It’s that time of year again… the dreaded visit. The one where you must lie in the most vulnerable position and let what is virtually a stranger inspect your most private areas! Not the most pleasant experience to say the least. However, it is one of the most necessary and important annual visits that you will make! Below are some tips to help you make the most of your visit. These tips will also help your doctor be able to better diagnose any problems you may be having.
The gynecologist is the doctor that the majority of women will see more than any other doctor in their lifetime. Many women often just see the gyno as opposed to a regular physician. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests that a woman should have an annual exam beginning no later than the age of 15. Therefore, you may be using these tips for years to come!!!
- Be honest – The doctor should be a person you can trust to talk to very openly about yourself. Lying to the doctor about how you are feeling or how many sexual partners you have had will only hurt you, not help your situation. Give the doctor upfront information so that they can best help you!
- Know your body – What’s going on in that body of yours? When was the last day of your last menstrual period? What surgeries have you had in the past? These are questions that the doctor will need honest answers to in order to make sure you are in the best of health. Perhaps you are having issues and you feel the way you do because you are dealing with perimenopause. Your doctor may be able to know this information just based on what you share with him.
- Know your medications – Your gyno needs to know exactly what you are taking and what the dosage is. Please don’t say, “well, I know it is a little blue pill!” That is no help to the doctor. Best case scenario is to bring the meds with you and show the doc!
- Know last mammogram and papsmear – Be aware of the last time you have had both of these important tests! Time flies and you may think it was a year ago and when you get to researching, you realize it’s been three years!!! Also, insurance will only pay for these so often so make sure you don’t have your doctor schedule one too soon or you may be stuck with the bill!
- Write everything down! – Many times it is helpful that you keep a journal of how you have been feeling and what all may be going on with you. The doctor can look at that and often notice a pattern. Also, write down what you want to tell the doctor so that you don’t walk out of the office visit and then remember that you had something very important to discuss.
At Gainesville’s All About Women, we care about your health! If you have not found that gynecologist that you can trust and feel comfortable with, please call our Gainesville or Lake City office today to schedule your annual well exam. Also, feel free to continue to browse our knowledge center and blog for more information on a variety of women’s issues.
