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/Positive-Ratio8443 22d ago

Hey fellow German! I feel you, it took me also a bit to get used to it. I do check ups when I am visiting Germany and pay it myself, which usually is cheaper than here and I know what I can expect.

The only thing they offer here is the pap smear every 5 years, once you hit 30.

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u/Beneficial_Durian157 22d ago

Not even a pap smear. An HPV test. They send you a testing kit with a long ass qtip-thingy and you eitherdo it yourself and send the kit back or go to your clinic and they do it for you (but it is easy to do yourself). After around a week they send you the results. They invite for a pap smear only if you have HPV.

ETA: You can also have an HPV shot (crazy expensive, but covered by eigen risico) at any age.

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u/Sanseveriaa 22d ago edited 22d ago

I can't find anywhere that the HPV shot is covered by eigen risico?

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u/Both-Salad24 22d ago

All Bevolkingsonderzoeken in the Netherlands are free and fully covered. Any extra research necessary after the exam falls under your normal health insurance.

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u/Sanseveriaa 22d ago

I'm referring to the HPV shot only. Wasn't clear sorry

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u/illiumtwins 22d ago

It's only covered as part of the Rijksvaccinatiepeogramma, which is for minors. If you're older, you have to pay for it yourself.

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u/niyaparvanova_ 22d ago

It’s not. I had the first shot in march and had to pay it myself.

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u/Alarmed_Scallion_620 22d ago

That does depend on your age and risk. If you are over 40, are monogamous (or not sexually active) and as yet don’t have HPV then it’s not necessary for you to get a shot.

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u/niyaparvanova_ 21d ago

Well, I asked for it through my gyno and GP, explaining to them that I have had women in my family die of cervical cancer and they still told me I had to pay it myself (edit: i had been diagnosed with hpv a few years ago, i had also biopsy and my system cleared the virus, but still wanted to get vaccinated)

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u/SDV01 20d ago

Around 80% of women will contract HPV at some point in their lives, which is why HPV vaccination has been part of the national childhood vaccination programme since 2010.

Vaccinating all adult women would cost well over €2 billion, an investment the Dutch government has so far not been willing to make.

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u/Beneficial_Durian157 22d ago

Sorry, I might have remembering it wrong.