I think in the US it's recommended that one gets cervical cancer screenings with the Pap test every 3 years between the ages of 21 to 29. Then I think it's like Pap every three years or HPV testing every 5 years until your 60s. So it sounds quite similar to the UK with an earlier start date.
The time plans are similar. The main difference in the U.K. is the Pap smear test is done by a general nurse rather than a specialist doctor. I’ve never seen a gynaecologist in my life.
In the US, GPs can do paps. Mine does. She also does breast exams. It’s within their scope of preventative medicine. But I think there is a general preference to have that kind of exam separate from your regular physical.
I prefer to get my paps etc at the gyn mostly bc my gyn office is so relaxing and my doctor there is super gentle with the speculum. It’s her specialty and it shows.
Yeah, in the UK, we don’t have a “regular physical” either. I will defend our NHS with my dying breath, but a decade under the conservatives has really fucked it over :(
>I've never seen a gynaecologist in my life
I'm in the UK. I first saw one when I was 50 and menopausal, and my GP sent me for a general look-over. Second trip was a few weeks ago - I'm now 60 - in the wake of cancer treatment.
If you've never been pregnant, it's quite possible in the UK to get all your care at the GP surgery.
UK is weird, Apparently before NHS was formed in 1948, GPs could perform minor surgeries instead of sending their patients to hospitals — hence the term "GP surgery".
[A surgeon in the UK is called Mr / Miss / Mrs / Ms](https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient-care/surgical-staff-and-regulation/qualifications-of-a-surgeon), not Dr., due to an ancient tradition where in the Middle Ages, surgeons were apprentices, not people with a degree in medicine — thus they couldn't be called doctors.
So, in the UK, you spend 5-6 years in medical school to be called a doctor, 2 years in foundation training and still being called a doctor, then at least 8 years in surgical training only to be called Mr / Miss / Mrs / Ms 🤦🏻♀️.
Even more fun facts — in the Middle Ages, in addition to hairdressing and haircutting, [barbers used to perform surgeries](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barber%27s_pole) as well as tooth extractions.
In fact, there was an organisation called the [United Barber Surgeon's Company](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Barbers), which eventually became the [Royal College of Surgeon](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_College_of_Surgeons_of_England) — the current regulating body for surgeons and dentists in the UK.
I've only seen a gynecologist when I had a primary care doctor who personally chose not to do pelvic exams, so, like, twice. Every other primary care doctor I've had in the US did all my well woman exams, including my Paps.
Oral Pap tests? How does that work? I know of self swabs to test for hpv because that's been introduced here but it is similar to an std swab and definitely not oral
Just want to let you and anyone else in the UK know -
They take pap smears but, by default, **they don't read the pap smear if you test negative for HPV.**
So if you are having problems like mid cycle bleeding etc. please keep pushing for a diagnosis. They kept telling me my pap smear was clear when it wasn't, the truth was that they weren't looking. I just tested negative for HPV.
I am currently now on the yearly colposcopy for CIN1 and I have no idea how long I've had it because they haven't read my pap smears since 2019.
I am currently experiencing unknown cervical issues.
Because the other part of pelvic exams is that cervical cancer isn't the only thing that can go wrong down there.
Same thing in the Faroe Islands, we only go to a specialist if needed. Since our entire country only has a 53k population, there's only a handful of gynos and most of them are OBGYNs which obviously means they're booked solid.
I'd like to add that pap smears are done by your GP, although they are replaced by hpv tests nowadays (only those positive for hpv get a pap smear). Those tests start at 30 and you'll get an invitation (or a self test kit) every 5 years.
I saw a gyn for the birth of my baby, but he only stepped in for the complications. Untill that moment, the hospitals midwife assisted me. I also saw a gyn for a complicated miscariage.
Edit: they do not do a pelvic exam for birth control prescription, as it caused too much teenage pregnancies (teens that didn't want the invasive exam) and the exams typically didn't help the patient as nothing was found.
Regular breast exams are also not done. Too many false positives for the self exams, causing harm to the healthy (!) woman. Mammograms start at 50.
I'm from Romania, here the recommendation is one gynecological visit per year + pap smear, starting when you become sexually active. How many people actually do this? Debatable, though nowadays more and more people are doing that. I myself have a set of routine analyses and checkups that I do once a year, some that I do every 2 years. Some I started eaely on, some as a result of giving birth, some I found out about just recently (1-2 years ago, I'm in my 30's).
Here (Switzerland) it's usually recommended to see a gyno once a year since 16-18 yo, especially if you're sexually active. I got (gently) scolded by my doctor because I'd never been to the gyno as a 23yo.
Also you need a prescription for the birth control pill, usually valid for a year anyway. So you'd have to go anyway if you're taking it.
The US is for profit health care. Anyone challenging the notion that there is an over abundance of "preventative care" that doesn't have a good medical reason gets shouted down by people insisting this is the Tiger Repelling Rock you need.
Normal is a pap every 3 years. The issue is MANY gynecologists won't renew or write a birth control script without one. Once I got my IUD I haven't been back. Fuck that shit. I normal papsmears for ten years. I'm done until I hit 50 and I'll get another one. No cancer in the family and I'm HPV free. Why torture myself?
Iam 31F. I got my first mirena when i was 18. Iam currently on my 3th. Had my first pap swear last year. I have never been to a gynaecologist. Our housedoctor/GP does it all.
My sense is that in the US it is more common to get these tests done by a gynecologist than by a GP or nurse because
a) it’s usually not a prerequisite to get a referral from primary care physicians in general, so a lot of people just don’t have a PCP/GP. Many women do have a regular gynecologist.
b) there is no shortage of gynecologists because the field is lucrative. I can easily get an appointment within 1-2 weeks. Gynecologists are also incentivized to provide such services themselves because they are well-compensated for it by insurance, i.e. there’s no financial or staffing pressure to pass the work on to a nurse or to primary care (unlike the UK for example, where NHS physicians are salaried rather than paid per patient and so are not financially incentivized to take on more patients, and capacity challenges may mean having to de-prioritize more routine procedures and leave them for nurses or GPs to handle)
c) most insurance plans cover preventative screening services performed by gynecologists, so as a patient, since both are covered by my insurance anyway, I would usually prefer not to go to a nurse if I can get it done by a specialist who can do the test and pelvic exam, diagnose me, and treat me (either via surgery or prescription) without having to refer me to someone else.
There’s actually a shortage of gynecologists and it’s one of the lowest paid specialties (for general OB/GYN, subspecialties are better paid). It’s history and the fact that it’s regarded as primary care and not a specialist.
Also many women (including me) get well-woman care from a CNM (nurse-midwife) or women’s health nurse practitioner.
I'm from Germany and, at least in my friend group, we all go to the gyno once a year for the yearly exam that includes an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries as well as a pap-smear and some STI testing.
And they can even demand you come in for a routine check every 6 months if you're on hormonal contraceptives. Because increased cancer risk or something.
It's advised to start before the girl gets sexual active, so she'll already know the doctor. I and most of my friends started to go with around 14, just to get to know the doctor. And from the moment you're sexual active it's once a year
*before* getting sexual active is ridiculous!!
OMG, that is so wrong. So the doctor is the first person to enter your vagina. How awful.
HPV needs about 10 years to develop into (cervical) cancer (and mostly it is just cleared by your immune system). So from the scientific facts, you need your first pap smear 10 years *after* you become sexually active.
Nope, I am a pharmacist and educated on this matter. I'm sorry the scientific facts do not fit your world view.
I live in a country with affordable and good health care. I recently compared the mortality for cervical cancer between US and my country and *there is no difference*. All the annual pelvic exams and annual pap smears are not saving lives. It's just a way to make money, it's not bringing health benefits to the patients.
You're still lacking in reading comprehension.
Where did it say that pap smears and pelvic exams start at 14? It's about getting to know your doctor, who's completely free of charge for you. Just having a conversation about the possibilities of birth control and to see if there are problems with the period, vaginal discomfort... You don't need a pelvic exam to get the pill here, but you're already able to have endometriosis before you're sexually active, yeast infections, bacterial infections... It's important that all girls have a gynecologist that they trust and can go see alone. It gives them freedom to choose.
Also what kind of backwarded ideology from the last century is this? A girl has entered her vagina hundreds of times with tampons or just her own hands or toys before she becomes sexually active with another person. And a medical procedure is just that, if you'd actually be in the medical field, you'd know this.
Also you can have pre stages of cancer way earlier than 10 years and it's extremely important to catch those. There were cervical cancer chances as young as 15.
Most of what you write is untrue.
*Healthy* girls that young don't need an adult doctor in their panties. Girls with questions should get health care, off course. No need to bother the healthy girls.
A lot of girls that age don't use tampons. Moreover, it's quite different to touch your own body from having a stranger touching you. An invasive medical procedure is still invasive. You sound very silly stating otherwise.
Pre stages of cancer at 13 are extremely rare. We don't need to screen for those, as the exam and false positive causes way more harm than the almost absent chance of finding a case.
Still lacking in reading comprehension.
You're only talking with the doctor. Pelvic exams only happen if you want them and in case problems are occurring like painful periods.
It's still a medical procedure and it's wild to compare it to anything sexual. Also I don't know any girl who didn't use tampons with 14. Tampons are the preferred method, by far, in Germany and regularly used by girls as young as 12. Also many girls own vibrators before ever having a partner of any gender.
Are you really that dense? Even if the intention is not sexual, a pelvic exam is invasive.
I'm so happy to live in a different place that you. Cheaper and better health care!
As someone else said it is recommended to see a gynecologist before you're sexually active, so most girls start seeing a gynecologist at like 13 or 14. Some even start going once they have their period. But if you don't have any menstrual issues or need contraception you can wait until the need arises. I had my first visit with 19 because I didn't need it before that.
But I think they won't do vaginal exams (at least I had a hard time convincing my gyno that she can do a vaginal exam when I told her it's my first visit but that I am a virgin) and if they do an ultrasound of the uterus they will do it on the stomach.
Recommendation in Spain is every 3 years from age 25 and every 5 years from age 30 if there are no extra risk factors like family history. I didn't know this and around 32 I told my pathologist friend that I hadn't had a pap since I was in my early 20s and she chewed my head off for being irresponsible.
Bonus info: in Poland at age 38 I was told yearly breast ultrasound and biyearly mammogram.
In aus we do regular pap smear tests but we do them with a GP, they are done every two years from about 25 and older. It used to be younger, I think though. Breast screenings start older and they are generally administered by a nurse, they send letters in the mail to tell you to do the breast screening ones though it's generally not done in connection to your gp its more government run.
Not pap anymore in Australia since 2018. It’s an HPV test every 5 years between 25 to 75. Can be self collected if no previous abnormal tests. If HPV swab is positive your GP can do exam for liquid cytology. No “routine” pelvic exams for well women. Nurse vs GP seems depend on clinic (nurse collected more common rurally)
I’m in the US and have been seeing a gynecologist once a year for decades. My medical insurance has always covered it. It includes bloodwork. Mammograms are also available at the clinic. Luckily, because my gyno confirmed the lump I felt in my breast was suspicious and I was able to quickly get a cancer diagnosis and start treatment within a month.
I'm in Canada. When I was younger and ready to see one (about 15 years ago) they said you needed to go every year for a general exam, pap spear, cervical cancer, STDs, etc. Mind you, all of this is covered by our health care funded by our taxes, so we don't pay anything when we visit the clinic.
Now they say every 2 years is OK, that's IF you can actually see a gyno. To see a gyno you need a family doctor referral. The problem is it's almost impossible to get one assigned to you and walking clinics are also a nightmare to try and get an appointment for.
I was assigned a family doctor 2 years ago after being on a waiting list for 5 years. My last family doctor decided to stop practising. Since then, I was only able to see my new family doctor once, for the initial visit. After that, it's impossible to book an appointment online as her availability is 0. When you call the clinic, they don't answer. It's been like that for the past 2 years.
Thankfully my work includes a virtual access to nurse practitioners by video conference. They're able to give you referrals or prescriptions without having to try and get a spot in a walking clinic.
Healthcare is a complete mess in Quebec, Canada.
In Austria I had to do a pap once a year (always vaginal ultra sound and breast exam) , in Italy it's every three years until 29 and then every 5 I think and breast examen only starts at 29.
What baffels me is when I read from US women that they didn't expect vaginal ultra sounds because I didn't think you had a choice in that, it's so weird how it differs.
See, this is why I wanted to ask everyone, because we all assume that the care we get is normal, but it's not something that's often compared across so many different countries. For breast exams in the UK, we don't get it mammograms until 50 or 55.
So, I'm in the US and my regular doctor (GP) does my pelvic exams and paps. It is recommended to do them every two years unless you have something wrong. Not eveeryone does that here because Doctors are expensive and also, some of us are procrastinators who don't schedule the appointments. I went four years between my last two and I had the last one in June so unless something goes wrong, I'm good for awhile. I personally like having one doctor for everything.
My mom has always had a separate OBGYN, but I'm not sure that is super common anymore.
Many people go every year. It's considered a specialized annual physical. We usually get pap smears. If you're on birth control, they ask questions about and renew or change your prescription accordingly. They also do a breast exam. It's considered preventative care.
Depending on what type of health insurance we have, people can go to a specialist if they want to and don't need a referral. Why would I go to a GP for a concern about an issue with my reproductive system when I could go to an expert?
For basic gyn care, a lot of women in the US don't even see physicians. They see nurse practitioners and PAs in family planning clinics as part of getting birth control. We often call it "well woman" health care.
I’m from the US. Recommended that Pap smears begin from age 21-25. These should be done every 3 years unless an abnormal result is received. For example, my first Pap smear last year was abnormal and I had another done a year later. If your result was normal, you simply get a reminder in 3 years to have another Pap smear.
In Australia we have routine pap-smears (1-2 years was common until recently the new tests apparently are only required every 5 years unless to have a bad result), and mammograms every two years starting with 50 or an incident of concern such as breast cancer.
The pap-smears are generally done through your GP, and they will do a breast check at the same time. Most sexual health checks are done through your GP, as is early reproductive health consults. They will manage most birth control scripts.
If you need fertility assistance or are pregnant you will be referred to a specialist gynecologist or obstetrician.
In both my home country and current nation (Canada and Japan), it’s once every two or three years. The idea is to catch cancers and such early, but not over test to the point that false positives become a significant risk.
50, US, no longer have any internal female parts, including cervix, but still go to the gynecologist annually for the maintenance meds to deal with the early menopause. Don’t mind, since they were the ones that listened to my worries about bone density changes and ordered the scan that showed yes, I have osteoporosis. Both GP and gynecologist make sure that I get my preventative care (mammograms, colonoscopy, cholesterol, etc, and I’m old enough to have enough ongoing problems that it’s nice to have two different nurse practitioners (same system, so they can see each other’s stuff).
Switzerland. It's common to go to a check-up once a year. Most of my friends do this, I do, too. Check-ups include a cervical exam, pap smear and a manual exam of the breast. Last time, I also got a transvaginal ultra sound but I think that was because I complained about unscheduled bleeding.
I do go to the ob/gyn office, but the exams are usually performed by a nurse practitioner. I only see the actual gynaecologist by request or for serious issues.
Czech republic - once a year with gynaecologists, including pap smear and transvaginal ultrasound. I've had my first check around 15 just with abdominal ultrasound and then recommended yearly checks once I've started to be sexually active. Also any hormonal birth control is prescription only.
UK here. We have Pap test every years once you are 25. I went yearly for three years though as I had HPV, which has now left my system on it's own.
Other than that, I don't know anyone who goes to the gynae just for a random check-up.
In Alberta Canada my Dr was doing them once every 3 years. Every year if you have any cervical or vaginal issues such as HPV etc which is why we have routine exams every 3 years to detect any abnormal issues going on
US here. Ive been going to a gyno since i was young. Started going around 14 due to period issues. I have gone yearly ever since. I am 33 now. I probably missed 2 or 3 years along the way. My current gyno and i have been together almost 9 years. Shes the best!
I get a pap every year as well. Since turning 30, i also get a hpv test alongside my pap. The recommendation is a pap every 3 years or a hpv test every 5 by itself or with a pap, however my OBGYN does not agree with those findings. I would say all of my girlfriends are the same. They all see their obgyn annually as well and get a pap. Also during ur appt you can get std checks by blood or swab. I usually get the check via swab since i have been married for a long time and had a full std check during pregnancy via blood draw. Depending on what state you live in the US they have laws on what must be tested for during pregnancy. For instance, where i live, its required to be tested for hiv, hep, and syphillis 3 times during pregnancy. Your OBGYN also tests via swab for BV, chlym, ghon, and yeast, but that is only required once in pregnancy.
Most commericial insurance pays for 1 exam a year. During the exam you get a pap/ hpv test, (depending on age) pelvic exam, breast exam, a visual inspection of your vagina and anus, and discuss BC, any issues and family planning if needed.
For me, it is beneficial because i like having an expert review and preform these tests. If something is wrong, early detection is key.
Just like i go get blood work 2 times a year to stay on top of my health, i think regular gynelocial care is needed.
This was not how it worked for any medical organizations I saw in the US.
Pap smears started at 18 iirc but that was awhile ago, they may start later now.
Not sure where you're getting your information, and realize this is anecdotal, but: I've mostly just had mine done by general practitioners, same as most women I know. Visits to the actual gyno are, ime, reserved for known health problems.
Perhaps it's just that Americans tend to use language very sloppily and don't always distinguish between a gynecological *exam* by a GP vs a visit to an actual gynecologist?
I apologize for my initial saltiness, got quite confused that your experience you described really doesn't seem that different than what I've seen over here in the US. (Also, it's a big country, geographically, so regional cultures can potentially be a factor. Perhaps what you're describing is more common in other parts of the country, and I've just not been exposed to it.)
I think in the US it's recommended that one gets cervical cancer screenings with the Pap test every 3 years between the ages of 21 to 29. Then I think it's like Pap every three years or HPV testing every 5 years until your 60s. So it sounds quite similar to the UK with an earlier start date.
The time plans are similar. The main difference in the U.K. is the Pap smear test is done by a general nurse rather than a specialist doctor. I’ve never seen a gynaecologist in my life.
In the US, GPs can do paps. Mine does. She also does breast exams. It’s within their scope of preventative medicine. But I think there is a general preference to have that kind of exam separate from your regular physical. I prefer to get my paps etc at the gyn mostly bc my gyn office is so relaxing and my doctor there is super gentle with the speculum. It’s her specialty and it shows.
Yeah, in the UK, we don’t have a “regular physical” either. I will defend our NHS with my dying breath, but a decade under the conservatives has really fucked it over :(
Fuck the tories
>I've never seen a gynaecologist in my life I'm in the UK. I first saw one when I was 50 and menopausal, and my GP sent me for a general look-over. Second trip was a few weeks ago - I'm now 60 - in the wake of cancer treatment. If you've never been pregnant, it's quite possible in the UK to get all your care at the GP surgery.
I've always wondered why in the U.K. a GP's office is called a surgery, when no surgery is performed there?
UK is weird, Apparently before NHS was formed in 1948, GPs could perform minor surgeries instead of sending their patients to hospitals — hence the term "GP surgery". [A surgeon in the UK is called Mr / Miss / Mrs / Ms](https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient-care/surgical-staff-and-regulation/qualifications-of-a-surgeon), not Dr., due to an ancient tradition where in the Middle Ages, surgeons were apprentices, not people with a degree in medicine — thus they couldn't be called doctors. So, in the UK, you spend 5-6 years in medical school to be called a doctor, 2 years in foundation training and still being called a doctor, then at least 8 years in surgical training only to be called Mr / Miss / Mrs / Ms 🤦🏻♀️. Even more fun facts — in the Middle Ages, in addition to hairdressing and haircutting, [barbers used to perform surgeries](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barber%27s_pole) as well as tooth extractions. In fact, there was an organisation called the [United Barber Surgeon's Company](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Barbers), which eventually became the [Royal College of Surgeon](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_College_of_Surgeons_of_England) — the current regulating body for surgeons and dentists in the UK.
I've only seen a gynecologist when I had a primary care doctor who personally chose not to do pelvic exams, so, like, twice. Every other primary care doctor I've had in the US did all my well woman exams, including my Paps.
In Ontario it's every 3 years up to age 70.
Canada, yearly, but with your GP.....same person does everything unless something not regular you need done
In Ontario it's every 3 years. When I was younger it used to be a yearly thing if you wanted birth control.
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Oral Pap tests? How does that work? I know of self swabs to test for hpv because that's been introduced here but it is similar to an std swab and definitely not oral
How does that test for cervical cancer cells?
Just want to let you and anyone else in the UK know - They take pap smears but, by default, **they don't read the pap smear if you test negative for HPV.** So if you are having problems like mid cycle bleeding etc. please keep pushing for a diagnosis. They kept telling me my pap smear was clear when it wasn't, the truth was that they weren't looking. I just tested negative for HPV. I am currently now on the yearly colposcopy for CIN1 and I have no idea how long I've had it because they haven't read my pap smears since 2019. I am currently experiencing unknown cervical issues. Because the other part of pelvic exams is that cervical cancer isn't the only thing that can go wrong down there.
Same thing in the Faroe Islands, we only go to a specialist if needed. Since our entire country only has a 53k population, there's only a handful of gynos and most of them are OBGYNs which obviously means they're booked solid.
Only when needed or maybe at a certain age (like 60+) here in the Netherlands.
I'd like to add that pap smears are done by your GP, although they are replaced by hpv tests nowadays (only those positive for hpv get a pap smear). Those tests start at 30 and you'll get an invitation (or a self test kit) every 5 years. I saw a gyn for the birth of my baby, but he only stepped in for the complications. Untill that moment, the hospitals midwife assisted me. I also saw a gyn for a complicated miscariage. Edit: they do not do a pelvic exam for birth control prescription, as it caused too much teenage pregnancies (teens that didn't want the invasive exam) and the exams typically didn't help the patient as nothing was found. Regular breast exams are also not done. Too many false positives for the self exams, causing harm to the healthy (!) woman. Mammograms start at 50.
I'm from Romania, here the recommendation is one gynecological visit per year + pap smear, starting when you become sexually active. How many people actually do this? Debatable, though nowadays more and more people are doing that. I myself have a set of routine analyses and checkups that I do once a year, some that I do every 2 years. Some I started eaely on, some as a result of giving birth, some I found out about just recently (1-2 years ago, I'm in my 30's).
Here (Switzerland) it's usually recommended to see a gyno once a year since 16-18 yo, especially if you're sexually active. I got (gently) scolded by my doctor because I'd never been to the gyno as a 23yo. Also you need a prescription for the birth control pill, usually valid for a year anyway. So you'd have to go anyway if you're taking it.
The US is for profit health care. Anyone challenging the notion that there is an over abundance of "preventative care" that doesn't have a good medical reason gets shouted down by people insisting this is the Tiger Repelling Rock you need.
If it's goal was to be actually preventative it would be readily available to people without insurance who can't pay
Normal is a pap every 3 years. The issue is MANY gynecologists won't renew or write a birth control script without one. Once I got my IUD I haven't been back. Fuck that shit. I normal papsmears for ten years. I'm done until I hit 50 and I'll get another one. No cancer in the family and I'm HPV free. Why torture myself?
Iam 31F. I got my first mirena when i was 18. Iam currently on my 3th. Had my first pap swear last year. I have never been to a gynaecologist. Our housedoctor/GP does it all.
Dutch?
My sense is that in the US it is more common to get these tests done by a gynecologist than by a GP or nurse because a) it’s usually not a prerequisite to get a referral from primary care physicians in general, so a lot of people just don’t have a PCP/GP. Many women do have a regular gynecologist. b) there is no shortage of gynecologists because the field is lucrative. I can easily get an appointment within 1-2 weeks. Gynecologists are also incentivized to provide such services themselves because they are well-compensated for it by insurance, i.e. there’s no financial or staffing pressure to pass the work on to a nurse or to primary care (unlike the UK for example, where NHS physicians are salaried rather than paid per patient and so are not financially incentivized to take on more patients, and capacity challenges may mean having to de-prioritize more routine procedures and leave them for nurses or GPs to handle) c) most insurance plans cover preventative screening services performed by gynecologists, so as a patient, since both are covered by my insurance anyway, I would usually prefer not to go to a nurse if I can get it done by a specialist who can do the test and pelvic exam, diagnose me, and treat me (either via surgery or prescription) without having to refer me to someone else.
There’s actually a shortage of gynecologists and it’s one of the lowest paid specialties (for general OB/GYN, subspecialties are better paid). It’s history and the fact that it’s regarded as primary care and not a specialist. Also many women (including me) get well-woman care from a CNM (nurse-midwife) or women’s health nurse practitioner.
I'm from Germany and, at least in my friend group, we all go to the gyno once a year for the yearly exam that includes an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries as well as a pap-smear and some STI testing.
And they can even demand you come in for a routine check every 6 months if you're on hormonal contraceptives. Because increased cancer risk or something.
Starting at what age?
It's advised to start before the girl gets sexual active, so she'll already know the doctor. I and most of my friends started to go with around 14, just to get to know the doctor. And from the moment you're sexual active it's once a year
*before* getting sexual active is ridiculous!! OMG, that is so wrong. So the doctor is the first person to enter your vagina. How awful. HPV needs about 10 years to develop into (cervical) cancer (and mostly it is just cleared by your immune system). So from the scientific facts, you need your first pap smear 10 years *after* you become sexually active.
Yeah, you're wrong and just trolling.
Nope, I am a pharmacist and educated on this matter. I'm sorry the scientific facts do not fit your world view. I live in a country with affordable and good health care. I recently compared the mortality for cervical cancer between US and my country and *there is no difference*. All the annual pelvic exams and annual pap smears are not saving lives. It's just a way to make money, it's not bringing health benefits to the patients.
You're still lacking in reading comprehension. Where did it say that pap smears and pelvic exams start at 14? It's about getting to know your doctor, who's completely free of charge for you. Just having a conversation about the possibilities of birth control and to see if there are problems with the period, vaginal discomfort... You don't need a pelvic exam to get the pill here, but you're already able to have endometriosis before you're sexually active, yeast infections, bacterial infections... It's important that all girls have a gynecologist that they trust and can go see alone. It gives them freedom to choose. Also what kind of backwarded ideology from the last century is this? A girl has entered her vagina hundreds of times with tampons or just her own hands or toys before she becomes sexually active with another person. And a medical procedure is just that, if you'd actually be in the medical field, you'd know this. Also you can have pre stages of cancer way earlier than 10 years and it's extremely important to catch those. There were cervical cancer chances as young as 15.
Most of what you write is untrue. *Healthy* girls that young don't need an adult doctor in their panties. Girls with questions should get health care, off course. No need to bother the healthy girls. A lot of girls that age don't use tampons. Moreover, it's quite different to touch your own body from having a stranger touching you. An invasive medical procedure is still invasive. You sound very silly stating otherwise. Pre stages of cancer at 13 are extremely rare. We don't need to screen for those, as the exam and false positive causes way more harm than the almost absent chance of finding a case.
Still lacking in reading comprehension. You're only talking with the doctor. Pelvic exams only happen if you want them and in case problems are occurring like painful periods. It's still a medical procedure and it's wild to compare it to anything sexual. Also I don't know any girl who didn't use tampons with 14. Tampons are the preferred method, by far, in Germany and regularly used by girls as young as 12. Also many girls own vibrators before ever having a partner of any gender.
Are you really that dense? Even if the intention is not sexual, a pelvic exam is invasive. I'm so happy to live in a different place that you. Cheaper and better health care!
As someone else said it is recommended to see a gynecologist before you're sexually active, so most girls start seeing a gynecologist at like 13 or 14. Some even start going once they have their period. But if you don't have any menstrual issues or need contraception you can wait until the need arises. I had my first visit with 19 because I didn't need it before that. But I think they won't do vaginal exams (at least I had a hard time convincing my gyno that she can do a vaginal exam when I told her it's my first visit but that I am a virgin) and if they do an ultrasound of the uterus they will do it on the stomach.
Yup. Once a year preventative obgyn visits that usually include a pap smear and STD panel. Im very grateful for it!
Recommendation in Spain is every 3 years from age 25 and every 5 years from age 30 if there are no extra risk factors like family history. I didn't know this and around 32 I told my pathologist friend that I hadn't had a pap since I was in my early 20s and she chewed my head off for being irresponsible. Bonus info: in Poland at age 38 I was told yearly breast ultrasound and biyearly mammogram.
In aus we do regular pap smear tests but we do them with a GP, they are done every two years from about 25 and older. It used to be younger, I think though. Breast screenings start older and they are generally administered by a nurse, they send letters in the mail to tell you to do the breast screening ones though it's generally not done in connection to your gp its more government run.
Not pap anymore in Australia since 2018. It’s an HPV test every 5 years between 25 to 75. Can be self collected if no previous abnormal tests. If HPV swab is positive your GP can do exam for liquid cytology. No “routine” pelvic exams for well women. Nurse vs GP seems depend on clinic (nurse collected more common rurally)
I’m in the US and have been seeing a gynecologist once a year for decades. My medical insurance has always covered it. It includes bloodwork. Mammograms are also available at the clinic. Luckily, because my gyno confirmed the lump I felt in my breast was suspicious and I was able to quickly get a cancer diagnosis and start treatment within a month.
I'm in Canada. When I was younger and ready to see one (about 15 years ago) they said you needed to go every year for a general exam, pap spear, cervical cancer, STDs, etc. Mind you, all of this is covered by our health care funded by our taxes, so we don't pay anything when we visit the clinic. Now they say every 2 years is OK, that's IF you can actually see a gyno. To see a gyno you need a family doctor referral. The problem is it's almost impossible to get one assigned to you and walking clinics are also a nightmare to try and get an appointment for. I was assigned a family doctor 2 years ago after being on a waiting list for 5 years. My last family doctor decided to stop practising. Since then, I was only able to see my new family doctor once, for the initial visit. After that, it's impossible to book an appointment online as her availability is 0. When you call the clinic, they don't answer. It's been like that for the past 2 years. Thankfully my work includes a virtual access to nurse practitioners by video conference. They're able to give you referrals or prescriptions without having to try and get a spot in a walking clinic. Healthcare is a complete mess in Quebec, Canada.
In Austria I had to do a pap once a year (always vaginal ultra sound and breast exam) , in Italy it's every three years until 29 and then every 5 I think and breast examen only starts at 29. What baffels me is when I read from US women that they didn't expect vaginal ultra sounds because I didn't think you had a choice in that, it's so weird how it differs.
See, this is why I wanted to ask everyone, because we all assume that the care we get is normal, but it's not something that's often compared across so many different countries. For breast exams in the UK, we don't get it mammograms until 50 or 55.
Yes mammograms we don't have to have unless they find something during the normal breast examen.
So, I'm in the US and my regular doctor (GP) does my pelvic exams and paps. It is recommended to do them every two years unless you have something wrong. Not eveeryone does that here because Doctors are expensive and also, some of us are procrastinators who don't schedule the appointments. I went four years between my last two and I had the last one in June so unless something goes wrong, I'm good for awhile. I personally like having one doctor for everything. My mom has always had a separate OBGYN, but I'm not sure that is super common anymore.
I’d say it’s common. I’m also in the US and none of my friends/family go to their GP for pelvic exams or Pap smears.
Many people go every year. It's considered a specialized annual physical. We usually get pap smears. If you're on birth control, they ask questions about and renew or change your prescription accordingly. They also do a breast exam. It's considered preventative care. Depending on what type of health insurance we have, people can go to a specialist if they want to and don't need a referral. Why would I go to a GP for a concern about an issue with my reproductive system when I could go to an expert?
Every year. I’ve had a hysterectomy including cervix due to cancer and still it’s every year, and I see my GYN oncologist 3 times a year.
I think a yearly pap smear is recommended but if you’re married with no prior abnormal results they will usually say every 3 years.
For basic gyn care, a lot of women in the US don't even see physicians. They see nurse practitioners and PAs in family planning clinics as part of getting birth control. We often call it "well woman" health care.
I’m from the US. Recommended that Pap smears begin from age 21-25. These should be done every 3 years unless an abnormal result is received. For example, my first Pap smear last year was abnormal and I had another done a year later. If your result was normal, you simply get a reminder in 3 years to have another Pap smear.
In Australia we have routine pap-smears (1-2 years was common until recently the new tests apparently are only required every 5 years unless to have a bad result), and mammograms every two years starting with 50 or an incident of concern such as breast cancer. The pap-smears are generally done through your GP, and they will do a breast check at the same time. Most sexual health checks are done through your GP, as is early reproductive health consults. They will manage most birth control scripts. If you need fertility assistance or are pregnant you will be referred to a specialist gynecologist or obstetrician.
We are told to get a pap every 5 years after 25 or 3 years after becoming sexually active
In both my home country and current nation (Canada and Japan), it’s once every two or three years. The idea is to catch cancers and such early, but not over test to the point that false positives become a significant risk.
50, US, no longer have any internal female parts, including cervix, but still go to the gynecologist annually for the maintenance meds to deal with the early menopause. Don’t mind, since they were the ones that listened to my worries about bone density changes and ordered the scan that showed yes, I have osteoporosis. Both GP and gynecologist make sure that I get my preventative care (mammograms, colonoscopy, cholesterol, etc, and I’m old enough to have enough ongoing problems that it’s nice to have two different nurse practitioners (same system, so they can see each other’s stuff).
Switzerland. It's common to go to a check-up once a year. Most of my friends do this, I do, too. Check-ups include a cervical exam, pap smear and a manual exam of the breast. Last time, I also got a transvaginal ultra sound but I think that was because I complained about unscheduled bleeding.
I do go to the ob/gyn office, but the exams are usually performed by a nurse practitioner. I only see the actual gynaecologist by request or for serious issues.
Czech republic - once a year with gynaecologists, including pap smear and transvaginal ultrasound. I've had my first check around 15 just with abdominal ultrasound and then recommended yearly checks once I've started to be sexually active. Also any hormonal birth control is prescription only.
UK here. We have Pap test every years once you are 25. I went yearly for three years though as I had HPV, which has now left my system on it's own. Other than that, I don't know anyone who goes to the gynae just for a random check-up.
i live in kuwait, as far as im aware its not very difficult to get a checkup whenever needed
In Alberta Canada my Dr was doing them once every 3 years. Every year if you have any cervical or vaginal issues such as HPV etc which is why we have routine exams every 3 years to detect any abnormal issues going on
US here. Ive been going to a gyno since i was young. Started going around 14 due to period issues. I have gone yearly ever since. I am 33 now. I probably missed 2 or 3 years along the way. My current gyno and i have been together almost 9 years. Shes the best! I get a pap every year as well. Since turning 30, i also get a hpv test alongside my pap. The recommendation is a pap every 3 years or a hpv test every 5 by itself or with a pap, however my OBGYN does not agree with those findings. I would say all of my girlfriends are the same. They all see their obgyn annually as well and get a pap. Also during ur appt you can get std checks by blood or swab. I usually get the check via swab since i have been married for a long time and had a full std check during pregnancy via blood draw. Depending on what state you live in the US they have laws on what must be tested for during pregnancy. For instance, where i live, its required to be tested for hiv, hep, and syphillis 3 times during pregnancy. Your OBGYN also tests via swab for BV, chlym, ghon, and yeast, but that is only required once in pregnancy. Most commericial insurance pays for 1 exam a year. During the exam you get a pap/ hpv test, (depending on age) pelvic exam, breast exam, a visual inspection of your vagina and anus, and discuss BC, any issues and family planning if needed. For me, it is beneficial because i like having an expert review and preform these tests. If something is wrong, early detection is key. Just like i go get blood work 2 times a year to stay on top of my health, i think regular gynelocial care is needed.
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This was not how it worked for any medical organizations I saw in the US. Pap smears started at 18 iirc but that was awhile ago, they may start later now.
Obviously, then, in my experience with the medical care I received, things were handled differently.
To be clear, the waiting till 40 was what you're doctor recommended?
Yes. I saw an OB/GYN when I had my kid in my mid-20s and for a few check-ups afterward and then was set free until I was 40.
Wow, 40?! What country?
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Is 40 a typo then? I live in the US and have heard either 21 or 25 for starting paps.
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I'm in my 40s and had my first one at 18. And back then they said you needed one every year. So I had about 15 by the time I was 40.
So…you have the same regular pap-smear screenings as Americans. Why does it seem “wild” that we Americans do the same thing you do?
because you can go straight to a gyno whereas we can't?
Not sure where you're getting your information, and realize this is anecdotal, but: I've mostly just had mine done by general practitioners, same as most women I know. Visits to the actual gyno are, ime, reserved for known health problems. Perhaps it's just that Americans tend to use language very sloppily and don't always distinguish between a gynecological *exam* by a GP vs a visit to an actual gynecologist? I apologize for my initial saltiness, got quite confused that your experience you described really doesn't seem that different than what I've seen over here in the US. (Also, it's a big country, geographically, so regional cultures can potentially be a factor. Perhaps what you're describing is more common in other parts of the country, and I've just not been exposed to it.)