Organic Health

So I’ve read a couple reports (Medscape (login required, so I quoted below) and more resources here)  recently that state women over 25 should get a Pap test every three years, not annually with theor OB/GYN. Additionally Medscape states that women that have had hysterectomies are getting Pap tests unnecessarily:

“In their report on cervical cancer screening released yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) startlingly estimated that 22 million women in the United States may have undergone such screening unnecessarily, because they had already had hysterectomies… and with the guidelines changed for women 18-69″

This is news to me with many doctors and insurance companies pushing annually for everyone.

 Why Annually?

Annually for people who are high risk (who have/carry HPV) and who have a high risk of cervical cancer.

Every 3 Years

For the rest of the population 25 to 69, require routine screening every three years, especially those over 30. With women under 25 not needing a reguar screeening.

There should still be regular testing for STD’s. But this can be done with or without getting a Pap test.

From Medscape:

“..Although there had been some variation in recommendations made by different organizations in the past, updated guidelines released last year saw a convergence of opinions and very similar recommendations issued by the American Cancer Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the US Preventive Services Task Force…

“….Another finding from the CDC survey was data suggesting that women in the 22- to 30-year-old age group were undergoing Pap tests annually instead of every 3 years, as per the new, updated guidelines.

This as well as some of the other findings suggest that it is taking some time for recommendations in the guidelines to filter through to clinical practice. Dr. Harper offers a few suggestions as to why this is the case: physicians may not be understanding the evidence for the change in the screening recommendations; reimbursement for the test still occurs; the patient feels at risk and requests frequent testing (“or the same testing as my sisters had…”); and nursing staff may set up the clinic rooms not understanding or accepting the change in guidelines.”

How does birth control fit in if I’m on the Pill?

If you are on birth control, such as the Pill. You would still need to see your doctor every year for your prescription refilled, at least in the US and Canada.

However worldwide doctors and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are pushing to dispense birth control pills over the counter. This is due to health care costs and insurance.

But what if I’m on the Pill and have to get my yearly exam with my Pill prescription refill? What then? What if birth control pills were sold over the counter? There would be no need to see your doctor every year. Sure, there is risk associated with any drugs. But the rate of unplanned pregnancies, abortions would surely go down with wider access to more widespread and affordable access to the Pill. Not to mention less visits to the doctor. Why is there such a large gap between condoms /other contraceptives and then abortion?

The Morning After Pill is dispensed without a prescription, so why not the pill?

Will this change how often you go to the doctor?