Gynecological exams

Gynecological exams

Gynecological exams constitute procedures whose aim is to assess the well- being of a woman’s reproductive system. The process usually makes use of the speculum to view the vagina and the cervix. If am seeing a 15-year-old female patient for a gynecological exam who: currently is with all immunizations including Gardasil, has got no significant health history that would contraindicate the use of birth control, is having her first gynecological exam, is nervous as she tries to express herself and is embarrassed that her mother has shared her sexual experience with strangers, I will approach her quite differently. Firstly, I will greet her and make her feel very comfortable before I start my interrogation. Then, I will assure her that her privacy is highly respected in order to give her confidence. Thereafter, I will ask her if she prefers her mother’s presence during the examination process. It is her decision to accept or decline the presence of her mother. After ensuring that her confidence has been boosted, I will then begin to assess her general condition. I will ensure that I have given her enough time to express her problem in her own words before I employ the use of leading questions.

If the patient reminds me that she only had sex once, appears frustrated, and embarrassed when I begin to ask questions to determine her gynecological history, I will make her understand the need to review her gynecological history. I will make her understand that over 85% of diagnoses are made based on gynecological history alone, whereas further 4-10% based on examination of the patient. I will make her understand her gynecological history is very core to her diagnosis.

In the United States, sterilization of women and the use of oral contraceptive pills are the commonly used birth control methods. This is according to a recent report that was released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, there are other methods employed, such as the use of male condoms and vasectomy. What commonly determines the success or failure of a birth control method is the attitude of the people towards the concept of family planning and the willingness of people to use a particular birth control method. If a given birth control method has adverse effects on people, it can’t be used by many, thus leading to its failure. On the other hand, if people develop a positive attitude towards a given birth control method and use it in large numbers, the result will be a success.

If the patient expresses her desire to use the most effective form of birth control but develops concerns about other side effects and weight gain, I will advise her accordingly. I will let her know that the effects are not common to everyone, and I will ensure that the methods I will recommend for her will depend on her diagnosis. Therefore,  the means to be used on her will match her correctly, rendering little or no effects on her.

If the patient seems to be unsure of the best birth control option to take and asks to take some time and think about the choices, I will agree to it as birth control is ultimately the patients’ choice. I will offer to answer any questions and agree to a follow-up call or visit. Again, if the patient inquires whether the use of condoms during sexual intercourse is okay, I will agree on that. However, if she decides to have sex before selecting the birth control method, I will advise against that warn her of the dangers unplanned sex can bring forth.

Conclusively, I will try to my best level to make the patient see the importance of gynecological examination and birth control methods.