Before your next preventive health visit, choose the changes or questions you most want to discuss. That might include a change in your menstrual cycle, menopause-related concerns, reproductive plans, or which preventive services fit your health. Starting with your priorities can help shape the conversation.
Discuss menstrual-cycle or menopause-related changes
Tell the clinician what has changed and what concerns you. If you are unsure where to start, ask, “What would be useful for me to tell you about this?” You can also ask how your health history relates to the change and whether anything needs follow-up.
For menopause-related concerns, you might say, “Could we talk about the changes I’ve been noticing?” Then ask what information would help the clinician understand your concerns. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or a particular explanation for what is happening.
Your symptoms and medical and gynecologic history can help the clinician decide whether parts of a physical exam, including a breast or pelvic exam, are indicated at that visit. If an exam is suggested, ask, “Is this recommended for me today, and what would it help assess?” That gives you a chance to understand how it relates to your health history and the reason for the visit.
Talk about reproductive goals and contraception when relevant
A preventive visit can be a place to ask about birth control options or preparing for pregnancy. Bring up whichever subject fits your current needs. If you have no questions about contraception or pregnancy, you can focus on other concerns.
An open question can set the direction: “Can we talk about my current or future reproductive plans?” If you have a particular concern, add it in your own words. You might ask, “What should I consider given my plans?” or “How would a change in my plans affect testing or treatment?” Discussing your plans can help the clinician consider whether proposed testing or treatment fits them.
You can also ask about health information you have found online or heard from someone else, and how it applies to you. If you want to discuss a particular service, ask the clinic what it offers.
Agree on a prevention plan that fits your needs
Preventive care can include screening, assessing health risks and needs, counseling, and immunizations. Recommendations are based on factors such as age, health status, and risk factors. Ask the clinician to connect a recommendation to your situation: “Which preventive services apply to me, and why?” If a service is not recommended now, you can ask what might change that decision.
Clarify what happens next. You might ask, “Is there anything I need to follow up on?” and “When should we revisit this?” Preventive services may be handled in one appointment or across visits over time. Ask which topics need another visit, if any, and how to arrange follow-up.
Before the appointment, write down the two or three questions you most want answered and raise them early. If an explanation is unclear, ask the clinician to repeat it or explain it another way. Use the answers to decide what you want to address next.