Doctors

Doctors play a key role in diagnosis and treatment of us girls with MRKH. Their sensitivity (or lack thereof) can have a strong impact on the feelings of the patient.

One of the challenging issues with this diagnosis is that it is not known to many primary care providers as well as gynecologists. I know I have educated several PCP’s about the condition. 

When I was originally diagnosed, I went to a large women’s practice in the capitol city. I insisted on going to a female. 

My first visit was with a nurse practitioner in the women’s clinic who was so sweet. She was respectful and gentle with me. Her sensitivity to my desire for privacy as well as nervousness for the exam was much appreciated.

After I had a myriad of tests, I finally visited the gynecologist. It was the most awful experience for me. She did not know about the condition and my mom told me she was calling all around town to figure out what it was. That was embarrassing and humiliating. When it came time to visit her, she pulled out the drawer of speculums and showed me the different sizes, describing them to me. To this day, I have no idea why she did that and I roll my eyes when I think of the insensitivity this action displayed. In the room with us that day were at least 3 other nurses I believe. I felt like a freak show as she tried to insert the smallest speculum into my vaginal dimple. She said something to me about how lots of parents don’t have kids of their own…adoption is an option…At that point in time I was in tears and left the office sad and angry about the visit. I had to call the nice nurse practitioner and ask her about what had actually happened during that visit. I was in a fog.

When I was ready for treatment, the nice nurse practitioner gave me the name of a professor who she knew had knowledge of the condition in Texas. I called the professor who connected me with another physician in a large city. 

The physician I went to taught at a major medical university and he specialized in the condition. His ability to communicate with me and talk about the condition put me at ease. He helped treat the condition and also worked with me as he could emotionally.

It’s important that physicians know and understand what this condition is. I can’t emphasize this enough. I let other physicians in training in on my gynecology visits so they could get to know about the condition.

Doctors make a difference.

Here is a great doctor:http://youtu.be/2aiTZOB-_Ds