Your gynaecologist will listen to your story (history). Inevitably, this will require discussion of rather personal details including periods and contraception. A general and pelvic examination are usually required and some patients may understandably find this embarrassing. A male gynaecologist should have a nurse present to act as chaperone.
Your gynaecologist will summarise the clinical and investigation findings and arrange any further tests as appropriate.
You will require explanations and you should, as far as possible, be involved in choosing from the treatment options. Finally, your gynaecologist must complete all written documents, write to your general practitioner and often provide a prescription or ensure completion of arrangements for surgery.
Invariably doctors have organised their clinics to ensure optimum utilisation of clinic time for the benefit of all their patients. In busy hospital clinics, the time allocated for each patient may be less than fifteen minutes. Although many patients, as well as their doctors, would wish for more time, additional time spent with them results in delays and less time for others. The doctor's specialist skill lies in diagnosis and the application of medical and surgical treatments. We doctors are more than aware of the emotional turmoil that our patients may be experiencing but rarely is there time for us to explore these areas in the detail we would wish. When it is appropriate, we may be able to direct patients to allied professionals such as counsellors or nurse specialists who can provide invaluable support.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Which doctor should I see?
- 2 What are symptoms and signs?
- 3 How can we be certain whether an abnormality that my doctor has found is the cause of my problem or an incidental finding?
- 4 How do doctors arrive at a diagnosis?
- 5 What does a gynaecologist do during a consultation?
- 6 What is the purpose of the pelvic examination?
- 7 Will a blood test to assess a hormone level provide a guide to treatment.
- 8 I have a phobia about blood tests. What should I do?
- 9 What is pelvic ultrasound?
- 10 What are CAT and MRI scans?
- 11 Will my general practitioner receive information from my specialist gynaecologist?
- 12 Will I see the same specialist every time I attend the out-patients clinic?
- 13 What is known about emotion. Information?
- 14 Could my emotional problems be of hormonal origin?
- 15 Does my doctor understand my anxieties and concerns about my gynaecological problem?
- 16 How much information do patients want about their condition?
- 17 Will the doctor listen to my views on how my problems should be managed?
- 18 How do doctors decide on the best treatment?
- 19 How do doctors decide on the best hormone treatment?
- 20 How long will my hormone treatment be effective?
- 21 What are the risks of surgery?
- 22 How long do gynaecological operations take?
- 23 Have there been advances in gynaecological surgical treatment?
- 24 I have been offered a choice of treatments. How can I decide which will be best for me?
- 25 What is the place of support groups?
- 26 Where can I obtain more information?
- 27 Are there any dangers in acquiring health information on the internet?
- 28 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
