Getting the Most from Your OB-GYN Appointment Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Making the Most of Your OB-GYN Appointment Dec 24, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post A good way to find an OB-GYN is to ask your friends. No one likes going to the gynecologist, but you know you should—regular visits with an OB-GYN are an important part of maintaining a woman's health. We asked OB-GYN Dr. Matthew Siedhoff how women can find a doctor they're comfortable with and get the most out of their least-favorite checkup. Matthew T. Siedhoff, MD Q How do I find a good doctor Dr. Siedhoff: Word of mouth—ask your friends if they've had good experiences. Look for physicians who have enough time for individual visits, who ask open-ended questions, and who make their patients feel very comfortable. Look for a provider who's not only knowledgeable but who easily garners trust. You want to feel like you're in a space where you're not being judged, that you're being listened to, and that the person you're seeing is going to be able to help guide you to solutions. Read: Q&A: What to Expect at Your OB-GYN Appointment Q Why is it important to go regularly Dr. Siedhoff: There are some screenings you should have on a regular basis to prevent future issues. The first is the Pap smear, which is a test for pre-cancerous or cancerous conditions of the cervix, caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). Some sexually transmitted infections don't have any symptoms. One is chlamydia—if that's not caught and treated early, it can lead to issues with fertility. Another reason is contraception and family planning. Making active decisions and having somebody you trust is really important for making sure pregnancy happens when you want it to. Lastly is the physical exam. Sometimes abnormalities can be detected on a pelvic exam that the patient may not notice herself—like a mass on the ovary or a mass on the uterus that may or may not need treatment. Tracking these changes over time is important. Read: HPV Vaccine: Myths vs. Facts Q How often should women see their OB-GYN Dr. Siedhoff: The Pap test screening guidelines have changed recently to every 3-5 years for women ages 30 to 65. But I recommend an annual exam for all of the other reasons I mentioned. Learn more about Women's Health at Cedars-Sinai Tags Prevention Screening Women's Health Expert Advice Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility