Erika L Dearing, DO

I had a consultation with Dr. Dearing yesterday to meet her and discuss my health concerns. I'm 23 and have never had a full gynecological checkup because of an extreme fear of pelvic exams. I had to be prescribed a medication by a mental health specialist to even get in the door for this consultation. I was also worried about getting weighed and having the nurse or doctor discuss my weight with me. For most people, this would have been fine, but I have a lesser-known eating disorder, so it could be devastating for me. My dietician called the practice and told them not to do anything weight-related with me, that she has that aspect of my healthcare taken care of. Anyway, it started when her nurse called me back and led me past the scale right into an exam room without comment then gently went through my paperwork with me, being patient with the leftover part of my anxiety that the medication hadn't totally removed. After she left, Dr. Dearing entered less than five minutes later. As… we began talking, I decided she was gentle, patient, a good listener, and more competent than many doctors who had been in practice much longer. We discussed the intense fear and physical pain I feel with tampons and speculums, and she patiently discussed what options we had in light of this problem. We set up a plan that I'm comfortable with. She assured me that when an exam becomes necessary, if I tell her at anytime during it to get the thing out of me, she will immediately. She said sedating me is even an option she'd consider if oral medication is not enough. I did end up mentioning something about my eating disorder, and she listened patiently to me explain what it meant for a person with my particular disorder, including extreme insecurity about body size, and she told me, "Nothing I would do with you depends on how much you weigh." She said she had received my dietician's message and was perfectly content to honor that. Meeting Dr. Dearing could not cure my fear, by any means, but one meeting, and I trust her completely. I recommend her to all women, even those with mental or physical concerns that wouldn't be understood by every doctor. She certainly understood me!