Ditch the Dreaded Feeling of Going to the OBGYN

For most women, annual visits to the OBGYN are a dreaded event. In fact, some ladies neglect their health in order to avoid making this appointment. Even though the OBGYN is nobody's favorite place, it is imperative that women take care of themselves and schedule check-ups as recommended. Furthermore, females must learn to feel comfortable with talking about their personal health in the company of their OBGYN. Having to deal with this responsibility may not be pleasant, but it can certainly be overcome. Just as with anything else in life, the more you do it, the more comfortable it gets. If you get in the habit of visiting your OBGYN as needed, and can openly discuss your health, it will seem like less of a dreadful chore. Not to mention, your body will thank you for the preventive care, which is so critical for long-term overall health. Invest in Your Self Health Taking care of your body requires time, effort, and even a fair amount of funds, but it is all worthwhile. That is why it is so essential that get the most out of every doctor's visit that you possibly can, because you are investing in your own health. One of the most important things you can do to ensure that happens is to find an OBGYN that you trust and feel comfortable with. Once you have selected an OBGYN that is ideal for you, keep the following questions in mind. These are just some examples of the kinds of questions you might want to ask, and should feel completely comfortable asking during your visit: • How often do I really need to make an appointment? • What is the best form of birth control? • How long does it take before the birth control becomes effective? • What are the best vitamins for a woman's health? • How can I maximize my chances of getting pregnant? • What does it mean if I don't get my period every month? • Should I be concerned about the number of sexual partners I've had? • What does it mean if I notice an odor? • Do you recommend douching, and if so, how often? • What kinds of discharge should be cause for concern? Most of these questions are not easy topics of discussion, but your OBGYN is the only person that can answer them knowledgably. Plus, your OBGYN is a trained professional, who is not only trained to answer these questions, but also prepared to. You should never hesitate to talk about your health during your appointment, and should never worry that your question is dumb. One of the worst things you can do when you have a question or concern regarding your health is to resort to the Internet. This is a common practice because it is convenient and anonymous, but it will not provide you with a valid response. Instead, utilize your OBGYN's phone number. Even if he or she cannot answer your question immediately, you can either leave a message, or a nurse practitioner can help you. Again, the key is to get to a point where you are completely comfortable with your OBGYN so that dreadful feeling is just a thing of the past.