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6 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Next OBGYN Appointment

Here’s what gynecologists want their patients to know.

Updated on August 24, 2023

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Whether you’re visiting the OBGYN for the first time or you’ve been going for decades, your annual wellness visit is a great opportunity to discuss any health concerns and get info about the latest screenings and treatments. Here are some tips for getting maximum value out of your next visit:

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Find a Provider You Trust

Your relationship with your healthcare provider (HCP) should be a two-way street, so it is key to find one who makes you feel heard. “If you're not getting along with your [OBGYN], then fix your situation,” suggests Arjav Ted Shah, MD, of Orange Park Medical Center in Florida. “Find one who will pay attention to you and know you as a person as opposed to just a patient or diagnosis, so that you feel you are being treated well, being listened to, and directed.”

To find an OBGYN a who’s right for you, ask friends and family for recommendations. Your own primary healthcare provider should also be able to refer you to someone. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has searchable directories to help you find a list of potential clinicians in your area, as well. You may want to meet with a few to find out who is the best fit for you.

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Know Your Body And What’s Typical For You

It's important to be in tune with your body so you can recognize when something unusual happens, says Shah. “Know what your breasts feel like [and] your typical discharge and menstrual cycle pattern," he advises. "If you find any bumps or notice a change in discharge or irregular bleeding, bring it to a physician's attention."

As with any other healthcare provider, it’s critical to be open and honest with your OBGYN about your concerns, symptoms, and medical history. For some people, talking about certain issues or their sexual past may feel uncomfortable, but this is vital health information that will help determine which screenings, safety measures, or treatments might be needed.

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Arrive at Your Appointment Prepared

Write down your health concerns and questions before your appointment and bring the list with you, suggests Darcy Bryan, MD, of Riverside Community Hospital in California. "It's pretty surprising how the second you walk into the office your mind can go blank and you can forget all of your questions," she says. Topics to address can include new symptoms, menstrual issues, birth control, and screenings, among many others.

It’s also helpful to bring a list of medications, supplements, and vitamins you use. Knowing what you take can aid diagnoses and treatment decisions, and may help avoid potentially dangerous interactions if your providers prescribes you medication.

Try to wear comfortable, loose clothing to your visit, since you’ll have to change in and out of a medical gown. Bryan also recommends abstaining from sexual intercourse for 24 hours before your appointment in case you need a Pap test. Having sex just prior to a Pap smear may inflame your tissue and can affect your test results, she says.

Avoid douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap smear, as these may wash away or obscure abnormal cells. And, consider scheduling your appointment for a week you don’t expect to have your menstrual period. It's best to avoid this time of your cycle, if possible.

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Ask About Other Health Concerns

It's a good idea to have a primary provider for comprehensive medical care. But keep in mind, gynecologists do more than Pap tests and breast exams, says Shah. When people come for their annual visits, gynecologists are able to evaluate them for other conditions and talk to them about preventive health care measures, he explains. Gynecologists can even order tests that you would usually expect to get from a family provider.

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Avoid Trying to Self-Treat Symptoms First

If you have unusual symptoms, such as itching or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, trying to treat them yourself with over-the-counter (OTC) medications before you’ve been evaluated by an HCP could do more harm than good.

You might inadvertently treat yourself for the wrong condition. For example, bacterial vaginosis, which requires antibiotics, is often mistaken for a yeast infection. Taking the wrong over-the-counter (OTC) treatment would not cure your condition—and it could worsen your symptoms.

Instead, make an appointment to see your gynecologist so you can be properly diagnosed, says Bryan. When you call, be sure to mention you are having uncomfortable symptoms that need to be seen right away so the office knows to fit you in as quickly as possible. If you can't get in right away, consider going to an urgent care clinic, where they can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend effective treatments.

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Don't Go It Alone

It can be very helpful to have an advocate, such as a trusted friend or spouse, come with you to the gynecologist, especially when you have to make an important health decision or get information on surgery.

"Having a second pair of eyes [and ears] that are sympathetic to you [helps], especially if you're under high levels of stress, where you can forget key pieces of information or instructions or questions to ask," Bryan says. If your advocate is open to it, ask them to take notes for you during the appointment.

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Find an OBGYN. 2022
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your First Gynecologic Visit. June 2022. Accessed July 22, 2022.
Planned Parenthood. Can you get a pelvic exam when you have your period? June 29, 2020. Accessed July 22, 2022.
John Hopkins Medicine. Pap Test. 2022. Accessed August 24, 2023.
Rachel Urrutia. What’s the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis? UNC Health. December 11, 2019. 
Mayo Clinic. Pelvic exam. July 24, 2021. Accessed July 26, 2022.
American Cancer Society. The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test. January 3, 2020. Accessed July 26, 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Should I Know About Screening? December 14, 2021. Accessed July 26, 2022.

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