Conquered my lifetime fear of gynecologist today

I’m a 28 year old woman and I’ve always been terrified of obgyn appointments. I’m aware this is pretty bad, but I have never been to a gynecologist until today. Mostly I was just scared of the pain, as even penetrative sex is uncomfortable and yucky and I try to avoid it.

Anyway, I knew I must do it ASAP as I really want to be healthy and finally start doing all the normal adult things I have to do. I was reading experiences on Reddit and half of them were “it’s actually not a big deal” and half were “an absolutely traumatic experience”.

I cannot thank the doctor enough for making it the former for me, and I cannot thank myself enough for finally gaining the courage to go through with it.

It did hurt a little but lasted for a really short time. I had an ultrasound and pap smear taken, and I was sent to check my hormone levels due to irregular periods, but I was explained there is nothing that seems too much out of the ordinary and I don’t need to stress about the results. There is still a little stress of course, but nothing compared to the anxiety I felt when I called my mom crying two weeks ago asking her to help me set up the appointment.

I’ve learned my lesson and I’ll really try to go to regular checkups from now on.

If anyone with the same problem is reading this, and if this responsibility is weighing on you and scaring you, I promise you you will feel so much better once it’s done and you can finally relax again knowing you did an amazing thing for yourself, your health and peace of mind.