Is a pelvic exam necessary?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2006
Is a pelvic exam necessary?
8
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.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 5:21am

Ideally you should have been getting pelvic exams

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2003
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 8:39am

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 11:31am

Hi candella_1999, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2006
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 12:02pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2006
Fri, 06-23-2006 - 2:52pm
I guess my real question should have been, "is it a requirement to get the pill?" I have recently switched jobs (i.e. no insurance any longer) and an waiting to sign up for insurance which won't be until the fall. I do not have the money to pay for an office visit, tests, lab work, etc. I know I need to just suck it up and go, but as of now I'm not in the position to do so, financially, and would at least like to get myself on the pill so that nothing bad happens in the mean time. Thanks for your time!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 06-23-2006 - 5:03pm

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.

~IDM
It was
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Fri, 06-23-2006 - 5:38pm

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-27-2006 - 7:25am

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.

Judie Cl for Birth Control