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