To ask if you have ever seen a gynaecologist and why?

[GinJarRogers]

I’m mid forties and have never seen a gynaecologist (I’m in the UK). It seems like in other countries this is a routine part of healthcare. Should I be paying for check ups privately? I don’t have any specific issues (that I know of) but it feels like by my age it’s probably a good idea to get checked out. Interested in hearing others experiences, both in the UK and abroad.

I have because of heavy periods that ended up diagnosed as endometriosis

I’m almost 40 and have never seen a gynae as no known isssues.

Me neither

why see any kind of doctor if you have no obvious symptoms

I’m American and have never seen a gynecologist. But I’ve never had any gynae issues that would require a specialist.

edited to add I’m in my mid 50s.

Personally, I was referred to a gynae once for symptoms I can't even remember. I have a wonderful GP with a special interest in women's health care which has otherwise been enough for me. We have good nurses at the practice for smears. I've had a few things seen to at GUM and associated clinics including a colposcopy. Brilliant breast clinic for mammography.

I'd like to see much shorter waiting times for specialist gynae care when needed, of course. But I don't believe in annual gynae checkups as a kind of lifestyle accessory.

I did. I had issues with my periods.

If your attending your cervical screening tests as recommended, have good sexual health and have no concerns e.g. pelvic pain, bad odour etc I personally wouldn't visit a consultant for a wellness check

However I would expect it as part of a full body MOT so to speak which I would pay for regularly if finances allowed

Yes, once a year, or in my case every 6 months for a pap. It's a general check as well as he does an ultra sound scan too.

He picked up my ibs in one appointment and now he prescribes my hrt.

My 20 year old daughter just had her first visit, she was diagnosed with endemetrosis.

I have because gynaes do smear tests where I live. I first saw her when I was about 35 and she was surprised that I hadn’t ever seen a gynae before.

I was referred to a gynaecologist as I suddenly started having very heavy periods. I was diagnosed with adenomyosis.

I've seen a few, but I've always been referred by GP, so only if there is an issue that needs that level of expertise. I ended up having a hysterectomy.

It is routine in many countries, but also in those places the health system is often set up differently and it may be standard to go directly to a specialist rather than everything via a GP. In some places the gynecologist is also responsible for performing smear tests, and sometimes even breast exams. If that's the case, it makes sense that you may see one however often such tests are recommended in that location.

Only once, as referred by GP in my 30s. Diagnosis obtained, no further action needed, and no need to see a gynaecologist again in the ensuing 20+ years. I see no reason to go if there are no issues.

I had submucosal fibroids in my mid to late 30’s so saw an NHS consultant gynaecologist in the lead up to an operation for their removal.
The only reason I knew what they were was because I had a private scan after being fobbed off a number of times by my GP. If I hadn’t went for the scan I might still be sitting here with horrendously heavy periods and excruciating pain every month.

Yes I have, for an actual issue that was identified during a smear test.

No you don't need to book a private appointment unless you actually have any issues.

I attend the cervical screening when reminded but that’s usually a nurse appointment. I haven’t been referred to a gynaecologist until recently as a recent scan showed a possible polyp on my uterus so I have been refrerred for a hysteroscopy

For pre fertility tests (before referal ro infertility clinic).
Complications after birth.
Further issues meant hysterectomy.
All before 34.

Interesting question. I’m from the UK but have lived in France for 15 years. Here, it’s completely normal for women to see their gynae annually They will do a smear test, breast check, pelvic ultrasound etc plus anything else to do with sexual health etc. My last one picked up uterine polyps causing very heavy periods, and resulting iron deficiency. She arranged for me to have them removed.

gynaes are semi private: we pay a fee to see them but it’s mostly reimbursed.

Yes- mid 40's now
Saw one in early 20's when I lived abroad. Although GP's do smears there, for some reason I saw a gynae a few times.
In the UK I saw several for fertility checks when TTC. Also when going through IVF and also at the EPU with each MC.

I have had one referral to a Gynaecologist in 53 years. It's not routine to go, unless you are having some issues.

I have. But not as a routine kind of thing.

I had a smear test years ago that came back as dodgy. So I needed a gynae appointment and a cone biopsy. All sorted.

Then I had a miscarriage, and whilst scanning me they discovered a large dermoid cyst on my ovary, and had to operate and remove cyst/ovary and fallopian tube.

Although actually, I'm not sure if it was a gynaecologist that did that, or simply some kind of general surgeon.

It was my friend’s gynae that picked up that she had breast cancer despite her only being in her early 40s. One good thing about independent gynaecologists here is that they don’t have to abide by any national guidelines as such, they can make their own assessments.

I see my gynaecologist regularly (especially at the moment because I'm pregnant) and have done since the age of about 18. It's normal in my home country. I also chose not to go with midwife care for this pregnancy because of previous issues. I do have a midwife, though, who will take over once the baby is here.
When we lived in England, I saw several gynaecologists due to multiple miscarriages.

Yes for fibroids and cancer.

I had an emergency exam with one when I was bleeding in early pregnancy;he was able to confirm my cervix was still closed.