Make the Most of Your Gyno Appointment

What to do before, during and after your next visit.

Taking Care of Your Lady Parts - Whether it’s your first annual gyno exam or your fifteenth, there are things you can do to make sure your next visit is more productive and works for you. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Taking Care of Your Lady Parts - Whether it’s your first annual gyno exam or your fifteenth, there are things you can do to make sure your next visit is more productive and works for you. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

Shower Frequently - Springtime brings about blossoming flowers, lush greenery and warmer weather, but for many people, that also means sneezing, sinus congestion, and itchy, watery eyes. Commonly caused by irritating tree pollen, seasonal allergic rhinitis—also known as hay fever—affects millions of adults each year. Follow these simple tips to help reduce those pesky symptoms. It may not be visible to the naked eye, but pollen sticks to our clothing and hair when we're outside. To prevent microscopic pollen from joining you in your living space, make sure to take off your outdoor clothes, toss them into your hamper and shower before lounging around your home. (Photo: Tim Pannell/Corbis)

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Leave Her Alone - If you're feeling self-conscious about how you smell and look down there, try to resist douching before your appointment. Douching can affect your test results. Instead, trim down and opt to cleanse with a gentle soap like Dove.  (Photo: Tim Pannell/Corbis)

No Nookie Before Your Appointment - There’s a reason why they tell you NOT to have vaginal sex 24 hours before your gyno appointment. It can mess up your pap smear results, which is what you don’t want. Also, don’t use spermicides, foams or jellies before your appointment either.  (Photo: Jon Feingersh/Blend Images/Corbis)

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No Nookie Before Your Appointment - There’s a reason why they tell you NOT to have vaginal sex 24 hours before your gyno appointment. It can mess up your pap smear results, which is what you don’t want. Also, don’t use spermicides, foams or jellies before your appointment either.  (Photo: Jon Feingersh/Blend Images/Corbis)

Write Down Everything You Want to Know - Don’t you hate it when you’re ready to leave the office and you remember a question that you forgot to ask? This time around, write down all of your questions and concerns before you get there. This way you are prepared! (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Write Down Everything You Want to Know - Don’t you hate it when you’re ready to leave the office and you remember a question that you forgot to ask? This time around, write down all of your questions and concerns before you get there. This way you are prepared! (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

Keep Up With Your Cycle - Months before your appointment, it’s really good to get in the habit of keeping a journal that monitors your cycle. Write down things like how long it lasts, blood flow, clots and anything that may be strange. Make sure to have this information with you for your appointment.  (Photo: Marnie Burkhart/Corbis)

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Keep Up With Your Cycle - Months before your appointment, it’s really good to get in the habit of keeping a journal that monitors your cycle. Write down things like how long it lasts, blood flow, clots and anything that may be strange. Make sure to have this information with you for your appointment.  (Photo: Marnie Burkhart/Corbis)

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Skip Your Period - Pretty much all of us know when our periods come, so make sure you keep that date in mind when scheduling your appointment. The less blood, the more accurate the results. If for whatever reason you are on you’re period or it comes early and it’s at the same time as your appointment, call and reschedule.  (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

Hyperplasia - This is when the cells lining the ducts or lobules in the breasts grow too fast. It doesn’t typically cause a lump, but it can be seen on a mammogram and diagnosed via biopsy.  Link to cancer risk: Mild hyperplasia doesn’t impact cancer risk. But moderate hyperplasia comes with a 1.5 to 2 times increase of risk, and atypical hyperplasia multiplies risk by 3.5 to 5 times. (Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

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Keep It Real - Be honest and upfront about your sexual behavior and any concerns you have about STDs and HIV. If you are not using condoms all the time or skipping your pill, tell your doc. He or she may be able to help you find a better form of contraception and/or help you with condom negotiation.  (Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

Pay Attention to Your Doc - Not every doc is a good one. Some might not listen to your concerns or make you feel bad about your sex life. Pay attention to what your doc says, how they talk to you, how difficult it is to make an appointment and how long you have to wait to be seen. If you’re not happy, it’s OK to find a new doctor.  (Photo: PhotoInc/Getty Images)

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Pay Attention to Your Doc - Not every doc is a good one. Some might not listen to your concerns or make you feel bad about your sex life. Pay attention to what your doc says, how they talk to you, how difficult it is to make an appointment and how long you have to wait to be seen. If you’re not happy, it’s OK to find a new doctor.  (Photo: PhotoInc/Getty Images)

Demand an STD and HIV Test - Just because you are getting a pap smear doesn’t mean that you are getting tested for STDs or HIV. Demand that you are screened for everything from HIV to HPV and herpes. And do not take no for an answer. For numerous reasons, sometimes doctors will talk you out of getting tested for HIV. Remember, this is your health and you have to be empowered to stand up for yourself.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Demand an STD and HIV Test - Just because you are getting a pap smear doesn’t mean that you are getting tested for STDs or HIV. Demand that you are screened for everything from HIV to HPV and herpes. And do not take no for an answer. For numerous reasons, sometimes doctors will talk you out of getting tested for HIV. Remember, this is your health and you have to be empowered to stand up for yourself.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Don't Forget Your Results - If you haven’t gotten your results back after a week, call the office to follow up on when you get them. The sooner you know your results, the better. If the results require another appointment, do not be scared and don’t put it off.  (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

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Don't Forget Your Results - If you haven’t gotten your results back after a week, call the office to follow up on when you get them. The sooner you know your results, the better. If the results require another appointment, do not be scared and don’t put it off.  (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)