No woman looks forward to her gynecological exam, but if an appointment feels more uncomfortable than usual or your doctor is overly judgmental, it may be time to look elsewhere. Read on for 5 reasons why it may be time to fire your gynecologist.
1) Your gynecologist doesn't show respect. A good gynecologist knows many women feel vulnerable and exposed during their exam and goes to great lengths to make sure you feel comfortable and your privacy is respected. Doors and/or curtains should be kept closed, drapes or blankets used for modesty and permission requested before your doctor invites anyone (like medical students or assistants) else in to your exam room.
2) Your gynecologist keeps you waiting. If you spend more time in the waiting room than the exam room, that could be a sign that your doctor doesn't respect your time. A little wait is reasonable and could mean your doctor is willing to give patients extra time as needed. A long wait means your doctor over-schedules and doesn't consider your time as important as his/her. Of course, it also might mean he/she has to deliver a baby or attend to an emergency but the waiting game shouldn't happen too often.
3) Your doctor does something "strange". If your doctor does something "unexpected" during your exam without explaining it first, this could be a warning sign. A vaginal exam (which may or may not include Pap smear and vaginal cultures), rectal exam and uterine exam are all part of the routine. Your doctor should tell you what he/she is going to do and why it needs to be done. He/she might ask about your sexual history and practices (which is an important part of your health). Taking pictures of your genitalia (presumably "for the record") is not normal unless your doctor sees something abnormal. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, speak up and tell your doctor to stop.
4) Your doctor doesn't practice good hygiene. Every health professional knows they must wash their hands before and after every patient contact. Doctors however, see so many patients during their day and might forget once in a while. They should always use gloves when examining you and once the gloves go on, they should not touch anything or anyone but you with them. If your doctor dons the gloves then touches the doorknob, a drawer or phone, politely ask him to change gloves. If it happens more than once, change doctors.
5) Your doctor is judgmental. Let's face it, your gynecologist is supposed to know all about your sex life. They're your partner-in-health. That doesn't mean they should preach to you or make you feel wrong about anything you do. A good gynecologist knows it's not his/her job to tell you how to live your life or judge you. It is her job to give you all the information you need to make safe choices and protect your health. If your doctor makes you feel "bad," go find a "good" doctor.
If you decide to find a new gynecologist, consider sending a short, polite note to you old one (along with a request for your medical records) telling them why you're making a change. They may be unaware they made you uncomfortable and might consider this when caring for other patients.
