Women’s health is s fundamental element that most medical practitioners take seriously, considering the diverse issues they face every day. From the time they enter puberty to when they reach menopause, their bodies undergo various changes that may affect their mental wellbeing. If you have any questions regarding women’s health, Lauren E. Spoo, MD, and her Memorial Women’s Specialists team will be ready to serve you.
If you plan on seeing a women’s health specialist for the first time, here are some common questions you can ask.
1. How frequently do you schedule for physical exams?
Physical exams range from a pelvic exam, Pap smear, physical and breast exam. If you visit your gynecologist for the first time, you may want to know when your next visit will be. Your doctor may recommend that you go for a 6-month or an annual exam to determine if you are at risk of developing particular complications or if you are safe.
2. How do lifestyle habits relate to the reduction of risk factors to reproductive or sexual health issues?
In most cases, lifestyle habits such as having unprotected sexual intercourse with a person who has an STI can increase your chance of developing the disease. If you suspect that you may have contracted an STI, it is essential to ask your gynecologist if there are treatment options that can salvage your situation. Your doctor may also enlighten you on avoiding contracting certain diseases by adjusting to healthy lifestyle habits.
3. What treatment solutions do you rely on to save patients’ lives?
Women health specialists handle a wide range of cases depending on their severity and prevalence. Suppose you have been diagnosed with pelvic pain. In that case, your doctor may conduct physical exams, blood or urine tests to determine if you have endometriosis or any other menstrual problem. That way, they can decide whether to put you under surgical treatment or noninvasive treatments to solve your problem.
4. When is the right time to seek treatment for a disease that does not show any symptoms?
One of the main reasons doctors insist on regular gynecological visits is to detect problems as soon as they arise to reduce future complications. Conditions such as fibroids develop gradually, and you might not notice until you start experiencing pelvic pain. Fibroid growth might also reduce your chances of conceiving or carrying your pregnancy to full term. During your first visit, ask your doctor if it is okay to seek treatment even if you do not develop any symptoms for a particular disease.
Ask the right questions to receive urgent care
There is always a first time to everything. Your first gynecological visit might sound scary, but women’s health specialists handle each case with empathy and utmost professionalism. Please do not be scared about asking uncomfortable questions when it comes to your health. The end goal is to get answers and decide how you want to live your life. To find out the types of services women’s health specialists provide, schedule an online consultation today.