When Should You Visit a Gynecologist?

Women go to the gynecologist when they have certain complaints at certain times in their lives, to get information about any subject or to have their standard check-ups done at certain intervals. Although many women say that they are comfortable with gynecological examinations, they do not feel very comfortable during the examination when they go to the doctor. Especially women who go to the gynecologist for the first time are more uncomfortable with this issue. However, as a necessity of life, when women have a problem with gynecologists or when situations arise that require them to go to the gynecologist, they need to leave all their worries and discomforts behind and have a gynecological examination. There are different issues that require women to go to the gynecologist. Some of these are for treatment purposes, while others are for control purposes.

How is a Gynecological Examination Performed?

Gynecological examinations are usually performed on days when women do not have menstrual bleeding. However, gynecological examinations are also performed during bleeding for various reasons. During heavy bleeding and extreme pain, examinations are performed to determine the causes of these conditions. It is of great importance for the doctor to obtain accurate information about the patient during a gynecological examination. Before starting the examination, the doctor asks the patient some questions and carries out the examination and treatment accordingly. These questions include when the last menstrual period occurred, what the complaint is that brought her to the gynecologist, what the regularity of the menstrual cycle is, whether there are any previous diseases, whether there are any family diseases. In addition, he/she also wants to get answers to questions such as what the method of protection was used during sexual intercourse, if there were previous pregnancies, questions about pregnancy, if there are medications used regularly, what the medications are.

• Gynecological examination, also known as pelvic evaluation, is the stage that is passed after the answers to the questions asked to the patient are received. The doctor begins the pelvic examination after receiving information about the patient. Before this examination, the patient is told to empty their bladder. The patient who will undergo a gynecological examination lies down carefully in the lithotomy position on a specially prepared table. This position means that the patient lies down on the table for the gynecological examination and the soles of their feet are placed on the specially arranged areas of the table. In order for women not to experience pain during the examination and for the doctor to be able to examine the vagina comfortably, the woman who will be examined should have her abdomen relaxed and her back nicely leaned on the table. If these conditions are not met, the doctor may wait a while for the patient to relax.
• The first stage of the pelvic examination is the examination of the lower abdomen. After checking the patient’s abdomen, the doctor checks whether there is lymph node enlargement in the groin. Then, he visually examines the external genital system and separates the outer lips with both hands to determine pathologies in the urethra entrance and hymen areas, and if a child has given birth before, to determine damages that occurred during birth.
• In the pelvic examination, the doctor moves on to the next stage after checking the patient’s external genitalia. If the patient is not a virgin, a special tool is placed in the vagina. This tool is called a vaginal speculum. The purpose of placing this tool is to easily separate the vaginal walls from each other and allow the doctor to easily see the cervix. When necessary, samples can also be easily taken from the vagina for examination.
• The final stage of the pelvic examination is the manual part. During the manual examination, information is obtained about the size of the uterus, the position of the uterus and its consistency. During the examination, it is also understood whether there is a mass in the vagina.
• The examination is a little different for virgins. The doctor makes an evaluation with ultrasonography. If necessary, the doctor places the right index finger into the rectum and performs the patient’s vaginal examination in this way.

Why Do Women Visit a Gynecologist?

• You should visit your gynecologist for annual smear tests and ultrasonographic examinations.
• In cases where menstrual bleeding is very little or excessive, or in cases where there is no menstruation, a gynecological examination should be performed.
• Excessive vaginal discharge.
• Noticing warts in the genital area.
• When there is severe groin pain, it is essential to see a gynecologist.
• Bleeding that occurs after intercourse.
• When menstrual pain occurs at an advanced age, a gynecological examination should be performed.
• When you want to get information about family planning, accurate information should be obtained from the gynecologist.
• Hardness in the breast.
• In cases of menopause, that is, the absence of menstruation, it is necessary to consult a physician.

Things to Do Before a Gynecological Examination

• Before the gynecological examination, it is useful for women to write down all the questions they have in their minds on a piece of paper.
• The prepared questions should be asked to the doctor without any hesitation and information should be obtained from the doctor in a way that leaves no question marks in mind about these issues.
• Since your health is more important than anything else, do not hesitate to consult your doctor before and during your gynecological examination.
• Even if the questions you ask seem illogical, do not hesitate to ask your doctor, thinking that he/she will get angry or will not answer. Ask your doctor all your questions, even if you are hesitant.
• There is no need to clean the vagina before a gynecological examination, as this will make it difficult for doctors to detect any discharge.
• If you have any medications that you use when you go to the examination, bring them with you.
• It is useful to have your old tests with you when you go for examination.

Benefits of Gynecological Examination

• When a gynecological examination is performed at least once a year, cervical cancer can be detected early and worse situations can be prevented in the future.
• Early detection of ovarian cancer is achieved through regular gynecological examinations. Early detection and early treatment are of great importance in ovarian cancer, as in many other diseases.
• Intrauterine cancers can be easily diagnosed after a gynecological examination and there is a chance for early treatment. Therefore, even if there are no complaints at certain times, it is necessary to go to a gynecologist and have an examination.
• Lesions and infections that women may not notice can also be identified after a gynecological examination.