Gyno Annual Question

[icedcoffee]

Help!

I have my annual tomorrow and I just got my period. Is this a big deal? I tried calling and they are closed for the day and I have the first appointment of the day (I think they might open an hour before). Do I go? Yes, right?

[eb777888]

I was told by my doctor's office that it's whatever I'm comfortable with.

[Pilsy]

I've always worried about this but never experienced it.

Everything I've read says, yes, just go.

[maudefindlay]

Yes, just go. It happened to me once. It wasn't bad or messy like I thought. They are used to it.

[basilosaurus]

I didn't know I'd started when I went to my appt. It was no prob. Doc even said she cleaned me out to make that cycle lighter. Awkward! But she was totally cool and professional about it.

[klassygoosey]

I wouldn't go because it can increase the odds of a false pos on the PAP and you have to go back. Plus I do anything to have an excuse to cancel

[Roc A Bee]

Mine always has me reschedule.

[Pilsy]

wanderingback must know the definitive answer as to whether it's a problem!

[icedcoffee]

I’m also not 100% sure I get a pap this time since they reduced how often you get them and I think I know I got one in 2018. Although...I guess it’s been 3 years. 😂

[circa1978]

I agree wandering would know best but I've had my period before - in fact, I had it when my IUD was inserted - and my provider was like, NBD.

[Saudade]

Occasionally too much blood can result in an insufficient sample on a Pap, let your provider decide. Otherwise it's really NBD

[wanderingback]

Jan 25, 2021 17:04:16 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I’m also not 100% sure I get a pap this time since they reduced how often you get them and I think I know I got one in 2018. Although...I guess it’s been 3 years. 😂

If you're over 30, and they tested for HPV at your last pap smear, and it was normal, then you can wait until 5 years for your next one.

In regards to your initial question, it depends on how much bleeding you have. If you have very heavy periods then there's a small chance that the blood cells can interfere with the pathologist interpreting the results of the cytology. But obviously if you don't need a pap smear this is a moot point. I typically tell patients that if they're on their period and they're already in my office, then we can go ahead and do it, but prepared there might be a small chance we might need to repeat it. I can probably count on my 1 hand the number of times I've had to repeat one due to this problem. 

[icedcoffee]

Jan 25, 2021 18:04:13 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jan 25, 2021 17:04:16 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I’m also not 100% sure I get a pap this time since they reduced how often you get them and I think I know I got one in 2018. Although...I guess it’s been 3 years. 😂

If you're over 30, and they tested for HPV at your last pap smear, and it was normal, then you can wait until 5 years for your next one.

In regards to your initial question, it depends on how much bleeding you have. If you have very heavy periods then there's a small chance that the blood cells can interfere with the pathologist interpreting the results of the cytology. But obviously if you don't need a pap smear this is a moot point. I typically tell patients that if they're on their period and they're already in my office, then we can go ahead and do it, but prepared there might be a small chance we might need to repeat it. I can probably count on my 1 hand the number of times I've had to repeat one due to this problem. 

Thank you!! I’ll just go in and hope for the best. I think they’d charge me if I cancelled at this point anyway. Maybe we can talk about why my cycle is 23 days long. LOL

Ugh. I should be used to this after 12 million IVF procedures while bleeding but I’m still dreading it. 🤪

[basilosaurus]

Jan 25, 2021 17:24:33 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I agree wandering would know best but I've had my period before - in fact, I had it when my IUD was inserted - and my provider was like, NBD.

Isn't that standard? Maybe it's because I've never been pregnant. I think they said it was easier to insert then. That was almost 15 years ago, so I don't actually remember the details. Plus, I was pretty high from the meds.

[bittybomb]

My ob will do it regardless but says if it's heavy it's better to reschedule.

[icedcoffee]

Update: if anyone cares. LOL. It was fine. They were not phased and did my pap no problem. I’m glad it’s over but it really was NBD. Thanks all!

[doggielover]

this just happened to me a couple weeks ago and it was fine. My dr said the lab will still be able to get results

[circa1978]

Jan 26, 2021 0:30:32 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Jan 25, 2021 17:24:33 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I agree wandering would know best but I've had my period before - in fact, I had it when my IUD was inserted - and my provider was like, NBD.

Isn't that standard? Maybe it's because I've never been pregnant. I think they said it was easier to insert then. That was almost 15 years ago, so I don't actually remember the details. Plus, I was pretty high from the meds.

I guess so! My IUD was a surprise - my provider was like, oh, I see you don't want any kids, want me to insert an IUD - it's free! - but I happened to be on my period that visit. I didn't realize until I googled just now that is common.