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.

In my early 30s, developed an ovarian dermoid, ended up with necrotic ovary & tube. Needed the help of a gynae surgeon.

Late 50s developed another smaller cyst, needed the help of another gynae surgeon.

I've run out of ovaries now so hopefully won't need any more of their time. 😊

I saw one as part of fertility investigations when I was 27/28ish. No reason was discovered for my difficulty conceiving. I saw the same gynae privately after my one and only round of private ivf to get an approved way to taper off of progesterone and oestrogen the clinic (in Poland) prescribed.

Yes I have an autoimmune skin condition that affects the skin down there, and I’ve also had an ectopic pregnancy.

In the U.K. smears are done by nurses.

You wouldn't have an ultrasound and or internal unless there were issues in which case GP would refer to a Gynae.

Breast cancer screening in the U.K. is a national programme and I think not done by gynae? I think it's over 40 and at risk women.

Have never seen a gynaecologist as never had any need too, have had 5 children too. I suppose might need to in later life but can’t think why would need to at moment if no gynaecology issues. We don’t see cardiologists, neurologists or any other specialists as routine?

Me! Massive PV bleed that put me in resus with haemorrhagic shock. Was subsequently diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia. Gynae fitted me with a coil, which seems to have reversed it

Yes, it's normal in my (European) country to see a gynaecologist every year from the time you become sexually active. I have the same doctor since I was 18, I'm now in my forties, it's good to see a familiar face every time I have my check up. My yearly consult involves a smear, a scan, a breast check and blood pressure (if on the pill) and general chat about sexual health. She also checks my weight and comments about that, which I know it wouldn't be acceptable in the UK but we don't mind back home. Every woman that I know goes to the their gynaecologist every year.

I've lived in 5 different European countries and seen a gyne for a regular check up (smear, blood test, ultrasound, breast check etc) every year since I was ..hmm, late teens?

Yes recently for pelvic pain and cysts

I did as I grew up in the States and it's normal to have birth control prescribed by a gynaecologist. I had a pelvic exam before I was given the pill. I guess they don't see it as necessary here.

I was referred to one - unfortunately almost 20 years after the first time I went to a gp about my endometriosis symptoms.

I’ve seen four separate gynaecologists for four separate issues. I wouldn’t see one unless I had reason to.

I had bad scarring after an episiotomy that required follow up surgery. I saw a gynaecologist privately in the UK for that. I had been warned the NHS waiting list was 4 years, and thankfully my private healthcare agreed to cover it. The op took 15 minutes and cured the extreme pain I was in.

Ex colleagues in Clacton reckoned once you hit 40 - there should be a well woman check in primary care but that didn’t happen. I suppose somewhat the surgery would claim checks are covered under the diabetes checks.

I’ve only seen a gynae aka also expert in menopause, when needed. I really wish my problem was elsewhere.

I feel women’s health is in the toilet and the NHS’s attitude is if we leave the person long enough their problem will disappear. Getting answers very frustrating, it’s got to a point I have a private scan booked so in part I can say I have images too and they belong to me so the scan you refuse to show from last May is moot. In 2 weeks I’ll find out if they really did do a biopsy.

Seem some hilarious things on support groups from you can request an MRI when results come back clear to you can refuse internals but still expect your problems down there treated.

I’m not sure what the best approach is.

I think it’s great that I don’t have to wait to see a gynae when I need to - I just make a rdv with them. I can also opt to see a midwife at any time: they aren’t just for childbirth here, midwives can do everything that a gynae can except prescribe mammograms. They do smear tests, breast checks, contraception etc and there is no waiting. Ditto when I wanted to do pelvic floor reeducation- I just got a prescription from my gynae and went ahead and found a physio: no waiting, no clinics, etc.

but yearly gynae rdv does feel a bit ott. Maybe every two years would be enough to be preventative for most conditions, and coincides with the smear test frequency. 🤷‍♀️

I’ve been under the care of the same NHS gynaecologist for the last 15 years. Was referred originally due to excessive heavy periods. I have had various procedures to help reduce the bleeding (I’ve had consultations and/or procedures every single year since originally referred).

I totally recommend him, it’s only taken him these 15 years to discover that I actually have endometriosis and adenomyosis (and that was because I had requested a mri as I’m in so much pain 🙄).

Yes, I've seen 3. I saw one at 21 because I was having bleeding after sex (turned out to be nothing)

I then saw 2 last year (aged 32). I was referred urgently under 2 weeks wait for an ovarian mass so saw an NHS gynecologist. Once it was determined the mass was a benign cyst, I saw a private gynecologist to have it removed because wait on NHS was too long.

I'm in Italy, I've seen mine many times for pap tests and any other check ups in that area. Now seeing a private one to try get HRT ( I'm over 50 & in menopause) but it's hard work as they're not mad on giving it and it seems impossible on the state and the amount of tests I have to have first to see if I'm eligible for it are overwhelming.

Yes, for in-between period bleeding. And that was only after examinations and tests run by GP, who couldn’t determine the cause. Turns out I have polyps and need surgery to have them removed, which hasn’t happened yet.

In my forties. Unexplained bleeding.

I am 46, and currently under the care of an excellent gynaecologist.
She saw my daughter a couple of years ago, I paid for my daughter to see her as a private patient.
i see her as an nhs patient for endometrial fibroids and menopause.

I am outside UK. Visiting a gynecologist once a year here is a routine, especially if your are sexually active. They do smear tests, ultrasounds, breast exams, blood tests, etc. You can do it privately, not necessarily through the national health system. I've been seeing mine for 6 years now due to issues regarding infertility, but that's another story. My other friends see one yearly.

Polyp removal
Also privately as part of a health MOT- smear, chat about HRT etc etc.

I saw one with my first pregnancy - that was 35 years ago. I think that was normal at the time?

Yep.
All my kids born in the US, so saw an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist for each delivery, and followed on with Gynae visits for Pap smears and other stuff. OB/GYN was allowed to be a women's primary care physician for our insurance, so he and his partner (who was an internist) saw me for everything.