Does the thought of your annual gynecological exam make you cringe? You’re not alone. While many women have no fear about visiting the gynecologist, other women often experience fear and anxiety just thinking about that annual visit. Most women’s idea of fun time doesn’t involve being on the receiving end of the speculum, being poked and prodded during a routine pelvic exam.
Though it’s completely normal to feel nervous going to the gynecologist, skipping your recommended yearly appointment and just hoping that nothing is wrong only causes further detriment to your health.
We often read stories online from different women, who’s fear of the gynecologist was so high that they almost passed out during examinations. There are levels of gynecological anxiety. For some people, it comes from the fact that they don’t like to be naked. For others, it’s the fear of the speculum.
„A survey, conducted in 2003 by Mattson and Maria Braun, an associate professor of communication studies at West Virginia University, showed that a high percentage of women between the ages of 18 and 71 have fears about the care they receive from their gynecologists. They also expressed displeasure over how their gynecologists reacted to their anxiety.”
So remember, you’re not alone with your anxiety. Most women experience it. Hopefully, this funny story will help to ease your anxiety next time.
The story of a woman who took extra steps to ensure she was decent for her gynecologist.
„ I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor’s office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 AM. Unfortunately, I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 AM. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn’t have any time to spare. Like most women, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn’t going to make the full effort.
So I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in the area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car, and raced to my appointment.
I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I’m sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room, and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away.
I was a little surprised when the doctor said, „May we have made an extra effort this morning, haven’t we?” I didn’t respond.
After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. After that, the rest of the day was normal…Some shopping, cleaning, cooking. Then, after school, when my 6-year-old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, „Mummy, where’s my washcloth?”
I told her to get another one from the cupboard.
She replied, „No, I need the one that was here by the sink; it had all my glitter and sparkled saved inside it.”
So next time when you have anxiety about going to the gynecologist, think about the fact that hopefully, you didn’t use your daughter’s glitter-saving washcloth. However, remember that your fear/anxiety shouldn’t keep you from your yearly checkups because your health is vital.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for the Annual Gynecology Examination.
Written by Hanna Taller.
