Going to the gynecologist is never easy, and you always end up feeling apprehensive, if not downright anxious. You can take steps and avoid doing certain things to enhance your visit with your gynecologist. Here are the guidelines you should follow (or avoid) on your next visit to your gynecologist. Go ahead and send this to all the women in your life.
The Top 10 Steps to Follow or Avoid While Preparing for the Gynecologist
The fact that you’re at the gynecologist’s office, whether for the first or twentieth time, is seldom a welcomed one. In other words, having my legs open wide with someone in my crotch and cold tools nearby isn’t exactly my thing. In addition, you might be worried about your gynecological health. It makes an already anxious situation even more stressful. While you should always see your gynecologist regularly, here are a few things to make it less intimidating. Go through this list before your doctor visit to make things smoother for all.
- Do Not Urinate Right Before You Are Scheduled
When we feel stressed or nervous, quite a few of us want to find a bathroom for a drink of water. Don’t stuff yourself with food before you go, but you should avoid being too hungry, too. Try not to use the bathroom just before heading to see your doctor for a urine sample. You might be required to provide urine if the doctor suspects a sexually transmitted infection (STI), a urinary tract infection (UTI), or a pregnancy. Giving this sample is essential for testing and getting the required treatment if necessary. Should you believe you won’t have control of your urine, it could help to drink more water before your appointment.
- Avoid having sex the night before.
It should be avoided for one day before you go to the clinic. Not having sexual activity the night before helps your doctor make an accurate assessment of your reproductive health. Having sexual activity could temporarily change the vagina’s condition and affect Pap smear or swab test results. There is no clear evidence that condoms provide full protection. The use of condoms with spermicide can influence the vaginal environment for a while. Not taking anything allows your doctor to see your real situation and make more accurate recommendations.
- Reconsider Pelvic Grooming
Having a sense of what you expect down there before your appointment is totally normal. I can assure you, the gynecologist is not concerned with your level of grooming. Be careful not to comb or brush your pet too early before your appointment, as it may result in more harm. Over-grooming your pet may lead to irritation or minor scratches, which could make your exam painful for the pet. If you do not groom your pet heavily just before your trip, the exam should go well and smoothly.
- Try Not to Plan an Appointment When You are Menstruating
If you have no particular worries about your menstrual cycle, reschedule your appointment for another time. Blood from menstruation can sometimes affect Pap smear tests and cloud the results. You might also find that your reproductive organs are more tender and uncomfortable while you are on your period. During your tattoo appointment, you should not have any form of menstrual product inside you. It might cause things to get a bit uncomfortable and only add to your anxiety about the visit.
- Write Down Your Medical History
Before going to your appointment, prepare your medical history by writing it down. In this way, you won’t need to remember the information during the appointment, because you already have it written down. This way, you’ll be sure not to leave anything important out during your speech. Your gynecologist will use your medical history to make more informed decisions about your sexual health.
- Write Down Your Questions
A patient who has been well informed is better able to care for themselves. In addition to creating a medical history record, make a list of any questions you want to ask. If you are having a regular check-up or seeing the doctor about something specific, make sure to write down everything you want to ask. Any question you have is fine, so never feel embarrassed to ask. Every gynecologist will recommend that you ask anything you need to know, because there are no bad questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find out the answers. Your health is worth it.
- Don’t Over-Google
Research can be helpful, but make sure not to invest too much time in it. Learning some of the main concepts can guide you to frame your question, but it can sometimes add stress or cause you to panic. Keep in mind that a lot of what you read on the internet may not be factual or relevant to you. Gynecologists have a lot of knowledge, so let them share it with you. If you are not happy with your appointment or feel uncertain about what was said, look for another opinion, but don’t let online information overwhelm you.
- Don’t Panic
Now, we come to our next topic: Remember to keep a calm attitude. A lot of people end up feeling extremely anxious about being in medical situations. It may result in worrying and discomfort for the person. When you are calm, it will be easier for the gynecologist to perform their tasks smoothly and with less discomfort for you. Before you attend, you could try out some relaxation exercises or calm yourself down. This helps you remain relaxed during the process and makes the visit nicer.
- Do Not Go It Alone
Many of us think that we should be able to manage everything by ourselves. If you are feeling anxious before seeing your gynecologist, ask a relative or friend to join you. Whether your mom, your sister, your friend, or your partner, it doesn’t change the fact. Ideally, this person will make you feel calmer, listen to you, and make you feel supported. Your companion can stay in the waiting room and help you feel calmer, but they likely won’t be allowed into the room while you have the procedure. Taking time to talk through the appointment and ask them about it can help make you feel better.
- Don’t Hide Symptoms
Dealing with symptoms, no matter how minor they are, can cause fear. There are other symptoms that can be hard to bring up or may make people feel uneasy. In addition, there are general symptoms that some patients might dismiss, such as fatigue, nausea, and headache. I assure you that what they say is not true. There are no illnesses that can’t be present in a hospital. Your gynecologist is familiar with a wide variety of problems. Doctors help you, but they are not there to criticize you. If you keep information about your symptoms to yourself, your doctor might not catch the problem, give you the wrong diagnosis, and fail to give you the care you require.
The Bottom Line
A visit to the gyno is usually not what anyone wants, but it’s important for every woman to have one for their health. If you get prepared before your visit, it will be simpler for both you and your health professional. Being well-prepared makes it simpler to inspect, investigate, and diagnose a condition. When your gynegologist appointment comes round, remind yourself to take a breath and follow these instructions. Your health depends on it.
