Annual gyn exam?

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

Last year I went to a family practice doc for a physical and annual girlie exam. She did a pap and an HPV test and since I was negative for HPV, she said I only needed a pap every 3 years now. What do you guys think? Every 3 years seems dicey to me. Not that I love paps, but I'd rather do that than let cervical cancer go for three years undetected. Am I wrong?

CinemaGoddess · May 2011

My doc said not to come back for three years since I was negative for HPV, too. I was going yearly because my previous doc wouldn't re-up my BCP without a pap.

Have you talked to your doc about coming in yearly instead of every 3 years?

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

No I just was about to make a physical appointment and that's when I was wondering what I should do... I should add that I did have a bad pap in college and some minor surgery. But that was 1991. So it's been 20 years since I had an issue.

LauraLynneC · May 2011

My pap is every year...HPV neg...seems weird to go 3 years between.

MrsEditorJax · May 2011

My OBGYN does one every two years for the same reason.

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

LauraLynneC:
My pap is every year...HPV neg...seems weird to go 3 years between.

I think so too! And you're my age. I feel like when we're old we should definitely do it more often right??

KNemo · May 2011

Seattle_JiLLn:

LauraLynneC:
My pap is every year...HPV neg...seems weird to go 3 years between.

I think so too! And you're my age. I feel like when we're old we should definitely do it more often right??

Do what YOU think is best. Not to scare you or anything, but I am going to get on every year, even though I am negative for HPV. I have come across too many horror stories for my liking. One of my students lost his mother to cervical cancer. She was negative for HPV and followed her OB's advice to not worry about it for three years. By that three-year check-up, she was stage 4.

LauraLynneC · May 2011

Seattle_JiLLn:

LauraLynneC:
My pap is every year...HPV neg...seems weird to go 3 years between.

I think so too! And you're my age. I feel like when we're old we should definitely do it more often right??

I also get my boobs squished every year too. the joys of getting older.

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

LauraLynneC:
Seattle_JiLLn:

LauraLynneC:
My pap is every year...HPV neg...seems weird to go 3 years between.
I think so too! And you're my age. I feel like when we're old we should definitely do it more often right??
I also get my boobs squished every year too. the joys of getting older.

Yeah I have to do that. I haven't yet. They said to wait til I'm done nursing and this kid won't let it go!

JRS72206 · May 2011

Even if my doc said every three years, I would still go yearly. Breast and cervical cancer runs in my family, so I'm extra cautious. My doc has never suggested that, though.

newmommy74 · May 2011

3 years seems like a long time! It's every 2 years here in Australia and even then that still seems long sometimes.

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

Ok I'll make sure to get one this year... you guys confirmed that I'm not nuts. Thanks.

skenyon · May 2011

It's a pretty new recommendation. After J was born my midwife told me that it was their recommendation if you had something like 3 regular paps. But she also siad that if I wanted to do every year that was fine and that it wouldn't be a problem with insurance

m&m823 · May 2011

I believe my OB still does a yearly exam, but the pap every 2 years. This just started though.

dawnies79 · May 2011

I was told the same thing at my last appointment in March. I'm fine with it. The main reason I went every year anyway was to renew my bc prescription. I've never had an abnormal pap or any other issues so it always seemed a little unnecessary to me. But that's just my personal opinion/experience.

SoDoMojo · May 2011

I'm coming into the convo pretty late... but I'd def not wait 3 years. I'm only 28, had the same partner for almost 10 years, never had a weird pap and I STILL wouldn't wait that long.

Sure, lots of people are fine I'm sure. But if you're concerned about what MIGHT happen... don't give it the chance. YKWIM?

doublem · May 2011

I feel like getting a pap is no big deal (I'd rather do that than have a blood draw!), and since my insurance covers it, I prefer to get one every year. If nothing else, it's reassuring to know that things are fine. I can't imagine waiting 3 years and finding out that something could have been wrong for more than a year or two that could have been treated!

CDMay2006 · May 2011

I know i'm late to the game, but... my dr. said if you aren't using hormonal bc, have no personal or relevant family history, have had normal results and no HPV, then every 2-3 years is now recommended. With additional risk factors it is every year. That seems to support what you are thinking (you've had some history and though everything's been fine for a long time, that makes you want to have it done annually).

Surfinbride · May 2011

My doctor does a pap once every 3 years b/c mine have always been normal. However, she does still do an annual pelvic and breast exam.

Want a personalized experience?

Annual gyn exam?

Re: Annual gyn exam?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards