Most of the time we simply talk. You decide how the appointment goes, and nothing happens against your will. You can come with your mum, with someone close to you, or on your own (if you are 18 or over). If you are worried that something will be embarrassing, tell me at the start and we will do the appointment differently.
You do not need a referral, either for a private appointment or for an NFZ appointment in Ogrodzieniec (NFZ is the Polish National Health Fund).
Before I do anything, I tell you what I would like to do and why. You can say no. You can say yes and then change your mind part-way through, and we stop. That is not me being polite - it is your right.
You might not know what to call something, and that is fine. You do not have to prepare a speech or know the medical terms. Tell me in your own words what is going on, and I will fill in the rest with questions.
There is no single right answer here.
If you are under 18, the appointment and anything I do medically need the consent of a parent or legal guardian. It is usually simplest if the parent or guardian comes with you. From the age of 16 you decide about examination and treatment as well, so I ask both of you what you think.
An arrangement that often works well: you come in together, your parent or guardian stays for the conversation about why you have come, and then for the examination it is just the two of us. If you would rather have your mum or another adult with you the whole time, we do that instead.
For mums. The best thing you can do before a first appointment is to tell your daughter that she is going for a chat, not “for an examination”. We will sort out the rest on the day.
I ask what has brought you in, when your periods started, what they are like, whether anything hurts, whether you take any medicines. I also ask whether you are having sex - not to judge, but because it changes what is worth examining. “I'd rather not talk about that” is a perfectly good answer.
If you are a teenager who has not had sex, an internal examination is very often not necessary. Sometimes it is enough to look at the vulva, or to do an ultrasound scan on your tummy, with a full bladder. If I think an examination is needed, I will explain why and ask for your consent.
I tell you what I have found, what it means and what happens next. If tests are needed, I explain how to get them done. You can ask questions right up to the end of the appointment, including ones that feel silly. There are no silly questions.
You do not need to shave or wax. Body hair makes no difference to the examination, or to me.
For the examination you undress from the waist down. There is somewhere in the room to do that in private, and something to cover yourself with. You can keep your socks on. A skirt or a dress is handy, but it really makes no difference.
Bring some ID or your student card and, if you have them, any earlier test results. It helps to know the date of your last period - if you cannot remember it, check your phone before you come.
If you are on your period, the appointment usually goes ahead anyway. Some tests may have to wait for another day, but the conversation and most of the decisions do not.
No. Body hair makes no difference to the examination, or to me. Come however you feel comfortable.
It is not always needed; often a conversation is enough. If it is, I will explain why, and the decision is yours. Saying no is fine, and it does not end the appointment.
Yes. And if you would rather have part of the conversation on your own, that is possible too. We will work it out on the day.
Longer than later ones, because the conversation takes the most time. Do not plan anything for straight afterwards.
I am bound by medical confidentiality. The exceptions are situations where your health or safety is at risk, and if that happens I will tell you plainly.
Centrum Medyczne NZOZ Twoje Zdrowie
ul. Naftowa 13
Wednesdays 14:00-20:00
Sonicus Centrum Diagnostyczne
ul. Krasińskiego 8
Thursdays 14:00-20:00
Poradnia NFZ
pl. Wolności 23
Mondays and Tuesdays 14:00-20:00
In Sosnowiec and Zabrze you book your appointment through ZnanyLekarz; in Ogrodzieniec (NFZ) by phoning the clinic reception. If you would like to ask something beforehand, email kontakt@ginekolog.sosnowiec.pl - I reply within 2 working days.
This site is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation.
