What to disclose to your doctor

You will well be aware of what transpires between you and your gynaecologist during consultative encounters. It all starts with you making an appointment for whatever reason. The consultation process often begins with some trivial niceties, the rest following from there.

The main thing that guides what your gynaecologist does next is what is commonly referred to as medical history. This simply means that you open up and give relevant details related to your ailments. Sufficient detail must be forthcoming to enable your gynaecologist to piece everything together and come up with some recommendations. But all too often, you may feel compelled to withhold some information.

Wasted consultation

Does it matter if you hold back some bits here and there? It is entirely up to you to decide what to bring up. Remember your gynaecologist cannot read your mind. They can only make deductions from what you choose to volunteer.

 But what you may choose to hold back may be critical to guiding your diagnostic process. If in doubt, just bring it up and let your doctor work out whether it’s relevant to your symptoms.

If you cannot get yourself to give all the relevant information, then just don’t bother. It will end up being a wasted consultation, and will not take you any closer to getting the appropriate help.

Why do some women find it hard to convey all the relevant information? Some details may be embarrassing and difficult to disclose. But always remember that your doctor is really only interested in piecing stuff together and helping you out. Find a way of saying the most embarrassing bits in a manner that still maintains your dignity and self-esteem.

Almost all is forgotten the minute you walk out, and someone else enters with an entirely different problem.

What about concerns with confidentiality? You should not really worry about this. Doctors are bound by medical law and ethics, which they must uphold at all times.

Anything you discuss with your gynaecologist is deemed confidential. It can never be disclosed to any third parties without explicit consent from you.

So say whatever it is with confidence, it will never get beyond you and your doctor. If you ever suspect any breaches in your medical confidentiality, you must always seek redress with utmost urgency. Any guilty parties become liable.

Easy steps to increase

Go ahead then and maximise gains in gynaecological consultations by volunteering as much information as necessary. Resist the temptation to colour it up with anecdotes that might appear interesting to you. This just distracts your doctor’s train of thoughts unnecessarily.

Say it as it is; short, simple and factual. If you want to withhold anything, be absolutely sure it’s of no relevance to your condition.

Quick facts

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