Women's Health: How to Communicate with Your Doctor

Oftentimes, women are reluctant to see their doctors for any problem that requires them to expose their breasts or genitalia. Sometimes, even when you see your doctor you are unable to open up and ask difficult questions about your female health. If seeing a doctor for a female problem causes you much stress and anxiety, you are not alone. Though you know your doctor has examined thousands of women with medical problems similar to yours, you can't help but feel a bit insecure. This article will help to make it easier to relate to your physician.

The meet and greet

Your doctor is not only trained to examine you, but he/she is also trained to treat you as a person who may be worried about her condition. When your doctor first approaches you, he/she will make you welcome by saying hello, and giving you a handshake. Your doctor will sit down with you and ask you what brought you to the office. This is the time to tell your doctor what has been going on with you.

Organize your thoughts and questions prior to the appointment

I have found that the best way to approach my doctor with difficult questions is to prepare myself ahead of time. Thinking about the questions I want to ask prior to the appointment helps to reduce my anxiety. I know that my mind is likely to go blank when my doctor asks what brought me to her office, so prior to the appointment, I write down the symptoms I'm having, the concerns I have, or the questions I want to ask.

Try to be calm and assertive

When visiting your doctor, it is important that you remain calm and assertive. You are your own health advocate. You will not embarrass your doctor with your questions or concerns.

My personal experience: A couple of years ago I needed to change my antidepressant. I was in a relationship at the time, so I wanted one that would not cause sexual side effects. I was reluctant about talking to my doctor about this; however, I also knew that my doctor could not read my mind. Therefore, I decided it was best to be open about what I wanted and needed from her. She was more than happy to prescribe an antidepressant that would not cause me to experience sexual side effects.

How to prepare for your doctor's visit

Preparing for a visit to your doctor will depend on the reason you are going. It should go without saying, that your body and mouth should be clean before your appointment. If you are going to your doctor for a pelvic exam, you might want to think about some things that you should and shouldn't do. For instance, you should not douche before having a pelvic exam, because douching can increase your risk for infection. The vagina is self-cleaning, so there is no need to cleanse inside the vagina. Another thing you might want to consider is to avoid having sex the night or day before having a pelvic exam or a Pap smear.

If you are having a physical exam, it is important to talk about your sexual history. For instance, if you are having unprotected sex with more than one person, or you are having anal sex, your doctor should know this in order to examine you properly and to order the tests that could indicate any disease or condition that might be significant to sexual activity.

To prepare for a visit with your doctor, it is important to keep your thoughts organized. Keep in mind why you are seeing your doctor in the first place. Then, it is important to put all your fears and trepidations aside. Whatever your concerns are, rest assured that your doctor has dealt with other women with the very same concerns that you have.

While waiting for your doctor to enter the exam room to greet you, take some deep calming breaths. I take deep breaths through my nose and exhale slowly through my mouth. The more I concentrate on breathing the less anxious I become. To help reduce the likelihood of being overly anxious, I don't eat or drink anything with caffeine in it the day before or the day of the appointment.

The final thing I try to remember is that my doctor is a human being just like me. I realize she is busy, but when I am in her office for a scheduled appointment, that time should be used to communicate my thoughts, questions and concerns. My doctor encourages me to talk to her about what is going on with me. Your doctor should too. If your doctor doesn't listen to you, you find it difficult to communicate with him/her; you might want to consider finding another doctor.

Source:

Personal experience as a nurse and a patient