Preparing for a gynaecology appointment: a checklist that works
The Mayo Clinic recommends that before an appointment you write down your goals, symptoms, medicines and family history, prepare your questions in order of importance and be ready for the doctor's questions. During the appointment, state your goals at the start, ask as soon as something is unclear and, before you leave, repeat what you need to do.
- Write down what you want to get out of the appointment – under pressure it is easy to forget (Mayo Clinic).
- Bring a list of medicines and supplements with doses, and your family history.
- The doctor will ask: what the main complaint is, since when, how often, what makes it worse and what relieves it.
- Before you leave, repeat the instructions and confirm the next steps.
What should you prepare before the appointment?
- Decide what you want to get out of the appointment and write it down – worrying symptoms, questions about medicines, treatment options. Under pressure it is easy to forget; a list helps.
- Write down your symptoms – including those that seem unrelated. For a gynaecologist: the date of your last period, the length of your cycle, changes in bleeding, pain, discharge.
- Gather your family history – which conditions run in the family and who has them. The Mayo Clinic recommends asking your relatives in advance.
- A list of medicines and supplements with doses, including contraception and vitamins.
- Test results and documents – results, discharge summaries, previous prescriptions, especially with a new doctor.
What will the doctor ask you?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the doctor will probably ask: what the main complaint is, how long you have had it, how often and when it occurs, what makes it worse and what relieves it, whether there are other symptoms, whether the problem runs in the family, whether you have any allergies and what you expect from the appointment. If you have thought about the answers in advance, the appointment is shorter and more accurate.
Which questions are worth asking?
The Mayo Clinic suggests the following questions, suitable for any appointment:
- Where can I learn more about my condition?
- What would you recommend if I were a member of your family?
- Why are you recommending this test?
- What are the side effects of the test or treatment?
- When will I have the results?
- Is there anything I haven't asked that I should have?
- How can I ask questions after the appointment?
How should you behave during the appointment?
State your goals at the start, not at the end. Ask your questions as they come up, and ask for unfamiliar terms to be explained. Be honest about your health and lifestyle – an accurate diagnosis is only possible with accurate information. Write down what you are told; if you can, bring someone close to you to listen and take notes (they can step out during the examination itself). The Mayo Clinic stresses: questions that seem awkward to you are not awkward for the doctor.
What should you do before you leave?
Repeat out loud what you need to do and confirm the next steps: a follow-up appointment, a prescription, changes to your daily routine. If something is unclear, ask again – this is part of the appointment, not a waste of time.
Frequently asked questions
Should I postpone the appointment if I am on my period?
It depends on the purpose of the appointment – call the practice and ask. For a consultation and most tests, a period is not a problem; for some it is better to wait.
I feel awkward asking about contraception or intimacy.
The Mayo Clinic reminds you that questions that are awkward for the patient are not awkward for the doctor – they hear them every day. Put the question first on your list so it does not get left until the end.
What should I do if I forget what the doctor said?
The Mayo Clinic advises taking notes during the appointment, repeating the instructions before you leave and asking how you can ask questions after the appointment.
Sources
Informational article retold in our own words from the sources listed. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor; in an emergency call 112. If you spot an inaccuracy, write to [email protected].