Don't be afraid to raise these sensitive issues.
You only have your doctor’s ear for a short time during an appointment, but don’t skip tricky topics, advises Yvonne Wright-Cadet, MD, FACOG, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Here are the questions she shes her patients would ask, and why.
Should I be tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections)?
Some women are embarrassed to talk to their physician and even their partners about this topic. At every visit, I ask every patient if she wants to be tested for STIs, without regard to relationship status. Everyone should have the option to say “yes” or “no” to these tests without feeling guilty.
Is painful sex normal?
At the annual exam, even if a patient is married, I ask, “Are you sexually active?” And if they are, “Does sexual activity cause discomfort?” If they’re not sexually active, I ask them why. If it’s because of painful intercourse, we can address that issue.
How can I ease my transition into menopause?
I bring this up, but I wish patients would understand that menopause is coming. Some women have a really hard time with the idea that they’re getting older, that they’re not as sexually attracted to their husband or partner, or they’re having hot flashes at night. If they open up about their symptoms, then I can offer help.
Why do I sometimes leak urine?
A patient may say, “I wear panty liners because I’m losing urine.” Or they won’t even mention it at all because they think it’s just part of the normal aging process. Aging or other physical issues can play a role, but there are effective therapies. One recommendation I often make is to do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This is the beginning of the process, but many other therapies are available.
Why do I feel sad all the time?
Women who are pregnant, women who are postpartum and women who are menopausal may be troubled by changes in their moods; women at any stage of life may experience depression. I ask open-ended questions that leave the door open for non-typical discussions beyond those that usually occur in the ob/gyn office.
Do I need to lose weight?
This can be an uncomfortable topic for women. Therefore, I’ll ask gentle questions like “How are you doing with taking care of yourself? How are you doing with diet and exercise?” Once the issue of self care and weight is on the table, the source of the problem can be addressed. Hormonal issues, poor/high caloric intake or poor lifestyle choices can be managed by the ob/gyn, primary care physician, nutritionist or other appropriate resource.
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