normal doctor vs. gynecologist?

Question

If your general practitioner does pap smears and pelvic exams, should you stick with them for the gynocological exams or is it better to go to a gynecologists since they're specialist in that area?

Answer 1

Most primary care physicians when they hear that you have gone to a gynecologist for a pap smear and annual check up prefer that you stick with the gynecologist since they do this every day. The primary care physician only does this about once or twice a week.

I would recommend checking with your primary care physician as well to see what they say about being comfortable with doing your pap smears or leaving it to a gynecologist because every dr is different.

Answer 2

Some GP doctors, in the US mainly, do what is called first admission, i.e. they check everything to see if all is well. If they find anything wrong they refer you to a gynecologist. In other countries this practice does not exist to the best of my knowledge and each doctor does only what is in his scope of expertise. I do not suppose the GP does a vaginal check-up? If s/he does not you still need to go see a gynecologist at least once a year.