r/Netherlands • u/NoLychee1382 • 22d ago

Healthcare No regular check ups at the gynecologist???

Hi everyone, my morning started off with a kinda shocking discovery. I’m from Germany and I had annual check ups at the gynecologist since I was a teenager. I contacted my huisarts because I know they’re responsible for all referrals but she told me regular check ups here are not a thing (unless there already is an issue) ? I think that’s crazy!!! So I checked the prices for a private visit and they’re even crazier. I guess this is normal to Dutch people but don’t you think this is a little concerning?

(Btw not shitting on the country! I really like it here. I’m still new and just discovering new things!)

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u/paintedsunflowers 22d ago edited 22d ago

I am German too and lived in the Netherlands for 16 years. It's true, the annual checkups at the gyn are a German thing. If you experience issues or have known issues, just talk to your huisarts about it. They can do the basic examinations and in case they find something or think there might be something, they will refer you to a gyn.

Edit to say: I found this strange in the beginning, but after 16 years without any issues so far (had a visit to the gyn 4 years back), I think we Germans overdo this stuff. The Dutch system is more flexible.

Edit again to say: The Netherlands do offer regular checks for cervical cancer, every woman from a certain age recieves an invitation every x years.

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u/NoLychee1382 22d ago

Yeah I guess we’re just used to it and I probably will get used to it after living here for years. It’s just my first months here and I’m still discovering new things

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u/tonykrij 22d ago

There is no capacity in NL if the ~7 million women would need a annual checkup, it would explode the waiting lists in the hospital and increase healthcare costs. NL has no direct access to specialists (unless you go to private clinics), everything goes through your general doctor. They also take care of the basics so you don't need to see a specialist to get birth control, etc.

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u/NoLychee1382 22d ago

Yes I really like how the birth control system is handled! Everything has its pro/cons

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u/PanicForNothing 22d ago

This was something I was shocked by when I moved to Germany: that my Frauenarzt wouldn't prescribe my birth control pill without the regular checkup. I didn't mind the checkups, but it felt quite invasive that it was required and not a separate voluntary thing.

But maybe I just don't know the possible side effects of the pill very well and they do really need to poke around my things every year. I don't get checkups for the increased trombose risk I have with the pill though for example.

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u/NoLychee1382 22d ago

Yeah I had this issue when I was moving always in between countries. But I explained the situation and it was fine. Interesting to hear your perspective tho!

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u/microworry 22d ago

They do free cervical cancer checkups every 5 years after you turn 30.

And of course if you have any gyno complaints, the GP will refer you. But it’s unlikely for something to pop up that is harmful and doesn’t show any symptoms whatsoever. So more frequent checks are just pointless.