Gynecological examinations are surely not the best part of women’s life. But if you want to be healthy, you should make an appointment with your gynecologist at least once a year. In order to get an accurate diagnosis, you also need to provide your doctor with all important information about your health condition. But many women neglect or are too shy to tell a stranger all their issues and diseases.
Even if you visit the same gynecologist for many years, make sure that you notify him or her of all changes in your health. If you are going to see a new doctor, it is better to write down all the information about your health conditions in order not to miss something important during your visit.
How to prepare the information?
If you want to tell all the important information to your doctor, it is better to be well-prepared. You can take a notebook and make some notes to be confident you didn’t forget anything. Another method is to create an electronic note and save it in your phone. There are even applications for storing your medical history that will be convenient for your gynecological visit. If you have questions about anything in your electronic medical record and test results, take notes to discuss them with your gynecologist.
If you miss some details that may seem insignificant or embarrassing, you may be putting your health at risk. They may indicate conditions that can be prevented or cured if caught early and can become really big problems if left untreated.
1. Your personal health history
You should be honest and precise with your doctor when it comes to your personal health history. You may think that the gynecologist is able to read everything in your medical reports, but some moments could be missed or not documented. Your doctor should know about:
- All the diseases you have now or suffered from earlier
- Your last Pap smear results
- All medications (if any) you are taking
- Your allergies (especially to medications and to latex)
2. Family History
Tell your doctor about your family history of diseases and other medical conditions, such as heart disease, thyroid disorder, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Collect as many family medical records as possible before making an appointment with your doctor.
3. Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant
If you are pregnant or even trying to conceive, you need to inform your gynecologist as soon as possible. Your doctor can give you some special advice regarding your pregnancy or conception.
4. Your symptoms
In case you feel that something is wrong with your body and you have some unpleasant symptoms, you need to inform your doctor. He or she may ask you about the exact time you get the symptoms, what kind of pain you may be experiencing, what causes or worsens the symptom and if symptoms are constant or irregular. If you are taking any medications for symptoms (over-the-counter, prescription, homeopathic or herbal) make sure that your doctor knows about it.
5. Your lifestyle
It is good for your doctor to know about your lifestyle. You need to inform your doctor about all your habits, including smoking, alcohol, or any drugs. It is very important that your doctor would be aware of all these things, no matter how good or bad they are. This is the only way it’s possible to get the best and effective medical care.
6. Periods
If you have changes in your menstrual cycle, tell your doctor about it. Make an appointment with your gynecologist if you have strange discharge, cramps, unusual blood flow, irregular menstruation, clots, or anything else that may bother you.
