Unless there is an emergency, appointments with gynecologists are often made a few weeks, or even months, in advance. They are an opportunity to review your health, carry out the usual examinations and address the themes of women’s health. Here’s how to prepare them to get the most out of this appointment.
Find out about your family’s background
For Dr. Bagot, before a consultation, it is interesting to ask your family about the presence of female cancers in your lineage, but not only: “We don’t think about it less, but knowing the cases of venous thromboembolism, such as phlebitis and pulmonary embolism, is important, it can reveal a genetic anomaly, a thrombophilia anomaly, important when you want to be prescribed a pill.
Know your cycle and its rules
Here again, this may seem trivial but no: it is useful to come knowing the age of your first period, the duration of your cycle and the date of your last period “but some women confuse all this” admits the professional.
Come with your list of questions
A routine consultation is once a year. So this is your opportunity to take out your notes and ask all the questions that are bothering you, or that are on your mind about your health. It is also the “safe” place where you can ask all health questions, excluding gynecology. “Unlike midwives, who also consult, as a doctor we can refer you to professionals.”
Bring your last exams (in case of change of professional)
If this is your first appointment with a new gynecologist, it is important to come with the report of your last smear test, your last mammogram and your last gynecological examinations. “If we have had a gynecological surgical procedure, we also bring the operating report.”
Dare to talk about violence (if applicable)
Recently, gynecology practices also have a place where professionals can discuss violence, whether sexual or domestic. “We don’t necessarily do it, it depends on the practitioners, but if that’s not the case, women need to know that this is also the place where they can do it safely and listen.”
Block time on your calendar
The gynecologist also advises not to come for a consultation when pressed for time. : “During a gynecologist appointment, there can be a wait, because we can have an emergency, a question that requires time, a dramatic situation that we discover… We must therefore tell ourselves that once a year we take the time to go to the gynecologist, without scheduling an appointment right after, because it can spill over. But when we approach the intimate, it is important to take the time we need with each person”.
Wear clothes that are practical for you
In the event of an examination, there is a good chance that you will have to take off your panties at some point. For Dr. Bagot, it doesn’t matter what the outfit is, the key is to come with clothes in which you feel good, but to avoid items that are difficult to take off or put on like complicated shoes with many laces, or even tights. Socks or stockings, on the other hand, pose no problem.
“But women who feel embarrassed can always wear a large skirt that can be pulled up over the knees. For breast palpation, you can also opt for a top that opens from the front like a shirt, or a bra that also opens from the front to avoid any uncomfortable twisting on the table.”
Wash before the consultation
The gynecologist recognizes this, she still expects her patient to wash properly and normally before coming to her consultation. “But especially not a vaginal douche which is never good for your health!” ” insistsshe “Your morning wash is enough.” Also note, a report within 24 hours before the consultation does not impact it.
“It’s still better to avoid it just before the consultation… But if it’s the evening before, no problem!”
Being shaved or not is of no importance to the doctor
Another hygiene question that arises is, should we come to our doctor shaved or not? For Dr Bagot, the question does not arise and has no impact on the consultation: “Gynecologists are not interested in body hair! This poses no problem for us. On the other hand, if the woman herself feels more comfortable coming shaved, it is she who decides!”
What to do if you have your period?
Finally, the question of periods is often raised: the appointment being made months in advance it is sometimes difficult to know if they will arrive. “If you take the pill, it is always possible to postpone your period, it is often simpler”recognizes the gynecologist. “But if it’s a spontaneous cycle, rest assured, that doesn’t pose a problem either, unless it’s a cervical smear and it’s bleeding a lot. But even in this case, it would be a shame to postpone your appointment. It is still possible to do the consultation and postpone the smear to another time.”