Way OT: Obgyn visits

[Selkie]

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.

[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!

[Running Mommy]

OMG! Now THAT is funny!! WOW!

[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

[Lifesgreat]

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!

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". I cannot recall if attendance at that particular city council meeting was higher than usual

[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.

[doc]

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).

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 ) we don't go by history.

[fatbottomedgurl]

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...

[VenusdeVelo]

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

[btchance]

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 ) we don't go by history.

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.