My Cycle Diary

Posts Tagged ‘gyno’

While talking shop to the scientist down under may be intimidating, learning how to take control of your health is important. It’s your body, and the only way your gynecologist will understand if its acting normally is if you communicate with them. So put aside your fear of speculums and enormous Q-Tips and remember these important guidelines:

1. Explain clearly and factually –- Doctors need to hear facts and sensations.

• Instead of saying: “I got my period, like, a week or two ago?”
• Say: “I got my period on Thursday, January 24th.”

Remember to keep track of your cycle using a cycle diary so you can give your doctor exact dates of bleeding and spotting.

• Instead of saying: “I had really bad cramps.”
• Say: “I had really bad cramps, even after I took two Motrin every four hours.”

When explaining cramps or other pain specify which side of your abdomen they came from, how long they lasted, and whether they were constant or intermittent. It’s also important to mention the severity of the cramps, whether medication helped completely, helped slightly, or didn’t help at all. Refer to the pain level on you’re My Cycle Diary chart.

2. List all Medication.
Even if it’s in your chart, sometimes things don’t always get written down correctly and some doctors merely glance at the chart before speaking with you. List all current over the counter meds, prescriptions, birth control, and if you were recently on antibiotics.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Even if it sounds stupid beyond belief. Always ask. You’re doctors are there to help you understand what’s happening to your body. If they seem annoyed by your questions or cast them aside without answering, don’t let it drop.

Calmly state, “I’m not comfortable with this course of treatment unless I know what it’s for and what sort of side effects it will have.”

During those weeks leading up to your appointment make sure to write down your questions in the space available on your cycle diary. This way, your cycle diary will speak for you when you forget or feel like there isn’t time.