How to Be Your Own Best Healthcare Advocate
There’s a good chance you know the feeling all too well: You’re sitting on an exam table, trying to explain a symptom or health concern, and you feel rushed, dismissed, or not fully seen. It happens to even the most confident among us. And research shows that women are more likely to have our health issues overlooked and our intuition about our own bodies minimized.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, says Tracy L. Bennett, MD, chief medical officer of Nella Spec, a medical device company dedicated to transforming the gynecologic exam. “I want every person to know how to advocate for themselves at their healthcare visits,” she says. “Because at the end of the day, you’re the person who ultimately knows what’s best for your body.”
Here’s the good news: Becoming your own best advocate for your health doesn’t require a medical degree or even a bold personality. With a few key strategies, you’ll be able to prepare for every appointment and walk into any exam room feeling more comfortable and confident. Whether you’re dealing with a new diagnosis, managing a chronic health condition, or simply scheduling your annual checkup, follow this advice to make sure you feel heard—and get the care you deserve.
No. 1: Ask questions. When it comes to your health, there’s no such thing as a bad question. In fact, asking questions is one of the most important things you can do in a medical setting to get the care you need and deserve. Your curiosity is valid—and vital, says Dr. Bennett.
“Chances are if you have a question, it’s something that can give your doctor crucial information about how you’re feeling,” she says. “This is why I always tell patients to never be afraid to ask a question out of fear that it’s a ‘stupid’ question.”
And if your clinician’s answer doesn’t make sense, speak up! Ask them to slow down, or to repeat what they said in a different way. You might also repeat the answer back to them in your own words and say something like, “Do I understand that right?” Remember, you’ll get the best healthcare when you feel informed, understood, and empowered to take part in your care—and asking questions is one of the best ways to do that.
No. 2: If you don’t feel comfortable asking questions (or your queries go unanswered), find a new clinician. Your healthcare providers should make you feel comfortable and safe speaking up. If you find yourself hesitating to ask questions—or worse, if your questions are dismissed—consider it a red flag, adds Dr. Bennett.
“If you’re not getting your questions answered or feel brushed off or ignored, never hesitate to get a second or even a third opinion,” she says. “And remember that any good clinician won’t be upset if you see someone else for their advice. In fact, good clinicians will encourage you to do that, because at the end of the day, they want you to feel like you’re being taken care of appropriately.”
No 3: Remember it’s OK to prioritize your own health. For those with busy schedules and who are taking care of kids, grandkids, or aging parents, your own preventive healthcare visits are often an afterthought. If this resonates, Dr. Bennett wants you to answer a question:
“Would you ever miss a child’s well visit exam, or an annual checkup for your aging parent?” she says. “Never in a million years, right? Well, why is it that you’ll skip your annual well woman visit or gynecologic exam?”
Yes, you’re busy taking care of everyone else. But prioritizing your own health will help you make sure you have the energy (and good health!) to care for those you love. So, take this as the nudge you need to schedule that overdue checkup or follow up on that nagging symptom. Taking the time to care for yourself with the same compassion and urgency you offer to everyone else in your life is one of the best things you can do to not only advocate for yourself, but to set an example for others to do the same.
No. 4: Find healthcare providers who understand the life phase you’re in. The truth is that at every stage of our lives, we have different health concerns that will be our top priority—and we deserve clinicians who are well versed in the topics that feel top of mind for us.
For example, during our reproductive years, we’ll want to be able to talk through things like sexual health, birth control, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum healthcare. During the menopause transition, we want to be able to talk about symptoms, hormone therapy, and health risks that increase when estrogen dips.
Just like it’s okay to find another clinician if your questions are going unanswered, it’s okay to look for a specialist in the life stage you’re in.
No. 5: Remember that you are an expert of your body, and you don’t have to give away your power during doctor visits. Too often, many of us get changed into that paper-thin gown at our doctor’s office and feel we must defer to medical authority. We feel vulnerable, and it can make us hesitant to speak up for ourselves.
One of the healthcare visits where this resonates for many women is the gynecologic pelvic exam. To make this experience better—and to help women feel empowered to advocate for themselves—healthcare company Nella Spec created The Nella Comfort Kit, a direct-to-patient kit you can order online and bring to your gynecologic exam for a more comfortable experience.
These kits include the Nella speculum, a single-use speculum that’s slimmer than a tampon, quiet, temperature-neutral, and is the first speculum designed in 175 years by women for women. (It was voted a TIME magazine invention of the year.) You also get a pair of cozy socks, a stress ball, a lavender rollerball, and a pH-balanced vaginal wipe you can use to wipe away excess lubricant after your exam—all aimed at making the experience more comfortable for you and ultimately making it easy for you to advocate for yourself during that exam. There are also four kits to choose from, depending on your life stage and/or body type: menopause, maternity, curves, and classic.
“Bringing the Comfort Kit with you to your gynecologic appointments is an easy way for you to take control over a situation that can feel very vulnerable and even dehumanizing,” says Dr. Bennett.
Ultimately, advocating for your health is an act of self-respect—a chance to trust your voice and honor your body. Every question you ask, every second opinion you seek, and every moment you choose to speak up is a chance to take charge of your health, show up for yourself with intention, and inspire others to do the same. In fact, it’s a chance to do your part in changing the culture of care, one empowered person at a time.
Branded content in partnership with Nella and the Nella Comfort Kit.
Please note that we may receive affiliate commissions from the sales of linked products.
