11 Things Every Woman Should Tell Her Gyno

11 Things Every Woman Should Tell Her Gyno



There are some things that you'd barely consider telling your best friend—let alone your gynecologist. But the truth is, they've heard and seen it all. Plus, there are some things that, while embarrassing, could be really vital when it comes to taking care of your sexual and reproductive health. Here, eleven things you should definitely tell your gynecologist:

How Many Sexual Partners You’ve Had

Has it been a particularly eventful year? Tell your gyno that—even if she doesn't ask. She's not going to judge you, and this is really useful information from a medical standpoint, says ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, M.D., coauthor of V is For Vagina. "The more information that's disclosed that seems to be relevant, the more individualized care that can be given."

If You've Had Unprotected Sex—Even Once

So you slipped up and didn't use a condom a while back, but since then you've gotten your period and haven't noticed any signs of an STD. You're in the clear, right?

Not exactly. Some STDs, like Chlamydia, are often completely symptomless, while others like HPV can lay dormant for years, says Dweck. It's your responsibility to tell your doctor if you may be at risk for these after having unprotected sex.