Don’t be afraid to visit your gynaecologist

Going to the gynaecologist is just another medical examination for some women, but the thought of their annual visit fills others with anxiety and fear. Dr Keisha Buchanan, obstetrician-gynaecologist at ICON Medical Centre, says while mild discomfort may be associated with some procedures, gynaecological visits do not cause physical pain.

Having heard her fair share of half-truths and lies used to describe gynaecological-related examinations and procedures, the doctor addresses some of the common ones below. She does this with the hope that more women will get past their fear and get on the fast track to being on top of their reproductive health.

Fear: Pap smears are painful

Fact: “Possibly the commonest fear is that of doing a Pap smear. Some women’s concept of doing a Pap smear is that something on the cervix is clipped or cut and that a huge metal thing is inserted into the vagina,” Dr Buchanan said. In fact, she says that a Pap smear involves using a soft brush or a wooden spatula that is gently wiped on the cervix and brushed on a microscope slide, and is therefore not a painful procedure. No cutting is involved. To ease associated tension and fears, Dr Buchanan said patients should be reassured that the Pap smear takes less than 15 seconds at most to complete.

Fear: The speculum is too big

Fact: Dubbed the can opener of the cervix, the speculum is used to allow the gynaecologist to examine the inside of the vagina and cervix.

“Your gynaecologist will know the right speculum to use. It is important that the correct speculum is selected, as they vary from small to large,” Dr Buchanan said. “There are also speculums with regular widths and there are narrow speculums; the latter is used especially for the woman who has never had children vaginally,” Dr Buchanan explained. To ease the patient’s fears, Dr Buchanan said that the doctor could explain what he/she is about to do and reassure the patient that the test is painless. She reasoned that this can be alleviated by selecting the proper speculum size. Use of a well lubricated and warm speculum will make the procedure more comfortable.

Fear: The gynaecologist will confirm a serious condition you discovered à la Dr Google

Fact: Many people Google their signs and symptoms before going to the doctor, and Dr Buchanan says you may want to investigate instead of yielding to speculations. “A Google search may present one with a wide range of diagnoses, some not too worrisome but some utterly devastating. For example, a bladder infection may present with a sudden onset of blood in the urine. Google searches for blood in the urine include possibilities of bladder or kidney cancers and this may send the patient into a total panic. But the reality is that bladder cancer is a rare diagnosis,” Dr Buchanan advised. She argued that what is worse than your fear of going to the doctor is not going at all. Chances are, your results will indicate that you are experiencing symptoms of a common, treatable condition.

Fear: The doctor will share your private information

Fact: While many women are comfortable posting information of a private nature on Facebook, when it comes to a visit to the gynaecologist their views are different. “Some women don’t want to divulge personal information to their gynaecologist out of fear they will hear it back, but remember that the gynaecologist is a professional who has taken an oath to protect patient privacy. All that is discussed, including results for tests, will be kept in the strictest confidence. So feel free to share information accurately to help your gynaecologist make a correct diagnosis and give you the best treatment.”

Fear: The doctor will judge you

Fact: Dr Buchanan said there is no need to be fearful because a gown will be provided for you to wear. In addition, all sessions are strictly private, and unless the appearance of your vagina is of medical concern, it will not be mentioned.

Fear: You will hear that you will need surgery

Fact: Nobody wants to have to do surgery, except for those who love doing cosmetic enhancements. Hearing the words ‘you will need surgery’, according to Dr Buchanan, automatically means ‘complicated’ and ‘painful’ for some people. “Doctors may recommend surgery for large fibroids, abnormal ovarian cysts that persist and may even be cancerous, and abnormal Pap smears. Most surgeries are very successful, and with the advent of modern medicine and treatments to prevent complications, most people undergo surgery with few or no complications,” Dr Buchanan reasoned. She also notes that most complications, if they occur, are treatable and have no long-term side effects. However, waiting too long to do your surgery may increase the chances of complications occurring; for example, delaying removal of fibroids will cause the fibroids to continue to grow, making subsequent removal more difficult.