I have a SERIOUS fear of the gynecologist.?

Question

and I mean serious. Ive tried going before but Ive always ran out before they called my name. It seems impossible for me to put myself through it. Ive talked to gyno's. and people and none of it has worked or helped at all. Its a serious anxiety problem and my only big fear. kinda embarassing. But I heard, that woman with this serious of a anxiety problem, can get the exam done at a surgery day center under anesthesia or something. IS this true? Please let me know.

Answer 1

Do you have any close female friends or family members? Maybe they would be willing to let you come in with them during one of their exams. You could stay beside them and get a realistic sense of what the exam is like (you don't have to be down at her feet getting a view of private matters!). Maybe it would help get over the anxiety to experience the exam when you're not the patient.

Would it help of the gyno was a woman?

Answer 2

Yes, probably true. However, it's much more costly due to the anesthetic requirements. A certified anesthesiologist must be on duty .during the entire time you are "put under," not to mention the extra expense of using all of the drugs


You also put yourself at more risk by doing this -- some people never wake up!

You may ask for a calming drug, like valium for example, which sedates you and makes you feel better about things but doesn't knock you out. It's the same drug often used for lasik eye surgery -- to calm the patient down, but not put them to sleep. You would probably need a prescription from a psychologist for this, however.

Perhaps you need to think about why you're so afraid. Were you sexually abused as a child? Did you have a bad experience at a doctor's office? Maybe it would help if you could bring someone with you to the doctor's. They can even come in the exam room with you if you request it. They could talk to you and distract your mind from what's happening.

Really, the actual exam only lasts 2 minutes, so being put under general anesthesia is ridiculous.

Answer 3

I personally have never heard going under anesthesia to get a GYN exam. You are certainly not alone regarding your fear of these types of doctors. My mom told me about close to 10 yrs ago that a woman my mom's age (54 yrs old) have NEVER went to a GYN doctor & guess what??---------she was walking around with cervical cancer! She eventually died. All you have to do is to do some research by asking female relatives, female friends or female co-workers for recommending you a good doctor. If you feel comfortable w/a female doctor, go for it. But ALL women must have an annual exam & especially for cervical cancer by having the Pap smear annually by the age around 40.
Take Care!!

Peace*******************

Answer 4

Yes, it could be true but insurance would also make it hard to do it in a day surgery center because of the cost.

If you have a primary care physician that you go to for other health issues that you trust you can have them do the exam for you but first I would let them know how afraid you are of having the exam.

If you ever need to talk please feel free to e-mail or IM me off site any time.

Answer 5

Find what it is that scares you and then make it less scary.
Ex. Is it the idea of being naked in front of a stranger? Then think about him being someone's dad or grandpa and taking their son to the park to play catch, if it's a woman then think about her baking cookies or something that is not scary.
Is it the idea of the tools or someone digging around where you would not typically allow them to? Think of a shoe salesperson using a shoespoon?
Since I don't know what your exact fears are it's hard to come up with an unscary scenario but hopefully this will help you create your own.

Answer 6

Take someone with you hubby bf or sister mom anyone to help you with the anxiety problems.