Way OT: Obgyn visits

[SalsaMTB]

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?

[Pax]

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?

[Blueberry]

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...

[SalsaMTB]

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...

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.

[Trekhawk]

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.

[tprevost]

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

[bikerchick68]

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! I switched the next day...

[E2theD]

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.

Erin

[Robbin_G]

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

[doc]

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
Definitely feel perfectly comfortable to ask him straight out. Don't chicken out and ask the receptionist. Ask him/her

[SalsaMTB]

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

[Kyna]

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.

[pkq]

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

[Brandi]

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.

[Quillfred]

"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.