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...

[Pax]

... 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...

I went in for my hysterectomy consult and the doc started asking if I'd reviewed the literature about choosing an abortion. 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. Confidentiality my butt.

[bikerchick68]

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...

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

[Duck on Wheels]

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?").

[DrBee]

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.

[roughingit]

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...

[Lise]

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

[Running Mommy]

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....

[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