When I was asked to write a short article on Gynecology and Urology I was kind of surprised. What can you write about two of the most invasive but really embarrassing fields ever invented by any one? One is designed to look up female Yoo-Hoos and the other is designed to check male and female irrigation systems!
Potentially embarrassing? Why definitely, that’s a given!
But jokes aside, Gynecology is an extremely essential field which deals with doctors who charitably dedicated their lives to the repairs of female crotches. Sometimes they also deliver babies, and then they are generously called as obstetricians as well. But Urology is a medical specialty which deals with health problems related to the male reproductive as well as liquid waste plumbing system.
Many girls and women are worried about going to a gynecologist for their first time (every first time is kinda scary!) but it’s absolutely essential to get yourself checked at the first period and then every year to rule out any potential problems. Yes it does sound nasty but here’s a rundown of what is expected during a routine gynecology and urology check up.
· It’s best to get to know your gynecologist before your check up to know what you’ll be going through. Most first exams have a breast exam, urine test, pelvic exam and a detailed medical history.
· If your doctor is a male ask for a female nurse to stay in the room with you; its routine policy. Most doctors will not confide anything you ask for to your parents or any one else so it’s safe to clear all your doubts regarding contraception and sex with him. The doctor may also ask a whole lot of questions about your medical and sexual history; be as honest as possible as medical histories are confidential and this helps the doctor make an accurate assessment of your health.
· Next comes the pelvic exam. Relax! The doctor sees thousands of vulvas every day; day in and day out; its routine for him .You’ll be asked to change to a white examination gown and sit in an upside down saddle position. Kinda like sitting on a horse but this one is on your back with your legs raised.
· The breast exam is even simpler where the doctor gently palpates your breast to check for lumps .Breast cancer appears as a small painless lump and is the foremost killer of women world wide. So allow the doctor to do a good job. Do tell the doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer.
· Some doctors also insert a large spoon into your vagina to scrape your uterine neck. Relax! The process is entirely safe and is called as a PAP smear .Its designed to check for uterine neck abnormalities or cervical cancer. This is an entirely treat able cancer if detected early.
SO you’re done with your first gyno check up. Now’s the time for a urology check up.
Most urologists have a routine of first getting a detailed medical examination and history, and although they do deal with females they have a larger range of male patients who have to get their testicles checked for Testicular cancer, prostate checked for Benign prostatic hyperplasia as well as all other their male reproductive organs which include testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis.
For a first time urology check up I would advise the following,
- Most doctors prefer to start off with a detailed medical examination and history which is really useful to clear any doubts regarding health of the male reproductive system as well as to catch disease early on.
- Just like a gynecology exam, urologists will also do a rectal examination to palpate the prostate gland, a general examination as well as an abdominal examination to rule out any abnormalities.
- I would recommend a yearly examination for all males over the age of 20 irrespective of what the doctors say .Its better to be safe rather than sorry right! After all you don’t want to lose a testicle to testicular cancer, do you?
Ok I’ve really finished scaring you with the facts of a gynecology check up as well as a urology check up.
But seriously .Its better to get yourself checked as regularly as possible to avoid dangerous and untreatable conditions especially if you have an active sexual life.
Be aware and remain healthy!
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