Fun fact of the day: your local gynecologist is not out to harm you.

This might seem like common knowledge but as I near the age where a pap smear becomes an annual event, many of my friends with vaginas are anxious about the prospect of that first checkup.

Oftentimes, they only see a gynecologist beforehand because something...isn’t right down there. Yeast infections are horribly common whether you’re having sex or not. According to a random google search result, up to 75% of people with vaginas experience a yeast infection in their lifetime. That means that 3 out of 4 vaginas have had one. Yuck.

That “yuck” response is the exact problem, though. It’s one of the reasons that society is so against having any constructive dialogue on vaginal and reproductive health. Because anything “wrong” down there means that there’s something inherently wrong with you: with the way you maintain cleanliness, with the way you have sex, with the way you are. In reality, vaginas are super sensitive to the world around them. Any fluctuation in the pH can cause an array of discomforts. Simply getting your period can ruin your balance and send you into a downward spiral of pain and stress. Forget about the usual stuff that comes with your period, including the pain, blood, and costly products in order to keep you clean. Your period can cause a host of other issues. In addition to the vagina’s ambiguous stasis, genetics plays a role as some people are more susceptible to infection and disease. It isn’t their fault. It’s just the way things are.

Vaginas aren’t talked about enough. Even though I hear about ovarian cysts and cervical cancer and birth control and STDs, I was taught that dealing with these issues and physically going to get your business checked out is a cause for discomfort and general unease. Your private parts are what they’re described as private. You’re going to remove your clothes and change into a flimsy paper dress that you’re worried about ripping as you hoist your legs up into stirrups, putting everything on display for a complete stranger to look at. You’re going to grit your teeth as strange objects are inserted inside you and the gynecologist will assure you that it’s for a good reason but they don’t really tell you exactly what the tool will do or how it’ll feel unless they mention it’ll be cold and oh, boy are they cold. And all this will happen six months after your initial phone call because they can’t get you in any sooner.

The lack of availability is one of the biggest causes for concern. Six months? It’s impossible to get in. I made an appointment close to five months ago hoping that I’ll be able to clear my schedule enough to go to my first checkup. Now, I’m going to be out of town with no way to get to the appointment and they don’t have any openings until the new year, almost three months away. It makes me not want to go in the first place and I’m sure I’m not the only one that has had this happen to. Sure, if there’s an emergency you can go to the ER or your local Urgent Care to get treated or get basic vaginal health screenings. But basic care at your local OB/GYN is really difficult to obtain unless you have a stupidly open schedule or a crystal ball.

Gynecologist offices are not talked about in a good light. But vaginal health is so important and I hate to see my friends feel nervous about getting the care that they need. With extremists trying to shut down planned parenthoods, many people won’t be able to get the care they need.

With everyone trying to control our reproductive health it’s more important than ever to get the care we need. Don’t be afraid of the gynecologist. They care. But without easy access to these locations and a better dialogue between medical professional and patient, the negative perception of OB/GYN offices will only be perpetuated.