Choosing a Doctor

Pretend you’re hiring the doctor for a job:

  • Make an appointment just to talk and check them out
  • Make sure they won’t judge you
  • Ask them about some of your medical concerns
  • Think about whether you could trust them

In some places, including Ontario, nurse practitioners can conduct pelvic examinations, do STI tests, and prescribe some medications.

Family doctor

  • Most people get a genital and pelvic exam at their annual physical
  • If you don’t have annual physicals already, think about starting – they can catch a small problem before it becomes a big deal

Gynecologists/urologist

  • A doctor who specializes in sexual health and the pelvic area
  • Females use a gynecologist and males use an urologist
  • You need a referral from a family doctor
  • If you’re trying to avoid your family doctor, consider a sexual health clinic where no referral is needed

Pediatrician

  • A pediatrician can also do genital and pelvic exams – if you don’t already know, find out if your doctor is qualified as a pediatrician

Sexual health clinic

  • A good option if you’re not sure where to go
  • Most communities have at least one
  • Clinics are usually listed in the yellow pages under family planning or birth control information centres
  • Contact your local member of The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health by looking it up on the federation’s map.

Getting recommendations

  • A parent or friend may recommend a doctor
  • Recommendations are great ways to find doctors you can trust
  • Call to see if the doctor is taking any new clients

Choosing a male or female doctor

  • It is your choice whether to have a male or female doctor
  • You should trust and feel comfortable with whomever you choose
  • It is completely acceptable to change your doctor based on gender