Top Doctors Share 8 Questions to Ask Your Ob-Gyn That She May Be Too Busy to Cover
From skipping exams to HRT, leading gynos pull back the curtain on your health
From pelvic exams and vaginal dryness to menopausal hormone therapy, there’s so much your doctor wishes she could walk you through during your visit—if only she had the time! So, we asked top gynecologists to pull back the curtain and share the surprising no-holds-barred truths they want you to know so you can stay healthy and feel your best. Keep scrolling to find out what your Ob-Gyn may not have time to tell you.
These insider secrets can help keep you healthy and make uncomfortable exams easier.
1. Do I need an annual pelvic exam?
If you’ve always thought an annual pelvic exam—where your doctor inspects the vulva, looks inside the vagina with a speculum and feels the uterus and ovaries from the outside to check for anything unusual—was a must, you’re not alone. Doctors used to say that, too, but guidelines have changed.
Woman's World Answers
“There’s really no scientific basis for doing a pelvic exam yearly if you’re low-risk and have no symptoms,” notes Esther Eisenberg, MD, co-lead editor of Menopause: What Your Ob-Gyn Wants You to Know. Today, many doctors agree that it’s fine to hold off on this full check of your reproductive system unless there’s a specific reason, such as pain, unusual discharge or abnormal bleeding.
Even annual cervical cancer screenings aren’t necessary for most women at average risk. The American Cancer Society recommends this quick cervix swab for those aged 30 to 65 every three to five years.
2. Do I need to wait for my yearly visit for my menopause symptoms?
If you’re suffering from hot flashes, dryness or any other bothersome symptom, make an appointment before your annual well-woman exam, urges Dr. Eisenberg. “During that visit, we can spend more time on your concerns, run tests and develop a personalized treatment plan.” Then, when you return for your yearly visit, your doctor can follow up on your progress.
3. Do I have to do everything you recommend in my pelvic exam?
Don’t love certain parts of a screening, like the rectal exam? You can say “no thanks!” assures Dr. Eisenberg. While each component is important (for example, checking for internal masses), most gynecologists are happy to adjust based on your comfort level.
4. Should I cancel my gyno visit during my period?
If you’re menstruating when your appointment day arrives, go anyway. “Unless you’re being seen for a concern like abnormal discharge, your doctor can still perform routine exams and Pap smears,” assures Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and author of Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina.
5. Is hormone therapy right for me?
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), formerly known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a great choice for a lot of people—but there are other options, and it’s a good idea to review all of them with your doctor. “There are several well-studied non-hormonal options,” says osteopathic physician Carolyn Moyers, DO, founder of Sky Women’s Health and creator of the Mastering Menopause clinician training program. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis, antidepressants and new hot flash medications.
Plus, hormone therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. “If you’re bothered by hot flashes, sleeplessness, anxiety or depression, hormones can be a reasonable choice,” says Dr. Eisenberg. “But after 65, a greater risk of breast cancer and heart disease may outweigh the benefits.”
6. Is my vaginal dryness normal?
If your doctor brushes your vaginal dryness off as “normal” or tells you to just use lubricant, ask another doctor! “Low-dose vaginal estrogen is safe for long-term use,” says Dr. Moyers. “Even breast cancer survivors can safely use it as needed.”
7. Do I still need birth control after 40?
“Even if your periods are irregular or you’re having perimenopausal symptoms, you can still get pregnant,” says Sherry Ross, MD, chief medical officer of Menopause Hormone Therapy QuickMD and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period.
“In fact, 48 percent of pregnancies occurring between ages 40 and 45 are unplanned.” The silver lining? Some of the same oral contraceptives that can prevent pregnancy can also ease perimenopause symptoms. The best approach? Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, medical history and goals.
8. Is painful sex normal?
“It’s important to know it’s not normal to experience persistent pain during sex,” explains Dr. Ross. There are many ways to treat it, she adds. Discussing it with your gynecologist can help pinpoint the cause so she can make a diagnosis and treatment plan. If you’re unsure, reach out to your doctor’s office and let them make the call.
What to do if your Ob-Gyn dismisses your symptoms
“Trusting your gut is a critical part of navigating your health, especially during menopause, which can involve complex and sometimes subtle symptoms,” Dr. Moyers says. If you feel dismissed or unheard, she advises looking for a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner at Portal.Menopause.org. “They’re specially trained in the nuances of midlife women’s health.”
A version of this article originally appeared in the January 19, 2026, issue of Woman’s World magazine
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
