5 Questions You Don't Want to Ask Your Doctor (and Why You Should Ask Anyway)

How well do you remember your first trip to the gynecologist as a teen or young adult? There you were, on the cusp of womanhood, preparing to let someone you’d never met examine the most intimate parts of your body. It was intimidating, and maybe a little anxiety-inducing. Asking questions was likely the furthest thing from your mind.

For some women, the experience hasn’t changed much, and they may avoid tough questions in order to get in and out as quickly as possible. Sound like you? This week, we broke down five questions you might have been a little hesitant to ask your doctor.

1. Why has sex become painful?

Sex can become painful for a multitude of reasons, but one of the more common ones is vaginal dryness, a symptom of menopause. During menopause, levels of estrogen that keep the vagina lubricated decrease, preventing the vagina from creating fluids that regularly line it. Dryness can also be caused by childbirth and breastfeeding, or as the side effect of some medications such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments. V-Revive’s V-Renew can help by treating vaginal atrophy and dryness through nonsurgical laser therapies.

2. Do Kegels really work?

The myth and mystery surrounding these simple exercises is larger than the pelvic floor itself. Does the clench-and-release really do anything? Or does it just make us feel better about ourselves? The answer is yes to both. Kegels work the muscles of your pelvic floor, strengthening them against the muscle trauma of pregnancy and the wearing of age. They’ll also make you feel like you’re accomplishing something for your vaginal health. Do them anytime, any place. Work your floor.

3. Why am I leaking urine when I cough, sneeze or laugh?

Loss of bladder control, known as urinary incontinence, can be an embarrassing problem, but it’s more common than you might think. It occurs more often with age and can range in severity from a few leaks when you sneeze to full-blown accidents. While age is the most common cause of incontinence due to menopause, it can also be caused by pregnancy, childbirth or a hysterectomy. V-Revive’s V-Tight internal procedure uses ThermiVa radio frequency heat to stimulate collagen growth that in turn tightens muscles and increases your control over your bladder.

4. Why does my vagina look different than it previously has?

As we get older, it seems that everything starts to hang a little looser than it used to. Unfortunately, this can also include your vagina. Sagging vulvar skin, wrinkling, and poor vaginal tone can come with childbirth and aging. If you feel self-conscious about it, talk to your doctor, who can introduce you to ways to help restore the appearance of your vagina. Our V-Shape treatment is an external procedure that uses ThermiVa radio frequency energy to remodel and stimulate growth to areas of the vulva, including the labia and clitoris.

5. How do I perform at-home breast exams?

Properly inspecting your breasts for lumps can help with early detection of breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, you should check your breast for lumps once a month in your shower, in front of a mirror and again while lying down. Your doctor can tell you specifically what to feel and look for during these checks. The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides a detailed set of instructions as well.

Asking the tough questions is never easy, but always ask them of your doctor — it could very well save your life. Or, at the very least, change it for the better.