• Whether it’s your first-ever visit to a gynecologist or you’ve been dozens of times, it’s easy to forget questions and issues you wanted to discuss once you’re actually at the doctor’s office. • How to prepare for your gynecologist appointment? Jot down your questions and bring them with you to your visit—this will help you make the most of your time with your OBGYN doctor. • Read on for 7 things every woman should discuss with her doctor.
• From hormone shots to IUDs to birth control pills, women have many pregnancy-prevention options today. • Certain types of low-dose birth control can be used not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), reduce bleeding during menstruation, and even treat acne. • Ask your doctor about all your birth control options, and tell him or her about any problems you’re having with your current birth control method or issues you’ve had in the past.
• Even if you’ve been in a stable, monogamous relationship for decades, your doctor will likely talk to you about STIs. • This is because infections like HPV (human papillomavirus) can lie dormant in your body for many years—in fact, it might surprise you to know that most sexually-active people in the U.S. will acquire HPV at some point in their lives.1 • Certain HPV strains can cause cervical cancer, so it’s important to get screened for this and other STIs. • Talk with your gynecologist openly and honestly about your sexual history and activity—your doctor is there to help, not to judge.
• No two women are exactly alike when it comes to periods—what’s “normal” for one woman may be abnormal for the next. • Periods that are too heavy, too light, intermittent (e.g. cycles that stop and start), or debilitatingly painful, however, warrant attention. • Abnormal periods could indicate a more serious issue, such as endometriosis, over- or underactive thyroid, ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), vaginal infections, or other problems. • Talk with your doctor about your monthly cycles and ask about anything that is concerning you.
• The pelvic floor is a hammock-like system of muscles that keeps your pelvic organs (vagina, bladder, urethra, bowel, and rectum) firmly in place. • Over time these muscles can grow weaker, especially in menopausal women and those who have had one or more children. • Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to stress urinary incontinence (leaking urine when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or strain), as well as pelvic organ prolapse. • Talk with your doctor about your pelvic floor health, especially if you notice a bulging sensation in your vagina or if you leak urine when you strain—even if it’s just a few drops.
• Painful intercourse is more common than you might think—three-quarters of women experience it at some point in their lives.2 Common causes include: • Lack of vaginal lubrication
• Inflammation (e.g. from pelvic inflammatory disease) • Uterine fibroids • STIs
• If you experience pain during sex, talk with your gynecologist right away. Your doctor will help uncover and address the root cause of your pain.
• Many women only have breast exams during their periodic pap smear/pelvic exam visits. • Considering the number of women who have a pap test only once every 3 (or even 5) years, this is simply too long a period of time to go without a breast exam. • Ask your doctor how to properly perform self-breast exams at home between doctor visits.
• Many women spend years avoiding pregnancy only to find themselves struggling to become pregnant when the time is right. • Whether you’re having difficulty becoming pregnant or you recently learned you’re pregnant, you probably have plenty of questions. • Your OBGYN can identify any underlying issues that may be preventing conception and help you improve your chances of becoming pregnant. If you’re already expecting, your doctor will tailor a plan of care for every stage of your pregnancy.
• The Obstetrics & Gynecology team at Crystal Run Healthcare offers a full range of gynecological and obstetrics services, from well-woman visits to prenatal classes for expectant parents. • Our esteemed providers are leaders in women’s health, delivering quality care to women of all ages and stages of life. We look forward to becoming your trusted healthcare provider.
Crystal Run Healthcare is committed to delivering quality care to patients in the New York area. Our facilities offer first-class preventative medicine, diagnostics, and treatment to patients of all ages. Our methods are evidence-based. Our treatment is patient-centered. Our doctors are here to help. Visit www.crystalrunhealthcare.com for more information.
Crystal Run Healthcare offers Obstetrics and Gynecology services at the following locations: MIDDLETOWN - 95 CRYSTAL RUN RD. 95 Crystal Run Road Middletown, New York 10941 P: 845.703.6999
NEWBURGH 1200 Route 300 Newburgh, New York 12550 P: 845.725.0100 UC: 845.725.0111
MONROE 855 Route 17M Monroe, New York 10950 P: 845.615.6999 UC: 845.783.6333
WARWICK - 81 RONALD REAGAN BLVD. 81 Ronald Reagan Boulevard Warwick, New York 10990 P: 845.615.6999
GOSHEN 7 Hatfield Lane Goshen, New York 10924 P: 845.615.6999
LIBERTY 1987 State Route 52 STE Liberty, New York 12754 P: 845.292.5510
ROCK HILL 61 Emerald Place Rock Hill, New York 12775 P: 845.794.6999 UC: 845.796.5444
WEST NYACK 2 Centerock Road West Nyack, New York 10994 P: 845.348.1100 UC: 845.348.1100
1. https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stats.htm 2. https://www.acog.org/-/media/For-Patients/faq020.pdf
Summary From birth control to pelvic health to STIs, there are plenty of things to discuss with your gynecologist. The experts at Crystal Run Healthcare highlight seven important topics every woman should discuss with her gynecologist.