Chapter 1: Introduction
The clinic's sterile smell mixed with the faint aroma of antiseptic wafted through the air as Jen walked down the hallway. She couldn't help but nervously glance at the framed posters of the female reproductive system that decorated the walls, studying the diagram as if it would give her an upper hand on her first ever gyno appointment.
"You will do great," she whispered to herself.
She double-checked her phone for the time when she heard her name called out, "Jen, we're ready for you."
Her heart skipped a beat as she made her way into the examination room, where she found Dr. Sara Thompson waiting for her. Dr. Thompson had a warm and friendly smile. She was a petite brunette with piercing green eyes, a confident demeanor, and an aura that instantly put Jen at ease.
"Welcome, Jen! I'm Sara.
I'll be your doctor today. I understand you've never had a gyno exam before? You're not alone; many women feel anxious about their first time. Just remember, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Jen nervously nodded as she took a seat on the medical table, lowering the paper sheet that covered her legs. She fidgeted with her fingers as she took in her surroundings.
The room was elegantly designed but still gave way to the inevitable cold and sterile feeling of a clinic. "Let's start by taking your height and weight. It's just a formality, but for my records, I'll need to get down a few preliminaries before our consultation begins," Dr. Thompson reassured Jen.
Once done, Jen sat back down and took in a deep breath. She tried to focus on Dr. Thompson's professional voice, as she started talking about the 'clitoral smear' procedure.
"Now, Jen, we offer a cutting-edge and much more comfortable alternative to the traditional gynecological exam," Dr. Thompson shared as she washed her hands with soap and water. "This new technique is called a clitoral smear. It's a non-invasive exam that provides incredibly accurate results when compared to the traditional Pap smear."
Jen's eyebrows furrowed with curiosity as she leaned forward to listen intently. The unfamiliar term sparked a mixture of anxiety and intrigue.
"Alright, how exactly does the clitoral smear work?" Jen asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Certainly," Dr. Thompson replied as she donned a pair of protective gloves. "The clitoral smear involves using a small clamp to retract the clitoral hood, then just like a Pap smear, taking a small scrape of cells from the glans of the clitoris.” Dr. Thompson delicately described each step of the procedure. “Apart from being gentler, it’s also much quicker and, in my opinion, more comfortable than the alternative methods.”
Jen inhaled sharply as she let this information settle in. She drew her lower lip into her mouth nervously. “So, I don’t have to worry about the speculum?” she asked, finding some relief in the concept of a less invasive exam.
Dr. Thompson shook her head, “No, you won’t have to worry about that at all.”
Jen's shoulders relaxed as the doctor continued, “I'll explain everything before we start, so you know just what to expect.