There’s no way to avoid this gynecologic and sexual health can be uncomfortable and hesitant topics to discuss with a gynaecologist. It isn’t always comfortable to know what’s normal and even when something just doesn’t feel the best, it can be difficult to tell your gynecologist
Talking freely about your gynecologic health not only allows for a conversation about preventative measures, but it can help to catch potential problems sooner like PCOS, when they’re often easier to treat and recover fully from.
How to interact with your gynaecologist?
If you’re confused about what should be the topic for your discussion with your gynaecologist, the easier answer is: everything. Here are some of the most important topics that you should discuss with your gynaecologist even when you are contacting via a platform for doctors like Icareheal.
Medical history:
Your health, family medical track and medication history. Knowing the patient’s full medical history helps the gynaecologists fully analyse their health and prescribe medicines and line of treatment accordingly.
Discussing a patient’s sexual history is also of importance to the gynaecologists. You must always know that they understand that these are personal details, but knowing the number of sexual partners someone has had and their age when they first started having sex can help in knowing and understanding their risk for sexually transmitted infection (STIs). This information also helps them understand and discuss their frequency of getting screened now.
Screening tests:
Your screening test is needed. Screenings help patients stay on top of their health and even help save lives. If you own a uterus, it’s always recommended that you go in for a pelvic exam ever since you turn 21. They screen you for cervical cancer with a Pap test (also known as a Pap smear), a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV), or both tests. HPV is associated with cervical cancer and other cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and back of the throat. Patients and the. Gynaecologist must discuss which of these suits them the most, as it usually varies per patient.
Safe sex:
You must also discuss your options for safe sex and birth control with your gynaecologist. Ways to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk for STIs aren’t “one size fits all.” Barrier birth control methods, like condoms; birth control pills; and long-acting contraceptives, like IUDs, can all be effective. But the correct choice depends on a patient’s sexual activity and age, their lifestyle, and if and when they plan to try to conceive. Be open about your requirements and your preferences, and the gynaecologist will find the best contraceptive choice for you.
Any uncomfortable or unpleasant symptoms you may have. Gynaecologists usually tell patients that in my office, no symptoms or problems are off-limits. The body isn’t something to be ashamed of, and the more candid a patient can be, the better able I’ll be to help. It’s always worth speaking up about symptoms such as:
Irregular or painful periods:
The average menstrual period occurs roughly once a month and lasts for 3 to 5 days. Some days may be lighter or heavier; some may be accompanied by mild cramps, back pain, or mood changes. If a patient’s periods fall far outside of this realm, are interfering with everyday life, or are accompanied by spotting or bleeding in between periods, they should tell me. In some cases, these may be signs of conditions that need treatment.
Unusual vaginal odour. A smell that’s different from what you normally smell like could mean you have a bacterial overgrowth or a vaginal infection, especially if the odour seems foul or fishy.
Bumps around the genitals:
Sometimes bumps or growths around the labia are simply ingrown hairs or pimples. But they also have the potential to be more significant conditions, and it’s important to know the difference.
Urinary or faecal incontinence:
Leaking urine or faeces or having to urinate more often than usual can be embarrassing to talk about. Painful sex or low sex drive. It’s common for patients to undergo changes at different stages of life that can make sex uncomfortable or less appealing (or both), especially in the years leading up to menopause and afterward. But often these problems can have fairly simple solutions. Sexual discomfort caused by vaginal dryness can be eased with vaginal estrogen, for instance.
If a patient tells a gynaecologist they’re planning on trying for a baby in the near future, I encourage them to start thinking about their fertility now.
Often, gynaecologists often recommend stopping hormonal birth control for a few months before the patient actively begins trying to conceive. That can help them get acquainted with their body’s fertility window to figure out when they’re ovulating each month, making it easier to pinpoint the best days for intercourse and increasing their chances of getting pregnant.
Take charge of your gynecologic well-being:
It’s important to see a gynaecologist at least once a year. Your routine visit is a good time to discuss any concerns you may have about your gynecologic health, including your sexual health.
