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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or primary care provider. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in conditions affecting the female reproductive tract (gynecologist).
Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance to prepare for common diagnostic tests.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. For example, if you've been feeling blue or stressed, this is important information to share with your doctor.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or difficulties in your life. It will help your doctor to know if you've been going through struggles in your marriage or other family relationships. These psychological challenges can play a very real role in your physical well-being.
- Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions for which you're being treated and the names of any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
For chronic pelvic pain, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What are the possible causes of my symptoms or condition?
- What tests do you recommend now?
- If these tests don't pinpoint the cause of my symptoms, what additional tests will you schedule?
- What approach will you recommend if we can't locate an underlying cause?
- What types of treatments are most likely to improve my symptoms?
- For how long will I need to be treated?
- How long might it take for me to feel better?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing pelvic pain?
- Has your pain changed or spread over time?
- How often do you experience pelvic pain?
- How severe is your pain, and how long does it last?
- Where is your pain located? Does it always occur in one place?
- Would you describe your pain as sharp or dull?
- Does your pain come in waves or is it constant?
- Can you anticipate when the pain is coming?
- Is your pain usually triggered by a specific event, such as intercourse or exercise?
- Do you feel pain during urination or a bowel movement?
- Does your menstrual cycle affect your pain?
- Does anything make your pain better or worse?
- Does your pain limit your ability to function? For example, have you ever had to miss school or work because of your pain?
- Is your pain causing difficulty in your marriage or other important personal relationships?
- Have you recently felt down, depressed or hopeless?
- Have you recently lost interest in things you once enjoyed?
- Have you ever had pelvic surgery?
- Have you ever been pregnant?
- Have you ever been treated for a urinary tract or vaginal infection?
- Have you ever been touched against your will?
- What do you think is causing your pain?
- What treatments have you tried so far for this condition? How have they worked?
- Are you currently being treated or have you recently been treated for any other medical conditions?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting for your appointment, you may find some relief by using over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Try to use relaxation and stress-reduction techniques that have worked for you in the past, such as exercise, meditation or simple deep breathing. Activities that reduce psychological tension are also likely to reduce physical pain.
Finding the underlying cause of chronic pelvic pain can be a long process, and in many cases, a clear explanation may never be found. However, with patience and open communication with your doctor, you will be able to develop a treatment plan that helps you live a full life with minimal discomfort.
- Chronic pelvic pain. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/033.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. International Pain Society. http://www.pelvicpain.org/pdf/Patients/CPP_Pt_Ed_Booklet.pdf. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Pelvic pain. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp099.cfm. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Evaluation of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=10940&nbr=5720&string=. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2009.
