Can a gynecologist determine whether or not you have had sexual relations by doing a Pap smear test? I'm embarrassed of being sexually inactive.

-- Joanna

If you are a virgin and your hymen is intact, then yes, we can tell that you have never been sexually active. If you have had sex before but are not having it now, then the answer is no, we can't tell. If you had sex last night, we may be able to detect sperm if we look at vaginal secretions under a microscope.

You should not be embarassed about not being sexually active. If you are a virgin, then you should be proud of yourself for not having sex before you are ready. If you were sexually active in the past but are celibate now, then you should be proud that you have enough self-esteem to not have sex just for the sake of having sex. In this day and age, I find it refreshing to see patients who are virgins or who have chosen to remain celibate for a time -- it's a nice change from the 16-year-old who has had 10 partners in the past year and two sexually transmitted diseases!