birth control and pap HELP SCARED

[4x4country]

Hello,

I have several questions about birth control and pap smears. I have researched for days on this, this site plus goggle. Anyways Background information on myself:

I am 21, I have been with my fiance for 2 yrs, we live together, no planning for kids (probably never, I fear being a mom, long story), graduating nursing school in may (so I know a little technical stuff about this but I will say not much). I heard health hx can affect bcp so the bigys I have are Chrons, mitral value prolapse, and heart mumur, ventricle sys. defect. Since nursing school, I have been getting acne from stress. Warning TMI, I have always never had regular periods, they are very heavy and clotty, bad cramps, however I dont get moody.

I have never really had a "scare" of not starting my period, until last month. So I have decided I probably need to be on bcp. Problem is I AM SCARED to dealth of the entire procedure. I have never had a Pap smear or anything, I know that is bad according to my age, I know I need to be checked for cancer, and etc. However, I am very shy.

What are everyones experiences? What questions should I ask my first time? What should I know about? The doctor is a women, I asked. I personally dont want my body to be judged. I know that might sound silly, but it is true.

Anyways I made a appointment to get put on birth control (big step for me); however, I don't know what type is best for me. After researching, I figure I probably will just have to test and find out which one works best for me. I honestly knowing myself pretty well, will forgot the pill, the shot (dep0-provera) seems like it has a lot of side effects, the NuvaRing personally sounds gross to me, not heard much on the shot Lunelle, and still keeping my options open about the IUD. Any suggestions? My fiancee said he is going to pay for it because I am in nursing school plus it is cheaper then a kid.

Basically help me, I know that I need to do this, but this is a big fear to me--- that I am ready to overcome.

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

my mom says you don't need to go till your married (read sexually active)

not true-you still need to be screened for gyn abnormalities and establish a baseline for your periods and other medically related "female" stuff, not to mention how to learn breast self exam.:heartbeat

you also need to know how your body works, what is norma:pumpiron:l and not normal for you, and consider well in advance how to care for yourself and choose a potential form of birth control for when you do get married and/or become sexually active.

knowledge is power.

[Dottie78]

Don't feel scared or worried you'll be judged. Your doctor has seen hundreds of patients, and is well-experienced. I know the first time is always scary, but it's not bad at all, and doesn't take long. It's unconfortable, but not painful. Just remember, it's very important you get these exams done every year. Better to be safe than sorry.

As for bc, I've been on several types, so I'll tell you from experience, the pill was the best one (for me), but you have to remember to take it around the same time everyday. I wouldn't suggest the NuvaRing, because I know someone who got pregnant, because it fell out and she didn't realize it until it was too late! Your doctor probably won't recommend you get the IUD, because those are usually given to women who have had children.

Good luck!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Big tough guy skeered of a little lady parts talk?

You had me running at "clotty".......

[4x4country]

You had me running at "clotty".......

lol i can talk to my fiance about anything. I mean he is really into learning about all this, heck he is teaching me crap. However, all I have to say is anything with the word clot when this type of convo is going on he is like "freaking disgusting LALALALALA" I laugh. But he can talk about anything else.

We was watching a re-run of Home Improvements, and that is what Tim does on any convo of the womens period. Jill started to say something and Tim was like "LALALALA". I just laughed cause that is what my old man does. :)

[beachbum3]

I went for the first time when I was 15. I'm not entirely sure what the recommended age is, but I was thinking it was more along the lines of in the teenage years.

As far as being nervous- its normal, but after a couple of times going you will probably start to feel more comfortable.

I also would recommend a full STD screening when you go since you are sexually active.

As far as birth control I'd do your research and see what you think you would be interested in. I've heard more recently that there are dr's who will insert an IUD in women who have not had children. I myself have one and I love it. I have the copper IUD, not the Mirena- which is the one that has hormones. My only complaint is the heavier periods. I've had it for 6 years, and its nice never having to think about birth control. (I had it put in after I had my 3rd child) A few years ago I thought about switching to BCP or maybe the Mirena, but as I'm a smoker my dr said I'm not a candidate for those. The only reason I thought of switching was because of the very heavy periods. When I quit smoking I'm thinking of switching to the Mirena, and it will be soon time to change out the one I have (recommended around 8-10 yrs, last I was told). I'll be quitting smoking soon as I started again (I'd quit when I was 18) during my divorce nearly 5 years ago, and SO & I plan to get married and have a baby with in the next year or so.