Going to see the obstetricion/gynecologist (OB-GYN) is not always the most enjoyable thing to do. It can be an uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking situation if you’re worried about your health.
Often, you have to travel into the hospital to meet with your gynecologist and you’re told to change into a hospital gown, ready for an invasive examination.
Despite the potential anxiety, it’s often necessary for you to go to the gynecologist. Whether you’re getting lower abdominal pains, unbearable cramps around your period, or you need advice on your sexual health as a woman, there are many reasons why you might need to take a trip to your hospital and get examined.
As uncomfortable as it can often seem talking to a gynecologist about your personal and private life, it’s not something to be embarrassed about. Your doctor is there to help you in every way that they can.
They’ve heard it all before and, for them, It’s just another day in the clinic. Sex, birth control, period talk, leakages ‘down there’…no topic is out of bounds and nothing is too embarrassing to speak about in their eyes.
You might be unsure whether or not you need to consult an OB-GYN for your health problems. Or you might feel like your symptoms aren’t serious enough to warrant a consultation with your doctor.
But it’s always best to get checked out if you’re worried. Even if you’re not suffering from any problems, it’s important to see a qualified doctor, such as this OB-GYN in Utah County, at least once a year for a full examination to make sure everything is okay.
Here are six reasons why you might need to make an appointment with your OB-GYN.
General Examination
As a woman, it’s important to get regular check-ups and pelvic examinations even if you feel fit and well.
Your OB-GYN will be able to perform a full pelvic examination to identify or eliminate any potential problems. It’s always better to catch a problem early on so that you can obtain the right treatments. Prevention is better than treatment!
During your exam, you can ask your gynecologist for advice if you have queries or concerns about your health. If you want your birth control medications to be changed, this is also something that can be discussed during your yearly examination.
Birth Control
If you’re considering birth control or you want advice on your current medications, your gynecologist will be able to give you the guidance you are looking for.
There are a lot of nuances when it comes to birth control and it can get confusing when you’re trying to do your own research. There are new types of birth control becoming available every year, and this only makes things more complicated.
Going to see a professional OB-GYN makes things much easier. You can talk through your needs and preferences with them to determine which medications are the best for your needs.
Period Talk
It can often feel embarrassing talking about your period problems, but you OB-GYN is the perfect person to consult if Mother Nature is causing you problems.
You may just want to advice around how best to manage your periods and your reproductive health. But if you’re having problems with your periods, it’s especially important to make an appointment with your gynecologist.
Are you having irregular cycles? Has your bleeding been unusually heavy recently? Are you getting extreme cramps or fatigue around menstruation?
Your OB-GYN will be able to answer all of these questions and more. They will also perform the necessary examinations, scans, and tests to determine if there is a deeper problem that is causing your symptoms.
Some common tests that OB-GYNs perform to identify potential reproductive problems include blood tests, laparoscopies, and external or transvaginal ultrasounds.
Vaccinations
When you go to your OB-GYN for a general examination each year, it’s the perfect time to ask about your vaccination status.
Staying up to date with your vaccinations is important for optimal health. You may require the HPV vaccine or a booster jab for the flu. Your gynecologist will know which vaccinations are advisable depending on your personal circumstances.
Fertility Options
If you are wanting to start a family in the near future, it’s important to optimize your health to increase the chances of conception.
Your OB-GYN can offer advice on the best diet and lifestyle habits that will place you in the best position to get pregnant. They can talk through the key nutrients that you should consume to optimize your fertility.
Even if you aren’t considering children right now but you might want them in the future, it’s important to start thinking about your fertility as early as possible.
A gynaecologist will know how best to manage your fertility up until the point of conception and beyond.
It can be disheartening when you’ve been trying to conceive for years but you’ve been unsuccessful. Your OB-GYN can also perform any necessary tests and screening examinations to determine any potential causes of infertility.
From here, they can offer advice, treatments, and therapies that can boost your fertility. If you begin a fertility treatment program, your gynecologist will be there at every step of the process for support and guidance.
Breast Examination
It’s recommended that every woman regularly performs their own breast examinations to check for lumps and bumps. But if you’d prefer a medical professional to perform the exam or you want a second opinion on a potential problem with your breasts, you can head to a gynecologist clinic.
Breast examinations are quick and painless. Your OB-GYN will lightly squeeze around the breast tissue to feel for any unusual lumps that might need further investigation. They may also use various machinery to visualize the breast tissue in more detail if necessary.
These are 6 important reasons to see your OB-GYN. Don’t put your health on the back burner in 2022.
