I'm even afraid to go to the gynecologist now.

I've been having unbearable menstrual cramps for a while now. Plus, my cycle has become very irregular, but honestly, I'm so scared to go to the gynecologist that I can't even take a step in that direction. What's the examination process like? That chair and all... If anyone has been before, could you please ease my mind a bit? Am I blowing this out of proportion? Because if this continues, my life will literally come to a standstill.