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5 Doctor’s Office Tips for All Women

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Going to the doctor’s office can be a stressful encounter, whether it be a regular check-up or something more serious. As millions of thoughts race through your mind during your appointment, you may forget to ask the important questions and run the risk of being misdiagnosed. This is especially true for women due to human error, or symptoms that are mistaken for something much less severe and urgent.

Many doctors standardize the human body type when running tests on patients to draw conclusions compared to a baseline. However, this standard has, for many years, been a male with a specific height and weight. This practice does not support a female patient’s archetype or specific needs. Read on to learn some of the proper steps you should take before and during your doctor visit.

Always Be Prepared

Before attending your doctor’s appointment, put together a list of items you want to discuss and any prescription medications, vitamins, or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. As you experience certain symptoms, keeping a list of what they are and how long you have been experiencing each one so your doctor can determine the next steps. Whatever you do, don’t Googling your symptoms as this will make you more stressed and worried about the potential diagnosis. Stay calm, take a deep breath and always have a positive mindset. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — there is no reason to hold back when speaking to a medical professional.

Ask for Clarification When Necessary

Although they may not realize it, a doctor or medical professional will use complex medical terms when explaining a symptom or condition. They may also neglect certain ailments you describe, assuming they aren’t a contributing factor to your illness or pain. It is very important that you speak up and even interrupt your doctor to ask for clarification. The same is true when being prescribed any kind of medication while at your physician’s office or the hospital. If you have any drug allergies, make that clear before receiving the script, and if you are unsure of the side effects or how often to take the medication, ask. Don’t be afraid to be outspoken and find out as much as you can during your visit.

Trust Your Body

The only person who knows what you are feeling and the symptoms you are facing is you. Don’t rely on your doctor, nurse, or other medical professionals to deduce the way you feel or have answers without a frank discussion. You should trust what your body is telling you and be upfront about all symptoms, internally and externally. Although some may feel embarrassed to discuss certain topics, they might be the key to accurately diagnosing you and providing you the treatment you need. The mobile and online health field continues to grow more and more each year not only giving patients convenient medical care but allows patients to feel more comfortable discussing certain symptoms from the comfort of their own home. There are many telehealth companies that offer anything from prescription acne treatments to sexual health products allowing women to take more control of their body and health. There are so many ways you can get the help you need, so don’t ignore your body and what it’s trying to tell you.

Get a Second Opinion

If you leave your doctor’s office without the answers you were looking for, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion from another physician. Schedule an appointment for the same day or soon after your first consultation to have further testing and evaluation done. This will give you peace of mind and also verify your physician’s opinion. Don’t be afraid to change physicians if you feel a change is necessary. Your health is important and you want a doctor who takes your thoughts, feelings, and considerations into account along with their own analysis.

Schedule a Follow-Up

Trying to get a doctor’s appointment is hard enough, even when you’re in dire need of one. So scheduling a follow-up appointment for a week after your visit gives you a time slot to reconvene with your physician face-to-face and allows them to reevaluate you and the progress you’ve made. If your symptoms have persisted over this time and have become unbearable, going to the emergency room or urgent care is an option to consider. Don’t risk your health and safety by not taking action. Your well-being is the most important thing and should always be a priority.

When making your next doctor appointment be sure to follow these five tips in order to have a successful experience!

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