I have a friend who has recently revealed to me that she has a phobia of gyn.?

Question

My friend confided something very scary to me.Some people have fears of the dentist or needles. Her fear is of the gyn. She is in her late 30's and has only been to a gyn once. She says that she is so imbarrassed that she's kept this to herself all this time.Now that she told me, I am the only one who knows. She goes to the dentist regularly and she has been tested for HIV because she has no problem with neediles.I suggested that she see my doctor, but iI wonder if there any any doctors that may specialize in cases like hers. Any info will be helpful. Thanks..

Answer 1

It sounds like she had something bad happen the last time she went to a gynecologist so I would recommend that she talk to her primary care dr as well to see if they can help her find some additional resources (which may include some counseling with either a social worker-yes some of them can be licensed counselors-or a psychologist that works with people who have phobias) to help her get over her fear of going to the gynecologist.

Answer 2

Why don't you offer to go with her to the gynecologist? I think it might be helpful if she went to a younger female gynecologist. I personally hate going to the gynecologist, and part of this stems from the first exam I ever had, when I was still a virgin, and the doctor DID NOT BELIEVE that I really was and just did this really invasive exam.

Maybe you two could go to her first appointment together, and she could even tell the GYN she is afraid and just wants to talk the first time, and she will come back for an exam the next time. They might even be able to give her a relaxing medication such as Ativan if she has such fear of this.

There is no reason for your friend to be embarassed. Going to the GYN is not the most pleasant experience in the world.

But since she really does need to go at least once every two years, especially if she is sexually active, she may need some special help from a therapist to get over this.

It is nice you are concerned about your friend.

Answer 3

She might have issues with the male doctors so, look up and find a good female doctor (no pun intended). She needs to realize the importance of regular check ups. Cervical cancer is a major killer and the only way to detect it is with an exam and pap smear.

Get her talking and see if she will talk to some other friends about her fears. If she is a mom, approach her with " you want to be around for your children don't you"? I know that sounds unfair, but too many people die yearly that a visit to a doctor could have caught a serious illness and prevented a needless death.

Health-care providers are in the life saving business and can only do their jobs when people go and see them. Offer to go with her as moral support. Sometimes, all it takes is a good friend to be in someones corner.