OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies)

• 02-21-2008 11:09 AM

  Cita Joined on 12-13-2006 CT Posts 4,478 Points 735

  OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact Who do you go to for your annual "woman's health" appointment? I'm due for a pap (ughhhhhhhh) and want to get a prescription for BC pills. I have no special issues, just need a checkup, and can't go to the dr. I usually have gone to because I recently moved. I have a recommendation for a good (female) general practitioner nearby, but don't know any OBGYNs. I am soooooooooo awkward, I spend all year dreading the pap smear... I can barely even make eye contact with the doctor afterwards, they probably think I'm an idiot, lol. And since I have to find a new person now it'll be that much worse... Any advice that could make it easier would be very, very, very appreciated!

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• 02-21-2008 11:14 AM

  In reply to Cita

  jennyx0023 Joined on 09-10-2007 Pittsburgh Posts 1,487 Points 215

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact  I go to an Ob/Gyn and I drive 30 mins. just to go to this one that I've been going to since I started. I dread having to find a new one. I used to be like you, I hated going there. I used to dread it, and get nervous about it. But since they keep finding abnormalities on my cervix I have to go every 6 months (or sooner) for my paps, and this past summer I was there about 5 times for pap tests and scraping therefore, I'm so used to it anymore. I guess just take your time looking for one, and make sure you feel comfortable with the doctor.  Asking friends or co-workers is always good too, but then again I came from an all women office so this subject was brought up quite frequently for discussion. ~~ Jenn ~~ "Dogs are miracles with paws"

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• 02-21-2008 11:21 AM

  In reply to jennyx0023

  boneyjean Joined on 09-10-2007 FW, TX Posts 2,066 Points 30

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact OBGYN..and for the same reason Jenny has gone a lot.  I had the same thing and had to eventually have a biopsy done in the hospital and go every six months for 2 years.  If you go to a GP and they find something wrong it may take awhile to get into an OBGYN which is who I would want taking care of me if my pap was abnormal.  If time is of the essence then this could be a problem.  I LOVE my OBGYN.  Asside from the fact that I don't really care for the actual exam, he is my favorite doctor I have.  I actually go to one who no longer delivers babies and I find that I don't have to wait as long since he doesn't have pregnant women.  When I get pregnant, I will go to whoever he refers me to.  My mother goes to him as well and has loved every doctor they have referred her to as much as she loves him. ~Sarah, Harley & Izzy~ boneyjean.blogspot.com

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• 02-21-2008 11:24 AM

  In reply to Cita

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 6,753 Points 360	Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I've gone to both and if you're not having any problems and just need the annual exam and BCPs, then you should be fine with the one that's been recommended.  If you're uncomfortable with the whole thing, then seeing a female will probably make it less stressful. If there's any concerns, the GP will usually refer you to a Gyn Dr. ~ Cathy ~
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• 02-21-2008 11:27 AM

  In reply to cakana

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 7,097 Points 850

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I'm not sure, I *think* mine is a GP, not a real obgyn.  I actually just got back.  She did a pap and a breast exam, along with the usual yearly physical stuff, and renewed my BC.  Next year I get a tetanus shot.  I passed on some of the other tests.  I don't have any health conditions related to my womanly parts though, so for me it doesn't matter. vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC (GSD) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC (All American) Alta-Tollhaus' Bono (GSD)

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• 02-21-2008 11:34 AM

  In reply to Liesje

  SalemsMom Joined on 10-19-2007 Western Maryland Posts 787 Points 100

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I go to an obgyn, but only because I'm planning on having a baby in the next year or so. My GP is also a male, and although I like him as a GP I would be totally uncomfortable with a male doing the down there exam. I dread it all year as well. I'm due to go back in April. If I didn't get the bc pills I probably wouldn't go as much as your supposed to.

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• 02-21-2008 11:56 AM

  In reply to SalemsMom

  TheDogHouseBCMPD Joined on 11-06-2007 Maryland Posts 1,408 Points 190

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I go to an OBGYN.  When I started going there my GP at the time was a male and he said he could do it, but I was *not* comfortable with the idea of him being there, I really didn't like him that much anyway.  Now I have a different GP but I still just go to the OBGYN b/c I always have.  If I had a female GP that I was comfortable with and didn't have any special issues I wouldn't be opposed to just haveing the GP handle it. ~Steph "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

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• 02-21-2008 12:44 PM

  In reply to TheDogHouseBCMPD

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,696 Points 75

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact  I go to an OB, because I have issues. I have to find a new one, though, because the one I've been using is brushing me off. Apparently, 12 years is not long enough to recognize that this is NOT PMS. I don't know my body well enough to know when there is a problem, soooo.... I should stop whining and take the pill.   I hate going, too. I do not go as often as I should.  Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 02-21-2008 12:45 PM

  In reply to Cita

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,895 Points 2,030	Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I always have had a ob/gyn even before I had kiddos. I just want a specialist whenever possible. I'm like that with my eyes too...I don't do optometrists much...usually opthamologists. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "Carne Asada, is not a crime."
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• 02-21-2008 12:55 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  MissMandy Joined on 08-14-2006 Chesapeake, Virginia Posts 1,829 Points 0	Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I've gone to both, and actually prefer my current gal, who is a GP. I think it's all a matter of preference, but if you are having "issues", I might recommend the OBGYN, like Gina said - they're just more specialized. ~Dog is my co-pilot.~
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• 02-21-2008 1:29 PM

  In reply to MissMandy

  KarissaKS Joined on 06-01-2007 La Crosse, WI Posts 628 Points 795

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I started going to an OB/GYN when I was 17, so any time I had to switch clinics (for insurance) I would just go to another OB/GYN -- always female.  I refuse to have a male doctor. Anyhow, a few years ago my doctor left the hospital.  I didn't have a GP, so I decided to find one that I like and go to her for everything.  I think she's great and I prefer having the GP because you can see the same doctor for everything.  My OB/GYN wouldn't even discuss my blood pressure issues with me.  She'd just say, "Your BP is a little high, you should have that checked out."  I was like, aren't YOU a doctor? Last year I had a "female issue" that required seeing an OB/GYN.  My GP gave me a referral and I didn't have any issues at all getting in to see the new doctor.  She then sent the results to my GP and I went over it with her. Luke -- Lab/Shepherd (1-1-04) Open Versatility, EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, HP-O Kaiser -- Alaskan Klee Kai (12-30-07) Future Agility Star!

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• 02-21-2008 1:55 PM

  In reply to KarissaKS

  Cita Joined on 12-13-2006 CT Posts 4,478 Points 735

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact Thanks for all your replies!!!!!!!! I had a glowing recommendation for a GP, so I called her up... only to find that she's only part-time these days and isn't taking any new clients. So now I have to go back to square 1 finding someone - anyone in central CT who knows of a good female doctor or OBGYN?  I totally agree with feeling better about a female doctor - I don't want no man getting down there without at least buying me dinner or something first, lol!

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• 02-21-2008 2:46 PM

  In reply to Cita

  Bullymom Joined on 03-14-2007 North Carolina Posts 2,705 Points 80

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact I go to an OB/GYN for my exams.  I have had problem with my cervix and I actually had the beginnings of cancer forming on my cervix when I was 16 and had to have part of my cervix removed.  My OB is a male.  I prefer a male.  In my experience, males are way more gentle that females.  I actually have to go back to mine soon to get the Mirena put in.  Good Luck with the doctor search.  It's had to find a doctor that you can actually feel comfortable with.

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• 02-21-2008 7:23 PM

  In reply to Cita

  marynh Joined on 09-10-2007 Gateway to NH White Mtns. Posts 1,346 Points 15	Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact my GP is female as is her entire staff (she has a PT nurse practitioner that I usually see - didn't have insurance for years so got used to seeing the nurse cause they charge less). Anyway I go to them.....trust
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• 02-21-2008 7:36 PM

  In reply to marynh

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,283 Points 1,975

  Re: OBGYN or GP? (for the ladies) Reply Contact Ok, this is gonna sound like raving sexism but it is TRULY how I feel -- I am going to a woman not a man because when somebuddy shoves that sharp plastic thing where the sun never shines I want to know that THEY have experienced it and know what it feels like.  I have a tipped uterus, and I spent until I was 40 being mutilated every time I went (I would typically bleed for a day or two just after a pap) and at one time I had this endless list of doctors who chased me around and around because I had 'atypical cells' that they kept warning me "might be pre-cancerous" etc ... and it was THE WORST experience of my life.  Altho I couldn't handle going to a man, I hadn't found a good woman doctor either to be honest. FINALLY, simply took the recommendation of another doctor (an internist) and found a lady who is golden.  I've gone to her for 13 years now and she's awesome.  Bottom line -- there's no magic.  TALK to people, ask for recommendations and why. I have no preference over the type of doctor -- altho I think Dr. Barry is good simply because she does specialize and she is very like-minded with me about natural aproaches when possible.  But I've been thru it all -- really severe menorrhagia durng the beginning of menopause and for about 6 years I had to have a biopsy done every year with my pap.  Not fun ... so having someone I felt had my interests truly at heart was what got me thru.  I wish there was a magic answer for you but I truly think this one is personal.  And if you find one right off the bat you're fortunate!!

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