WHAT YOUR OB-GYN WON'T TELL YOU

From pelvic exams and vaginal dryness to hormone therapy and menopause, 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 gyne-cologists 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.

- GABRIELLE LICHTERMAN

You don't need a pelvic exam every year

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.

“There's really no scientific basis for doing a pelvic exam yearly if you're low-risk and have no symptoms,” notes Esther Eisenberg, M.D., 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.

Don't wait for your yearly visit

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.