TMI Question

shagadelk7 · October 2009

I have an appt. with a new gyno next week. I am pretty positive I am going to have my period on the date of my appointment. Can they still examine (and get normal results) you if you're bleeding?

I should probably know this, but I've never had an exam where I had my period, so it never really came up.

Gracias.

RedZee · October 2009

Of course they can.

mamie329 · October 2009

I just can't imagine it would be very uh, fun for them. Most of my friends reschedule their appts if the same thing happened to them.

chrissyvcm · October 2009

Yep, they definitely can. I think they modify the way they collect the sample if they know you're on your period (not totally sure), but it doesn't effect the test results. It feels gross, but whatareya going to do?

Since we're on the topic, I want to ask a question as well. I had an appt a few weeks ago to meet my new Dr. (switched to H's insurance) and get a birth control refill prescription. She told me that since I have never had an abnormal pap and I've had one every year since 18, that I can switch to getting them once every 3 years. I should still have a breast and pelvic exam, but I don't need a pap. I've never before heard a Dr. say it's okay to go so long in between. Does that sound right??

luckycooky · October 2009

They will ask you to reschedule.

shagadelk7 · October 2009

Zee, the reason why I ask is bc I've heard mixed things about getting weird pap results back and needing to go back for another pap (which is pretty much the last thing I want to have to do).

chrissyvcm · October 2009

luckycooky:
They will ask you to reschedule.

Maybe not. My mom had one last week. She informed them ahead of time that she was going to be on her period, and they said it would be just fine. She went for her appt, period and all, and they did their thing.

shagadelk7 · October 2009

I don't care about the ewwww factor. I can't imagine me having my period being any more gross than delivering a baby and possibly getting pissed on or popped on by the patient

And Chrissy, a lot of gynos will tell you if you're in a monogamous relationship and always had normal paps that you can go 2 years and be fine. I don't think it's a big deal. The reason why I think it's weird though, most insurances make you go each year to renew your BC script.

mbd62709 · October 2009

My doctor has me reschedule if I have my period. I guess you could call and ask just so you know for sure.

RedZee · October 2009

Chrissy - ditto what someone else said. After getting a number of normal pap tests and being in a monogamous relationship, they become less necessary (because the likelihood of contracting HPV or anything decreases). That said, when I went to the crazy gyno a few months ago that I'd never seen before, she said that since she didn't have the records of the tests, she wanted to test again (also, she was little test crazy, among the rest of her crazy).

hopscotch. · October 2009

Chrissy - I've heard that before too, but honestly, I'd never go that long. I'd stick with your once a year schedule. Cervical changes can progress rapidly, and even if you've never had an abnormal pap before, things can change and get worse quickly. My mom had never had any issues...had been married to my dad for 10 years...then she had an abnormal pap...next time around...it cleared and they said whatever caused the abnormality had cleared up...then she went back for her annual and in one year it had progressed to cervical cancer and she had a hysterectomy.

chrissyvcm · October 2009

hopscotch.:
Chrissy - I've heard that before too, but honestly, I'd never go that long. I'd stick with your once a year schedule. Cervical changes can progress rapidly, and even if you've never had an abnormal pap before, things can change and get worse quickly. My mom had never had any issues...had been married to my dad for 10 years...then she had an abnormal pap...next time around...it cleared and they said whatever caused the abnormality had cleared up...then she went back for her annual and in one year it had progressed to cervical cancer and she had a hysterectomy.

This terrifies me. My Grandmother has had cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, AND uteran cancer. Somehow, she's still around. My doctor knows all of these things and still said I didn't need to come as often. I, for one, just don't feel right with that and will continue to go annually. I do feel better though knowing that it's not uncommon practice.

RedZee · October 2009

Wait, they said you don't have to be checked at all or you don't need the pap? I've heard of not doing the pap (although, if you're high risk I thought they still would), but I'm surprised they don't want you to go annually. I'd definitely still go annually.

sarajoy12345 · October 2009

I had an appt scheduled about a month ago, but was going to be on my period. I called to reschedule and when I told them why they acted like that was a totally normal reason to reschedule. Just call and ask.

shagadelk7 · October 2009

The point is, is that I DO NOT want to reschedule. I made this appt like 4 months ago and the gyno is booked solid. If I reschedule there's a good chance I would have to wait another 3-4 months, which I am not willing to do.

I was more or less just wondering if anyone has ever gone to the gyno while having their period.

just dandy. · October 2009

It sounds like some obgyns prefer you to reschedule, some don't. My old one advised me to reschedule if I'm on my period. I would call and ask, since it would suck for you to get there, wait and then be told you need to come back.

hopeblue9 · October 2009

When I started the shot, they made me wait until I was on my period. They did my exam and then started me on Depo.

angelfire0412 · October 2009

I had to re-schedule when I had a similar situation. Definitely call and see what your ob/gyn advises. About the pap, I would not go 3 years no matter what the circumstances were. I personally like the peace of mind of a yearly check-up (including a pap). I know the pap is more to detect cervical cancer, but my aunt died at age 43 from ovarian cancer, which could have been prevented if her ob/gyn was more proactive and involved in her care.

LarkNow · October 2009

I'll answer your TMI with a little TMI of my own: wear a tampon that day and just take it out right before you go in to meet the dr. My OB/GYN told me it absorbs the blood well so when they go in to do the tests you should be OK. I've done it and been fine. For some reason, I almost always have my period when I have an appointment (great job, body!)

Junebug060609 · October 2009

I think they can do it, but both they and you would probably prefer to reschedule. I'd call and try another date. They can do a pap I'm pretty sure, might need to be done a little different, but I think they did one for me in the battery of tests. FWIW I had an spell last year where I had my period for three GD months. Fibroids was the culprit, but before we knew that I had like a half dozen exams when I was at least spotting. They can still check you out as need be, trust me. Confused

desareee619 · October 2009

I say that it isn't a problem. Like Lark said, she's done it before and it's been fine. I've also done it before and it was fine. That's just life and I'm sure the gyno has seen plenty of blood and whatnot over the years. I really don't think it's a big deal, either. It's not like you're gushing out blood. Really.

Just go. I don't even think you need to call them to inform them of your flow.

MrsFancyPants · October 2009

I also bled for a bazillion months before they found my gigantor fibroid. So I think they can do it. I would just go.

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