Ladies only--GYN etiquette

So... yeah I'm a gynecologist, and I have a few things to say. If you've never been to a gyno, or even if you have, here's some things that you should know before you go:

1. First and MOST important- there is nothing you can tell me that I haven't heard before. I have heard everyone's supposed sexual secrets. You'd be very surprised that many of them are exactly the same secrets. So don't be afraid, if you have a question, the appointment is the time to ask. Can't ask your gyn intimate questions? Get a new one.

2. Timing is critical. Speaking about your questions, or concerns... don't wait until the end of the appointment to bring it up. I only have so much time to spend with you, and I need to know how to dole it out. It really is ok if you read a list of concerns to me. It helps me to manage my time.

3. HOWEVER, speaking of lists of questions. How many problems do you think we should tackle in an appointment? If you have more than three important issues, please don't expect them all to be thoroughly addressed at your 'annual, well woman' appointment. It's ok to have questions, but (and I'm not kidding here), some people have like 6 or more issues they think I can address in one appointment. I can't.

4. If you get your period the day of the appointment-- generally this simply doesn't matter. It used to be that we couldn't do a pap if there was blood, but yippee, the new technology mean we can! I know, I know, you don't want to , but keep in mind, that I see women because of bleeding ALL THE TIME. It's kind of what we do. So it'll bother you way more than it bothers me. (You may want to check with your gyn on this one, this is not true of every procedure we do).

5. Shaving: You do not need to apologize to me if you didn't. Some people NEVER have, and just don't. I don't notice or care. Trust me, you don't have anything I haven't seen before.

That's it for now. I'm sure I can think of sooo many more. Maybe for a future post. Thanks for reading!