26 January 2024 , 10:18
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Doctors are urging women not to feel nervous when they visit the gynaecologist - as they highlight women often think too much into it.
Taking care of your body is important, and part of that process for women can include regularly visiting a gynaecologist for a wellness exam. It's recommended you make a trip to see the specialist in women's reproductive health once a year for a standard checkup, but you may also want to make an appointment if you experience changes such as unbearable menstrual pain or vaginal discomfort.
Seeing a gynaecologist can be nerve-wracking, especially if it's your first time and you're not sure what to expect. But professionals have issued helpful advice to anyone feeling stressed about a checkup, as they said there's one nervous habit all women do that they wish they'd stop.
According to gynaecologist Doctor Kate White, the biggest source of nerves she sees in her patients when it comes to visiting her for an appointment is "embarrassment" over the way their body looks - and she wants people to stop.
Dr White told Live Strong that while you might feel pressure to look your best when someone's inspecting your intimate area, doctors are "only focused on making sure you're healthy", and don't care whether you've shaved your legs or had a bikini wax recently.
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She said: "Whether you haven't shaved your legs, gotten waxed recently or fear the way you smell, please know that your gynaecologist is only focused on making sure you're healthy. Your doctor isn't even thinking about how you look or smell."
In fact, this is such a common concern among people who visit the gynaecologist that another doctor, Tracey A Banks, echoed the sentiment by joking that doctors "don't note the state of your leg hair" in their official reports. She added: "We honestly don't care about body hair - we're looking at other, more anatomical things."
And if there's one other thing you shouldn't worry about when visiting a gynaecologist, it's being on your period. You might think that it's best to cancel your appointment if you start your period a few days before, but doctors say you shouldn't reschedule purely based on your period.
If your appointment is to discuss any heavy bleeding or other menstruation concerns, you definitely shouldn't wait for it to stop before being seen. However, if you're concerned about your period posing a problem during your appointment, you should call your doctor and let them know, as they'll be able to tell you whether to reschedule or attend as normal.