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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour first appointment will likely be with either your primary care provider or a gynecologist.
Because appointments can be brief, and it can be difficult to remember everything you want to discuss, it's a good idea to prepare in advance of your appointment.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing. Include all of your symptoms, even if you don't think they're related.
- Make a list of any medications and vitamin supplements you take. Write down doses and how often you take them.
- Have a family member or close friend accompany you, if possible. You may be given a lot of information at your visit, and it can be difficult to remember everything.
- Take a notebook or notepad with you. Use it to write down important information during your visit.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor. List your most important questions first, in case time runs out.
For uterine polyps, some basic questions to ask include:
- What could be causing my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests might I need?
- Are medications available to treat my condition?
- What side effects can I expect from medication use?
- Under what circumstances do you recommend surgery?
- Could uterine polyps affect my ability to become pregnant?
- Will treatment of uterine polyps improve my fertility?
- Are there any alternative treatments I might try?
Make sure that you understand completely everything that your doctor tells you. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor to repeat information or to ask follow-up questions for clarification.
What to expect from your doctor
Some potential questions your doctor might ask include:
- How long have you been experiencing symptoms?
- How often do you experience these symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to make your symptoms worse?
- Have you been treated for uterine polyps or cervical polyps in the past?
- Have you experienced any issues with infertility? Do you wish to become pregnant?
- Ellenson LH, et al. The female genital tract. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191233107-3/0/2060/258.html?tocnode=57531643&fromURL=258.html. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Drinville JS, et al. Benign disorders of the uterine corpus. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2389400. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Stewart EA. Endometrial polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Hoffman BL. Abnormal uterine bleeding. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3153117. Accessed March 29, 2010.
- Hillard Adams PJ. Benign diseases of the female reproductive tract. In: Berek JS. Berek & Novak's Gynecology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007:431.
- Sonohysterography. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=hysterosono. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Perez-Medina T, et al. Endometrial polyps and their implication in the pregnancy rates of patients undergoing intrauterine insemination: A prospective, randomized study. Human Reproduction. 2005;20:1632.
- Stamatellos I, et al. Pregnancy rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy depending on the size or number of the polyps. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2008;277:395.
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