The sexual orientation asexual (“ace”) can be different things to different people. However, in most situations, an ace is someone who doesn’t have any sexual interest or attraction to others. Asexuality often describes someone’s sexual orientation just as being lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, etc. does.
Regardless of sexual orientation, if you have female anatomy, you should have your first pelvic exam if you have symptoms such as vaginal discharge or pain, or when you turn 21, whichever comes first. Pelvic exams are important because they allow your health care provider (HCP) to check for any gynecological problems. A pelvic exam doesn’t have to be performed by a gynecologist. many health care providers (HCPs) are trained to perform them as well. It might be helpful to talk to your HCP about any questions or concerns you may have regarding your first exam.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.