Gyn exams past childbearing years - do you see OB, Gyn, or primary care doctor?

[Anonymous]

I'm early 40s and DONE having kids. I've been seeing my OB for Pap smear, mammogram referral etc. I love my OB but since she does OB the wait times can be long and my schedule has gotten less flexible. I was thinking about switching to a doctor who does gyn only or going to my primary care doctor for pap and mammogram. Any feedback on what option is best once you're done with kids and entering perimenopause? I'm having hormonal swings and would like to explore options for dealing with that too.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend non gyn primary care doc. I would find a gyn who is either only a gyn, or at least whose practice is heavily weighted to gyn, rather than OB. And preferably someone who focuses on women in and approaching menopause. I switched to having my gyn care from my primary care doc after my last baby (late 30s), and stuck with that model for a few years. But I didn't feel like I was getting all the female expertise that I wanted, especially as menopause looms closer. So in my early 40s I went back to a gyn practice. It does mean that I need 2 physicals a year now, but I feel like I'm getting much better care in the lady department. Actually it's the same OB/gyn practice that delivered one of my babies, but they have lots of older patients, and I haven't experienced the scheduling issues that you mention. Hopefully it won't come to that, because I do really like the doctors. My .02

[Anonymous]

Who do you see? I am in the same boat but have not had luck finding a gyn only doc who takes my insurance.

[Anonymous]

I had a PCP in my hometown that did my pap smear etc. and never had to go to an ob/gyn specifically. Not sure about DC area though..

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the feedback. I think I will just try to find a new gyn only practice. 11:09 it is funny that you say that because I just noticed that the gyn only places I'm finding also do not take insurance.

[Anonymous]

I tried the PCP route briefly. As soon as anything was the least bit out of the ordinary, it was back to the GYN. So I figured I might as well keep up those visits.

I now see Lauren Muangman at Reiter Hill, and I think she's great. I've never had to wait long, and I don't feel rushed.

[Anonymous]

Dr Rebecca Busch at Reiter Hill is gyn only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tried the PCP route briefly. As soon as anything was the least bit out of the ordinary, it was back to the GYN. So I figured I might as well keep up those visits.

I now see Lauren Muangman at Reiter Hill, and I think she's great. I've never had to wait long, and I don't feel rushed.

I see her too, and agree she is excellent. She delivered my DC. But as I approach 50, I too am wondering how long I'll be welcome there as a patient, especially after menopause. Do women 60+, for example, still see gyns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tried the PCP route briefly. As soon as anything was the least bit out of the ordinary, it was back to the GYN. So I figured I might as well keep up those visits.

I now see Lauren Muangman at Reiter Hill, and I think she's great. I've never had to wait long, and I don't feel rushed.

I see her too, and agree she is excellent. She delivered my DC. But as I approach 50, I too am wondering how long I'll be welcome there as a patient, especially after menopause. Do women 60+, for example, still see gyns?

I'm 70, and I still see her.

[Anonymous]

I switched to a gyn only after my second (and final) child. I see Nancy Hafner in VA and she's wonderful.