3 Questions That You Didn't Know To Ask Your Gynecologist

When preparing for a doctor's appointment, it's always a good idea to think of a few questions that you would like the doctor to answer, and, perhaps, write them down so that you don't forget to ask. When you go to the gynecologist, you might ask them whether you're due for a mammogram or what you should be doing to improve your health when you're trying to conceive. But there are some questions that women often don't ask, either because they don't realize that their GYN could have the answer or because it just didn't occur to them to ask. Take a look at some questions to ask your gynecologist at your next visit.

"Is There A Better Birth Control For Me?"

At first glance, a question about birth control seems like an obvious one for a gynecologist's visit. But often when women are accustomed to one form of birth control, they don't think to inquire about whether there might be a better option available to them. This can be a mistake.

Birth control can be complicated, and different women have different reactions to different forms. Have you been living with unpleasant side effects of hormonal birth control? Ask if there's a non-hormonal option that may be better for you. Do you know that you're done having children or that you never want to have any? Maybe it's time to talk about permanent sterilization. Do you find it annoying or inconvenient to have to remember to take a pill at the same time every day? Inquire about injectables or IUDs that you don't have to think about daily.

There's no reason that you have to stick with the status quo when birth control science is improving all the time. Take a minute at your next GYN appointment to ask what's new and find out if there may be a better option for you.

"Why Can't I Hit My Ideal Weight?"

Diet, exercise, and nutrition are important subjects that women should be talking to their doctors about. You may not think of asking your gynecologist for help because you don't think of weight as being related to gynecological health. The problem is, you may not be asking any other doctor for information about your weight either.

For many women, their gynecologist is their primary care doctor, either intentionally or by default. A combination of busy lives, insurance limitations, and other factors often keep women from getting regular checkups from a family doctor or general practitioner, but they do keep up with annual GYN appointments. And that's fine, but it's important to know that your GYN can answer all kinds of questions about your body, even if they're not directly related to gynecological health. If you're struggling with your weight or diet, bring it up with your GYN.

"How Do I Handle All This Stress?"

Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or burnt out? Excess stress can contribute to a number of physical conditions, including the kind of problems that bring you to your gynecologist's office. For example, stress can contribute to changes in your period, unexplained pelvic pain, or low libido.

Talk to your GYN not just about your physical symptoms, but about what's going on in your life and how you're feeling mentally and emotionally. If stress is a contributing factor to the health issues you're experiencing, that information can help your gynecologist come up with the appropriate treatment for you.

Doctors need information in order to recommend the best treatment plans for their patients, and the health questions that are weighing on your mind are important information for your gynecologist. Don't hesitate to ask the less obvious questions at your next GYN visit. 

For more information, visit sites such as http://www.centraliowaobgyn.com.