How To Feel More Comfortable At The Gynecologist
Going to the gynecologist can make any woman feel anxious or afraid, and if this is how you feel about the experience you're not alone. As many as two-thirds of surveyed women expressed a degree of anxiety about going to the gynecologist based on the gender of their doctor alone. If going to the gynecologist makes you so uncomfortable you forgo regular pap smear appointments or neglect to talk to your doctor about feminine issues that bother you, you could be putting your physical health in danger. Here are ways to help you feel more comfortable at the gynecologist so you can get the medical care you need.
Choose the right doctor
You have the right to shop around for a gynecologist so you can get to know a doctor before you allow them to do any personal examination on you. If you feel you would be more comfortable around a certain age group of doctors or even have a gender preference, don't back down from these thoughts. Gynecologists understand that their patients can be concerned about who addresses their personal body issues, and are often willing to do an initial consult before doing any examinations to help them feel more comfortable.
Remember why you are going to the gynecologist
You are going to the gynecologist for your health, so you can have issues such as abnormalities in your uterus, your menstrual cycle, or your breast tissue examined and diagnosed. These examinations can prolong your life and help you be as healthy as possible for yourself and your family. When you look at gynecology as a positive thing, it can help you feel more confident during your exams.
Take a trusted companion with you
Your sister, mother, best friend, or even your spouse can go with you to your examinations to provide emotional support. Sometimes all it takes is a person standing by your side and telling you how much they care about you to make your pap smear, breast examination, and other gynecological exams easier to bear. This is especially true if you are going to the gynecologist for the first time, since you have the support you need from a woman who's 'been there' and can understand your apprehension.
Going to the gynecologist is a fearful or uncomfortable experience for many women, but it doesn't have to be. You can make the experience much more relaxing by choosing a great doctor who will be patient with you, remembering that your exams are beneficial to your health, and taking a trusted person with you for regular exams.
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