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What does an OBGYN do on the first visit?

An adolescent or woman’s first OBGYN visit can be a stressful occasion.  First of all, it is helpful to realize that it is totally normal to be nervous.  Your OBGYN will expect it, and should talk you through the visit, every step of the way. 

The first step will be a confidential talk with your OBGYN, reviewing your menstrual and sexual history.  This helps him/her to decide if you need any tests or screenings, and how to best promote your health.  After this, the doctor will give you a general physical assessment, such as listening to your heart and lungs, feeling your abdomen for any pain or swelling, and looking in your mouth and ears. 

Examinations of your genitalia or breasts may come next, depending on your risk factors and age.  This might also be scheduled for a second visit.  A breast exam will consist of the physician palpating your breast tissue with fingertips, feeling for density or any lumps.  This exam extends into the underarm area, where your lymph nodes are located.  The OBGYN will take time to teach you how to do a breast self-exam for yourself and discuss the importance of it. 

If you receive a pelvic exam, it might just be external – as in your vulva and visible parts of your external genitals. Typically this looks for any discharges, rashes, swelling, or other problems patients might experience.  If you have an internal pelvic exam, you will likely get a PAP smear, which is a swab screening of your cervix for cancer.  The OBGYN should explain the procedure step-by-step and answer your questions.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

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Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure. You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed.

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