I am LGBTQ+ and I have my first GI doctor appointment. What should I expect?

First of all, good job on making an appointment! It takes a lot of courage to go to a new doctor about a body area that may seem kind of taboo or uncomfortable. I am proud of you!

• Second, make a list of your concerns. Are you experiencing a lot of nausea? Do you have night sweats? Weight loss? Bloody stools or blood on the toilet paper? Vomiting? Stomach pain? Rectal/anal pain? It may help to put this in your notes app on your phone or write it down.

• Consider bringing a friend, partner, or loved one for support and to help you process things. Strength in numbers!

• The doctor will not perform anything like a colonoscopy or EGD (a scope of your upper gastrointestinal tract) on your first appointment - don’t worry about that! They may order blood work though, and perform an abdominal exam (where they feel your stomach and listen with a stethoscope - called auscultation).

• Your doctor may perform what is called a DRE or digital rectal examination if your concerns are in your rectal/anal/bottom area or if you are having blood in your poop. This should not hurt, but it may cause dysphoria. Your doctor won’t rush you into things, will explain the steps of why they are performing the exam, and will make sure you are as covered as possible.

• If you do need a colonoscopy or endoscopy - you are not alone! I have had many.  In a colonoscopy and endoscopy, your  genital areas will remain covered and the doctor’s main focus is just on your colon. (and getting you better!)

• If you don’t feel like you were taken seriously, or treated differently or even not listened to at all due to being LGBTQ, please, please do not take that as a sign to stop seeking gastrointestinal care. There are gastroenterologists who will listen and care for you - sometimes it is harder to find them. The contact form below is the best way to reach me if you need help finding someone.