1. Dont go to the doctor during your period

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- I would like to reschedule the visit to next week
- Doctor, I have my critical days. Can I come to the appointment?

A few years ago, menstruation was an obstacle to a full appointment. But modern research methods allow diagnosis even during periods: discharge in no way affects the test results. Doctors are not bothered by blood, so you might only feel uncomfortable yourself.

If you still doubt whether its worth going to the appointment, contact your gynecologist and explain the situation. By the way, in some cases, visiting the doctor during periods is even useful: for example, if you discover a new symptom during critical days or want to install contraception in the uterus.

2. Worry if you havent had depilation

Worries about your beauty in the gynecologists office are out of place: the presence or absence of hair in the intimate area does not affect reproductive health or examination results in any way. Doctors admit that patients often apologize for their `improper` appearance. And completely in vain: the appointment lasts about 10 minutes, and the gynecologist only cares about your well-being.

3. Not report symptoms unrelated to gynecology

For gynecologists, as for other doctors, its important to see the big picture: sometimes unrelated symptoms can affect the accuracy of the diagnosis. Headaches, skin rashes, high blood pressure, or something else - dont hide these signs. If they are not directly related to the doctors profile but cause concern, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

4. Use scented products

Excessive attention to hygiene can play a bad joke: during the examination, the gynecologist evaluates the color, smell, and other features of the intimate area, as they can indicate illness. Hygiene products with antibacterial effects or perfume additives can change the natural pH level, which means the doctor will make an incorrect diagnosis.

Before visiting the gynecologist, its best to use plain warm water. On other days, its not worth overusing intimate hygiene products: they change the natural pH level, cause dryness, and other unpleasant sensations.

5. Not remember what medications you have taken

We dont say that we take vitamins, blood pressure medications, valerian, or other `unimportant` drugs. Because the doctor will take a swab and find out the problem or its absence. This logic is wrong: the medication regimen can affect what drugs the gynecologist prescribes. Some drugs may be incompatible, while others need to be taken at separate times. Therefore, tell the medical professional about all medications and their doses that you take.

6. Hide important information

Sometimes at the appointment, we dont want to talk about personal things: the number of partners, the fact of abortion, the age at which we started sexual life, and other `embarrassing` details. But its important for the doctor: for example, if a girl started sexual life before the age of 18, she will be more susceptible to the papillomavirus. The lack of such information for the doctor can result in incorrect treatment and harm the patients health.

7. Not track your cycle

The menstrual calendar needs to be filled out not only by women who want children. Its simple: regular periods are one of the health criteria. An irregular cycle can be a signal of problems with hormones, stress, or organ diseases that are not directly related to the reproductive system.

8. Confuse the doctors profile

Not very informed patients can easily confuse the specialists profile and go, for example, to a gynecologist instead of a urologist. Such cases have certainly happened to every doctor. Not every patient knows whom to turn to. Therefore, to spend less time walking around offices, visit a therapist - they will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

9. Not go to an appointment with a male gynecologist

Some women feel discomfort being with a male gynecologist due to some prejudices or unsuccessful experiences with the opposite sex. Therefore, instead of visiting an experienced doctor, we often choose a specialist of the same gender. But gender does not affect the doctors professionalism.

Some studies indicate the opposite: a male gynecologist is often more interested in the patient. This is explained by the fact that he cannot be in her place, so he feels more empathy towards her.

10. Arrive at the consultation with relatives

Sometimes a patient arrives at the doctors office not alone, but with a mother, husband, or mother-in-law. The reasons for such group visits can be various: someone really wants a child and wants to get interesting news from the source; someone doesnt particularly trust the new relative, while others provide psychological support. According to the gynecologists themselves, this only complicates the diagnosis.

11. Use gadgets during the appointment

Such behavior not only indicates a lack of culture in the patient but also simply interferes with work. If a woman is constantly distracted to answer a call or message, the conversation with the doctor doesnt work out. The doctor has to constantly remind the patient about the topic of conversation, which extends the visit time.

Which of these mistakes do you make? Or maybe you are a gynecologist and want to add to our list?