment you walk in.

This guide covers everything: when to go, what actually happens during the appointment, what to bring, what questions to ask, and what your rights are as a patient. Read it before your visit and walk in feeling prepared.

When Should You Have Your First GYN Visit?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that young women have their first gynecology visit between ages 13 and 15. This doesn't mean anything scary happens at that age — it's mostly just a conversation. The goal is to give you a trusted physician you can go to with questions, and to establish a baseline for your health before issues come up.

That said, there is no wrong age to start. If you are 18, 22, or 30 and have never been to a gynecologist, there is absolutely no judgment. The most important thing is that you go.

You should make an appointment sooner rather than later if any of the following apply:

• Your periods are very painful, very heavy, or very irregular
• You haven't started your period by age 15
• You are sexually active or thinking about becoming sexually active
• You have vaginal discharge, odor, itching, or discomfort
• You want to discuss birth control options
• You have questions about your body that you haven't been able to get answered

We accept Medicaid and most major insurance plans. Same-day appointments are available. You can call us at 718-585-1010 or visit dremily.net to schedule.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

A little preparation makes check-in easy and gives your physician the information she needs to take good care of you.

• Your insurance card or Medicaid information
• A list of any medications or supplements you take
• The date your last period started, and information about how regular your cycle is
• Any questions you want to ask — write them down so you don't forget
• Basic family medical history if you know it (for example, any history of ovarian cysts, fibroids, or certain cancers in close relatives)

You do not need to shave, wax, or prepare your body in any special way. You do not need to douche — in fact, douching is never recommended. Come as you are.

What Actually Happens During the Appointment

This is the part most young women are anxious about — so let's go through it step by step. A first GYN visit is far more conversation than examination. The whole appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Step 1: Check-in and paperwork

You'll fill out a short health history form when you arrive. This is confidential. Staff will ask about your general health, your menstrual cycle, and any medications you take.

Step 2: Basic vitals

A nurse or medical assistant will take your weight, height, and blood pressure — exactly the same as any other doctor's visit. Nothing surprising here.

Step 3: The conversation with your physician

This is the most important part of the visit. Your physician will ask about your health history, your menstrual cycle, any symptoms or concerns you have, and your family medical history. If you are a teenager, a parent or guardian may be in the room for part of this conversation — but your physician will also speak with you privately. Anything you share with your doctor is confidential.

This is your chance to ask any question you have, including questions that feel embarrassing or uncomfortable. Our physicians have heard everything — there is no question that is too personal or too basic. The more openly you communicate, the better care you receive.

Step 4: Physical exam (if needed)

Most young women — especially teenagers — do not need a pelvic exam at their first visit. Guidance from ACOG has evolved, and physicians now understand that an internal exam is unnecessary unless there is a specific medical reason, such as abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or if you are requesting an IUD. Most common concerns for young patients can be addressed through conversation, a urine test, or an external exam.

What the first visit may include:

• External genital exam: A brief visual exam of the external anatomy. Your physician may offer you a mirror so you can see and learn about your own body. This is educational, not invasive.
• Breast exam: Your physician checks for any lumps or changes. She will also teach you how to check your own breasts at home.
• STI screening: If you are sexually active, your physician may recommend testing for sexually transmitted infections. In most cases this is done with a simple urine sample — no internal exam required.
• Pap smear: Cervical cancer screening with a Pap test is not recommended until age 21, so most teenagers will not need one at their first visit.

If any exam is recommended, your physician will explain exactly what it is and why before proceeding. You always have the right to ask questions, slow down, or decline.

Topics You Can Bring Up at Your First Visit

A GYN visit is for much more than just a physical exam. Your appointment is a confidential space to get real answers on any of the following:

• Period problems: Heavy bleeding, painful cramps, irregular or missing periods, PMS — all of these are things your physician can help with
• Birth control: Pills, patches, rings, IUDs, implants, injections — your physician can walk you through every option, discuss what fits your lifestyle, and prescribe what you choose
• STI prevention and testing: Confidential, judgment-free information on protecting yourself and getting tested
• Vaginal symptoms: Discharge, odor, itching, burning — these are medical symptoms, not embarrassments. Your physician can diagnose and treat them
• Acne and hormones: Hormonal changes affect skin, mood, and energy. Hormonal birth control is sometimes used to manage these symptoms
• HPV vaccine: If you haven't received the HPV vaccine series, your physician can discuss it with you. It protects against the virus that causes most cervical cancers
• Questions about your body: Any question at all — about anatomy, development, what's normal, what isn't

Your Privacy Is Protected

One of the most common concerns young women have is whether their parents will find out what was discussed. In New York State, minors have the right to confidential care for reproductive health services, including birth control, STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy-related care. Your physician will not share what you discuss with your parents without your permission.

If you have questions about your specific situation, call us before your appointment at 718-585-1010. We are happy to explain what is and isn't confidential so you can come in feeling safe.

Questions to Ask at Your First Visit

Write these down and bring them with you if they apply to you:

• Is my menstrual cycle normal?
• What can I do about painful cramps?
• What birth control options are right for me?
• When do I need a Pap smear?
• Should I get the HPV vaccine?
• Is the discharge I'm experiencing normal?
• How do I check my breasts at home?
• How often should I come in for visits?

Why Young Women in the Bronx Choose Dr. Emily Women's Health Center

We know that choosing a gynecologist — especially for the first time — is a personal decision. Here is what sets us apart:

• Board-certified OB/GYN physicians with 30+ years of experience — you will always see a physician, never just a PA
• Judgment-free care — whatever brings you in, you will be treated with respect and without shame
• Medicaid accepted from all 5 NYC boroughs — Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island
• Same-day appointments available
• Open Saturdays 8 AM – 3 PM
• 1 block from the 6 train at East 149th Street — easy to reach from anywhere in NYC
• 6 stars on Google with over 800 patient reviews

Ready to Schedule Your First Visit?

Call or text 718-585-1010 to book your appointment. Same-day and Saturday visits are available. You can also request an appointment online at dremily.net. We are located at 642 Southern Blvd, Bronx NY 10455 — one block from the 6 train at East 149th Street.

Your first visit is just the beginning of a relationship with a physician who will be in your corner for every stage of your life. We look forward to meeting you.