Yet another of my info-gathering threads (Slightly squicky)

[Amethyst Hunter]

Specifically, this is for anyone who has ever been to a Planned Parenthood for any type of service.

First, some background on me. I'm early 30s and had my first-ever gyno visit last year, which was when I got on the Pill (Yaz) to regulate what was a very screwed-up menstrual cycle. (I absolutely love it!) I'm not sexually active and never have been, nor do I intend to be. I REALLY, really don't want to go through that whole exam crap every bloody (no pun intended) year like they say women have to - IMO it's unnecessary for someone in my particular circumstance and it zings me for money that I don't have: I'm unemployed and have at this moment about 5 bucks cash to my name, hence the scheduling of a visit to PP to see if I can get my pill prescription refilled at low cost.

Regular doctor won't renew my pills unless I submit to this exam. When I went there last year, they hit me for a thousand-dollar medical bill (yep, no insurance either) that took several months to pay off. Doc also wanted me to see a urologist because she said there was a microscopic (literally) amount of blood in my urine test; God only knows how much that would've bled me for only for them to come back and tell me there was nothing wrong (like they did with my Pap smear - I could've told them that for free). Needless to say, I didn't bother with the urologist, especially after someone informed me that it was most likely leftover blood from the last period I'd had (as I'd had one prior to that urine test).

So, money is a BIG factor for me. As is the whole getting poked-and-prodded thing; I'm skeevish about medical visits even on the best of terms and if I can avoid that particular unpleasance, so much the better.

So now we come to the bulk of my question. Those of you who've ever been to a Planned Parenthood (or similar outfit), what was your overall experience like? I'm looking to get an idea of it so I won't be too startled when I eventually go in - I know one thing I'm very concerned about is the possibility of running into any anti-choice protesters; some of the real nutters are known to actually stalk/harass PP patients. (Not saying that this is a 100% certainty, but it is a distinct possibility seeing as how clinics like PP are routinely targeted by anti-choice groups) I'm sure I'd be sorely tempted to give them a few (thousand, profane) words if they said anything to me, but if someone tries to actually mess with me? All bets are off.

Anyway, whatever info you can give will certainly be appreciated and filed for future reference.

[Rine]

You know...does your local health department have anything that could help you out? Two of my sisters are/were on the pill and got it free (or didn't pay much!)through the county Health Department. All they had to do was provide a pay stub to show how little they make and submit to a gyno exam and all that.

When my sister also got an STD (very minor one, thankfully) they gave her free medications and everything.

Okay, I went to our county's health department website and it said that fees (if there are any) are on a sliding scale determined by income. I think going to a local health department would be more private than going to a planned parenthood outfit.

Could be an option for you? I think, though, they have to do pap smears once a year or something in return for getting birth control.

I wish you luck and hopefully someone can help you out more than me.

[marty]

I've been to PP in two different locations for cheap BC options and never encountered any problems going in. I don't know how it will be in your location, but most of the time it seemed as if I was the only one there whenever I went in. If there are crazy people at your local location, DO NOT react to them. It is none of their damn business why you're going in, so don't give them the time of day.

If I recall correctly, they also offer pap smears relatively cheap, which are good ideas to get even if you're not sexually active because of the whole cervical cancer detection thing, so if they require it to get BC you're still benefiting. But don't be scared to go in, it's just like any other doctor's office.

[Evil Queen]

I'm with Rine; The local health department will do it. FREE.

For Years I went to the health department. My most recent exam was in the beginning of September and, because I make over 10K a year now, I only had to pay a whopping 37$. This included my exam, pills and an updated measels/mumps shot. (last year I got the wooping cough, tetnis and something else.....) This trip, they gave me free vitamins (which are better then all the ones I can find at the freaking store! :eek:

Now, keep in mind, the health department I went to in NC was free under 10K. I think the one I went to in NM (I move a lot) was free as long as you made less then 10K as well. But in NM, you can live as rich as kings making that little.

Hope that was helpful. :)

[Amethyst Hunter]

Thanks for the heads-up. :)

I will probably look into that option as well, depending on what I turn up. I know there's a program in my state that offers a "pink card" to those women who qualify, and it pretty much covers most if not all BC-related services. I printed out an application online; I just need to dial the 800 number and get clarification on one of the application questions so I fill it out right (and hope I get approved).

Thanks again for the comments. :)

[TTAZ]

Please, please, PLEASE go get your paps done. If nothing else HPV can get to you in surprising ways that may have nothing to do with penetration, and you don't need to ever hear that you have to get a LEEP or have your cervix removed because of advanced dysplasia or cancer. Go to the health department. Go to PP. Go somewhere and please do the pap. Don't get surprised like I did.

If you go to the health department, ask if they can give you the Gardasil shot for a lower price. I know that they say it's for women under 25 (I think) but if you've never been sexually active perhaps they'll let you have it? As for PP, I had wonderful care there while I was uninsured. I was always treated like a human being, was never hassled by anybody, and when I got insurance and was able to go doctors for free, they always called and checked up on me to make sure i was keeping up with my exams. When I was surprised by dysplasia, they had a deal with a local hospital so I could have my colposcopy and LEEP done for under $200 total. I highly recommend PP as an alternative for women's care.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Question: if a woman is not sexually active, what's the benefit of getting the Gardasil shot? Does it prevent somthing I'm not aware of? I thought it was for prevention of genital warts.


I used to use the goverment health clinic downtown back when I was living below the poverty line. They would look at your last paycheck and charge you accordingly. Which meant I could get 6 months of pills for 17 bucks. This was twenty years ago, but I'm sure it still works the same.

It worked out very well for me. I'm not sure about experiences at a PP clinic, so I dont know what goes on in them. But I will vouch for the health clinic.

And yeah, don't blow off your exams just becuase you are not sexually active. I started going to the clinic before I became sexually active.

[blas]

Don't worry about what people at Planned Parenthood will think of you. You'd be surprised at the amount of people who are there that are full time employeed, but don't have insurance, OR it's like my situation, where insurance rates skyrocketed, and coverage plummeted. No one's going to judge you.

I second the Pap. Just do it. It really doesn't hurt that bad. What does hurt? COLPOSCOPIES! Yes, biopsies on your cervix. Chryosurgery hurts even worse than that! Having your cervix frozen doesn't feel good at all.

I am going to have to go my local PP or Health Board to see if I can get the Guardasil shot. Although it has been out for almost 2 years now, my insurance doesn't cover it, and it's $600 nearly for all the injections.

[MystyGlyttyr]

When I was having reproductive issues earlier this year, I went to the local health center thing in my county, filled out about four pieces of paperwork, and got approved basically right then and there for free services, including free birth control if I chose to take it. I mean, literally, I just filled in rough estimates of my earnings and on hand cash and that was the hardest part of the forms. I got a little card in the mail later for it and all of that.

(My Pap hurt like hell, but I'm told that in the very vast majority of the cases, it doesn't. My pain was most likely due to whatever issues I was having at the time. Needless to say, I'm glad being a virgin means I don't have to go back for two years...)

[AdminAssistant]

I'm not going to say please. GET A YEARLY EXAM. Along with a Pap, make sure they do a breast exam. You're in your early 30's, so very soon you will need to get a yearly mammogram. There are ways to get these preventive measures at little to no cost - and the cost of NOT having it done could be very high. Not only that, but remember with birth control you are adding hormones into your body. You need to talk with a doctor or nurse practicioner about the risks/benefits of your medication, and have someone to talk to when there are any changes.

This message brought to you by Breast Cancer Awareness Month. :D

[marty]

RK: Gardasil prevents HPV, so it's still very useful to get it.

Blas: I was trying to block colposcopies out of my brain in hopes that I never have to get one again...

I've never had a pap smear that hurt, just one that was kind of chilly.

[blas]

I am so sorry I had to bring back bad memories :( I've had several of them, they suck major.....well I can't even say what they suck because it would baffle most cultures around the world....

[Becks]

I went to PP once. I did not like it AT ALL.

I preferred going to another OB/GYN, even though it cost more. It was worth it.

~~~

I also recommend getting the smear. (Not that I should talk, though. I haven't gotten one in five years, and I have to get one at least once a year. :ashamed:)

[Amethyst Hunter]

I probably wouldn't qualify for Gardasil even if I wanted it - I'm well past the age date for that (I think 27 or 28 is the cutoff for it; I'll be 32 later this month).

ETA: Just a thought. I know this sounds bad, but honestly, the whole cancer threat really doesn't bother me all that much. I think some of the push comes from a scare designed for females - "HOMG DUN-DUN-DUUUUNNNNN! CANCER IZ STALKING U!!" (Please, do *not* take offense at this if you or someone you know has/has had cancer; this is strictly my own opinion on how I see certain things and I absolutely don't mean any insult towards cancer patients.) And especially with the societal pressure on women in general to Raise A Family Because That's What Women Are Supposed To Do, it seems to me that there's way more emphasis on reproductive cancers than there is on things like heart disease and lung cancers (both of which affect/kill way more women than do reproductive threats). Seriously, if I were to get cancer, I'll bet good money any day that it comes from having lived with two smoking parents for the entirety of my life and inhaling all that goddamned secondhand smoke. (I really, REALLY hate cigarettes, can't you tell?)

And, not to be a fatalist here, but if I did get any cancer, odds are I/my parents would bankrupt ourselves into the real poorhouse in treating it. Chemo ain't cheap. (Besides, depending on the results of this year's election, I may be wishing I were dead anyway, heh)

So that's just my .02 on the whole cancer deal.

[AdminAssistant]

The reason there is so much on cervical cancer is that it is relatively easy to treat if it's caught in time. The main rule with cancer is that early detection vastly increases your chance of survival. Especially with cervical/ovarian cancer.

The emphasis on breast cancer comes from the fact that it is one of the top killers of women (after heart disease, I know). There are lifestyle changes one can make to decrease the risk for heart disease. There's not a whole hell of a lot I can do to prevent breast cancer. Also, one of the first steps to eliminate breast cancer (masectomy) is EXTREMELY traumatic. Yes, it gets rid of the cancer. It also gets rid of your boobs - the very symbol of womanhood. It's extremely emotionally taxing - as is all cancer. The reason there's so much attention paid to it, is that many of us want a CURE, like, yesterday. We have the top medical researchers in this country and no cure for cancer.

Also, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so get ready for a month of a lot of stuff on breast (and cervical/ovarian) cancers. Because until there is a cure, education on preventitives is the only option for reducing the numbers.

I'm sorry, I know you said 'No offense' - but I've seen what cancer does. Many others here have as well. Chemo is more than expensive - it is horrific. It's like bleach for the body. More than the cosmetic changes (loss of hair, dry/sensitive skin), it weakens the immune system and does all kinds of crazy shit to the body (like not being able to eat with metal forks).

I'm not downplaying heart disease or any other life-threatening conditions. But cancer is srs bznz.

[Amethyst Hunter]

Also, one of the first steps to eliminate breast cancer (masectomy) is EXTREMELY traumatic. Yes, it gets rid of the cancer. It also gets rid of your boobs - the very symbol of womanhood.

Okay. I'm not knocking how serious any surgery is or what it means to each individual. When I talked about cancer, I was talking about it in regards to myself, not for all women as a whole. But that last part just strikes me as absolutely ridiculous.

Boobs, or the lack thereof, don't make me any less/more of a woman or a human being. They're just window dressing, basically. It's like how what a man has in his pants doesn't make him any less or more of a man - it's what kind of person you are that means the most in regards to masculinity/femininity, IMO.

Yes, I understand that for some women, losing one or both breasts might be considered a traumatic experience. I'm not ripping on them at all, and nothing I said in the previous post was ever intended to do so. Speaking *only* for myself, I wouldn't care too much (aside from the obvious assorted things with surgery, like recovery pain) if I lost my boobs. I've never liked 'em anyway so it's not something that's important to me (ditto the uterus and its assorted gobbledegook). I care a lot more about my lungs, which allow me to *live* and which will cause me a whole lot worse pain if they got messed up somehow (I already have mild asthma plus respiratory allergies), versus the possibility of my not having any boobs.

The reason there's so much attention paid to it, is that many of us want a CURE, like, yesterday. We have the top medical researchers in this country and no cure for cancer.

I too would be pleased if there was a cure for any/all cancer, but (and again, this is strictly just my own opinion, it's not a blanket judgment on everything) I don't think there will be, at least in my lifetime. For all that we know about the disease, there's still so much more we don't know. This doesn't keep me from supporting cancer research efforts though. I'm quite happy to donate towards anti-cancer programs.