Many women feel uncomfortable at the thought of attending an OBGYN clinic. However, a lot of this discomfort arises because people are not properly informed about the services which an OBGYN doctor can provide or because they do not know what to expect when they attend their first appointment. The aim of this blog is to provide clear and concise info about OBGYN services. I am not a doctor or a nurse but I do have a clear passion for this subject which has inspired me to keep reading and researching it. Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog.
Women should see their OBGYN at least once a year. You should schedule an annual visit with your gynaecologist, even if you are feeling great. An annual visit to your gynaecologist provides you with an opportunity not only for a pap smear and STD screening but for manual breast exams and pelvic exams. The key is to make the most of your annual visit.
Ask Questions About Your Health First
Before you get into the hands-on exam part of your visit, ask any health questions that you have for your gynaecologist. If you have any sex questions or general health questions, bringing them up at the beginning of the visit will ensure that you don't forget to ask your doctor about the important health questions that you have.
Bringing them up at the beginning of the visit, before you are inundated with other information, will also help ensure that you can focus and process the information that the doctor provides to your questions. Your visit may not last very long, so start it off by asking any important questions you have.
Be Honest About Your Sexual Activity
During your exam, when your gynaecologist asks you about your sexual activity, keep in mind that they are doing so to provide you with the best care possible. They are not asking you about your sexual activity to shame you or judge you.
If you don't use a condom all the time or at all, be honest. If you use natural family planning instead of medical birth control, be honest. If you engage in anal or oral sex, let your gynaecologist know so that they can adjust their exam accordingly to ensure that those areas as healthy as well.
Don't be afraid to share the details of your sex life with your doctor. If you are too uncomfortable, you can write down the sexual information that your doctor will need to know for your exam.
See Your Doctor Annually
To get the most out of your visit, make sure that it is taking place at least twice a year. Even if you are not at an age where you need annual pap smears, that does not mean that you don't need annual checkups.
At your annual checkup, your gynaecologist can run an STD scan for you. They can do a manual breast exam and pick up on any abnormalities you may miss with a self-check. Your doctor can examine your pelvic floor and spot any issues there. There is a lot that your gynaecologist can check. Continually monitoring your health is the best way to ensure that any changes are noticed right away.
To get the most out of your next OBGYN appointment, make sure that you are seeing your OBGYN on an annual basis, start your appointment off with any questions that you have, and be honest and open about your sexual activity.