Women's Health: When Should You Get a Second Opinion?
Chances are you've heard advice over the years to seek a second opinion regarding health diagnoses. If you've never tried to get a second opinion, the idea of going to another doctor may seem unnecessary. Many people don't seek second opinions simply because they're afraid of insulting their regular doctor.
However, second opinions can help you receive better care because you get your condition examined by someone with a different perspective and knowledge set. You may find that your initial diagnosis was incorrect or correct, that there's a less invasive treatment available to you, or that there are details that help refine the type of treatment you need.
You don't have to get a second opinion. However, a second opinion is advisable in certain circumstances.
When Your Diagnosis (or Lack Thereof) Doesn't Sound Right
When you have a health problem, you trust that your doctor will diagnose the condition and find the cause. However, even the best doctors can be stumped by strange symptoms. This can lead to diagnoses that just don't sound right, or, in some cases, to claims that nothing is wrong.
Receiving no diagnosis can occur because your lab tests and outward appearance both seem normal while you may still feel pain or strange symptoms. If you're told that the doctor can't find anything wrong, yet you still feel like something is off, get a second opinion. This isn't second-guessing; it's persisting until you get an explanation for what's giving you those strange symptoms.
As you prepare for your second-opinion appointment, start logging your symptoms (if you aren't already). Keep track of when your symptoms occur and what you feel like when they happen. Every detail can potentially help the doctor figure out what's going on.
When Treatment Advice Is Invasive or Extreme
Some health conditions call for urgent action that could seem drastic but is actually necessary. For example, if you're having odd abdominal pains, and a doctor identifies it as appendicitis that requires emergency surgery, that's an extreme plan of action—but one that you may agree with.
However, when you receive information and treatment advice that seems to be more intense than it has to be, you'll want a second opinion to confirm or adjust the advice. For example, if you have fibroids that are small but still causing you problems, you'll need some sort of treatment. If the first doctor you see says you need to have a hysterectomy, you may want a second opinion because other treatments exist that aren't as severe.
It's always possible that the first doctor had good reason for suggesting surgery instead of something like ablation. But if you can't find out why or still don't understand even after the doctor tries to explain it, you may need to seek a second opinion to confirm the first diagnosis.
When Your Doctor Hasn't Heard of Newer Treatments
Doctors are not always aware of the latest research on treatments and outcomes. This happens more often than you'd think. It's not that they're resistant to learning about new treatments; many doctors just don't have the time to constantly read new research.
If you've found yourself at odds with your doctor because they refuse to consider a specific treatment or are advocating for one that you've just learned isn't effective for your needs, obtain a second opinion from a doctor who's familiar with the research you saw. Keep in mind that if you're interested in a really new or experimental treatment, it may be harder to find a doctor who's heard of it or is willing to administer it.
A second opinion is a very helpful tool for advocating for your care. If you've received a diagnosis or you've been given advice that isn't sitting right with you, contact FemmeWell to set up a consultation for a second opinion. Our experts are here to help, and you deserve to have accurate information and access to effective treatments.
