Should I see an OBGYN?

Question

I'm in my mid-twenties and have never been to an obgyn. I'm extremely modest and I can hardly stand the thought of going to one. Besides that, I have always had a very regular period and great overall health, so I never felt the need to see one.
I also dont' really know how you go about obtaining one. I had a really hard time just getting a regular doctor to see me when I had a bad cold 2 years ago. Are gynocologists selective about their patients, or can you just pick one out of the phone book and call for an appointment? My friend has one and she says she isn't seeing new patients...so I don't know what to do...should I just not worry about it?

Answer 1

Of course you should worry some doctors are great but a lot are idiots.

You need a recommendation from several friends. You also have the right to shop around even with an HMO.

The best ones might be full but ask the friend if her OB/GYN gives referrals.

Answer 2

you shuld definatly be seen, even if you seem fine, this way they can run tests anf such so that if you feel there is something wrong - they will have on record what is normal for you.

if her dr is not taking new patients, it just means that they have too many already (a lot of times insurance companies ask a dr to stop taking patients if it is taking too long to get an appointment) ask another friend or family member for a reccomendation, or you can get a list from your insurance company, or the phone book. Normally it is the patients who are choosey not the doctors. If you plan to have children in the future, i reccomend you choose an OB/GYN rather then a GYN so you do not have to switch doctors if/when you are pregnant. you can choose and male or female doctor, depending on your preference, if you are worried, you can make an appointment to meet the doctor before your first exam.

Answer 3

I started seeing my obgyn after a hospital stay for an ovarian cyst. I'm only 17, but she told me I should start coming in for regular visits either once I turn 21, or have been sexually active for three years.

Since mine was just assigned to me, I'm not sure how to go about it. I would call a few in the phonebook and ask if they are taking new patients.

About the modesty thing: I am very modest too, and I had some pretty intense experiences in terms of exams when they were trying to diagnose me. But if you suck it up and just do it, it's not so bad after all.

=) Hope that helps.

Answer 4

It's very important that you get checked regularly by a gyn. You should get a referral from your regular doctor if you don't know of anyone you can see. I'm sure your doctor can steer you in the right direction. Regardless of whether you think you're healthy, doesn't make it unnecessary to have a gynecological exam. Take preventative measures to ensure optimal health! Get a gyn--it's no big deal...they've seen it all before.

Answer 5

I believe it is very important that you find yourself a doctor. Annual checkups are important for the preventive measures. There are alot of things such as cervical cancer that can only be detected through a pap smear. Ask other friends or family members for referrals to their doctors. As far as the modest part its understandable to feel that way but try to remember that an Ob/gyn is a professional who is in this situation everyday.

Answer 6

an important question to ask the only healthcare expert would be approximately how deliveries are dealt with. In a different-healthcare expert practice, the docs rotate being on accountability for deliveries -- does the only healthcare expert handle each and each transport? How does she stability place of work hours and deliveries? What if 2 of her sufferers grant on a similar time? If she's up all night handing over slightly one the night formerly your appointment, is she going to have the skill to grant you high quality interest? i'd be frightened some single-healthcare expert practice for those (and different) motives. I incredibly have had 2 pregnancies -- the two intense-threat -- so my circumstances are slightly different (weekly appointments, hospitalizations, scheduled deliveries, and so on), yet i'd advise a multi-healthcare expert practice. If seeing one single healthcare expert is important to you, you could request a similar healthcare expert for many folk of your appointments, and in basic terms be sure to fulfill the others a minimum of as quickly as incase you finally end up going into exertions whilst they're on call.... stable success!

Answer 7

Check your health insurance provider and tell them you'd like to see an OB/GYN.

You should go once a year; I'm as modest as you are and it's only one day out of the year that you have to go. You can always request a female practictioner if it makes you more comfortable.

Answer 8

don't you have to see one when you're 18? maybe i'm wrong but... i think you should definitely see one. just to make sure everything is ok. like just in case something is wrong or if you have abnormalities, you could get it taken care of early before it becomes a problem later on in life. anyway you should absolutely see one before you have kids... the sooner the better.

it's a long story, but i needed to go to one. i had a problem. but she did one of those "internal exams". it really wasn't that bad. it didn't even hurt, just a little pressure down below. don't be afraid just get it over with so you don't have problems later on. take it from a 14 year old who was not too happy about having to see one. :)

O and see your doctor. he or she will know gynecologists in your area that can see you. they'll probably have there number. that is how i got one... my doctor gave my mom her number.

if you want anymore info, just email me, and i'll help if i can. (you don't have to) hope i helped!

Answer 9

well if you have insureance..then go with your provider..like kaiser..or whatever you have with them...you want to get a pap smear done..reason being that even a healthy person can get uteran cancer and std's..your saposed to do it once a year..and it is painless! its takes the doctor like 2 minutes and your out of there! you can just call in the yellow pages if you want to or go by word of mouth like from friends...you might be able to get it done at a free clinic if you dont have insureance..im not sure what other doctors charge...

Answer 10

If you're sexually active then you should definately go.

You can start by opening the phone book and seeing who is taking new patients and who is covered by your insurance. Or asking yoru primary care physician for a referral