Way OT: Obgyn visits

My current ob/gyn requires me to have an appointment every 6 months. I get a pap once a year, but he said for women who are on the pill he requires them to visit every 6 months. I only get a perscription for 6 months, so I'm sort of locked into it. My old dr only required yearly exams. So, I was wondering, what is the norm? I really don't enjoy going to the obgyn, so to be going twice a year now is not preferable. But, if this is norm and my other doctor was just different, that's fine. I just want to make sure my dr isn't forcing me to be extra careful while collecting some extra $$ from insurance. I'm in my mid-20s and have had no problems (knock on wood) with my health or my perscription.

How often do you go? Are you on the pill?

Prior to getting spayed I only had to go once a year. I think more frequent visits are required if you're using birth control?

Hmmm...this seems suspicious to me...

I'm on the pill (have been for a *long* time) and have only had to go once a year (unless there was a problem or question on my part - e.g. the new pill scrip wasn't controlling bleeding *at all*). I'm 27.

What do they do on the non-pap visit? This is the first I've heard of 2x per year because of the pill...I think I'd consider changing docs...

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

What do they do on the non-pap visit? This is the first I've heard of 2x per year because of the pill...I think I'd consider changing docs...

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Heck if I know. They just do an "exam". Basically, they look at my whoohoo and say, yep, everything looks OK! It's really quick, I pay about $10, get my perscription, and insurance covers the rest. I was planning on switching doctors again because of this but didn't want to if this was normal practice. The doctor came recommended from a friend and seems OK, except for the 2x per year thing. I just hadn't heard of it before either and part of me feels like it's just not necessary.

Im on the pill and in both the USA and Australia I have only ever gone once a year. Yikes I cant imagine going every six months, once a year seems to come around pretty quick.

When I was on the pill I went annually as well. Perhaps if you told them you would be making a change because of this requirement, they would 'get over it' and let you come once a year. Its worth a try since otherwise you are comfortable with the Doctor.

Tracy

OK.. to me this is really weird. As a matter of fact my insurance PROHIBITS and will not pay for more than one visit per year... so if I try to schedule prior to a year from the last one they decline it and I have to change the date! I have never, ever heard of going twice a year without reason. If you have had cervical cancer, or something else that is a pre-cancer indicator that would be different... yep, really weird.

I switched docs myself about 3 times before finding one I felt comfortable with. One of the ones I went to only once did my pap, but never called me by name and never looked me in the eyes. Hopefully she had MY chart and not someone elses! :rolleyes: I switched the next day...

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Originally Posted by bikerchick68

... One of the ones I went to only once did my pap, but never called me by name and never looked me in the eyes. Hopefully she had MY chart and not someone elses! :rolleyes: I switched the next day...

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I went in for my hysterectomy consult and the doc started asking if I'd reviewed the literature about choosing an abortion. :confused: The only way I was pregnant was if there was a star in the east and wise men coming over the hill so I was a bit perplexed. Turns out they had a woman with a similar last names papers mixed in with my file. :eek: Confidentiality my butt.

OMG Queen... that is the funniest thing I have heard in a while... thank you... with everything going on with my Mom's fall I really needed that laugh... :D

three wise men... snicker, snicker...

Had a colleague once -- guy -- who had an interview appointment with a doctor. (We were both researchers at a hospital research institute.) This guy had a pretty common name in Norway, Karlsen. The doc also had a pretty common name, like Olsen or Johnson. He shows up for the interview and says something like "Hi, I'm Stein Karlsen here to see Dr. Olsen." Receptionist says, "Oh, there you are! We've been waiting for you! Right this way." and steers him towards the operating room. Turns out another Karlsen had an appointment for a vasectomy with another Dr. Olsen that day. My colleague's youngest son is glad they got that straightened out in time (like when they started asking him to get undressed. "What? For an interview?").

I've been on the pill off and on for too many years to count and I've only ever had to go for yearly visits. My insurance (BCBS - Fed Gov't) only pays for preventive care once per year.

I'd either probe more into (sorry, I did the ban pun thing again - that's for you Corsair) why or switch doctors.

Only yearly visits here too, and personally I think even that is overkill! But I need to get my Nuvaring...so I go...

Sounds like he's either scamming insurance or just can't get enough of looking at the hoo-has...

What happens at the 6 month visit? The annual visit would be your comprehensive exam, pap, breast exam, etc. The other visit might be a blood pressure check. Other than that, I can't imagine why he'd need to see you twice a year. And if there's never been a problem with the BP, I could see one BP check 3 months after starting the pill (or any estrogen-containing method), but other than that...I, too, am flummoxed. Lise

I had cervical cancer twice in two years.. Well I think I just never REALLY got rid of it the first time, but that's another story.. Anyhoo... I was also put on an exerimental drug, sooo... It was every three mos. for the first year, then every six months for two years and then FINALLY the all clear and back to every year. But yeah, even w/ my sketchy history down yonder I still only go once a year. That almost seems creepy to me! I'd find a new doc. Of course that is just MY .02....

I'm on the pill, in my late 20's and go to a general practitioner once a year for a regular checkup that includes my pap and pelvic exam. The following month she sends me a full report on my health and results from any tests that were run. I really like the convenience of having it all done at the same time. It is a long visit but only once a year.

My bf's mom is a nurse practitioner and she told me that since I was young, on the pill and in a monogamous relationship I could actually skimp back to a physical exam once a year and a pap every two. I figure I’m already in there and insurance pays so what the heck.

Finding a good doctor or dentist is a lot like shoes. Sometimes you gotta shop around.

:p Erin

Once a year is all my gyn requires and I've been on the pill almost 20 years (and she's been my doc the entire time). I even had a breast tumor (benign) in my early 30s and she never ever made me come in more than once a year for my pap smear and mammogram "order." By the way, I'm 43.

Queen reminded me of a funny thing that happened at my obgyn's that I just have to tell. I was having symptoms of menopause (at age 43) and said so to the young nurse who was asking questions and taking my vitals. She asked me what symptoms and I told her--mood swings, night sweats, irregular periods. Then she said (and I swear this), "Are you having any public discomfort?" I was baffled and said, "What do you mean? Hot flashes in public?" Her reply was, "No, here in your public area." She motioned with her hand to her "public" area! I could hardly wait for my one on one visit with my doc, who was also a friend, to let him know he needed to educate her on terminology!

OMG! Now THAT is funny!! WOW! :D

Seems excessive to me, too. I've been on the pill for 12 years and it's only ever been annual.

As for getting a pap once every 2 years, that was in vogue for a very short time and is medically incorrect.

As for every 6 months, the only time I know of that 6 months would be appropriate is if you're young (teenagers being notoriously "not quite accurate"m with their history... they have multiple partners, or their one partner has multiple partners so they are at very high risk for STDs and should be checked every six months) or if you are not in a monogamous relationship. Remember you have to multiply the number of partners you have with the number of partners he has :eek:
Definitely feel perfectly comfortable to ask him straight out. Don't chicken out and ask the receptionist. Ask him/her

Thanks for all the responses!! Apparently, this is not normal. I'll be switching doctors. I know I could just demand to only go once a year, but the whole situation has me a little weirded out. He was an OK doctor, nothing special. I had to wait a really long time (about an hour) in a gown in a freezing room last time I went and he didn't apologize for the wait. That annoyed me a little. I don't mind waiting but let me wait in the waiting room where there are magazines and I'm not freezing in a paper thin gown!! Time to start shopping for a new doctor!

lol....about the monogamous relationship...very good info but I think DH and I both would have an issue if this were the reason :)

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Originally Posted by Aint Doody

Queen reminded me of a funny thing that happened at my obgyn's that I just have to tell. I was having symptoms of menopause (at age 43) and said so to the young nurse who was asking questions and taking my vitals. She asked me what symptoms and I told her--mood swings, night sweats, irregular periods. Then she said (and I swear this), "Are you having any public discomfort?" I was baffled and said, "What do you mean? Hot flashes in public?" Her reply was, "No, here in your public area." She motioned with her hand to her "public" area! I could hardly wait for my one on one visit with my doc, who was also a friend, to let him know he needed to educate her on terminology!

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OK, WAY OT, but this story reminded me of something that happened to me. I was working for a city and typed up a public hearing notice/staff report for a land use issue. It was only after it was distributed that I noticed I left the "l" out of "Public Hearing". :eek: I cannot recall if attendance at that particular city council meeting was higher than usual :rolleyes:

1 year is the norm, and thats only because of the pap smear. Now that we are close to having vaccines for cervical cancer (phase III clinical trials now), we shouldn't even have to go that often in the near future.

Unless you have a known condition that they need to monitor, this so sounds suspecious. Like others, my insurance only pays for 1 annual well-woman exam. Heck I don't even need to go for a full visit if I just need a refill on my prescription (I like to change types like no tomorrow, normal pill, seasonale, patch... tried em all)

I'd find a friend who trusts theirs and give them a try. Nothing like a good personal recommendation. :)

Back in the day, it was annual for me, too.

Maybe the pill you are on may cause high blood pressure or something so he wants to monitor you but twice a year? I don't know anyone who has to do that. I would find another Dr.

"As for getting a pap once every 2 years, that was in vogue for a very short time and is medically incorrect."

Actually in our clinic, an every-other-year annual is acceptable for women who have a negative Pap history. We allow them to come yearly for annuals if that is their preference.

Unless a women is 21+ or has been sexually active for 3 or more years, we do not require a regular physical exam but would instead take an extensive personal and family history. I am always surprised how many family health care providers insist on teens getting Paps even on young women not yet sexually active (or having gyn complaints).

If a physician required me to return twice a year, I would be sure I did not need to be on a "Pap follow" which is basically when a women has a recent abnormal Pap. Standards for the resulting care differ. We are required by law to be very pro-active in encouraging any needed follow-up care.

It has also become vogue for some physicians to charge monthly retainer fees. If you decide to change your health care provider, make sure you get records sent to your new provider for continuity of care. Good to always ask questions. ;)

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Originally Posted by Quillfred

Unless a women is 21+ or has been sexually active for 3 or more years, we do not require a regular physical exam but would instead take an extensive personal and family history. I am always surprised how many family health care providers insist on teens getting Paps even on young women not yet sexually active (or having gyn complaints).

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You don't recommend a pelvic exam until someone has been sexually active for 3 years?????

The AAP and ACOG recommend a pelvic after the 1st sexual intercourse experience and yearly thereafter. The youngsters are the ones with the highest rates of STD's. Why are you not doing exams until long long after this window?
Having worked in the inner city for years and seeing many many many immaculate conceptions and even more spontaneous STD's ("from the toilet seat" I guess:eek: ) we don't go by history.

All these OB stories reminds me of the last time I filled my pill prescription before hubbie got fixed. On the bottle it said - I kid you not - "Use in the right ear" !!!

PS- My mom was an OB Gyn nurse for 20 years and she said the doctors always spent more time with the cute gals...

AHHHH!!! Fatbottomgurl...that creeps me out!!!

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Originally Posted by doc

You don't recommend a pelvic exam until someone has been sexually active for 3 years?????

The AAP and ACOG recommend a pelvic after the 1st sexual intercourse experience and yearly thereafter. The youngsters are the ones with the highest rates of STD's. Why are you not doing exams until long long after this window?
Having worked in the inner city for years and seeing many many many immaculate conceptions and even more spontaneous STD's ("from the toilet seat" I guess:eek: ) we don't go by history.

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At my medical school, and with the gyn oncologists I worked with this summer, they all recommend (and taught us for our exams) the pap 3 years after their 1st intercourse or by the age of 21, and if normal, then every year until 30 then every other year for the pap while still having the annual exam. Apparently it's just been changed recently, at least that's what I was told.

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Originally Posted by btchance

At my medical school, and with the gyn oncologists I worked with this summer, they all recommend (and taught us for our exams) the pap 3 years after their 1st intercourse or by the age of 21, and if normal, then every year until 30 then every other year for the pap while still having the annual exam. Apparently it's just been changed recently, at least that's what I was told.

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The pap test is one thing, a pelvic exam is another. The pap is not the only thing out there. Of course abnormal cells from HPV would not develop on the cervix in the weeks/months following the first intercourse. However, there SHOULD be testing for other STDs!!! :eek: There is much worse than the HPV out there.

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Originally Posted by Grog

The pap test is one thing, a pelvic exam is another. The pap is not the only thing out there. Of course abnormal cells from HPV would not develop on the cervix in the weeks/months following the first intercourse. However, there SHOULD be testing for other STDs!!! :eek: There is much worse than the HPV out there.

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I definately wasn't trying to imply that the annual exam shouldn't be done, but a lot of women out there won't go in for anything other than the pap, as they seem to think that STDs would never happen to them.

ANY DOCTOR IS YOUR EMPLOYEE -- YOU ARE PAYING FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES, AND ARE ENTITLED TO GETTING WHAT YOU WANT. DON'T LET THEM BULLY YOU, DISRESPECT YOU OR MANIPULATE YOU.

After 62 years I learned that we patients DO NOT have to put up with crap and should freely tell any doctor if we don't like the way they treat us.

I did this with one cocky male doctor and he tried to insist that I get "anger management" treatment!!! (I had told him he should have told me what pulmonary hypertension was and not let me go on the Internet and scare myself to death! and I told him that he was a "bad" doctor for not communicating with me properly about that condition he told me I had)

He also prescribed tranquilizers for me that caused me to go into congestive heart failure in just five days, despite my insisting I needed to be taking diuretics, which he took me off of. I had sleep apnea and tranquilizers are a NO NO for such conditions, and at the ER the doctors asked me why this DODO didn't give me diuretics!!! That's all they gave me and I was AOK in 45 minutes!! He nearly KILLED ME!!:eek:

I CHANGED DOCTORS IMMEDIATELY!!!:mad:

Annually should be the norm unless you have a condition that needs more frequent treatment. Some HMO's do have quotas for patients and do deliberately try to get you in for more frequent visits!!!:mad:

So, if they won't look at you, call you by name, apologize for keeping you waiting or won't answer your questions, DUMP THEM!!:mad:

Scary! I alwyas switch Dr it seems. I might do it again. I have an IUD and when I had my last exam she couldn't see the string. So she goes and gets some devise that is supposed to help grasp it. And she strts digging around, very uncompfortable, and still doesn't find it. She starts talking about ordering x rays and so on. I am freaking out. Wondering if I was prego or not? And then thinking about what they would have to do in order to get it out? and the whole time she is hurting me. Finally she says well lets finish the rest of the exam and worry about this afterward, she takes everything out and goes in with her fingers to check te ovaries and what not, and guess what she feels the string! I was so relieved and pissed. And se goes "wow that string is short". And I said to her that it has always been like that. And she says who put it in?" and I said "You" and she said " I wouldn't cut it that short" and i said it has always been like that though". I don't know should I find another Dr?