Awkward or not...

What is one thing that no woman looks forward to?  A physical.  (this is strictly my opinion but I doubt many are giddy going in...)

But ladies - it has to be done.

Many of us are not fortunate enough to have a solid family doctor - let alone a female one.  So I seriously think that many women just avoid getting a physical done for this reason alone.  Being blessed with children does somewhat take away your issues with people being 'down there' for the sole reason that for the duration of your pregnancy someone may have always been probing around down there and if you delivered naturally - there was a room full of people you don't know gawking at you down there.  It desensitizes you.

Maybe it is the first one that scares people.  I remember my first one.  After that - as much as I may cringed going in - I never felt the same after it was over.  Approaching a doctor, male or female, about a physical is a necessary part of being aware of your health.  And having had both male and female docs do this for me - I can't say I would prefer one or the other.

Here are some insights I want to share with you that considers the lighter side of this very awkward thing we all should do...

1)  I find male docs to be all about business.  I would assume this is just about as uncomfortable for them as it is for you.  Female docs just love to chat.  Me - I'd take a male doc any day who is in (literally) and out as quickly as possible and who keeps chatting to an uncomfortable minimum.  My last female doc had a student, and a camera, and a lot to show-and-tell.....as neat as it was to see my cervix on a video screen and have everyone analyze it - I would have just rather got it over with.

2)  Joke.  My goodness just joke about it.  No one likes them.  Everyone including the doc and the nurses would rather make a few comedic comments about everything awkward that is going on than to sit there in silence.  For example:  My male doc was apologizing for his cold hands and the fact that he was at the time having his fingers in my armpit for a portion of the breast exam..."sorry this must be awkward with my finger there"....I in turn replied as a matter of fact - "This is the least awkward part about this whole thing!".  I swear I saw his shoulders drop 2 inches in relief!

3)  It's business.  It's for your health.  Just get over your fears already!  As if this is the first vagina that these people have seen!  You may fear them talking about you when you leave...my guess is they might if something really strange is found beneath your panties....but seriously I'm rather confident they won't point and laugh at you on the street.

4)  Make your health your priority.  Wouldn't you rather know that you were diligent about checking for things like cervical cancer and breast cancer than to wait until it is too late.  Take your health into your own hands (and the hands of your doc)!

5)  If you are really that uncomfortable or scared...take a friend or request a nurse to be in the room.  I think for my first one ever in university - I had a friend outside the room.  And I did the same for her.  Safety just knowing she is out there.  Take your mom, take your sister, take a friend...hell even take your husband!  (I still consider this to be awkward!)  Regardless - if this is your main fear - going alone - then don't.

6)  Talk about it.  Women don't talk enough about things like this.  Talk about it openly, honestly, and truthfully.  Joke about it.  Cry about it.  Just talk about it already!  We should not be ashamed of having a physical done to ensure we are healthy!

Awkward or not...just do it.  I did - and the whole room watched (damn teaching hospitals!).  That was for the pap.  Then the rest of the physical - head-to-toe and breast exam were done by my new family doctor (young, tall, dark, and handsome man that he is).  It was awkward but professional.  And focused on me and my health and where we are going to go next with monitoring things.  Even the breast exam - cold hands aside - was professional.  And I won't lie - its fun to joke about it after the fact with good friends and my husband about the hot doc that did my breast exam - but in reality - it was the most professional appointment I have had in a long time.  I finally feel like someone is listening to me, is monitoring my health, and is able to have realistic conversations with me that also include some lighthearted awkward jokes.

Ladies - just do it.  And if you ever need someone to hold your hand - I would gladly do that for you!  I strongly believe that we all need to take matters into our own hands, have respect for the professionalism of your doctor, and be diligent about monitoring your health!  In the end you may actually find it wasn't as bad as your fears allowed you to believe.

R