What to Expect From a Standard Visit to the Gynecologist?
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| Visit to the Gynecologist |
Let’s cover the basics first,
shall we? You may know by now that the gynecologist’s main focus is women’s
reproductive health; that means birth control, treatment of STDs and sexually
transmitted infections, and just the overall health of your reproductive system
and organs. Obstetricians on the other hand focus on pregnancy and both the
woman and the baby’s health during that period and after birth for a certain
amount of time; they also get to help you bring your child into this world.
Ob-gyns are the best of both worlds because they get to do all of those things
combined.
Ob-gyns are going to walk you
through some of the most important moments in your life as a woman, including
birth control, childbirth and menopause. They’re also the ones who can do cancer
screenings, treat the aforementioned infections and also perform surgery for
problems involving the pelvic organ and the urinary tract.
It can be quite intimidating
for some women to go to their ob-gyn appointments, especially if it’s a first
time. It can be a bit embarrassing and nerve-wracking to have a doctor look
into the most private parts of your bodies, the ones you reserve only for very
special people and yourself. Another thing that can be difficult for some women
is the discussion of certain issues or doubts. We know, so because we know this
can be an issue, we have some tips that will take the edge off; if you know
what you’re expecting, you’ll be better prepared for it and there will be no
reason to be nervous; after all, no one knows best about how to help you than
these doctors. So don’t run away!
Choose an ob-gyn you trust completely
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| Gynecologist |
This is a very important part
of the process because given that you’re entrusting them with the most
sensitive parts of your body, you should really think your ob-gyn choice
through and through.
Don’t close your eyes and
randomly choose a name from a list or an ad; talk to your friends, your family,
or your primary physician instead! Your primary physician will most likely have
the best referral source given that he’s already familiar with your medical
history and will be able to point you in the right direction.
There are a few things to
consider when it comes to choosing your ob-gyn, and I’m certain that the
question at the top of the list is whether you want a male or a female doctor.
It goes without saying that some women are more comfortable choosing a female
ob-gyn, not just because if you think about undressing in front of a doctor it
makes it a bit easier to imagine them as a woman, but also because there’s a
lot more room for comfort if you’re dealing with someone from “your own team”
who probably had the same reservations you once upon a time. Plus, it’s a bit
easier and less embarrassing to talk about female issues with a fellow female;
that’s just how it is! But this is totally up to you, whoever makes you feel
safer and more comfortable should be your primary choice, regardless of genre.
Perhaps one of the best advices
we can give you is to meet you ob-gyn to-be before you make a definitive
decision; that way you’ll make sure that it’s the right fit and that you feel
comfortable. It’s also the perfect moment to ask about everything you need to
know; medical experience, stances on reproductive issues, certifications, and
anything else that might help make your decision easier. Ask any and every
question that makes you feel comfortable as their patient!
What to expect during an appointment?
The right age to start seeing
an ob-gyn, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG), is at 13 or 15 years old, or as soon as you become
sexually active. If you’re a
teen, don’t panic! The first visit is only a talk, no exams yet.
If it’s time to see your ob-gyn,
make sure you avoid sexual activity or practices such as douching for a 24 hour
period prior to your appointment; why? Because these things could irritate your
vagina tissue and affect test results.
So, you’re in your ob-gyn’s
office; the first thing on the agenda is a general health check which includes
weighing you and taking your blood pressure, and it can
sometimes also include urine and blood tests.
Then you’ll move on to the
physical examination part where you’ll be asked to undress and they will give
you one of those little gowns that open in the front. The first thing that your
doctor will do is ask you a few questions about your personal health history as
well as your family’s.
You know what comes next: the
pelvic exam. Your ob-gyn will first examine the outside of your vagina for any
abnormalities, that means looking into your vulva and vaginal opening. Then
your doctor will examine the inside of your reproductive organs, for this
you’ll have to bend your knees and place your feet on the stirrups to keep them
spread apart; the ob-gyn will use a speculum which is a tool that holds your
vagina open for them to look at the inside of your vagina, your cervix and its
walls. This is not a painful process, although you might feel a bit of pressure;
your doctor will always let you know how a particular procedure should feel.
Just relax! Trust your choice, you’re in good hands.
Another standard procedure
during a pelvic exam is a Pap test which consists in taking a sample of cells
from your cervix with the help of a small brush; those samples will be sent to
the lab to be screened for cervical cancer and other things. If you’re sexually
active, another extra text would be an STD test for diseases like HIV,
chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea. For this, the doctor will take a swab of
tissue during your pelvic exam or check your blood tests results; it depends on
what they’re looking for, but they’ll probably do a general check.
See? It’s not as bad as you
think! You’ll get used to it, you just have to get that first time out of the
way and be completely aware of the fact that every woman goes through it and
it’s completely common and routine. Your doctor is not going to take a look at
your private parts and go out running and screaming! Also, they will definitely
not make you feel stupid about any doubts you may have.
On the contrary, take advantage
of your online obgyn
appointments and talk about all of the things you need to talk about and ask
all of the questions that might arise. No one knows best about sexual and
reproductive health than the specialized doctors at your disposal.
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