It’s completely normal that you feel a bit anxious and nervous before an OBGYN appointment, but we assure you that it doesn’t have to be this way. There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself and minimize the stress of visiting your gynecologist. You should know that regularly visiting your OBGYN can significantly affect your reproductive and overall health and help your doctor discover any possible conditions and diseases on time. They will keep a record of your medical history and update it with every appointment you make.
Healthy women should visit their gynecologist once a year and perform all the necessary tests and screenings. Your OBGYN will perform a general examination that is adapted to your age group and particular lifestyle. Women of all ages should be encouraged to attend their OBGYN check-ups regularly because it promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Another issue that arises once you should visit a gynecologist is the talk about sex life, sexual partners, and sexually transmitted diseases. Although it might be embarrassing to you, you don’t have to worry because your gynecologist has heard and seen it all. Their task is to help you with any gynecological problem you might have, so you should feel confident and comfortable to talk to them about everything related to your reproductive health.
To make you feel less anxious about your next visit to your gynecologist, we’ve prepared a short guide on preparing for a gynecologist visit. 
What To Do Before a Gynecologist Visit?
There are a few steps you can take before you actually go to your gynecologist. This will make you feel less nervous about confiding in your gynecologist and more focused on your health. This is what you can do to make this whole experience less nervous.
- Find a doctor you can trust
Since there are so many OBGYN doctors in your country, finding the right one can be a real task. You can change providers until you find the one you can really trust. Don’t despair if you don’t succeed immediately – be patient and persistent until you find someone you’re really comfortable with.
Although many women find it hard to visit a male gynecologist, we can assure you that gender is irrelevant in this case. If the OBGYN you’ve chosen is an expert you feel comfortable with, everything else is not important.
At Womens Care of Brandenton we have a great team of gynecologists, so you can book an appointment and see for yourself. We are proud to offer comprehensive care to all our patients by taking care of women of all ages. With thirty years of experience under our belt, we will make your experience an exceptional one. We cover gynecological, obstetrical, and infertility services. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
- Research in advance
Preparing for a gynecologist visit can also include some research on your side. Although doctors dislike it when people surf the web in search of their symptoms and possible diseases and conditions, there is nothing wrong with being well-informed. If you want to understand your condition a bit better, you can consult some of the renowned medical sites.
However, try to avoid various blogs and social media accounts because it will only make you worry more than necessary. Furthermore, never compare symptoms with someone else because it will lead to more confusion and worry. Your doctor will give you all the details you need to know while providing you with proper treatment.
- Know what to expect
Once you go into your gynecologist’s office, they will perform an examination and suggest running some tests and screenings based on your age and lifestyle. Although many women are scared when their doctor mentions tests because it can mean something is wrong, you should know that the purpose of these tests and screenings is to keep everything under control and to catch possible diseases and conditions early.
Your OBGYN visit may start with a pelvic floor examination, a Pap smear, and STI screenings, but your gynecologist will recommend further examinations if they find it necessary. Besides this, they might run some blood work just to see if everything is okay, and to control the level of medications, if you’re using any.
Although some of these tests might be slightly uncomfortable, they are simply something you have to do to make sure all is okay. Feel free to ask your gynecologist about every examination and test, and they will most likely explain the procedure to make you feel more comfortable. 
Don’t be surprised if the gynecologist asks you about your future plans related to contraception and fertility. If you’re trying to get pregnant, this is the best time to say your gynecologist because they will have the best advice for you. If you’ve already given birth, don’t be surprised if the doctor asks you about your mental state and overall well-being. This has the aim of establishing postpartum depression and other conditions in new moms.
- Be honest about your life
There is no better way for you to be rightly diagnosed and treated than to be open about your life with your gynecologist. GYN appointments aren’t only for tests and screening, but for sharing as well. If you’re embarrassed to share a piece of information you think will be relevant for your health and help your doctor provide you with proper treatment, just remember that they do this job for a living and that they’ve seen and heard it all.
If you’re not sure about what they need to know, just follow their lead. Once they start asking questions about your lifestyle, sex life and habits, be honest and mention everything you consider important. And don’t worry, they aren’t there to judge you, but to help you and provide you with proper medical advice and care.
- Prioritize your GYNO appointments
Now, you already know what to do before a GYNO appointment, but will you really go? The biggest problem with women who feel okay and generally have no suspicious symptoms is that they tend to forget about their regular check-ups and visit a gynecologist only when they actually have serious health problems.
Why is it important to make your GYNO appointments a priority? First of all, there are certain conditions and diseases that don’t have visible symptoms, which makes it hard to determine and treat them. Second, visiting your doctor regularly can reduce the risk of further health complications. It’s great to visit a doctor just so they could say everything is okay, don’t you think?
Every age brings different states and conditions, which is why you should visit your gynecologist at least once a year. We know it can be uncomfortable and stressful, but it can also save your life. What’s more important than that?
- Make a list of notes
It’s not unusual that once you step inside your gynecologist’s office you forget everything you wanted to ask them. This is why it’s a great thing to think of all the possible questions before your appointment, write them down, and simply take your notepad with you. You can even write notes as you go about your daily activities if you notice an unusual pain or something that you simply haven’t been noticing before.
Another option can be to take someone with you to the appointment, like a friend, partner, or family member. They can help you stay sharp and remember all the important questions. 
- Know your body well
It’s essential that you are interested in what’s happening to your body and that you notice any changes that happen. Although something might be irrelevant to you, your gynecologist will determine if it’s actually something serious. During your regular GYN visit, make sure to mention everything that might have changed since your last visit, especially if you’re having unusual bleeding or erratic periods.
Your health is what should always come first, so don’t be ashamed to mention anything you consider unusual. Every woman is different, and what is normal for one, isn’t necessarily normal for another. Instead of consulting your friends, sister or mother, try talking to your gynecologist because they will determine if that particular symptom is normal in your case.
- Remember your vaccine shots
Your vaccine shots are the last thing you should mention to your gynecologist. The vaccines you might need to take will be based on your age, medical history and the specific time of the year. Since your gynecologist is there to provide you with preventative care, they should know about this.
All women are recommended to take the influenza vaccine every year, and the HPV vaccine that is important for preventing the virus that’s responsible for cervical cancer.
Visiting a gynecologist should become a regular and normal thing for all women, regardless of their age. Try to prepare well for your next OBGYN appointment and try to relax because this is all for your own good. Feel free to consult your gynecologist about all you consider necessary and let them know everything that’s relevant for your health.