Be Prepared For The Heavy Vaginal Bleeding Talk

“I didn’t really understand what my doctor told me”
“She uses words that sound like another language to me!”
“He rushed through it so quickly and I just couldn’t get it”

I’m sure you could add your own quote to the list. The funny (sad) thing is that sometimes the doctor in these cases thinks that she has done a good job at explaining things! But in the case of heavy bleeding, you, the patient, have to be able to understand and your doctor needs to find ways to communicate in a way that you can understand.

But this is your website so I’m going to tell you what YOU can do to make sure that you understand.
 
 

Say Something When You Don’t Understand

Don’t just sit there. Stop your doctor mid sentence and say, “I didn’t understand what you just said. can you explain it in terms I’ll understand.” Your doctor won’t think any less of you. We really want you to understand! Sometimes we need a cue that we’re not communicating clearly

 
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Repeat What You Heard Your Doctor Say

You can make a summary statement of what you heard and understood. “OK, let me make sure I understand. You are saying that my heavy menstrual cycles are due to my hormones not being in balance right?” Then your doctor can agree with you or shed more light on what you heard.
 

Give Your Doctor Real Feedback

Shake your head, use common facial expressions, say yes or no. Whatever it is you need to do to let the doctor know that they are coming in loud and clear or not doing a great job as you go along will be helpful to the conversation.
 

Get Some Information Beforehand

One of the great benefits of this site is you can go back home and look at topics related to the conversation you had earlier. You may find some clarity by taking your time to go over things. And you may even generate some new questions. That way, at the next visit, you can have an even better conversation with your Doc.
 

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