A 2023 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed some disturbing facts about many women’s healthcare experiences in the United States:
- 29% of women ages 18 – 64 felt like their concerns were dismissed in the past two years.
- 13% of women in the same age group felt like their healthcare provider suggested that they were personally to blame for their health problems.
- 9% of women have experienced age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or other forms of discrimination in a healthcare visit in the past two years.
- 21% of women (38% of uninsured women) have difficulty finding a doctor who explains things in an easily understandable way.
At Diana Health, a women’s health provider in the Allen community, we care about the whole you. You know your body better than anyone else. Our providers have expertise in obstetric and gynecologic conditions; however, YOU are the ultimate expert on you. Only you know what is normal for you, and you’re likely the first to know when something is wrong. Even if you’re not sure how to explain it or unsure as to what is going on that is bothering you, we’re here to listen and support you along your health journey.
Below are helpful tips to make the most of your healthcare visits — to feel empowered to be seen and heard.
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1. Keep a Symptom Diary
If you’re experiencing a symptom that is not urgent, you should start keeping a symptom diary. This diary will help your healthcare professional know how to evaluate the issue best. You can track the timing of the symptom, where it is located, the nature of the sensation (pain, ache, tingling), what makes it better or worse (e.g., ibuprofen, laying down, a warm shower), and when the issue started.
2. Don’t Be Embarrassed
Don’t let embarrassment keep you away from your healthcare professional or getting the care you need. If you have vaginal bleeding, abnormal smelling vaginal discharge, itching, an uncomfortable sensation with intercourse, or decreased interest in sexual relations, don’t be embarrassed to share those symptoms! No question or issue is off limits.
3. Listen to Your Body and Don’t Delay
If you feel like something is not right, tell someone. Don’t worry or suffer in silence. Your healthcare team at Diana Health is here to support you. If you aren’t a Diana Health patient, contact us, if we’re in your area, or contact another medical professional. Don’t put off getting something evaluated if it’s bothering or worrying you. Sometimes, delaying evaluation can lead to an issue becoming more serious. You are the expert on you. If something feels “off,” it probably is.
4. Make a List of Questions
Grab a notebook or use your smartphone to keep track of questions that you want to ask your healthcare professional. It’s easy to forget when you’re sitting in the doctor’s office. You don’t want to leave the office and then remember the question you intended to ask just a few minutes earlier. Having a list of questions and sharing these at the beginning of your appointment with your healthcare team will make the visit more productive.
5. YOU Are in Charge
You are in charge of your health. When your provider tells you what he or she is thinking and recommends, feel free to ask questions, including, “Why?” You are working together with your healthcare team. If you don’t understand something, say something. If you go home and try something and it doesn’t work, don’t give up. Sometimes, complicated problems can take multiple visits to solve.
>> LISTEN :: So, You Have a Diagnosis :: Momfessions Podcast :: Episode 104 <<
6. Complete Your Follow Ups
After seeing your provider, it’s important to follow through on the plan that you co-created together. This will allow your provider to assess whether the plan is working for you or if you need to take treatment in a different direction. It’s important to complete all imaging or blood tests required and to fill any prescriptions that were recommended. If any of your recommended follow ups are giving you pause, let your healthcare provider know. You are partners together in supporting your health journey.
Even if you follow the suggestions above, you may still find a time when you encounter a healthcare setting where you don’t feel seen or heard. If so, we hope these tips have encouraged you to feel empowered to take action. You deserve to be respected, listened to, and supported. Don’t let your voice be silenced. Reach out and advocate for what you need. It may be frustrating to have to reach out again or to seek a second opinion, but remember, you are worth the effort.
Interested in booking a visit with Diana Health or learning more? Visit us at heydianahealth.com or call (972) 635-3469.
Through full-scope OB/GYN services, mental health therapy, health coaching, and educational classes and events, Diana Health offers individualized, compassionate, healthcare that puts women in the driver’s seat. With a collaborative care team including physicians, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, licensed mental health care providers, and certified health coaches, Diana Health offers expert care for every stage of womanhood. Learn more at heydianahealth.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Mini Chadda, DO is a physician and the medical director of the Diana Health Allen practice. A board-certified OBGYN with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic settings, Dr. Chadda specializes in laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive robotic surgery, high-risk pregnancy, and specialized care for VBAC patients. Fluent in Hindi and Punjabi, Dr. Chadda is deeply committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to women from diverse backgrounds.
