Visiting your Gynaecologist: Dos and Don’ts
Visiting a gynaecologist frequently is as important as any other health check-up. An annual check-up, especially if you are going through puberty or are sexually active, can help you avoid a number of issues that are commonly seen among women such as irregular periods, STIs, and more. Here’s what you must and mustn’t do before visiting your gynaecologist in Melbourne
What you must do:
Here are some of the things you must take care to do before your visit to the gynaecologist:
Find a Gynaecologist you are Comfortable Around
The most crucial point of visiting a gynaecologist is finding one who can be comfortable around. Since discussing issues about your vagina is not something that comes easy in the first place, it is vital that you get as comfortable as you can with the person who would have indefinite access to your personal information.
Track your monthly cycle
Keeping track of your period, while tiresome, is important when you visit a gynaecologist. The duration of your period, the time gap between each period, and any change in the usual pattern are clear indications of hormonal imbalance. You can use certain apps that are made solely for the purpose of tracking your cycle and the days you are most fertile.
What you shouldn’t do:
Before your visit, here are things that you must actively avoid:
Hide your Habits from your Doctor
More often than not, women tend to hide their usual habits from their gynaecologist in a misguided attempt to avoid judgment. Whether you smoke, do meth, or indulge in habits that include an intake of drugs, it is best to come clean in front of your doctor. This is more for your safety so that the gynaecologist avoids prescribing medication that could cause a harmful reaction.
Use Medication the Night before your appointment
While there is nothing wrong with using medication in case of infection or other issues going down there, it is vital that you avoid using it the night prior to your appointment. Since your gynaecologist would need a sample of your cervix cells, or check for possible infections, medications can interrupt the procedure by diluting or corrupting the sample, resulting in an inconclusive test and result.
