Gynecologist Is Opening His Own Practice And Asked Twitter To Tell Him What He Should Include In His Office And People Gave These 40 Suggestions
Interview With Author
Going to the gynecologist can often be very scary. These appointments are very invasive, the procedures are not only painful and uncomfortable physically but they are also demanding emotionally. People who come there are choosing to be vulnerable and they are sensitive to every detail that surrounds them.
Dr. Ryan Stewart understands that, so he went to Twitter to ask people what they would like to see in a gynecologist's office before he opens his own practice. He asked, “How would you design/optimize a visit to the gynecologist’s office?” and over 3k people came to say their piece.
Image credits: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Image credits: stuboo
If there are any suggestions that weren’t mentioned in the thread under Dr. Stewart’s tweet, feel free to leave them in the comments. Also, don’t forget to upvote the suggestions that you agree with the most!
More info: Twitter | Midwest Center for Pelvic Health
This post may include affiliate links.
Ryan Stewart is fellowship trained pelvic surgeon specializing in treatment of women with pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction. He is now building his own medical practice from scratch. To do the best work he can, the doctor decided to go on Twitter and ask people who frequent gynecologists what they would like to have in their offices or how they would like to be treated there.
A lot of people had different suggestions and at the same time it’s sad that they didn’t have nice experiences with their appointments but it also gave a lot of insight in how others can improve and how Dr. Ryan Stewart can make his practice as welcoming as possible.
Blue damn it. But yes sometime I just want to throw up because of all the pink crap
Dr. Stewart is planning to open his own pelvic health practice called Midwest Center for Public Health in Indianapolis sometime next year. It “will focus on female urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, and chronic pelvic pain” as described on his site where people can only join the waitlist to be notified when the clinic will be opening for now. The site should be fully functioning by January 1.
Bored Panda reached out to the urogynecologist and we got to know that before starting his own practice he “worked as one of three urogynecologists in a large hospital-owned multispecialty physician group” in Louisville, Kentucky while his wife completed her last 2 years of training.
Indeed. Never insert a IUD without painkillers, it is a monstrosity. And do not dismiss complaints about periods being painful. Many women have menstruation realted issues but most doctors ignore them.
IUD in AND out with no meds (not even ibuprofen), plus a med-free colposcopy and cervical biopsy when I was 18. Terrible. "A little pinch" my ass.
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Oh my god... when I had my cervical biopsy, it was the most painful thing I'd ever experienced (until childbirth). I was crying in the chair and all they kept saying was "please be still". I was 19 and terrified. Felt like needles going into my cervix. And the asshole just kept saying "there should be no pain, you're just nervous". MF'er!! I was crying my eyes out trying not to pass out from the pain and he had the nerve to tell me this. I hope he stubbed his toe on every piece of furniture until he learned his lesson!
I was told that I'll receive a local anaesthetic for an IUD. But once I sat in the chair, doctor told me that painkiller injection itself will cause me more pain than IUD insertion. The doctor was still willing to give the painkiller but she was strongly against it. It was my first time and it was out a spot so I said fine. The pain maybe was somewhat subdued because of the painkiller I took earlier (as adviced by the doctor) but still it felt like one of the very bad period pains. I wish they made painkillers easier to apply; and that doctors wouldn't try to convince/push their opinions onto the patients. Explain and let them choose.
When I got my first IUD at 21, they gave me an oral pain medication and told me I could not drive myself home.The pain was tolerable. The last 4 IUDs I've gotten no pain meds, for the removal nor the new insertion. 2 of them had to be removed because they hadn't been inserted properly. I almost passed out with my last insertion because it was so painful.
How difficult is it to apply topical pain medicine? Really!
If a procedure is potentially painful, like a pap smear, biopsy or IUD insertion, just be honest. Thinking something went wrong because it really hurt isn't necessary.
1000 times this, I had a cervical biopsy and a uterine biopsy and I wanted to die
It's horrifying to know people are inserting IUDs without anaesthesia (not necessarily general, just any kind of anaesthetic).
This needs to be higher. Even routine pelvic exams can be brutally uncomfortable and that's not even going into colposcopies (different from colonoscopies) and other forms of biopsy.
I wish! where I live the OB cannot prescribe or administer any pain killer.
Uterine biopsy was the most painful procedure I've ever had - no anesthesia. Imagine saying to a man, "I'm going to insert this instrument into your urethra and grab a hunk of skin then pull it out. Oh yeah, you get no anesthesia." The man would leave the office. But women, all the time have a similar procedure with no pain meds or anesthesia. After it was over I said "If this weren't a public place, I would have screamed." The nurse responded "Some people do." My response - "I didn't know it was an option." This is a cruel practice.
When I had a biopsy and later a LEEP, the doctor (male) applied a topical pain medication without my even having to ask. I guess I got lucky.
Fking thank you! Survivor or hpv that didn't turn cancerous here. That was so traumatic and painful especially as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Man I wish this was updated more!
What gynaecologist would do cervical biopsy without anaesthetising the area first??????? The women should be handed a pair of forceps and access to the gynae's genitals so she can pinch with the forceps to the same degree of pain inflicted by the taking of the biopsy.
Yes. indeed. GF had IUD implanted without pain killers and none were given for take home. Heck, we go to a dentist we get a new brush, floss and paste. all included in the cost.
Listen I had a Pipelle Biopsy with NO MEDS & ADENOMYOSIS, CYSTS AND FIBROIDS IN the UTERUS. When I told my FEMALE Doctor, she said. ohhh we don't give pain killers for Pipelle. I was like, well maybe you guys should start. Horrid. This facility expects you to walk your specimen down to the lab, even though they had elevators I needed help to walk out of the lab. It was horrid.
My gynecologist's office has curtains that surround the door to prevent unexpected viewers
Turns out, Dr. Stewart’s family had a business and he always had a desire to build things with his own hand so having his own practice was only a natural course of life. He added, “Starting a private practice may be one of the most difficult things I'll ever do, but I don't want to wake up 20 years from now and wonder if I could have done it.”
The physical office will be in Indianapolis as the doctor’s wife accepted a new job there and the family returned there for their new stage of their lives.
From the doctor’s answers you can really tell that he is passionate about his profession. This is evidence from the tweet in which he asked for advice so every patient that would come to seek help would be welcomed.
We asked which of the suggestions he was expecting to hear and it was "warm rooms and speculums" and "ditch the paper gowns and table covers" which were among the things that were pointed out most frequently in the thread.
My wife got a mild narcosis as a standard procedure. Because of the pain they told me, so this is not normal in other countries? O.o
The things that Dr. Stewart didn’t expect was people sharing their own personal stories about how their visits to the doctor upset them. He said, “I really appreciate that they put themselves out there, in such a public forum, so that others may benefit. I was also happy to see that so many folks spoke out for accessibility and inclusiveness. We're all traveling through this world together, so when I see people looking out for one another, advocating one another, and trying to take care of one another I feel good. I get hopeful, excited, and energized.”
What do you think of Dr. Ryan Stewart’s approach to his future practice? We would like to hear your thoughts and reactions in the comments!
This. My male general physician (!) Is awesome. Just a pinch while inserting the UID at the right time in the mensuration cycle. And I don't have children. I can't believe that ppl need anesthesia for what can and should be oncomfortabel at best. Certainly when it's done by a specialist.
And stop denying painkillers to women. A pain so hard that you pass out wont be cured with one ibuprofen. I went to a doctor after being diagnosed with endometriosis for medication and not only she refused to refill the prescription that my gyn gave me but told me "one paracetamol should be enough". F*****g monster i never went back
YES! and teach office staff to ask if the patient will need extra help, different medical equipment, etc. my Mom was mortified when she went to the gyno for the first time recently after having a stroke and being disabled. She now knows she has to mention it, but she never thought of it before. Linda, her left arm is useless, Larry , her left leg is not 100% (yes, she named her arm & leg way after recovering to try to make it easier on her. (Youtube Listen Linda & Impractical Jokers, Larry)
And stop unnecessary inspections. Every single time I go to the gyn I get it, even if the doxtor saw me a frw months ago and the appointment is about something like sterilisation that has nothing to do with how my genitals look. They are really invasive and for some women like me very painful.
Ahaha, this reminds me of one time when I was about 36 weeks pregnant and I was sooo huge, I couldn't do much more than waddle. Had to come in for a cervical check and I had opened just a little, so they wanted to do a more thorough check. Asked me this same thing "scoot down a little more... more... little more..." I finally just said "look, I can't get my ass down any further; either someone help me or grab my legs and pull!"... slightly embarrassing for me, husband is laughing his ass off. Tension was suddenly GONE lol
I suffered anorexia for years. My doctor has a note in my chart that says I only get weighed once a year, my back is to the scale, and I am not to be told my weight even if I ask. When I am given the paperwork summarizing my visit, she makes sure she takes the sheet with my weight on it, crumples it up, and puts it in her pocket.
When I started on the birt hcontrol pills as a teen I told my gyn at the next check-up that I was feeling depressed and couldn't sleep properly. She dismissed it, said it can't possibly have anything to do with the pills I was taking. Teenage me believed her. 12 years later I stopped the birth control because I wanted a baby. Guess who can sleep better now
No medical office can be "weight neutral." Your weight affects more than you realize. Your medication dosage may need to be different. Some medications won't work for you at all over a certain weight, including hormonal birth control. You will be more susceptible to certain medical conditions if obese, regardless of your age. Being overweight, and especially obese, is always part of the clinical picture.
OLED TVs would be light-weight and offer something interesting to watch.
"Elderly primigravida." I was NOT elderly having my first baby. So rude.
While it would be helpful at the doctors office, this is also down to the patient having no knowledge/doing no research on the names of their own body parts. Not everything can be left up to the doctor.
Yessssss! And talk through the motions. "Just my fingers", "this lube", "now the speculum, take a breath and relax".
For parties at my house, I put on a 10hr video of jellyfish in fluorescent lights, then put on the 'Caribbean Rhythms' on Accuradio for music. Always gets people in a very relaxed cheerful mood. Relaxing visuals and not over-the-top happy music, works a charm.
My ex complained about brochures for "vaginal rejuvenation procedures" in the office of her GYN.
As a 39yo, I'd amend this only to say that education about perimenopause should probably start at the mid-30s, not 40s. A patient might have a family history or a medical condition that might cause early menopause.
IKR. Cleaning up afterward, not even with anyone else in the room, you feel like you've been assaulted and told to get dressed and go...like some sort of lab rat experiment. It's very degrading and undignified. Please give women their dignity back.
Note: this post originally had 44 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
When a younger - ie: teenager - patient tells you they are a virgin, give them the benefit of the doubt. When that same 17 y/o VIRGIN tells you it hurts when you start to insert the speculum, listen to her. Don't keep going. When she begins to SCREAM in PAIN, DEFINITELY don't tell her to 'be quiet, she'll upset the other patients in the waiting room'. Sadly THIS is the way my first female exam went.
I really dont understand giving routine exams to virgins in the US. They tell us here you dont need a cervical smear until you're sexually active.
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And have at minimum one nurse and doctor that can speak more than one language. Yes, we migrants need to learn and integrate. But that takes years and until then we still need care. A doctor refused to translate a pregnancy test that I needed before puting my hormonal implant, she didnt care about the risks. A friend of mine had a gyn refusing to attend her in english, he told her so in perfect english. Migrants, international students and turists also need medical care.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. Idk you but I love you and promise we don't all think like monsters when caring for patients. -ncctma
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Take women seriously when they say they have painful periods. Don't tell them: That's just the way it is. My sister was 40 until finally someone listened and she was diagnosed with endometriosis and had her uterus removed. That was 25 years of painkillers, sick days and sometimes even throwing up from the pain once a f****ing month.
Thanks! Most doctors do not take us seriously and thats why the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is 7-11 years. I had bad periods since the beggining and I started to go to the doctor for it at 19. It took me a decade to get a doctor to believe and diagnose me and about two other years to get a hysterectomy. By now the endo has f****d my liver (because of the hormones) and has given my chronic fatigue sindrome so I am f*****g disabled and will never have a good life. I am certain that if they took me seriously at 19 this wouldnt have happened.
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Don't make my appointment for a particular time, make me wait in the reception area for 15-20 minutes, then take me back to the patient room only to wait another 15-20 minutes. If I take the time to show up as scheduled, id like to know that's around the time ill be called back as well. I get that some patients need more time than others but than figure that into your scheduling process.
Good luck, this is all doctors. Also filling out repetitive paperwork on medical history and allergies, then getting to the exam room for the doctor to ask me the same questions.
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i would love a lot of these at my dr's. had a nurse open the door during a testicular exam once, another nurse and patient passing by the door right behind her. Not a fun moment.
My hubby's urologist has a much more posh and private set-up than my GYN. It's discouraging to hear that's not really the rule. Nobody should feel like their privates are on public display withotu consent.
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I guess this thread went in s completely different direction than intended- this shows how many issues women have with Going to a gyn. It sadens me because most of these are really BASIC requirements. Some empathy, understanding and good will should solve 95% of issues raised. Aren’t doctora aware how vulnerable women may feel during a gyn visit? This should be then taught on seminaris and demanded in dictor’s exams!
Like many professionals after rheir first 2 or 4 years they do not care anymore. Just take your paycheck and go home
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Certain "woke" people think that refering to cis women by their genitals is inclusive. Because reducing us to a breeding machine is sooo not sexist /s. I wont menstruate or have a uterus in a month. I guess that for them I am no longer a woman.
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IF you are going to do a rectal exam, let the patient know before you do it!!!!!! I was about 20 years old in for a visit to renew birth control. Got a different doc from my usual, and the exam was going fine until she RAMMED her finger in my a**s! I was laying there screaming in pain, yelling at her to "Get it out NOW!!" She acted like I was the asshole. Made sure never to see her again, and told my doc about the experience.
Reception goes in the front to greet. Put call back office workers making calls in other rooms. If I get a call from the office I would hope it wasn't in earshot of people waiting. "Hi blank it's dr office. Ur test is blank blank"~~privacy please! Warm rooms with wipes, mirrors, patient is ready outside light on door, a line on the table where the butt should be so scootching to the edge isn't a guessing game of paper table cover up the butt crack avoidance. Robes and room socks to not touch the cold floor. Ban hpt style gowns. A warm towel the dr can put hands in before touching us. Real sedatives for procedures. And SOME REDESIGN THE SPECULUM!!!
I know they wont see this, but have a range of larger sizes for gowns. It feels really awful going in for an exam when you are already uncomfortable being partially naked, and then you have to squeeze into a paper gown that doesn't even remotely fit and/or tears. Also vaginal ultrasounds can be traumatic for people who have a history of unwanted sexual encounters. So please take that into account when one needs to be done.
Remember that you need to leave some space in your schedule. A hard-to-treat yeast infection or UTI is obviously not an emergency, but it's not something your patients want to wait 4-6 weeks to get treated. Those are usually the only options. Is it an emergency? No, but I'd like to see someone as soon as possible. We have an opening in July. Also? Don't overbook. Just don't. It's disrespectful.
I have former friend who have designed the Hegenberger speculum. Ask for it! It is designed for womens suturing after birth, but I belive it can more than that. It's plastic , it's comfortable and made by a woman to women... She teach about it in UK, all nordic contries and have won designawards...
Honestly, please just listen to me. If I tell you I’m in pain I’m not being “hysterical”. I’ve had three full laparotomy and I know what pain feels like. I’m telling you the truth, try listening.
Listen to your patients and don't brush off their pain/abnormal bleeding as "normal" or "just something that some women go through". Bleeding for 10 months is NOT normal so eff off.
Remember endometriosis is overlooked tremendously. My male doctor never diagnosed it so I wasn't able to get pregnant after one early pregnancy that ended in miscarriage. After menopause I switched to a woman gyn who diagnosed it quickly. Many male gyns tend to miss it.
It is ridiculous how uneducated doctors are in endometriosis. But please lets remmeber that endo is an inheritable disease, having biological children as a endo patient is not a good idea because they might inherit it (or their kids) and suffer. Adoption is a better way.
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I've had good doctors and bad ones in this area. The good ones found ways to do the exam without fully opening or even opening the speculum because it was painful for me. The bad ones went right on ahead. One other tip that might help. Putting legs into the stirrups from a flat position isnt always easy. Ive had my hip lock once or twice doing it and it takes a little longer to get it in the right position.
Same thing everyone else said. Stop undermining girls and women's pain. "It doesn't hurt much." "It just hurts for a second." Evidently not, and it's not a debate. I feel my pain. Stop speaking to women like they're automatically having children. Stop letting other people in the room! I don't care if it's my mother girlfriend boyfriend whoever. When professionals do this they legitimise that over bearinfg person's intrusion. Stop assuming everyone after the age of 20 is sexually active even when they're "hot"
Being a young woman that has had gyne issues for 15/16 years I've had hundreds of exams and procedures couple of things pain relief should be offered, have a range of sized instruments I never knew this was possible till last year and I've endured years of oversized instruments causing unecessary pain. DO NOT put a chair for my mother to sit on anywhere that is going to be facing my exposed bits, have a lock on the exam door and make a point of locking it before starting the exam my doctor's all have this. Talk to me tell me what your doing so I don't get a shot of pain that I'm unaware is coming that spectrum wil go flying, different consultation room to exam room or at least a curtain let me get dressed before we continue the exam. Have a quick glance at my notes before I come in I no your busy etc but we could save lots of time if I don't constantly have to repeate myself, make the rooms comfortable it my dentist had a TV above you that played fish and underwater ocean scenes that's
Have a separate waiting room for women being seen for emotional issues. Sitting in the waiting room with 10 pregnant women or women with new babies waiting for their follow up exam, while I am waiting for a D&C after my baby has died but not passed, bawling my eyes out, sobbing.
When someone says they have irregular, almost daily periods, DON'T say take birth control and then dismiss it. I couldn't take birth control because it messed with me seizure medication and increment seizures. I went to multiple GYNs for 27 years until a male GYN found the problem on the first exam with him. Hormonal Imbalance. Med he gave me fixed the problem, 4 days a month on average vs every single day.
THIS is the furniture pattern in the waiting room of our daughter-in-law's gynecologist's office!!! Gyno-Offic...0-jpeg.jpg 
I didn't see this mentioned elsewhere, but I must mention insurance coverage. Please be very clear as to which insurance company's policy/or policies ARE accepted at your practice. If your practice stops taking a particular insurance, PLEASE inform your patients beforehand. I once waited months, for an appointment. I took the afternoon off to get there. I checked in, and waited. I was called back into the treatment room. I changed and waited, while wearing the gown, for another 25 minutes. A person came in, and informed me that the doctor no longer took my insurance. I felt angry and humiliated at the whole situation. I don't remember what I said to her, as this was many years ago, but I doubt it was fit to print. After I got dressed, I went to my car, sat down and cried in anger and frustration till I could drive home. This should never have gotten to that point. I should been informed about the insurance, AT LEAST when I checked in. Please don't let this happen to someone else.
If it's your own practice, employ nurses and receptionists who are genuinely warm and kind. Offer older women hormones before an appointment to help reduce the pain. Tell women where their cervix is (not all point due south) so they can can avoid some of the rummaging next time. Give women the confidence that they're in control and you'll stop if they say so. Don't use stirrups unless you really have to - a friend's gynaecologist can do a smear when you're on your side.
If there is a window in the exam room, make sure the blinds are closed/shade is pulled down/curtains are closed.
Speaking from my own experience, DO NOT answere youtr phone and have a long converstation with (I presume) another patient, leaving yoyour patient semid naked on hte table, then finally come back and aske ';where were we? then simply tell he to get dressed and THEN have the hide to say because she has dry skin and splits and bleeds, even with bowel movements, that she is "Doing it to punish her husband!" Utter bastard!!
I truly wish I could have added to his list. 1. Don't have mom and baby pictures everywhere in the room. Some of us can't have children and suffer from that knowledge in our daily lives. 2. Women with pcos should not take birth control w***y nilly, so many varieties actually make our pain worse... sad that I had researched my own issue to figure that out but a doctor whose supposed to know about vaginas couldn't tell me that. I now have blood clots for life.
Stirrups are cold. Always. Speculums are always painful for me, plastic or metal, no matter the size. Ask me about trauma. Tell me ahead of time if something will actually hurt. I had signs of endometriosis and PCOS at 13, not diagnosed until my 20's & 30's. Don't leave me on meds for years without being sure they are working. DO NOT TALK TO OTHER DOCS ABOUT ME IF I DO NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION.
What are all these gynae visits for? Why does a virgin need one? I'm in the UK and only go every three years for smear tests. I have had appointments for IUD insertions (no pain relief and no problem), GUM clinic and post natal.
Same thing everyone else said. Stop undermining girls and women's pain. "It doesn't hurt much." "It just hurts for a second." Evidently not, and it's not a debate. I feel my pain. Stop speaking to women like they're automatically having children. Stop letting other people in the room! I don't care if it's my mother girlfriend boyfriend whoever. When professionals do this they legitimise that over bearinfg person's intrusion.
My gynaecologist picked up the phone while I was sitting at his desk. On the other side was clearly a woman who wanted an abortion but also wanted to go on a 2 week holiday. The gyno explained to her she could go and have the abortion after coming back from her trip. Worst advice ever.
Wow. I never knew that a visit with the gynecologist is THIS different in the US. I knew there was at least one difference (your OBGyn does not do the ultrasound?) but this is more than I thought. And so strange.
Plants. And maybe a TV on the ceiling for while we lie in that chair and you poke around. Have Gilmore Girls on repeat. And don't have the volume off have it fill the room so there's no awkward silence. If Gilmore Girls isn't available I recommend WAP on full
When I was 13 years old I had my 1st pelvic exame. He scared the s**t out of me with all of std bs. I was sexually abused and that was my 1st exam. At 16 I had another and she sex shamed me rather than ask me why I felt the need to have so many partners. When I was 27 I was pregnant with my daughter. They asked my ex to leave the room and I blurted "cause this is emaculate conception" they left blushing. I gave birth to my daughter had an uterus eruption during birth and was told not to scream, it's not needed. I almost died. At 30 I had hpv and had a cervical puncture done. It hurt so bad it brought back the sexual abuse and I fell into depression for 6 months after. I got prego with my son. No one agreed to an c section. My husband's kids all c sectioned emergency. I almost died during my sons birth. I pushed and pleaded for 27 hours. Had a emergency transfusion done after cause of same issue with birth with my daughter. Almost died. I hate obgyns. Don't do the job if you are being an ass
Don't have the nurse/assistant call with test results. Take that few minutes out of the day and make the call....patient will undoubtedly have questions, either way.
Stop s**t shaming women by asking what types of sex theyve had & with how many sexual partners.
Don't ask a patient 'are you sexually active?'. It's none of your business. Ask 'do you have any sexual concerns?' If sexual function or libido is an issue, we can share it - whether or not we have a sexual partner. Details about our lives is not your business.
idk about this one. sexual activity could impact how the doctor diagnoses you, like if stds or pregnancy are a possible concern or not
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Vaginas are sturdy, resilient, and enormously capable. Ideal qualities for a nation's leader.
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When a younger - ie: teenager - patient tells you they are a virgin, give them the benefit of the doubt. When that same 17 y/o VIRGIN tells you it hurts when you start to insert the speculum, listen to her. Don't keep going. When she begins to SCREAM in PAIN, DEFINITELY don't tell her to 'be quiet, she'll upset the other patients in the waiting room'. Sadly THIS is the way my first female exam went.
I really dont understand giving routine exams to virgins in the US. They tell us here you dont need a cervical smear until you're sexually active.
Load More Replies... And have at minimum one nurse and doctor that can speak more than one language. Yes, we migrants need to learn and integrate. But that takes years and until then we still need care. A doctor refused to translate a pregnancy test that I needed before puting my hormonal implant, she didnt care about the risks. A friend of mine had a gyn refusing to attend her in english, he told her so in perfect english. Migrants, international students and turists also need medical care.
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. Idk you but I love you and promise we don't all think like monsters when caring for patients. -ncctma
Load More Replies... Take women seriously when they say they have painful periods. Don't tell them: That's just the way it is. My sister was 40 until finally someone listened and she was diagnosed with endometriosis and had her uterus removed. That was 25 years of painkillers, sick days and sometimes even throwing up from the pain once a f****ing month.
Thanks! Most doctors do not take us seriously and thats why the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is 7-11 years. I had bad periods since the beggining and I started to go to the doctor for it at 19. It took me a decade to get a doctor to believe and diagnose me and about two other years to get a hysterectomy. By now the endo has f****d my liver (because of the hormones) and has given my chronic fatigue sindrome so I am f*****g disabled and will never have a good life. I am certain that if they took me seriously at 19 this wouldnt have happened.
Load More Replies... Don't make my appointment for a particular time, make me wait in the reception area for 15-20 minutes, then take me back to the patient room only to wait another 15-20 minutes. If I take the time to show up as scheduled, id like to know that's around the time ill be called back as well. I get that some patients need more time than others but than figure that into your scheduling process.
Good luck, this is all doctors. Also filling out repetitive paperwork on medical history and allergies, then getting to the exam room for the doctor to ask me the same questions.
Load More Replies... i would love a lot of these at my dr's. had a nurse open the door during a testicular exam once, another nurse and patient passing by the door right behind her. Not a fun moment.
My hubby's urologist has a much more posh and private set-up than my GYN. It's discouraging to hear that's not really the rule. Nobody should feel like their privates are on public display withotu consent.
Load More Replies... I guess this thread went in s completely different direction than intended- this shows how many issues women have with Going to a gyn. It sadens me because most of these are really BASIC requirements. Some empathy, understanding and good will should solve 95% of issues raised. Aren’t doctora aware how vulnerable women may feel during a gyn visit? This should be then taught on seminaris and demanded in dictor’s exams!
Like many professionals after rheir first 2 or 4 years they do not care anymore. Just take your paycheck and go home
Load More Replies... Certain "woke" people think that refering to cis women by their genitals is inclusive. Because reducing us to a breeding machine is sooo not sexist /s. I wont menstruate or have a uterus in a month. I guess that for them I am no longer a woman.
Load More Replies... IF you are going to do a rectal exam, let the patient know before you do it!!!!!! I was about 20 years old in for a visit to renew birth control. Got a different doc from my usual, and the exam was going fine until she RAMMED her finger in my a**s! I was laying there screaming in pain, yelling at her to "Get it out NOW!!" She acted like I was the asshole. Made sure never to see her again, and told my doc about the experience.
Reception goes in the front to greet. Put call back office workers making calls in other rooms. If I get a call from the office I would hope it wasn't in earshot of people waiting. "Hi blank it's dr office. Ur test is blank blank"~~privacy please! Warm rooms with wipes, mirrors, patient is ready outside light on door, a line on the table where the butt should be so scootching to the edge isn't a guessing game of paper table cover up the butt crack avoidance. Robes and room socks to not touch the cold floor. Ban hpt style gowns. A warm towel the dr can put hands in before touching us. Real sedatives for procedures. And SOME REDESIGN THE SPECULUM!!!
I know they wont see this, but have a range of larger sizes for gowns. It feels really awful going in for an exam when you are already uncomfortable being partially naked, and then you have to squeeze into a paper gown that doesn't even remotely fit and/or tears. Also vaginal ultrasounds can be traumatic for people who have a history of unwanted sexual encounters. So please take that into account when one needs to be done.
Remember that you need to leave some space in your schedule. A hard-to-treat yeast infection or UTI is obviously not an emergency, but it's not something your patients want to wait 4-6 weeks to get treated. Those are usually the only options. Is it an emergency? No, but I'd like to see someone as soon as possible. We have an opening in July. Also? Don't overbook. Just don't. It's disrespectful.
I have former friend who have designed the Hegenberger speculum. Ask for it! It is designed for womens suturing after birth, but I belive it can more than that. It's plastic , it's comfortable and made by a woman to women... She teach about it in UK, all nordic contries and have won designawards...
Honestly, please just listen to me. If I tell you I’m in pain I’m not being “hysterical”. I’ve had three full laparotomy and I know what pain feels like. I’m telling you the truth, try listening.
Listen to your patients and don't brush off their pain/abnormal bleeding as "normal" or "just something that some women go through". Bleeding for 10 months is NOT normal so eff off.
Remember endometriosis is overlooked tremendously. My male doctor never diagnosed it so I wasn't able to get pregnant after one early pregnancy that ended in miscarriage. After menopause I switched to a woman gyn who diagnosed it quickly. Many male gyns tend to miss it.
It is ridiculous how uneducated doctors are in endometriosis. But please lets remmeber that endo is an inheritable disease, having biological children as a endo patient is not a good idea because they might inherit it (or their kids) and suffer. Adoption is a better way.
Load More Replies... I've had good doctors and bad ones in this area. The good ones found ways to do the exam without fully opening or even opening the speculum because it was painful for me. The bad ones went right on ahead. One other tip that might help. Putting legs into the stirrups from a flat position isnt always easy. Ive had my hip lock once or twice doing it and it takes a little longer to get it in the right position.
Same thing everyone else said. Stop undermining girls and women's pain. "It doesn't hurt much." "It just hurts for a second." Evidently not, and it's not a debate. I feel my pain. Stop speaking to women like they're automatically having children. Stop letting other people in the room! I don't care if it's my mother girlfriend boyfriend whoever. When professionals do this they legitimise that over bearinfg person's intrusion. Stop assuming everyone after the age of 20 is sexually active even when they're "hot"
Being a young woman that has had gyne issues for 15/16 years I've had hundreds of exams and procedures couple of things pain relief should be offered, have a range of sized instruments I never knew this was possible till last year and I've endured years of oversized instruments causing unecessary pain. DO NOT put a chair for my mother to sit on anywhere that is going to be facing my exposed bits, have a lock on the exam door and make a point of locking it before starting the exam my doctor's all have this. Talk to me tell me what your doing so I don't get a shot of pain that I'm unaware is coming that spectrum wil go flying, different consultation room to exam room or at least a curtain let me get dressed before we continue the exam. Have a quick glance at my notes before I come in I no your busy etc but we could save lots of time if I don't constantly have to repeate myself, make the rooms comfortable it my dentist had a TV above you that played fish and underwater ocean scenes that's
Have a separate waiting room for women being seen for emotional issues. Sitting in the waiting room with 10 pregnant women or women with new babies waiting for their follow up exam, while I am waiting for a D&C after my baby has died but not passed, bawling my eyes out, sobbing.
When someone says they have irregular, almost daily periods, DON'T say take birth control and then dismiss it. I couldn't take birth control because it messed with me seizure medication and increment seizures. I went to multiple GYNs for 27 years until a male GYN found the problem on the first exam with him. Hormonal Imbalance. Med he gave me fixed the problem, 4 days a month on average vs every single day.
THIS is the furniture pattern in the waiting room of our daughter-in-law's gynecologist's office!!! Gyno-Offic...0-jpeg.jpg
I didn't see this mentioned elsewhere, but I must mention insurance coverage. Please be very clear as to which insurance company's policy/or policies ARE accepted at your practice. If your practice stops taking a particular insurance, PLEASE inform your patients beforehand. I once waited months, for an appointment. I took the afternoon off to get there. I checked in, and waited. I was called back into the treatment room. I changed and waited, while wearing the gown, for another 25 minutes. A person came in, and informed me that the doctor no longer took my insurance. I felt angry and humiliated at the whole situation. I don't remember what I said to her, as this was many years ago, but I doubt it was fit to print. After I got dressed, I went to my car, sat down and cried in anger and frustration till I could drive home. This should never have gotten to that point. I should been informed about the insurance, AT LEAST when I checked in. Please don't let this happen to someone else.
If it's your own practice, employ nurses and receptionists who are genuinely warm and kind. Offer older women hormones before an appointment to help reduce the pain. Tell women where their cervix is (not all point due south) so they can can avoid some of the rummaging next time. Give women the confidence that they're in control and you'll stop if they say so. Don't use stirrups unless you really have to - a friend's gynaecologist can do a smear when you're on your side.
If there is a window in the exam room, make sure the blinds are closed/shade is pulled down/curtains are closed.
Speaking from my own experience, DO NOT answere youtr phone and have a long converstation with (I presume) another patient, leaving yoyour patient semid naked on hte table, then finally come back and aske ';where were we? then simply tell he to get dressed and THEN have the hide to say because she has dry skin and splits and bleeds, even with bowel movements, that she is "Doing it to punish her husband!" Utter bastard!!
I truly wish I could have added to his list. 1. Don't have mom and baby pictures everywhere in the room. Some of us can't have children and suffer from that knowledge in our daily lives. 2. Women with pcos should not take birth control w***y nilly, so many varieties actually make our pain worse... sad that I had researched my own issue to figure that out but a doctor whose supposed to know about vaginas couldn't tell me that. I now have blood clots for life.
Stirrups are cold. Always. Speculums are always painful for me, plastic or metal, no matter the size. Ask me about trauma. Tell me ahead of time if something will actually hurt. I had signs of endometriosis and PCOS at 13, not diagnosed until my 20's & 30's. Don't leave me on meds for years without being sure they are working. DO NOT TALK TO OTHER DOCS ABOUT ME IF I DO NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION.
What are all these gynae visits for? Why does a virgin need one? I'm in the UK and only go every three years for smear tests. I have had appointments for IUD insertions (no pain relief and no problem), GUM clinic and post natal.
Same thing everyone else said. Stop undermining girls and women's pain. "It doesn't hurt much." "It just hurts for a second." Evidently not, and it's not a debate. I feel my pain. Stop speaking to women like they're automatically having children. Stop letting other people in the room! I don't care if it's my mother girlfriend boyfriend whoever. When professionals do this they legitimise that over bearinfg person's intrusion.
My gynaecologist picked up the phone while I was sitting at his desk. On the other side was clearly a woman who wanted an abortion but also wanted to go on a 2 week holiday. The gyno explained to her she could go and have the abortion after coming back from her trip. Worst advice ever.
Wow. I never knew that a visit with the gynecologist is THIS different in the US. I knew there was at least one difference (your OBGyn does not do the ultrasound?) but this is more than I thought. And so strange.
Plants. And maybe a TV on the ceiling for while we lie in that chair and you poke around. Have Gilmore Girls on repeat. And don't have the volume off have it fill the room so there's no awkward silence. If Gilmore Girls isn't available I recommend WAP on full
When I was 13 years old I had my 1st pelvic exame. He scared the s**t out of me with all of std bs. I was sexually abused and that was my 1st exam. At 16 I had another and she sex shamed me rather than ask me why I felt the need to have so many partners. When I was 27 I was pregnant with my daughter. They asked my ex to leave the room and I blurted "cause this is emaculate conception" they left blushing. I gave birth to my daughter had an uterus eruption during birth and was told not to scream, it's not needed. I almost died. At 30 I had hpv and had a cervical puncture done. It hurt so bad it brought back the sexual abuse and I fell into depression for 6 months after. I got prego with my son. No one agreed to an c section. My husband's kids all c sectioned emergency. I almost died during my sons birth. I pushed and pleaded for 27 hours. Had a emergency transfusion done after cause of same issue with birth with my daughter. Almost died. I hate obgyns. Don't do the job if you are being an ass
Don't have the nurse/assistant call with test results. Take that few minutes out of the day and make the call....patient will undoubtedly have questions, either way.
Stop s**t shaming women by asking what types of sex theyve had & with how many sexual partners.
Don't ask a patient 'are you sexually active?'. It's none of your business. Ask 'do you have any sexual concerns?' If sexual function or libido is an issue, we can share it - whether or not we have a sexual partner. Details about our lives is not your business.
idk about this one. sexual activity could impact how the doctor diagnoses you, like if stds or pregnancy are a possible concern or not
Load More Replies... Vaginas are sturdy, resilient, and enormously capable. Ideal qualities for a nation's leader.
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