Even a woman who’s been through childbirth can become anxious during an OB-GYN appointment. So imagine a teen girl’s trip to the doctor for her first gynecological exam. Once the teenager is in a gown on an exam table, she may be too uncomfortable to express her concerns and ask questions.
Many of my young patients are nervous and embarrassed during their first exam. They’re unaware there are options that could make them feel more supported and informed.
With recent cases in the news of young gymnasts being abused by a team physician, the role of an OB-GYN and proper patient education is more important than ever before. Many victims of sexual assault have said they were afraid to say something during and after the abuse took place. No woman should suffer in silence, and establishing sense of control early might eliminate a lot of the apprehension and help patients stay safe.
[Read: How Can I Find the Best OB-GYN?]
A national survey by Orlando Health found that nearly 40 percent of women were at least somewhat concerned about what would happen during their first OB-GYN exam. That result led me and my colleagues to encourage teens and their parents to first speak with their doctor in a non-clinical setting.
A pre-exam meeting is crucial because without this option, they might avoid their doctor’s office altogether, missing regular appointments and putting their overall health at risk.
Establishing an open dialogue with their physician beforehand helps them know what to expect, what is and is not appropriate during an exam and anything else they may be worried about.
Giving young women a safe space to talk about any of their fears and hesitations allows them to build confidence in their ability to speak up in a medical setting.
For many women, this initial conversation in an office versus an exam room is an important first step they might not know is available. These pre-exam meetings are something more young women should be asking for, and most OB-GYN offices will accommodate these types of requests.
[See: 8 Tips to Ease Gynecologist Appointment Anxieties.]
Almost 30 percent of the respondents in our survey said they were concerned about what questions to ask during their first OB-GYN appointment. To help the process, we’ve developed a list of questions to empower young women to take control of their health. Once a pre-exam meeting is arranged, patients can go to their gynecologist ready with questions like:
— Can I bring a friend or family member with me into the exam room?
— Is everything we discuss totally confidential?
— What kind of tests will you do?
— Will the exam hurt?
Following are more detailed questions we believe many patients may be too embarrassed to ask. But we strongly encourage these kinds of questions so that women can be more comfortable and informed at any appointment.
— Do condoms protect me from every sexually transmitted infection?
— What do you think is the best birth control option for me?
— Do you think it’s OK if my period is not every month?
— I’m on birth control and not having a period. Is that OK?
— Is it OK that it hurts to have sex?
— Is it bad that I miss school or work because of my period? Do I have to just live with it?
[See: How to Be a Good Patient Wingman.]
It is incumbent on doctors, of course, to build trust with young patients and provide answers to all of those sensitive questions. Doctors can use these pre-exam meetings to help establish ongoing relationships that will hopefully lead to the likelihood that more women will get recommended annual checkups.
More from U.S. News
How to Be a Good Patient Wingman
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What Your Doctors Wish You Knew
Questions Every Young Woman Should Ask an OB-GYN Prior to Her First Exam originally appeared on usnews.com
