Is a pelvic exam necessary?
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Is a pelvic exam necessary?
| Wed, 06-21-2006 - 2:50am |
I am considering taking The Pill. I was wondering if it is necessary to have a pelvic exam? I am a healthy twenty-something and I have never been to see a gyno before. I want to take the pill to ward off the possibility pregnancy, but I am not yet comfortable with the exam idea.

Ideally you should have been getting pelvic exams
Paps are VERY necessary for your health. This is your first stop and crucial part of preventing cervical cancer, which is highly preventable by one icky 5 min exam once a year. Not to mention there are a multitude of other things such as infections that your doctor can catch as part of your exam. I will always hate the gyno, but the benifits far outweigh my silly hangups about being there. I suck it up and go every year. Thankfully I do, last year my pap caught abnormal cells on my cervix, that turned out to be severe dysplaysia--a precancerous change of the cells to your cervix. Had this treated and have been normal for a year now (know this because I have been to the gyno every three months since the treatment to make sure) I shudder to think what could of happend if I had let my uneasieness (sp?) get the best of me...seems silly that there are still women that die every year from a cancer that is entirely preventable if caught early.
So please suck it up and go. Find a good doc and tell them how you feel about it. It won't be the best 5 min of your life, but it won't be the worst either.
Hi candella_1999, welcome!
Jill
Yes, I am pretty sure that the exam is part of getting the pill. Each year they do a pap with an exam and then do a preg test. I am 31, been having pelvic exams and they still did it on me. Then they ask you about your health history. Not everyone can be on hormones. The pill is not something to jump right into, so an exam would be a good idea......JMO!
Jen Hanson
Fort Hood, Tx
I know for myself, at 3 diff health plans, yes, they require an exam prior to getting the pill. Heck, if I'm on my last pack, and haven't had an exam, they will give me one more, and that's it...until I go in for an exam. yes, they will withhold it.
However, I suggest calling a clinic, Planned Parenthood or something. I know their rates are usually more affordable, and on a sliding scale. I have had ppl say they get the pill for free, if they pay for the exam...or at least a few months free.
Good luck. But yes, most places would require it. But not in all instances.
It was
I am a pro-lifer, and while I don't agree with everything PP stands for, I do like the fact that they give affordable women's exams.
I agree--I've never been to a doctor (in the US, I've heard Canada may have different requirements) that didn't require a pelvic and pap to get a prescription for the pill.