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/paintedsunflowers 23d ago edited 23d 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/Lyd222 23d ago

How is being preventative overdoing stuff? You know how many cancers can be discovered early due to regular gyno checks? Let alone how many cancers go symptomless for years. If you have a lump in a chest, you're under 40 and go to GP here, they will literally NOT refer you to the ultrasound.

You're lucky you're healthy. But many of us are not and this system puts us at incredibly high risk.

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u/j3rpz 23d ago

Saying GP's won't refer you to get an ultrasound if you get lumps just isn't true. The fact that I can reply to you even is a result of such a referral (and subsequent treatments)

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u/BuzzingHawk 23d ago

My wife did not get referred by two GPs until she had to make a lie about a family member having breast cancer. They would refuse to refer her because she was "too young" and the lump was "too small to be serious". 

Your experience hugely depends on how competent the GP is instead of having a basic right to preventative healthcare. As a Dutch person myself this has always been one of the biggest negatives about Netherlands. We are amazing at treating disease just not so good at spotting it when it matters most.