Anyone go to just a PCP, no OBGYN?

[dancingirl21]

I’m about to turn 40. I’m done having children. Does anyone go to a PCP that also does paps/breast exams? Basically a one stop shop?

I had a Leep procedure done 15 years ago after some abnormal cells on a Pap, but haven’t had any abnormals since then. I did have a lump in a breast that my OBGYN found when I was 36. I had a mammogram and ultrasound a few times to follow up on that, but they determined it was a cyst and cleared me until I was 40.

Any reason not to do this? Thanks!

[cattledogkisses]

I have never seen an OBGYN, only a PCP. She does everything for me.

[gretchenindisguise]

If you’re happy with the pcp care, and like your doctor- I’d say go for it. My pcp keeps offering but I love my gyn so I’ll keep seeing her once a year.

[dcn]

I’ve only seen an ob when pregnant. Otherwise I’ve done everything with my pcp.

[countthestars]

My PCP does everything (they have OBs in their office so I went there for pregnancies as well). Mine will not do my pelvic exam during my regular yearly check up, though - that is a separate appointment.

[dexteroni]

My PCP did my pelvic exams and paps for many years and it was totally fine. In my late 40s, my cycles started being weird and I had a few abnormal paps, so I switched to a GYN. I figure since I’m getting close to menopause it’s probably time to be established with a specialist. Sigh.

[savan]

I do. I have to see my PCP yearly for a medicine refill so I figured it also made sense to have her do my well woman visit at the same time.

[dancingirl21]

Dec 23, 2022 13:29:27 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

My PCP did my pelvic exams and paps for many years and it was totally fine. In my late 40s, my cycles started being weird and I had a few abnormal paps, so I switched to a GYN. I figure since I’m getting close to menopause it’s probably time to be established with a specialist. Sigh.

This is what I wonder about. I have an OBGYN that I have seen for years and I like her. Maybe I should just keep seeing her in addition to my PCP.

[7costanza]

I have a PCP/family medicine doctor and my whole family sees her for everything, including my last pregnancy. I love having just one provider who knows us well! She does refer out to specialists as needed.

[loira]

Yes, here we go to our family doctor for everything and only to specialists if referred (or in the case of OBs, if pregnant). I assume if anything were out of sorts on my smear, she'd refer me to someone more specialized.

[thebreakfastclub]

I never had a PCP, only an OB, for many years.

Then I moved states had no need for BC so I switched to a PCP. She does my pap and I get a yearly mammogram.

[fernweh]

Yes - my PCP even did my IUD insertion.
I started when my OBGYN retired and I needed a pap before finding a replacement. It has worked fine thus far.

[mysteriouswife]

I see a GYN due to family history and a blood disorder. My PCP prefers to send me to a specialist. That is the only reason I am not seeing my PCP

[VillainV]

Yep, my PCP does all of the GYN stuff I need — pap, pelvic, placed my IUD (but would prescribe birth control if I need it). If I need anything else, she can refer out.

[dexteroni]

Dec 23, 2022 13:33:12 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

Dec 23, 2022 13:29:27 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

My PCP did my pelvic exams and paps for many years and it was totally fine. In my late 40s, my cycles started being weird and I had a few abnormal paps, so I switched to a GYN. I figure since I’m getting close to menopause it’s probably time to be established with a specialist. Sigh.

This is what I wonder about. I have an OBGYN that I have seen for years and I like her. Maybe I should just keep seeing her in addition to my PCP.

Since you already have one who you know and like, yes, I would stay with her.

[starburst604]

Yes, my PCP does my pap and breast exam. I’ve only seen gyn when pregnant or having something unusual happening.

[InBetweenDays]

Ditto others. I've only ever been to a PCP. Even for pregnancy/delivery.

[stemmie]

I switched to having my PCP (a CNP) for well woman care.

My friends who have needed gynecological care beyond what well woman care generally have been referred to subspecialist in urogynecology, gynecologic oncology or specialist surgeons for breast care and fibroids.

[circa1978]

So I'm gathering this is odd but my GYN (she is an OB but does not deliver babies/take pregnant patients - not her jam) is actually the doctor I see most. She runs all my annual bloodwork/physical and sits with me for about an hour each visit; that's her norm for all patient visits. She is the person who referred me to almost every specialist I see. I don't go to her when I'm sick (very, very rarely) and obviously if something else cropped up I'd see a GP but she has also done my gynecologic surgery. She also sees my mom, aunt and my cousin and I know she prescribes my mom her antidepressent. When she retires I'll probably shift it up but I think she likes caring for the entire person and it works for us.

[sunshineandpinot]

Me and I have a super similar medical history to you. I love my PCP.

[charlatti]

I did for about 5 years but returned to my GYN after I was diagnosed with fibroids. In retrospect, I wish I had continued with both docs, because I think the gyn would have caught the fibroids earlier.

[rubytue]

Dec 23, 2022 13:29:27 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

My PCP did my pelvic exams and paps for many years and it was totally fine. In my late 40s, my cycles started being weird and I had a few abnormal paps, so I switched to a GYN. I figure since I’m getting close to menopause it’s probably time to be established with a specialist. Sigh.

Same-ish. My old PCP did mine. My new one is just internal medicine, so she doesn’t do them. And so I avoided it until it was really needed (whatever the longest period between paps is now, and then add a year). Then I had an issue and was struggling because I didn’t have an establish anyone. I hated the obgyn, because everyone I saw treated me like a womb that I wanted to fill. When I found this last one, I almost cried. 

I mean, this one I saw about my fibroids that were showing up concerning on PET scans wanted to talk to me, childless at age 46, about fertility preservation options. The tears were when I found someone who actually listened and discussed all my options. 

[macmars45]

I haven't seen an obgyn since DS(6.5) was a baby. My PCPs and NPs do everything.

[gardengal]

I did for a few years but bc she didn’t do them as much, she took longer & didn’t have the nice warmer thing for the metal piece they put in you & such. So I started going back to gyn for faster & more comfortable pap & exam experience

[icedcoffee]

Yes. I quit my OB after DS2 was born. I don’t have time for doctors running late because they’re in a delivery or getting bumped because something more important came up. My OB was a baby factory and my baby days are over. My PCP is a PA who I adore and takes my concerns seriously.

[wanderingback]

Yep, love going to a family med doctor.

[blondemoment123]

My PCP does it all.

[momin2013]

The only time I saw an OB/GYN was when I was pregnant with and delivered DS. Other then that, I’ve only seen a PCP my whole life - she does everything, and refers me to a specialist when necessary.

[starburst604]

I’ve always been kind of surprised when women see an obgyn in place of a PCP (realizing that many people see both). I’m relatively healthy without need for much outside of my annual, but sometimes things come up that I feel would be out of the realm of obgyn, like when I was having arrhythmia after Covid and needed to ask someone what I should do. She was able to bring me in for EKG and reassure me. When I had an infection on my foot she triaged and set me up with a podiatrist. Etc etc. I’ve had a host of issues ear, throat, sinus that get solved by the ENTs I work for, but if I didn’t have this job who would quarterback all of that for me?

Our surgical patients need a history and physical, EKG and labs done by their PCP prior to surgery and it seems unfair to put that on obgyn.

[hbomdiggity]

I tried a few obgyn practices since moving states and didn’t love them. Now 42 and no longer needing an ob, I found a pcp practice I like and they’ve been able to handle my gyn needs.