Five Things You Need to Know When Visiting Your Gynecologist

Category: Educational
Posted On: Oct 10, 2025

Visiting your gynecologist is an important part of maintaining your overall health — but it doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Whether it’s your first appointment or a routine visit, understanding what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and prepared.

Your gynecologist is there to answer questions, support your wellness, and help you take charge of your reproductive health. Dianne Chambers, MD, an OB/GYN with Norman Regional Health System’s Women’s Healthcare of Norman, shares five things you should know when visiting your gynecologist.

1. Talk to your gynecologist about what’s uncomfortable

You can talk to your gynecologist about topics that may be uncomfortable to bring up. They want to hear if you’re experiencing problems with sex, painful periods, pelvic pain, hormone issues and more.

Dr. Chambers said they are used to hearing about problems like those topics every day and patients shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking for help. They want to be able to help you with those problems you are facing.

2. Be prepared

One thing you always want to do when visiting your gynecologist is to come to your appointment prepared. “Things you can prepare, you can make a list, either on your phone or on a piece of paper and bring it in, so that when you come in, you’re not completely forgetting what you came here for,” Chambers said. “We like lists.”

3. There are different types of GYN exams

When visiting your gynecologist, there are two different types of GYN exams that your provider can perform. There are annual exams, covering:

Preventative care
Maintenance

And then there are problem exams, covering things like:

Bad periods
Needing birth control
Pelvic pain

For problem exams, “Go ahead and schedule it, we can help you with that” Dr. Chambers said.

4. Ask about your cancer risk

Your gynecologist is practicing preventative medicine during your annual visit. Preventive healthcare helps catch and prevent diseases before they develop. “One of the things that people forget to ask is, ‘What’s my risk for cancer? Is there a way I can know if there’s a risk for cancer?’” Dr. Chambers said.

Norman Regional offers genetic testing and which can be included in an annual exam. Dr. Chambers said that is something you probably want to talk to your gynecologist about, especially if you have an increased risk for cancer.

5. Ask about your reproductive health

Conversations surrounding reproductive health have become more prominent, and it’s important to know where your reproductive health stands as a gynecology patient.

“Big question right now on TikTok is hormones: ‘do I need them; do I not need them?’ What I wish people would understand is hormones change throughout the month, and if you get a hormone check in the morning, it may be different than the hormone check tomorrow or the hormone check five days from now,” Dr. Chambers said.

Understanding how your hormones work and how they can be helpful or not helpful depending on your bodies’ needs will help you understand what’s going on with your body.

Let us help you understand your body

Your gynecologist is here to help you navigate your health with confidence. By knowing what to expect in a gynecology appointment and coming prepared with questions or concerns, you can make the most of each visit and leave feeling informed, empowered, and supported.

Norman Regional’s Women’s Healthcare of Norman is here to support you in keeping up with your gynecological health at every stage of life. Call 405-360-1264 to schedule a gynecology appointment with any of our physicians or providers for personalized, patient-focused care.