7 Questions You Need to Ask Your Gynecologist
Depending on the reason for your visit, asking these now can save you time, discomfort, complications or a follow-up visit later.
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If you're curious about the birth control device that's currently used by more than 2 million women in the US (at least 29 of whom have been trying to convert you)...
The question to ask: So how many of these wacko-looking things do you insert a week?
IUDs! It’s all anybody talks about. The popularity of these devices among women using birth control has been skyrocketing—from a teeny 2.4 percent in 2002 to 8.5 percent in 2009 (and these numbers came out before the release of Skyla, which is marketed to younger women who might have previously chosen the pill). Your experience with this device, at least at first, will hinge on your clinician's comfort and experience level. So you not only want her to explain the pros and cons, you also want to hear that she inserts them at least twice a week. One of the biggest negatives to the IUD is the risk that it could puncture the uterine wall. This is estimated to happen to about 1 in 2,000 women, and it's usually during insertion. Another reason skill level is crucial: The more familiar your clinician is with the procedure, the more likely she'll know techniques to decrease pain during the insertion—which, as you've heard, is practically a given.
If that unpleasant fungus that affects three-quarters of women seems to have a special preference for you...
The question to ask: Can you write me a prescription for a fluconazole refill?
If you know exactly what we're talking about, that means you're probably one of those women who is prone to yeast infections—you get them when you're on antibiotics, when you're super-stressed or when you return from a romantic getaway. At the first sign of an infection, you know to make an appointment with your doctor. Asking her for a refill prescription the next time you see her could save you some of the hassle. Of course, there's no guarantee she'll say yes—but it helps if you have a good relationship with your physician and if you've been keeping up with your Pap smears and wellness exams, says Michele G. Curtis, MD, a gynecologist based in Houston, Texas, and editor of a textbook for women's-health clinicians.
Next: When to have "the talk"
The question to ask: So how many of these wacko-looking things do you insert a week?
IUDs! It’s all anybody talks about. The popularity of these devices among women using birth control has been skyrocketing—from a teeny 2.4 percent in 2002 to 8.5 percent in 2009 (and these numbers came out before the release of Skyla, which is marketed to younger women who might have previously chosen the pill). Your experience with this device, at least at first, will hinge on your clinician's comfort and experience level. So you not only want her to explain the pros and cons, you also want to hear that she inserts them at least twice a week. One of the biggest negatives to the IUD is the risk that it could puncture the uterine wall. This is estimated to happen to about 1 in 2,000 women, and it's usually during insertion. Another reason skill level is crucial: The more familiar your clinician is with the procedure, the more likely she'll know techniques to decrease pain during the insertion—which, as you've heard, is practically a given.
If that unpleasant fungus that affects three-quarters of women seems to have a special preference for you...
The question to ask: Can you write me a prescription for a fluconazole refill?
If you know exactly what we're talking about, that means you're probably one of those women who is prone to yeast infections—you get them when you're on antibiotics, when you're super-stressed or when you return from a romantic getaway. At the first sign of an infection, you know to make an appointment with your doctor. Asking her for a refill prescription the next time you see her could save you some of the hassle. Of course, there's no guarantee she'll say yes—but it helps if you have a good relationship with your physician and if you've been keeping up with your Pap smears and wellness exams, says Michele G. Curtis, MD, a gynecologist based in Houston, Texas, and editor of a textbook for women's-health clinicians.
Next: When to have "the talk"
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