Just had the worst gyno appointment of my life [dismissing gyno]

**GhostHunter** · 11-14-2011 08:50 AM

Hi, first post here

I'm just wondering about my new gyno's behaviour that I didn't believe was appropriate...: confused:

I used to see this nice lady when I was studying in university overseas. But I've been back home for a while and haven't been to see a gyno since. Last weekend I made an appointment with one, and my mum insisted on coming with me (she had taken my sister a few weeks before too and she wanted to be there for my appointment).

Long story short, we went in, and I thought she seemed nice at first. She asked me what was wrong and I told her about my cramps. I get them so bad painkillers have stopped working and often I can't get out of bed. She did a very quick ultrasound to see if there were any cysts (there weren't, which was good). She then asked if there was anything else I wanted to address. I said yes, and told her about the ridiculously heavy bleeding I've been having since my second period and asked if there was anything that could help lighten it or something because it's really bothering me. She just perked up and said "oh, that's a very good thing! It just means that you're young and very healthy. You shouldn't do anything about it" I wasn't sure if she was the truth, so I asked again if she was absolutely sure there was nothing that could be done about my problems. My mum jumped in and told the gyno "oh, she can still cope with a some paracetamol." and told me I really shouldn't mess with the heavy bleeding. The gyno then gave me the bill and sent me out the door

I felt like the gyno didn't do anything to help me, especially with the bleeding she just basically told me to suck it up. I guess having my mum in the room wasn't much of a help either. It's not very appropriate though, is it, for gynos to send patients home if they think there's nothing wrong with us?? My last gyno listened to all my questions but this lady just kind of dismissed them.

By the time we got around to paying the bill I was between wanting to cry and bash her in the face. I'd never been treated so horribly by a doctor before.

**ItsASecret** · 11-14-2011 01:56 PM

Depending on your age your gyne will say the words "it is a good thing you are young and healthy". All women will experience different menstrual cycles and different flow rates, unless heavy thick continuous clotting is happening with every period a doctor is likely to call it normal. If it is a here and there heavy period then a doctor is not likely to give a medication to make periods lighter, because they will justify the reasoning as "it is normal to have some heavier flows"...which it is. So that can be why a doctor can say no to prescriptions to make flow lighter if there is no consistent problem.

As well it is entirely common for women to have varying pain, some have cramps that leave them stuck in bed and some do not get them at all...it is all a symptom of the menstrual cycle. But again if it is a consistent problem then a doctor will address it. As for paracetamol...that is just Tylenol, so if those are working like your mom says then just keep taking those. A doctors prescription will follow the exact same lines as that type of mild pain killer.

The only other thing that can help with easing heavy periods is going on birth control.

**lizzardb63** · 11-15-2011 11:22 AM

I agree with ItsASecret. It is normal and healthy to have a heavy period (versus having a light one for a day). Perhaps that's all the Gyno meant? If you want to ease the heavy periods, hormonal birth control is the way to go.

For bad cramps, I find Ibuprofen helps a lot because it is also an anti-inflammatory. (sp?)

**BugSauce** · 11-22-2011 08:49 AM

Time for a new doctor. If it causes problems for you in your every day life there are many different options they can try. Birth controls, and other options that are hard for me to explain without sounding scary and weird but if you're interested I can try. If this sincerely bothers you or is an issue in functioning don't stop until you have answers or at least a doctor who is willing to try to help you feel more comfortable.

**Awoman2** · 12-18-2011 05:42 PM

I don't put much stock in allopathic doctors but I see no reason for your concerns. I know that excess bleeding is an inconvenience, but before you seek to stop the bleeding it is very important to determine what is causing the problem. Suppressing it is not a wise solution, IMO. It could easily be that your body is going through a stabilization process, since you said it was only your second period. Your body may be trying to adjust to you developing into a woman. Please don't hasten to derail the natural course of nature.

If you believe that there is something wrong that she has not diagnosed, get a second opinion, but taking birth control pills just for this cause, and introducing all kinds of man-made substances into your young healthy body is not something I'd advise any young woman to do.