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

[Anonymous]

I go every year for an annual and I also do an annual with my GP.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you maintain a relationship with an ob gyn. You may think you may have no issues, but something may come up that needs to be handled quickly and you dont want to have to scramble to find someone decent. I'm in a bad spot right now because I'm having an issue that needs to be evaluated with a procedure asap and my gyn no longer takes my insurance so now I am trying to get in with someone good and of course all the "good" ones have first appointments six months out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no special risks or issues. I had a pap and mammo last year, as well as an ultrasound and uterine biopsy to check on some off-cycle bleeding (which stopped). All results normal.

I was surprised to get a call about scheduling my annual exam. Do we do annual exams now? I thought it was every 3 years.

Every year annual visit for gyn. Every three years pap/HPV, every year mammogram. I also ask once a year or two for pelvic ultrasound. Just to check insides. No specific concerns or extra risks. I am 43, have been doing it since after pregnancies 2011

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Right, and I'm sure it also screens for cervical cancer. But why yearly? I have a pap every 3 years and I've actually never had a mammogram (early 40s) so why have a pelvic exam yearly if you have no family history of reproductive system cancers?

[Anonymous]

I go to my GYN every year for regular check up but paps only every 5 years. Mammograms every year (started around age 41)

[Anonymous]

Please go once a year to at least have your breast checked manually by the gyn or your regular doctor.

I am 46 and my mom died from breast cancer when she was 50 so I've had mammograms since I was 37 every year.

I had absolutely NO history of pelvic diseases in my family and have had my uterus removed when I was 43 because of cancer (thankfully stage 1).

Sorry for my English mistakes (I'm not American), I just want to warn you to be serious about your health, because cancer doesn't have to run in the family to get to you and sometimes (very often), it's NOT painful. I had absolutely no pain for mine but a regular check brought it up.

I wish you all the best of health for 2024 and beyond

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please go once a year to at least have your breast checked manually by the gyn or your regular doctor.

I am 46 and my mom died from breast cancer when she was 50 so I've had mammograms since I was 37 every year.

I had absolutely NO history of pelvic diseases in my family and have had my uterus removed when I was 43 because of cancer (thankfully stage 1).

Sorry for my English mistakes (I'm not American), I just want to warn you to be serious about your health, because cancer doesn't have to run in the family to get to you and sometimes (very often), it's NOT painful. I had absolutely no pain for mine but a regular check brought it up.

I wish you all the best of health for 2024 and beyond

1. I'm sorry about your mom. 2. You made no mistakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Right, and I'm sure it also screens for cervical cancer. But why yearly? I have a pap every 3 years and I've actually never had a mammogram (early 40s) so why have a pelvic exam yearly if you have no family history of reproductive system cancers?

Because it’s recommended? I don’t have any family history of reproductive cancers but I get an annual pelvic exam and mammogram, and a pap as often as it’s recommended. I don’t find those a big deal (well I don’t like paps but pelvic exams and mammo’s are NBD). I also plan on getting a colonoscopy once I turn 45. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go every year for an annual and I also do an annual with my GP.

Same. Always have (some years have skipped the gp if between one as they always seem to be quitting or going concierge but otherwise annually for both)