Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
46 Women Share The Advice From Their Gynecologists They’ll Never Forget
A survey of 2,000 women found that one in ten couldn't correctly identify a diagram of the female reproductive system. The results were revealing: nearly one in four misidentified the vagina, almost half (46%) couldn't properly identify the cervix, and six in ten mistook the uterus for a different body part.
The good news? Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed admitted they don't know as much about women's anatomy as they should, and 42% said they wished they had a better understanding of their own bodies.
To help close that knowledge gap, one person on Threads asked women to share the most valuable thing a gynecologist had ever told them that every woman should know. The responses poured in, with hundreds of women sharing advice, misconceptions, and little-known facts that deserve to be common knowledge. Here are some of the most-liked replies.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
1 in 4 pregnancies end in a miscarriage.
The most common cause of a miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities.
If you have a miscarriage, it’s likely nothing you did, it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 18 hours ago
Apparently a lot of miscarriages happen very early, you might not even know you are pregnant.
RELATED:
#2
“If it was supposed to smell like flowers then it would.”
#3
If she says, “it’s just a pinch,” or “it’s just uncomfortable,” without pain management, she’s lying. It will be pain that redefines your pain scale.
Lady Gypsy Rain 17 hours ago
Never ceases to amaze when women doctors lie to patients about this.
#4
My gyno told me if you have PCOS or something that causes less periods, you absolutely need to get checked for uterine cancer/be aware of the signs. If our uterus doesn’t shed like it should, we’re more likely to get uterine cancer. I’m 33 and was just told this last year after almost 15 years of extremely sparse periods (I’m all good though thank goodness)
StrangeOne 8 hours ago (edited)
I'm in my 40s and just told this. I haven't had one in about 20 years due to prolactinoma. I'm pulling up my big girl pants and finally going back on treatment this year.
#5
It takes more than 6 weeks to heal after having a baby
Lady Gypsy Rain 17 hours ago
The 6 weeks thing is capitalism based lies to get you back to work early.
#6
Our breast tissue is also located in our underarms and upper back. When you do your monthly self breast exam, check in these locations for lumps as well.
#7
Migraines caused by the pill mean that you are at increased risk of stroke or blood clots
Lady Gypsy Rain 17 hours ago
My doctors discovered an abnormality when I was 26 and told me never take another hormone based prophylactic because the area of my brain where my migraines originate means I’m at increased risk of a stroke. I followed this advice and eventually had a tubal ligation followed by a hysterectomy at 39. I had a debilitating stroke at 46.
#8
Painful period are NOT normal
Upstaged75 14 hours ago
I was told that "some women just have rough periods" and that I was "a bit sensitive". 🙄 After I spent over 10 years trying to get doctors to help me I was finally diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Every woman I'd met with the condition has nearly the exact same story. I just don't understand WHY they all think we're lying! 😡
#9
“We have many pain relief options for IUD insertion…everything from a pain block with local anesthetic to putting you under. Which pathway do you feel comfortable pursuing?” -Absolute GAME CHANGER!
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
...I never got offered any pain relief when I had my IUD inserted, lol. I'm used to tolerating pain without complaint (thanks, childhood) so I just sort of laid there and took it. It WAS incredibly painful, more than "just a poke" that the GYN said it'd be. After a while, she asked if I was okay. I said "yes, why do you ask?" and she replied that most patients flinch involuntarily or mention pain/discomfort, and she said "You must have a very high pain tolerance!" ...yeah, you could say that XD I do wish she'd offered some pain relief, though! That insertion was quite painful XD
#10
Using pantyliners daily actually traps the bacteria. Is better to use breathable cotton undies
StrangeOne 8 hours ago
Not meaning to be too tmi, but pantyliners were a necessity as a teen. The discharge down there would crust up quickly the hairs would glue to it. Pantyliners solved that problem. Otherwise it was painful.
#12
Bleeding heavy for 7 days is not normal. I went in and turns out I have a cyst and my lining was wasaayy to thick. Finally got on the right medication and I’ve never felt better during my periods
#13
Most women will push out a baby and you won’t even be able to tell 8 weeks later. “Stretching it out” is a myth.
StrangeOne 7 hours ago
Always hated that myth. It's so demeaning to women with children, and it gets used on any woman that has had s*x.
#14
Superficial endometriosis often does not show up in imaging but can still cause catastrophic pain and bleeding, if your GYN says you don’t have it because it doesn’t show up on ultrasound or MRI fire them and see a specialist.
Upstaged75 14 hours ago
I have severe endo and it never shows up on any imaging. My fibroids are the only things that are visible.
#15
Herpes isn’t automatically tested for even if you say “I want a full panel” because 1. It’s so common and 2. You can’t get a positive swab unless you’re having an outbreak. Ask for a blood test, it will show positive if you’re positive and have had at least one outbreak or negative if you don’t have it.
#16
Tubal ligation isn't 100% foolproof. As many as 3% of patients still get pregnant. My OB had 1 woman at age 48 and one at age 54... both had tubes tied many years before and both got pregnant anyway. Just something else to be worried about
#17
No matter how long you've been married/monogamous, you should always get tested for STIs
#18
There is a nerve directly connecting your right ovary to the appendix. So, when you ovulate on the right, you might experience symptoms similar to the ones of appendicitis. That’s why until the 80s many young girls where operated of appendicitis when they were actually ovulating...
Found out recently at 28, apparently I’m one of those who ovulates on the right and thankfully they didn’t wrongly remove my appendix
#19
one of the causes for BV can be drying your underwear with dryer sheets, now i wash them in a separate load with just unscented laundry detergent and hang dry them or throw them in dryer without adding anything. keep it simple, no fragrances! and obviously wipe front to back
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
I never use fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing/drying my crótch-wardrobe. I'm sensitive to fragrances anyway (a lot of contact dermatitis) so it always seemed safer to keep that stuff away from my various nether canyons.
#20
This is for my anemic girlies but to take iron supplements with vitamin C to help with absorption!
#22
I’m a 4th year Naturopathic Medical Student. And one of my mentors gave me a great piece advice saying, “sometimes all a woman needs is a boyfriend-ectomy” … the way it’s so true though. when women leave stressful situations and relationships, their body can finally start to re-regulate again
#23
If you're having waves of severe pain and vomiting significantly above your baseline, call your gyno immediately. could mean an urgent care or er visit. ovarian torsion is no joke and it can be intermittent, potentially not showing up on the first ultrasound if you're not currently in pain.
#24
Perimenopause can start as early as 35years old
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
When's mine? I'm waiting! XD I will take menopause over my still-heavy, still-painful periods any day XD
#25
Extremely hot baths are not good for u occasional baths and mostly showers are better for feminine hygiene.
#26
You only need 4 periods a year to be fertile ( in relation to PCOS)
Upstaged75 14 hours ago
My SIL has it and they told her it would take her at least a year to get pregnant after she stopped her BC. So of course she pretty much got pregnant immediately. 😂 My nephew was born exactly 9 months after the honeymoon.
#27
Don’t pee before an ultrasound. Even if you really need to. Apparently I had to have a full bladder to do an ultrasound for endo. (I was 16, 21 now) also drink lots of water on your period. My gyno was very adamant on that lol.
StrangeOne 7 hours ago (edited)
When I was pregnant at an ultra sound I tried very hard not to go to the washroom, but my bladder was hurting me and I started feeling nauseated, so I was allowed to go to the washroom but not empty out my whole bladder. Easier said than done. My bladder was still hurting. I was nervous I would pee myself and dampened the whole ultrasound experience. Make sure to bring extra underwear and pants when you go for an ultrasound.
#29
Feel like it's pretty basic knowledge but that prenatals are great to take whether you're pregnant or not
Lady Gypsy Rain 17 hours ago
Apparently they are referring to pre natal vitamins? And you really should always consult a doctor before assuming they are safe to take. There are some vitamins that are actually not harmless if your body doesn’t need it. Some are soluable and will pass in urine, but some are not and can actually be risky.
#30
Take the pill without the 7 day break. You’ll never get a period, and it’s perfectly safe to do so.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
This isn't true for every person who menstruates, sadly. I did this for years, both with the pill when I was younger and with the Nuvaring (intra-váginal hormonal BC device) later on. I still had full periods while using both BC methods, even without the weeklong "breaks." I am 44, have been menstruating since I was 11, and I am ready to be done XD
#32
I learned this working in the OB/GYN clinic!
If you’re prone to getting BV. Those medication’s are just a Band-Aid.. your body just produces more bacteria than usual that throws off your pH. Taking probiotics daily can prevent that.
#33
Wiggling your toes helps with discomfort during an exam
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
If I'm ever experiencing a lot of pain during any sort of medical procedure or exam, I bite down on one of my knuckles. It's very acutely painful and takes my mind off of the other pain, plus I (weirdly) feel like I have more "control" over the bite pain, so it's less awful psychologically? I guess my dad was right when he used to joke that he'd make my minor childhood injuries "hurt less" by hitting my big toe with a hammer XD
#34
Any liquid soap contains preservatives which are usually antibacterial which can increase the chance of yeast infections due to biome imbalance. Only use bar soap, like Dove, unscented, on the external only.
#35
Regular STD panels don’t include testing for HPV, you have to request it so you could have it but never know until you specifically request it to be included.
E Menendez 11 hours ago
In the US HPV testing is done when you have a pap. It is age dependent, but there are guidelines that require it. It is true that it is not part of an STI panel, but it is automatic part of pap testing. I work in Pathology and I am familiar with the testing guidelines.
#36
Check your testosterone levels after 50.
Bored Jellyfish 16 hours ago
THIS. Post-menopausal- I am on low-dose testosterone, and it cleared up my brain fog and I feel more energetic. 👍
#37
Raspberry tea for period pain. Two cups a day with three tea bags for each cup
#38
If you’re having sharp pains in your breasts stop drinking caffeinated drinks and start taking vitamin E it will clear that right up
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
Vitamin E is one of the "fat-soluble" vitamins, which means you don't "pee it out" the way you do with Vitamin C and Vitamin B. Vit E can build up in the body tissues and liver if you take too much of it, and this can lead to serious toxicity called hypervitaminosis. This can be very dangerous, so if you are taking Vitamins E, A, or K, please check with your doctor and ONLY take your recommended dose. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose for these three vitamins, as they are all fat-soluble and overdosing can lead to hypervitaminosis.
#39
A suspicious/malignan tumor on your breasts will feel hard, “pointy edges” with no clear start and finish
#40
"the majority of the problems women's have comes from a man"...
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 hours ago
I mean, if you're talking about my biological father, whose spérm fertilized the egg that then turned into me, then yes, this is true, since I wouldn't have all my problems if I hadn't been born :p
#41
Not having biological children can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Lady Gypsy Rain 17 hours ago
This sounds like misogyny and lies told to women to prevent declining birth rates.
What do you think ?
Maartje 16 hours ago
People, please do not claim to be a doctor just so you can spew your untested, unfounded beliefs out here.
David Paterson 15 hours ago (edited)
And "doctor of philosophy" doesn't count. I'm sure that men know less about their bodies than women know about their bodies. Women are often very well informed.
Load More Replies...
Littlemiss 7 hours ago
If you find yourself getting brain fog, extra tired, unsettled sleep and a general feeling of unwell, get your bloods done, and ask for a full screening. It could be low vitamin b12. It may not be perimenopause, it could be a vitamin deficiency. My hormone levels were fine, I was severely deficient in vitamin b12.
bazjack 6 hours ago
Also, ask for an iron panel, even if your H&H (hemoglobin and hematocrit) are in normal ranges. Mine were, but all four metrics on my iron panel were drastically out of range. For example, a normal Ferritin level is between 16 and 232 ng/mL, and mine was 5. After a few weeks of iron infusions, it was up to 21, and I have a ton more energy now.
Load More Replies... Maartje 16 hours ago
People, please do not claim to be a doctor just so you can spew your untested, unfounded beliefs out here.
David Paterson 15 hours ago (edited)
And "doctor of philosophy" doesn't count. I'm sure that men know less about their bodies than women know about their bodies. Women are often very well informed.
Load More Replies... Littlemiss 7 hours ago
If you find yourself getting brain fog, extra tired, unsettled sleep and a general feeling of unwell, get your bloods done, and ask for a full screening. It could be low vitamin b12. It may not be perimenopause, it could be a vitamin deficiency. My hormone levels were fine, I was severely deficient in vitamin b12.
bazjack 6 hours ago
Also, ask for an iron panel, even if your H&H (hemoglobin and hematocrit) are in normal ranges. Mine were, but all four metrics on my iron panel were drastically out of range. For example, a normal Ferritin level is between 16 and 232 ng/mL, and mine was 5. After a few weeks of iron infusions, it was up to 21, and I have a ton more energy now.
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
