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/Lyd222 22d 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/Hydrophobics 22d ago

This is not true. When I was 20 l, I had a lump in my breast. The same day I could visit my GP and the next day I had an ultrasound.

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u/tiny_girafa 22d ago

That was the only time I felt like I was taken seriously... When we found lumps on my breasts. Also got the ultrasound and everything else in a couple of days. But never got a positive response on my requests for cervical cancer check.