Preventive visits to the gynaecologist really aren't a routine matter for every woman. On the contrary, most are inclined to wait for obvious symptoms and come to the doctor only when it's a necessity. Don't wait until your body starts ringing every alarm bell. Let prevention become the necessity – it's the best protection against dangerous gynaecological conditions.

Why are preventive visits essential? A common reason for putting off a visit to the gynaecologist is fear. Some women feel awkward about visiting a gynaecologist; others worry about a diagnosis or illness. In fact, it's the fears that should be ignored, not the symptoms. Not reacting to signs in time makes further treatment harder. Women trip themselves up by not taking gynaecological ailments seriously enough. Any question related to intimate health is very important and should be clarified during a consultation with a gynaecologist. When an illness is diagnosed at an early stage, effective measures can be taken and it can be overcome successfully.

The main incentive for women to visit a gynaecologist should be the fact that most gynaecological conditions cause no noticeable symptoms in the beginning. Insidious diseases, including gynaecological cancers, are hard to treat when diagnosed too late. It's recommended to visit the gynaecologist once a year for prevention, reducing the number of disease cases by as much as 80%.

Preparing for the visit. The most common reasons for visiting a gynaecologist are menstrual cycle disorders, changed discharge, vaginal inflammation, cysts, pain in the perineum or lower abdomen and so on. No special preparation is needed before the visit; ordinary hygiene is enough. You can write down the questions on your mind so as not to forget to discuss everything during the consultation. The consultation begins with a conversation in which the patient's complaints are clarified and the most relevant questions discussed. Then an examination is carried out on the gynaecological chair. During the visit you can request the necessary tests for a preventive check. It's recommended to have a cervical test, which helps detect cervical cancer, as well as a breast examination, which helps diagnose benign and malignant changes. Visits to the gynaecologist shouldn't be an unpleasant obligation you keep trying to avoid. In fact, there's no basis for fear, because the examination isn't painful. The main thing is to choose a competent and empathetic doctor so that you can feel completely comfortable.