gyno question

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
gyno question
4
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 12:53pm
My birth control prescription is nearly up, which means I need to go see a gyno soon. I have never been to a gyno in this area before (the only one I've gone to is at health services at my old university). I've thought about asking my mom about where I should go, but (as far as I know) she has no idea I'm on BC. So, I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea about asking her about seeing a gyno.

Anyway...so, I'm flying completely blind (I don't even have any girlfriends in the area to ask). Where do I start trying to pick a gyno? Do I go to a nearby hospital? There's a clinic nearby too that my mom has taken me to before, and I've thought about going there. Should I go to a private practice? Would any place cost about the same or would one place be cheaper than the other (I'm currently job hunting, so cheaper would be a good thing)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 1:19pm
the clinic would prob be your best bet...I go there and i only pay $2/4packs...Might be your best bet...Well..hope you get the advice your looking for!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 1:46pm
In my experience, you need a Primary Care Physician or GP to refer to you a lot of gynes. But many PCP's do pelvics for women; mine does, though I see a gyne for other reasons. I'd call around physicians offices, see if they accept new patients. If they do, say you'd like to go in and sit down to talk to a PCP ... just talking gives you a good sense of what they're like and gives them a sense of where you're coming from. If you like them, find out if they can do your pelvic or will refer you.

Of course, you may not have enough time to do all this, but if you do, that's what I would do. If you don't have the time, the clinic would probably be cheapest, and you could use that to buy you a little time before you find a regular doctor.

You *could* ask your mom, because if you're over 18, which I assume you are, you should have gyne exams whether or not you're on BC, and if she thinks you've never been before and wonders why you want to now, you could say you were told by health services that you should go at your age (whatever that is).

Hope that helps, good luck!

Caitlin

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 2:21pm
Well, it sounds like the clinic will probably be my best bet then. I'm currently unemployed (I'm job hunting), so paying for a doctor's visit just to find a gyno isn't really an option. I'm not broke (I still have money in savings), but the less I end up spending, the better.

Yes, I am over 18 (I'm 22). I had considered telling my mom that it's just time for my yearly check-up, but I have a feeling she might suggest that I put it off until I find a job. While going every year is what we're supposed to do, putting it off just a regular check-up for a few months wouldn't be a big deal (except for my birth control perscription).

Thanks for the advice.

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-08-2004 - 7:31pm
The only time I have heard of people needing a referal to see the gynocologist is when they have HMO insurance - in that case they need a referal from a PCP for any specialist. If you are non-HMO (which obviously you are), then you can just call a doctor's office and if they are taking new patients, they will see you.

Since you don't have insurance, a clinic is definitely your best bet. Try Planned Parenthood. They have a sliding scale.