Are annual Gynecologist appointments necessary?

I’m really trying to figure this out, and I hope someone can help me understand if annual gynecologist appointments necessary?  To be honest, gyno appointments make me incredible uncomfortable and anxious. The last exam I had was quite painful because of how nervous I was, and in the end, my results were normal.

I do not plan to have children, have no family history of cancer, and have had no problems with my period or any infections or STI’s.

So, my question is, do I really need to go through this every year? And if so, how can the appointments be less invasive and uncomfortable?

JT, USA