How do you choose?

How do you choose a good gyn? What are the characteristics you feel he/she must have in order to think it's a good doc?

in any dr I see I want one that will listen to me about my own body. no one knows it like I do. that is the most important thing to me. oh and answers my questions and does not laugh at me.

Its got to be a woman.

Absolutely every time, and I have to have a good relationship with the woman. She also must have an understanding of Psychology and mental health issues, especially DID, and severe Anxiety.

She also must be able to get it done quickly, while paying attention to how I am doing, and willing to stop and restart as many times as necessary to get me through it.

I also require that she write a small perscription for a sedative before I go.

This is just what it takes to get through it for me.

If its an emergency situation, I ask to be sedated before whatever doctor has a go at me. This is because ONCE I had to be examined by a man, an old man at that, and it was EXTREMELY traumatic for me.

not laughing is a good one. my new doc smirked at me and I haven't been back since. way overdue now for my annual. need a new doc. i'll be looking for one who put me at ease the way my old doc did, finding out what my interests are and then keeping me distracted with my interests during an exam. genuinely caring.

and knows the importance of warm hands and warm instruments.

My best GYN was a man that made me feel so comfortable that the examine was over before I even realized it had started..... he was great at keeping the so mind busy with meaniful chatter that your body was not aware of what was going on physically.

... he has retired.

My favorite gyno is retired , but she had a funny poster I hadn't noticed until I laid back, because it was on the ceiling. That made me laugh, and I liked the way she spoke to me in a casual, it's-no-big-deal kind of way. She'd talk about going commando and "airing her out."

Hi Cat

For all my GYN exams (pelvic exam, Pap test..etc) I have had it done by my family doctor.

If you have close friends I'd ask if they could recommend a good one. The names of the ones who are good will come up more than once. The main thing is if when you meet them that you feel comfortable with them.

Lisa