Organizing Medical Appointments
Use this page as a medical visit organizer. These suggestions can organize your experience, symptoms, and questions in one location.
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Many patients with vaginismus look to medical professionals to know all the answers to their questions. But, unfortunately, with vaginismus, many times, they do not.
To decrease the number of repeat visits requested of you initially, answer these commonly asked questions before your doctor's appointment to be prepared.
Many patients do not plan for their doctor's appointments. Finally, an appointment is made, and questions are asked when we sit in the exam room.
But how many times do you forget some questions? Perhaps you wished you remembered another critical part of your experience.
This is where preparation is needed.
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Follow these steps to be better prepared and informed!
Click on the PDF to fill out the form online or to print
This infographic is titled “5 Tips to empower you to find the correct treatment.” It is a light yellow background with a dark yellow circle to the left-center that reads, “Do your homework.” There is a picture of a person holding a book. On the right side there are bubbles numbered 1-5. The top bubble #1 in the color blue reads, “Complete the symptom checklist to organize your concerns. The next bubble, #2 in green reads, “Prepare questions before you go to the doctor.” The next bubble #3 in golden yellow reads,” Consider taking someone with you for support.” The #4 bubble in purple reads, “Take notes for all your questions.” The last bubble #5 in pink reads,” Don’t leave without a referral.”
Complete this checklist before you go to your doctor's appointment.
By completing this checklist, your doctor will be prompted to consider how your pain interferes with your quality of life and assess for symptoms of vaginismus.
This infographic is titled pre-assessment checklist.
The background is a pale pink. The top right corner is the website logo, a pink triangle that reads Triangle of Care. On each side of the triangle, there is writing. The left side reads professional, the right side reads progressive, and the bottom reads personal. The top middle of the page reads, Before your doctor's visit.” Down the page there are 7 yellow hearts with questions next to each one. First one reads, “ Can you insert any of your fingers into your vagina without pain” Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer. The next question reads, “ Can you insert a tampon into your vagina without pain?” Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer. The third question reads, “Can someone else insert a finger into your vagina without pain?” Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer. The fourth question reads, “Have you ever had an internal GYN exam without pain?” Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer. The 5th question reads, “Have you ever had a penis in your vagina without pain?” Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer. The 6th question reads, “Did using lube help with insertion?” Yes No or N/A, with boxes to check based on your answer. The last question reads, “Have you ever been told you have more anxiety or worry more than most? Yes No, with boxes to check based on your answer.