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 first saw a gynaecologist when I was 14 and needed a lump removed from my breast. I then had precancerous cells removed twice in my twenties, saw one privately when my doctor was horrendous dealing with a miscarriage and now I’m in my forties I’m under the care of one for menopause. So plenty of times for me but only because of symptoms, I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Yes two but it only took me 25 years to be taken seriously by GPs due to ending up at a practice that has mainly female GPs.

Both gynaecologists were women. The first one confirmed a diagnosis and the second one was to "treat" me. First was horrid while second was lovely.

One of my SILs has had similar issues but was only taken seriously due to collapsing. Then she was treated by a gynaecologist and discharged back to a GP who refused to follow the gynecologist simple instructions after two years. That was until she collapsed and ended up in hospital...

I lived in a European country for 10 years and saw gynaecologists for smear tests and also for all my antenatal appointments, scans and then the birth plus check ups afterwards.

I'm in the UK and until I was 49 I had never seen one either. But I saw two because I had pain with no obvious cause. First was private and not much use. The second one was NHS and I saw her 7 months after the private one, 9 months after the GP did the referral. She did a biopsy and I got diagnosed.

There probably isn't any point seeing a gynae privately unless you are worried about something. You won't get an NHS referral unless the GP thinks something is wrong.

If you do need an NHS referral it's worth checking this site for the expected wait time before you ask for the referral as you can request to be referred anywhere and a neighbouring trust might be quicker than your local one:
https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/

For a check up. Prevention is a lot more effective than any cure.
I go to dentist every 6 months for check up and clean and gynaecologist for check up every year.

Yes I have for menopause reasons.

I saw a gynaecologist 20 years ago to get a polyp on my cervix removed. I was referred to him again recently when I had postmenopausal bleeding. He brought me in for a hysteroscopy, another polyp removal and a Mirena coil for the progesterone part of my HRT. He's very good.

I’m 44 and never seen one. Had two children in my late 30s. If there is no issue why would you need to see one? By that reckoning you should also see an eye specialist or a heart specialist.

I had some abnormal cervical cells on my first ever smear test aged 18, so I saw a gynaecologist then for laser treatment. I also had a pelvic ultrasound a few years ago as I had some symptoms of ovarian cancer (happy to say I didn’t have it) I don’t know if it was a gynaecologist who performed that, but I would guess so.

Yes a few times due to ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease and the associated issues with both

After the birth of my ds. It was an automatic referral due to the birth I had. It was about 7 months after. Useful appointment to discuss the tear and subsequent issues I was having. Also, he recommended a c section for my next birth, but by that point, I was 1 and done, and I still am.

@HolidaysPleaseNow it’s just the worse how they fob you off! Had a male GP tell me it was just my age and I had to expect changes in my cycle.

Initially I thought ok maybe that is the case but thankfully wised up and remembered it’s my body and I know it better than anyone else and after 25 years of perfectly normal cycles something was seriously off. I dread to think how some women live in agony because they don’t trust their instincts.

Once for bleeding after I had gone through the menopause. Everything was OK The other was when my Gp couldn't do my smear which was the first time that had happened. So I was referred to a gynaecologist who was able to do it.

This was seven years ago in one of the home counties. I'm hoping things have improved since then!

Yes there was a time I had extremely heavy periods and was constantly bleeding. Saw my GP, who referred me to a gynecologist which was followed up by a course of steroids followed by a hysterectomy to get rid of the fibroids which were making my life a misery. I felt so well - and free - afterwards. 🌹

No but my DD (16) did for a few years. The US have gynea checks as standard but if no problems why would you see one? My DD did for period problems (started with her first one that didn’t stop and ended up with 2 pints of blood transfused)

I have. In my home country for unexplained bleeding after sex, and a few other times post-birth. A urogynaecologist (UK, private) for pelvic floor issues post-birth.

You won't get an NHS referral unless the GP thinks something is wrong

this is a big difference between the NHS and the provision of health care in France / other European countries. Access to gynaecologists is open, there’s no need for a referral. I can go online and make an appointment to see mine (or a new one if I want to change) at my convenience. I might need to wait a few weeks for the actual rdv as gynaes tend to be busy. The rdv itself costs €70 for a full MOT, so to speak. Pretty much all reimbursed by the govt / insurance. That’s for a private gynae, in a clinic not a hposital. They pretty much all are here.

free gynae care is actually in the public system in hospitals. Again, referral not needed, you just turn up and wait with everyone else.

I’ve seen gynae loads. I have pcos and adenomyosis so see them every 12 months for that. I’ve also seen them for irregular smears and then finally for tests with conceiving .

I am in America and started seeing one at 16

Yes, I'm under one now for suspected endometriosis (waiting for a laparoscopy)

No, never needed to. I’m 60 with 2 children. All smears at GP practice and mammograms at hospital. No problems with menopause.

Many times. I lived for a few years in Europe where it was standard practice to get seen 6 monthly. Have also been seen in the UK as I have a gynecological condition that needs specialist management.

Yes, because I live abroad and I have my smear test with a gynaecologist rather than a GP.

You also have to have a check up with gynaecologist to get a prescription for birth control here. And I saw mine all the way through my pregnancies. I really like her. I don't think it's necessary as such - the GP can do a smear test perfectly fine and midwives did a great job with my pregnancy care in the UK. But it is nice to have a sustained relationship with the same person.

Then I also saw one at the hospital when I gave birth because we have some genetic risk factors so there was a little bit of consultant-led care but it was mostly midwives for the actual births.

Actually there was a doctor which I assume must have been a gynaecologist in the room when I had DS1 (in the UK) as well because they were pondering whether to let me continue or do episiotomy.

At first I found the "dentist chair for foofs" a bit intimidating when I had an appointment, but I've got used to it now. Most of the time of course you aren't in that chair. It is really nice to have the scanning equipment right in their office, I had so many scans especially with DS2! It was lovely to see the baby so often.

Grew up and spend my 20s in Scandinavia you have to see one every year for a check up and ck reception prescription so yes I’ve seen plenty. I found it so weird that you don’t at all over here