What I learned at my yearly gyn appt. this morning

pjscooby

Did you know that as long as you're with the same partner for a specified period of time (forgot to ask what that was), and you don't have a history of abnormal paps, you only need a pap every 3 years?  My gyn asked if I had taken a lover or a cabana boy, to which I replied of course, but we used protection, and she said I was still okay not to have one!! 

Seriously?  Every 3 years?  Wow!  What a nice little break!

However, how does everyone feel about that?  Meaning, does it make you feel less secure in detecting cancer cells early?  The nurse said it's because HPV takes a few years to show up in the cervical cells so early detection is still possible every 3 years.  Still made me feel a bit weary.  Thoughts?

plammy1677

Honestly, I would feel uncomfortable going every 3 years.

 I don't mind having one done every year...having the reassurance that the test comes back okay every year keeps me content.  I have a family history of cervical and breast cancer.. so sign me up every year. 

cheekywife

i feel ok about it (not have to see a speculum every year is fine by me) but i've been tested for HPV, haven't taken any cabana boys, and will absolutely go get checked out if i feel like anything with my girl parts is "off"

speaking of which, i had my yearly exam before we moved last march but still need to find a doctor here in DC . . .

ked77

I think if you've ever had abnormal results in the past it's more often.  But yeah, I don't mind the yearly check that all is well!  I thought it was really strange that I didn't have to have one at my yearly exam after having Maggie,  I would think after a pregnancy they would want to check things out.  oh well, I trust the insurance companies to do what's best for my health

asf619

I still get my annual pap, but I don't know whether that will change after I reach that specified number of years together with DH. A pap doesn't only check for HPV, but other cancer-causing conditions. I think with my family history, I'd likely be getting one every year, regardless of whether that's the policy in my gyn's office. 

HYPOTHETICAL: Now, just because you were with only one partner, doesn't mean that your partner was/is. If your partner picked up something and passed it on to you, then you'd potentially be three years without knowledge of it w/o an annual pap, since a woman can have cervical cancer and not know it because she has no symptoms! 

pjscooby

That made me laugh Kate!

And I forgot to add, she did say that if you have a history of abnormal paps then yes, you get one every year.  I don't.  And I have no history in my family.  BUT...that reassurance every year was nice.

pjscooby

Makes me wonder if we ask to have that yearly pap anyway, if insurance will pay for it? 

cheekywife

ok wait, does this mean that insurance now will only cover a pap every three years?! because that is not cool!! i don't have a family history that causes concern, so that helps me feel more assured but still. if i want a clean bill of gyn health every year, that is not too much to ask!

pjscooby

That's what I'm wondering.  I didn't think to ask if insurance would pay if I insist on having one.  And it also makes me wonder if it was part of the health insurance reform bill that passed (which I am not a fan of).  However, physicals no longer require co-pays apparently.  That was nice.

kmm13

really?  Physicals don't require a copay?!  Even well-child visits?  That IS nice!

As for the pap smear thing, that totally rings a bell - I think I read something online about having them every 3 years.  I'd rather just continue to have them annually just to be safe.  Which reminds me... I need to schedule one soon!  Good times.

cheekywife

if that is the case, i will stay with my doc in new york for gyn appointments. she would find away around the red tape if needed. i will ask josh since he may have some inside info.

 

cheekywife

and fyi: my doc told me the three year thing like 2-3 years ago, so this is separate from health care reform

TheNewMrsPAC

If anything the new healthcare bill would make you get one every year.  the whole bill is about catching it before it happens instead of treating afterwards, so i don't think that would be part of it...

pjscooby

cheekywife:

and fyi: my doc told me the three year thing like 2-3 years ago, so this is separate from health care reform

Yep, not part of it then.  I know I had a pap last year.  I wonder when this all started then. 

micheleNYC

Interesting. I'm going to ask once I find a gyn to go to!!!! (and yep, lower right quadrant pain still there...). Making a call once Maddy takes a nap. Going to go straight to a gyn I think.... have to double check my insurance plan if I can...

cheekywife

maybe it wasn't a factor for you within a certain amount of time of having melinda? i know that my not having a high-risk history/behavior and clear paps for several years was a factor.

asf619

Pap smear recommendations (Dec. 2009) -- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/MY00728

New Pap smear guidelines explained (Jan. 2010) -- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear-guidelines/MY01148 

sacey21

oh! oh! i learned that too at my last appointment. i don't remember her saying anything about having the same partner....i thought it had something to do with my age?! 

 

Temp764942375002523

I still like to go every year, because well I love my Gyno!  Since having another baby may not be in the cards, I like to chat w/her at tleast once a year!

Also, saw this on the D & R board and thought it was post appropriate! 

 Antique Gyno table anyone?

 

nsc91706

From experience, I know that my insurance will not cover a pap if I request one before the 3 years is up.  They go by what the doctor recommends and will only cover one every 3 years, in my case anyway...I have BCBS....

rber9595

i think that there i more than one pap test now.  they have the hpv pap test and then the regular.  i remember having an option on which i wanted and if i chose the hpv pap and it came back fine then i wouldnt have to have another for three years

ammorgado

sacey21:

oh! oh! i learned that too at my last appointment. i don't remember her saying anything about having the same partner....i thought it had something to do with my age?! 

 

Ironically enough, I read this initial post as I was waiting for my Gyn for my own annual.  Of course when she came in, she gave me this whole speech.  And she started out by saying " Now that you're 30....."  So I figured it had to do with age too.   

sajigirl

Well don't get too excited ladies, you still have to get your annual!  Just no pap smear every year anymore. Matt says it is an age and number of normal pap smears in a row thing as well as partly the partner.  (If you have added a partner they do recommend you get a pap that year.)  For the normal pap thing, I have had abnormal paps, but not for probably 10 years so I was "qualified"  So we all still get the loveliness of a speculum but can avoid the q-tip 

Ali9381

Yes and no, I only founf that out at my last appt in Dec.  I have to have one next year and then since I'll be 30, I can go every 3 years.  I haven't decided yet if I'd still go yearly or not.