<p>corranged - I go to my family doctor. I think it really depends how much you trust your doctor. I really like and trust mine and know from past experience that she will say when/if she feels something is beyond her expertese. She does my regular check ups and also did an endometrial biopsy. In fact the possible issue arose the thursday before I was due to fly to the UK the next tuesday and I called and asked if it was a problem and she had me in and had the biopsy done, sent me to the hospital for an ultrasound all before I left then called and told my husband the results while I was gone. I think the closer relationship of her being our family doctor made that possible. Plus when I have left it longer then I should to have a check up she will tell me I need to. Again the closer family doctor relationship.</p>
<p>Many GP’s can do pelvic exams. This was routine in the past, but now with the advent of specialties and subspecialties many have opted not to do them…My personal preference is to have an OBGYN do the exam because they are board certified and maintain CME’s in their field to be current. They usually have the latest information and research and belong to their specialty’s association AACOG. OBGYN may also be more knowledgeable in dealing with issues such as menopause and hormone replacement. It is also good to develop a partnership with her/him in your female health.</p>
<p>Personally, I prefer a gyn for the reproductive side of things. I appreciate their expertise. I am sure that many gp’s are fine. In fact, my MIL has never gone to an ob/gyn; she has always just had a family doctor. My mom & I prefer both an internist & gyn. If you are young & plan to have a family, an ob/gyn is a good choice. Mine used to do both but no longer does the ob thing … not a problem, since I no longer need an ob! 
IMO, the most important attribute for this type of doctor is the ability to hold a conversation with me throughout the exam. My doctor is terrific at this! In fact, I was just in his office a couple weeks ago & I got to hear all about his medical mission trip to India. It made the exam “easy,” and I learned a lot (both about India & about the fine man my doctor is).</p>
<p>I prefer my OB/GYN for reproductive system issues. My internist is very competent – but her philosophy is markedly different frm my OB when it comes to those annoying peri-menopausal issues. I was having bleeding issues – losing LOTS of blood and it really interferes with quality of life. My internist didn’t want to ‘use any hormones because of the potential long term side effects’. My OB felt that a short course (5-7 days) of hormones would solve the problem quickly – and she was right.</p>
<p>Under what circumstances would the doctor suggest going ahead with the colposcopy instead of repeating the pap first? They called her yesterday to discuss the procedure (after she’d already told them she was no longer in town and would have to have any follow up done elsewhere.)</p>
<p>My D’s Dr did do a colposcopy after one abnormal pap smear. (I just remembered that, it was last year.) The colposcopy confirmed the abnormal diagnosis. Thenm 6 months later, she had one more abnormal pap. But that one looked a little better. Than this time it was normal. So, who knows, maybe she could have gotten away without the coloscopy.</p>
<p>maysixxmom, as I mentioned in my earlier post, it’s important to find out from the doctor what type of abnormality it was that was seen. That determines whether they recommend a colposcopy right away or they recommend a repeat pap in six months. Have a look at the link that corranged posted earlier. That will explain the differences in cell structure which determine what the doc will recommend.</p>
<p>alwaysamom - the doctor’s office said the abnormality was “mild”. She’s scheduled for a repeat pap @ school next Tuesday which will be about a month since the abnormal one. Is that too soon?</p>
<p>maysixx, I’m not an MD so I can’t really say if that is too soon. Did your doc recommend that? My niece went through this earlier this year and can only tell you what our doc advised in her case. This is the website she recommended we read:</p>
<p>[Abnormal</a> Pap Tests](<a href=“http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/faq/abnormalPap.html]Abnormal”>Account Suspended)</p>
<p>My niece had a second pap done six months later and it, too, came back with an abnormal result. A colposcopy was then completed. I have not heard or read about any recommendation in a situation like this for a repeat pap in as little as one month. I don’t know if your doc will speak to you directly about this but I’d recommend trying to speak to the doc him/herself and not the office staff. Best of luck to you, I know how troubling these things can be.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts, moms!</p>
<p>Depending on the results and if your daughter is under 21, the pap does not need to be repeated for six months to a year. You said mild, but if you could find out for sure what the report said, that would be better. Next week is too soon and it can wait until she comes home for spring break or later. </p>
<p>That is the information being giving to me by the GYN sitting next to me on the sofa!!!</p>
<p>Thanks snowball! D is contacting the OB/GYN today to give them permission to talk to me so I can gather more definite information. I’ll post again once I have it.</p>
<p>In the meantime, kiss the OB/GYN in your house for me!</p>