Speak Up At Your Next Gyno Appointment
Kaitlyn Luckow
Image @rawpixel
You walk into your gynecologist appointment and they ask you how you’ve been feeling and immediately you say, “fine.”
However, in your head, you might be thinking, “What about telling them about how debilitating your cramps have been?; What about that weird discharge you’ve been having?; What about talking about how painful sex has been for you?”
But how many of us actually talk about these things?
Today is National Women’s Health Day and it’s the perfect time to remind you to take care of yourself. Honest care of yourself. So many of us go to the gynecologist and don’t actually share what we’re experiencing on a daily basis. Or even worse, some of us don’t schedule an appointment at all because we get too anxious even thinking about it.
Not only do we not get the help we need because of that, but we also could be putting ourselves in danger.
Your reproductive health should be your priority and you should not let embarrassment get in the way. Here are some ways that you can prepare to speak up during your next trip to the gynecologist:
How To Do It
Make a List
If you’re an introvert or overwhelmed with the idea of telling your doctor how you’re really feeling, make a list of things that you want to talk to them about. The second the appointment starts, read directly from that list so you don’t forget anything and you don’t chicken out about talking about anything.
Talk To A Friend First
If you have a friend that you trust and are close with, try talking to them first about any problems you may be having. People’s biggest fear about any discomfort or irregularity with their vagina is thinking that they’re “not normal” and “weird”. What is happening to you might be completely normal and you just didn’t know it. Maybe your friend experiences the same thing. You may never know if you don’t talk about it and feeling alone can be a terrifying and an unnecessarily embarrassing experience. Don’t be afraid to share. This will make you more comfortable with discussing your bodily functions with your doctor once you get them off of your chest with someone you trust.
Ask Questions
Once you actually step foot in the doctor’s office, don’t be afraid to ask your doctors questions. If you don’t understand something they’re telling you, it’s okay. Our bodies are infinitely complicated, especially vaginas. You probably don’t know everything and that’s okay. It’s literally your doctor’s job to know everything. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions in order to gain a better understanding. It’s better to know what going on with your body than just be left wondering.
On top of that, ask questions regarding topics that your doctor might not bring up on their own. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how to perform a breast exam on yourself, or if what you’re experiencing is normal, or about your sex life.