I'm 44, how often to see the GYN?

[Anonymous]

You only need pap smear every 3 years or every 5 years if combined with HPV test. This is assuming normal history etc.

My GP does this for me and also refers me for mammograms. I haven't been to a GYN since I had kids.

[Anonymous]

I assume most women aren't looking forward to the pelvic exam (although of course we need it) so free yourselves from this annual business ladies. That recommendation changed a while ago.

[Anonymous]

I see a GYN ever 3 years for pap. I have never had a mammogram (43, no family history, I'll probably start at 45).

I have a PCP but haven't seen them in person in years (pre-Covid). I just do a Telehealth appointment with them when I have an issue, and then almost always get a referral to a specialist. I feel like post-40, that's basically what a PCP is for -- to figure out what specialist you need to see and provide an informed referral. My issues are stuff like sciatica and kidney stones, a GP is not going to treat those things in this era. I don't go to the doctor for colds.

[Anonymous]

I go yearly for an annual pelvic exam. I'm 45, last child was born 4 years ago. But I also have a family history of breast cancer and endometrial cancer, so I much prefer to err on the side of caution and maintain yearly exams.
The midwife I typically see (CNM in a combined OBGYN/CNM practice) writes the referral for my yearly mammogram at the same appointment.

[Anonymous]

My GYN office also calls every year to schedule an annual exam, even though I have never had an abnormal PAP. I have just been going there instead of a PCP but I think the PAP is excessive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My GYN office also calls every year to schedule an annual exam, even though I have never had an abnormal PAP. I have just been going there instead of a PCP but I think the PAP is excessive.

Agree that's excessive, especially with no abnormal PAP (I have had a few abnormal PAPs over the last 20 years but no HPV and all follow ups clear, and my doc recommends every 3 years for me).

I think in the last few years there is greater awareness of problems associated with over-screening. They've reduced the mammogram recommendation (and raised the age for annual mammograms unless you have family history) and I've even seen a recommendation that you could reduce PAPs to every 5 instead of every 3 if no family history or other risk factors.

[Anonymous]

At my gyn check up last spring, I was told pelvic and breast exams are yearly. Paps every 3-5 years. Yearly mammograms.

[Anonymous]

I go every year but also have elevated risk of breast cancer so have to do both a mammogram and breast MRI every year. I have spread those out to alternating 9 months (so I am getting both within an 18 month span instead of 12) because it seemed like too much.

Maybe I just need to switch to the GP (actually a NP) instead since I have to pay an additional annual fee at both places now.

I am 62 and can stop all of it at 65 - either because at that point my risk is actually lower, or because insurance decided that after 65 the cost of early detection is no longer worth it.

[Anonymous]

I went through menopause at 47 and switched at that point to seeing my PCP annually. She does pap smears (not annually) along with any labs needed. I come from a high risk family for breast cancer and go to a breast care clinic for my mammogram rx and follow-up. I don't really have gyn problems and didn't see the need to continue with a gyn and this saves a visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my gyn check up last spring, I was told pelvic and breast exams are yearly. Paps every 3-5 years. Yearly mammograms.

What would be the reason for an annual pelvic exam for an otherwise healthy woman who is no longer trying to get pregnant or trying not to get pregnant (whether menopausal or not). I get it if you have an IUD or are trying to get pregnant, and obviously if you had an issue with pain or abnormal periods, it's merited. But what preventative purpose does an annual pelvic exam serve, assuming you are getting regular PAPs?

[Anonymous]

My new ob friend old me a pap is needed every year, even with no history of an abnormal pap and negative hpv test. However it’s unlikely I’ll do that every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My new ob friend old me a pap is needed every year, even with no history of an abnormal pap and negative hpv test. However it’s unlikely I’ll do that every year.

Huh? My gyn told me to come back in 3 years after a clear pap according to the current guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my gyn check up last spring, I was told pelvic and breast exams are yearly. Paps every 3-5 years. Yearly mammograms.

What would be the reason for an annual pelvic exam for an otherwise healthy woman who is no longer trying to get pregnant or trying not to get pregnant (whether menopausal or not). I get it if you have an IUD or are trying to get pregnant, and obviously if you had an issue with pain or abnormal periods, it's merited. But what preventative purpose does an annual pelvic exam serve, assuming you are getting regular PAPs?

NP. A pelvic exam is a screening tool for ovarian cancer.

[Anonymous]

While ovarian cancer isn’t usually detected by a pelvic exam, at age 44 I went for my annual exam, and the gyn felt a lump while doing an external pelvic exam. While a CT and ultrasound could image it, it wasn’t till surgery that I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP, thanks for the responses. My GYN prescribes the mammogram. I don't routinely see a GP.

My understanding was mammogram every 2 years, pap every 3 years. Is that not correct? I don't understand why I'd need a physical exam annually.

Routine blood work, for starters