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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:
Whereareyouspot · 18/02/2019 09:31

Just say neither needed and has been discussed before

Not having had sex doesn’t automatically mean you don’t need a smear OP-there is still risk. And it is possible to use a very small speculum so it isn’t uncomfortable.

If you are aware of the risk but still choose to decline then write to the practice and ask to be removed from the recall system. Then it won’t flag up as overdue and you won’t get asked.

When asked about contraception just say ‘none needed’ and don’t be anymore forthcoming. We use condoms and that’s all I say as I don’t need to give the detail. They can tick they have offered and that’s it.

Of note if you are on any medication that is considered dangerous in pregnancy to the baby then it’s good practice that they ask and record this.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/02/2019 09:32

OP I always found these sort of questions obtrusive and usually irrelevant, I think with women there is a massive focus on our reproductive systems and lives which there just isn't with men.

They were always asking me about my periods.

Yes maybe they're trying to check about pregnancy or general health but it does feel intrusive. Something else where you feel a bit like public property, that's not quite what I mean but can't quite think of the words

NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/02/2019 09:33

Now a random bloke has sat down next to me and struck up conversation even though I'm obvioulsly ensconced in phone.

They don't do this to other men do they.

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MrsPear · 18/02/2019 09:34

Even nuns can have cervical cancer so I don’t understand your reasoning behind the no smear thing.

Contraception I still get asked despite my records showing I no longer have the parts ...

tinydancer88 · 18/02/2019 09:36

I always get asked about contraception at the GP (mind you, my last few appointments have all been related to mental health or for infections requiring antibiotics, so I feel the contraception question is relevant to both of those) and whether there is a possibility of me being pregnant. I'm not sexually active at the moment (and have no intention of having kids anyway) so I just say no. It's not my favourite topic of discussion but I understand why they're asking.

I think if they ask you about whether you need contraception/smear tests, your response of 'it's not necessary' is fine. You don't have to provide them with that information.

BoxOfBabyCheeses · 18/02/2019 09:50

Just a side note, you will still need a smear test when scheduled to, whether you have had sex or not. While having sex increases the risk of cervical cancer because of HPV, there are other causes of cervical cancer that will be caught with regular screening. I have a few friends who are lesbian, never had sex with a man, and still go for the smear tests.

notanothernam · 18/02/2019 09:50

@MrsPear I was wondering that, I didn't question it as no one else brought up not having a smear if not sexually active so I assumed I didn't know something!

CaseofEllen · 18/02/2019 09:56

I'm sure you should still have a smear even if you're not sexually active. The NHS website says the risks are lower so some women chose to not have it but there are still risks. Definitely still worth having.

MrsPear · 18/02/2019 09:59

The ignorance around cervical cancer is scary. Thanks to the discovery of hpv the rates of smears have gone down. It has a stigma - many people now argue it is a sluts disease or they show hpv then they or their partner has been unfaithful. None of which is true. There really needs to be a better health campaign.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/02/2019 10:21

I have never heard anyone argue that cervical cancer is a "sluts disease".

Who is saying that?

MrsPear · 18/02/2019 10:34

There was an article on the bbc the other day - although I think they used the word promiscuous rather than colloquial word slut. The cancer does seem to carrying more of a stigma like lung cancer for example - which is associated with smoking. There is judgement when there shouldn’t be. Like I said a better campaign is needed.

Shutupanddance1 · 18/02/2019 10:40

Yep - went in with a bad back one day and got asked when I last had sex, why I’m not on contraception, when my last period was etc. Very fucking rage inducing tbh.

They should be asking are you on any medication at the moment and that should cover it.

dietcokemegafan · 18/02/2019 10:57

I'm a GP and I only ask if it is relevant. So, for example if a woman is having irregular bleeding (as that is a side effect of may contraceptives), then I'll ask. If it's important to me to know whether there is any risk of pregnancy (and I often do need to know that) then I'll ask.

If they come in with an ingrown toenail, then I'm not asking about contraception!

dietcokemegafan · 18/02/2019 12:11

The other point worth making is that you would be amazed at the number of women who think that you have to be 'trying' to get pregnant.

It is not uncommon for a woman to deny that there is any chance of her being pregnant and then it turns out that her period is due next week (or late!) and she is having regular unprotected sex, but she isn't 'trying' to conceive so can't possibly be pregnant. If I'm wanting to prescribe something that is contraindicated in pregnancy this can be a really dangerous misunderstanding so I often ask about contraception.

PanamaPattie · 18/02/2019 17:44

A woman does not “need” a smear test. It can be offered. It’s not a compulsory test. Women have a choice.

Alienspaceship · 20/02/2019 06:57

Roxy / I meant they should ask men what contraception they are using Hmm

LookImAHooman · 20/02/2019 07:30

Lord above. Do those who complain that ‘men don’t get all of this’ think that having only gynae depts is... sexist?

You do understand just how different males and females physically are and the implications thereof?

Also worrying how far you can get down this thread before someone points out a smear is necessary whether you’re sexually active or not.

LookImAHooman · 20/02/2019 07:31

I mean, necessary as in obviously you retain a choice about it, but necessary for those who’d rather not risk dying of an avoidable cancer.

tangledyarn · 20/02/2019 07:37

They appear obsessed with contraception. I find it quite difficult, every appointment with GP or neurologist I get what feels like an interrogation.. What contraception do you using, are you planning to get pregnant, are you sure?..Despite the fact that every time I say I'm not having sex as feel too ill, I can't have a baby as I'm not well enough. I do understand why as I'm on medication that's contradicted in pregnancy but the whole conversation is v difficult and upsetting and there's no empathy for why that might be a hard conversation to have for me. But they're busy and I love the NHS so I suck it up but dread it every time!

adaline · 20/02/2019 07:41

I would imagine they ask in case any medication they may prescribe could interfere with it. Some antibiotics, for example, mean the pill won't work as effectively so they may want to check you still take it.

gamerwidow · 20/02/2019 09:43

I meant they should ask men what contraception they are using
Possibly if they wanted to reduce the risk of STDs.
Men’s contraception doesn’t affect their health in the same way women’s does. It doesn’t have the same level of risk and benefit to consider. No one is asking about contraception to regulate women’s sexuality or as a moral judgement it’s to protect their long term health.

TeamRafael · 20/02/2019 10:11

My local authority now only test cervical smear samples for HPV. If the sample is negative for HPV, then they consider the patient to be at no risk of cervical cancer and they carry out no other tests on the sample; i.e. they will not examine the sample under a microscope to look for abnormal cells like they used to.

If the sample is HPV positive, only then will they proceed to examining the cells microscopically.

This practice is currently being rolled out across the country. So, if someone has never been sexually active, then they are at zero risk of having contracted HPV. And therefore, the NHS considers them at zero risk of cervical cancer.

outpinked · 20/02/2019 11:28

I think with contraception it can be to ensure the medication they prescribe won’t affect it or to check if there’s a possibility you could be pregnant, again incase the medication could affect that.

Unsure about smear, maybe it’s flagged up on your records when they check.

elloelloello · 20/02/2019 11:38

I get asked every time I see a GP or the Nurse

I’ve had to see our nurse a few times recently and she’s asked me every time. Every time I give the same reply - DH had a vasectomy 4 years ago. I’m surprised there’s not a ‘not required’ box or something they could tick

They ask me about drinking and smoking every time too. I don’t smoke and hardly drink - she never seems to believe me when I say I drink 1-2 units a week

CatchingBabies · 20/02/2019 11:40

I get asked the contraception question a lot and I’m gay, you’d think there would be a does not require contraception tick box.