Making time and scheduling medical check-ups can be like pulling teeth. For some, it’s just another task to check off their to-do list. Most people don’t love the hassle of seeing their doctor or dentist only to sit in a waiting room while the appointment time passes by 10, 15, or even 20 minutes after the alotted time. Once the doctor calls you back, you get into the exam room where you wait another half hour only to be seen by the rushed doctor who maybe spends ten minutes with you.
Sound familiar? At Jordan Family Health in Houston, Dr. Rhonda Jordan greets each patient as an individual and takes the time to treat them accordingly. If you’re looking for a new female gynecologist or even a general practitioner, Dr. Rhonda Jordan is accepting new patients!
Have you heard the expression, “prevention is better than cure?” The best healthcare begins with preventive care, and even though scheduling and sticking to an appointment is the last errand you want to run, seeing your gynecologist yearly, just to check in, is important to your health as a female.
What Keeps You From Seeing Your Gynecologist?
Many women avoid going to the gynecologist because talking sexual health or reproductive health has become a hushed conversation topic, even when most women experience a period and when age-appropriate, are having sex. Then, women all talk with each other about the perils having to go!
If you’re avoiding the gynecologist because you’re uncomfortable, find an office and a doctor that makes you feel comfortable. Likewise, if you haven’t made an appointment because you used Dr. Google to diagnose symptoms and presume you have something, the best thing to do is speak about it with a gynecologist.
Whatever the reason for your absence at the gynecologist, seeing one annually for a checkup is good preventive practice. Annual visits are an excellent way to take control of your health and center your attention on prevention. Seeing your gynecologist when you’re not experiencing any concerns gives you the ability to help prevent serious health problems that you would otherwise have to see the doctor for in an emergency-type situation.
If you’re looking for a new female gynecologist, here are some questions to consider about their practice.
What is the demeanor of gynecologist, and do you feel a sense of trust with them?
What is the office like? Is it warm and welcoming, yet clean?
What kinds of procedures does the doctor perform, and are they comprehensive?
Does the doctor communicate effectively with you about your health?
What approach do they take towards prevention?
Why See The Gynecologist Yearly?
Seeing your gynecologist annually doesn’t necessarily mean you’re seeing them for a yearly exam, otherwise known as a pap smear. Research has shifted away from a yearly pap smear if you’re healthy and don’t present with any concerning symptoms. With that said, a well-woman yearly exam is great for prevention. At this visit, you can discuss common healthcare topics such as:
- Sexual health
- Diet and exercise
- Menopause
- Any questions or concerns you may have
At the checkup, you may also take advantage of diagnostics such as:
- Bone density screening
- Breast exam
- Thyroid test
- Blood test
- STI test
When you see the gynecologist yearly, you can also benefit in prevention by:
Early detection of underlying or silent health issues – When you receive some of the diagnostics from a routine checkup in the form of blood panels and blood pressure testing, it can find that you have low iron levels, an STI, or high blood pressure. From there, you can work with your doctor to address these issues. A gynecologist may also be able to help detect disease earlier in a routine exam before warning symptoms manifest.
Taking additional health and wellness steps – When you see your doctor, you can use the time to discuss what you can do additionally to have optimal health that incorporates lifestyle suggestions and potential specialist or alternative modalities to feel your best.
Creating a good relationship with your practitioner – When you regularly see your gynecologist, you begin to build a rapport that creates a sense of trust. The ability to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor is the ultimate goal, and creates a space where you’re more willing to open up about your healthcare issues.
There are many reasons we put off seeing the gynecologist — whether you’re uncomfortable or you put it off out of fear — making it a point to been seen yearly is important for prevention. When you regularly see the gynecologist, you can get specific diagnostic tests and in-office exams, beyond a pap smear. Likewise, a gynecologist can help guide you additional wellness steps, an early diagnosis, and building trust and a beneficial rapport to talk about tough topics.
