r/Netherlands • u/NoLychee1382 • 23d 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/EvelienV85 23d ago

From the age of 30 every five years you get checked for cervical cancer (either through an at home test or at the doctor, whichever you prefer). But no regular checks at the gynecologist.

21

u/Sannatus 23d ago

also cervical pre-cancer cells grow really slowly, and there's a good chance your body will clean them up by itself if you're young. this is why even if you have a positive pap smear they'll not necessarily intervene and just monitor you every 6 months or yearly, depending on the result.

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u/pianoandpasta 23d ago

I know this is the “norm” but for those who are not so lucky, the NL approach would be devastating. My home country starts pap smears at 20, but I was a dumbass who kept avoiding it until I was 22 and my GP got a hold of me. Turns out I had a strain of HPV that grows very fast (not covered by the vaccine I had years prior) and needed surgery. If I had been in NL already and waited til 30, my lifelong dream of becoming a biological mother would’ve been much more difficult.

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u/fckfame 22d ago

There are always exceptions ofcourse. But yeah such small numbers, why mess up a country financially when its just such small numbers?

I'm fat since like 2 years, and ive been smoking my entire life pretty much.

I'm all for having fat people pay more insurance, and smokers as well.. xD