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Original poster

Is it standard for GPs to ask women about contraception, even if the appointment is non-related?

58 replies

IWantToBeLizzyNotCharlotte · 17/02/2019 20:41

It's just this has happened to me the last two times I have been the doctor- asking why I haven't been prescribed contraception or I haven't had a smear test.

I've never had sex so they're both unnecessary.

I'm going tomorrow morning and I think I am seeing a male GP (about a throat infection). Will he ask?

OP posts:

GreenThing · 17/02/2019 20:43

Probably.

They get so little time, they want to cover everything possible.

They don't care really, it's just a tick box thing.

Alienspaceship · 17/02/2019 20:45

But do they ask men? I doubt it. They should though.

fortygin · 17/02/2019 20:46

Yes, I work behind the scenes in a GPs surgery and it's a box ticking exercise.
As part of their contract, GPs must offer all suitable females 'long acting reversible contraception'.

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Original poster

IWantToBeLizzyNotCharlotte · 17/02/2019 20:47

Oh no :( I felt so embarrassed last time.

OP posts:

PinkHeart5914 · 17/02/2019 20:49

The smear test absolutely they should mention, it could save your life and they don’t know you’ve not had sex.

But no contraception I have never been asked about unless visiting for that reason

mimibunz · 17/02/2019 20:49

Just tell him you’re not sexually active. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

Roxyxoxo · 17/02/2019 20:50

But do they ask men? I doubt it. They should though.

If they have had a smear test or been prescribe reversible contraception? I think if they did ask men this I wouldn’t be trusting them as a Doctor!

SpaceCadet4000 · 17/02/2019 20:52

I only started to be asked about contraceptives once I came off of hormonal contraception because I was experiencing severe side effects. They would only ask the smear question when I was due for one. I always assumed it was just an automatic thing they had to do.

Disfordarkchocolate · 17/02/2019 20:52

It's QOF time, they're making sure they have a record of these things.

If you are overdue a cervical screening test they have an alert on their system so every clinician should ask you about this.

Cookit · 17/02/2019 20:54

They get so little time, they want to cover everything possible.
But usually we get told that they are only allowed to talk about one thing per visit and they will absolutely not cover more things unless you book multiple appointments.

The smear one is reasonable though IMO.

2ducks2ducklings · 17/02/2019 20:55

I had a text message from my Dr surgery confirming an appointment which I had no recollection of making. When I phoned to query it I was told it was for the Depo injection. I've never been on this nor requested it so think yourself luck OP that they only mention it once you're there, mine seem to trying to tell me something from afar!

SayNoToCarrots · 17/02/2019 20:55

I've never been asked about either of these. Even if I'm overdue a smear and I go in for another reason. Unless that's why I'm there I consider it none of their business.

Original poster

IWantToBeLizzyNotCharlotte · 17/02/2019 20:58

I think it might make it 'better' if it's procedure, and then at least they aren't being nosy and judging me.

OP posts:

PanamaPattie · 17/02/2019 20:59

Yes - it's not about you or your health or pesky informed consent- it's about ticking boxes to get funding. Remember, it's your consultation. Take charge and remind the GP you want to talk about your throat infection and as you only have a 10 minute slot, you would prefer him to concentrate on your actual health issue. Good luck.

gamerwidow · 17/02/2019 20:59

It’s probably because of the CQUIN on LARCs. They are incentivised to get a percentage of women onto long term contraception like implants of IUD because it will give the best public health outcome.

greenelephantscarf · 17/02/2019 21:04

yes it's standard
partially to see if your contraception (or not) is still what you want
but also because hormonal birth control can interfere with certain medications

CanoeDoYouThinkYouAre · 17/02/2019 21:11

I get asked every single time. Thirty seconds of reading my notes would reveal that I was sterilised ten years ago but I've always assumed that they have to ask.

ImNotKitten · 17/02/2019 21:14

Just tell him you’re not sexually active. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

Why should she have to discuss something intimate and private if she doesn’t want to? OP if you’re asked, I would just reply you don’t wish to discuss that. I do exactly that when asked about how a condition I have interferes with sex. Just because you are asked a question doesn’t mean you are obliged to answer it or explain yourself.

taybert · 17/02/2019 21:16

Smear, yep, if it’s overdue you’ll be asked, there’s a massive public health campaign about this.

Contraception- it might not seem related but some medications interact with contraception and there are important diagnoses which are more likely if you are on hormonal contraceptives. Add in the fact that contraception can be prescribed at family planning clinics and the GP is not usually informed so wouldn’t have a record, it’s an important question to ask.

It isn’t just box ticking- the long acting reversible contraception measurement is only about the percentage of women on prescribed contraception who are on a LARC or have been offered one, so if you’re not on anything, the “box” doesn’t need to be ticked.

Most GPs ask questions for a reason, and the reason isn’t usually that they’re being nosy or judgemental.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 17/02/2019 21:18

Yes, and weight, smoking, blood pressure, smear test.

Such a fucking bore!

gamerwidow · 18/02/2019 08:16

As the health service moves to prevention rather than treatment as policy you will probably have more of these seemly unrelated questions. It might seem invasive but it’s good public health practice to look at the whole person and identify possible issues before they develop instead of treating them after they develop. So more weight, smoking, blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smear type questions.

BettyUnderswoob · 18/02/2019 09:00

It might seem invasive but it’s good public health practice to look at the whole person and identify possible issues before they develop instead of treating them after they develop. So more weight, smoking, blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smear type questions

In which case I hope they'll increase the standard appointment time by 5 minutes! I don't want to go to GP about my tendonitis and have to waste half of my appointment time with lots of unrelated stuff.

notanothernam · 18/02/2019 09:14

It's good to know GPs are chasing women's smear test, I'm sure you can understand it is not common to come across a woman over 25 who has not had sex therefore asking why you haven't had a smear test as a duty of care seems very reasonable to me. I'm in date and have a coil in place which I presume they can see in my notes.

Aenn · 18/02/2019 09:26

I think it’s fairly usual. If you took a 3yo for something random, they’d check if they’d the child was vaccinated.

All you need say is I’m not sexually active.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/02/2019 09:28

I am right this moment waiting to see. The gp after being called for an appt and not sure what it's about, its usually nigh on imposdible to see them and I only come about once a year!

Hope they haven't decided to inject me with hormones!

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