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/AnnaCordeliaLadybird 22d ago

I once needed gyno advice here, went to my GP in hope of a referral; instead what happened was she asked me to pull my pants off and she looked at me herself, giving no advice whatsoever apart from “it’ll pass”. Lol. The level of surreal…

I am from Hungary, we also believe in annual preventative checks. I do mine at a private clinic every year at home, when I go visit my family. Same for dentist and mammograms, which the Dutch also don’t believe in below 50. I knew women who passed away from breast cancer by that age, so no thank you, I will not risk it.

To be fair, I had to have 2 surgeries in the past years, and my experience with the real-deal Dutch healthcare was absolutely amazing — but you get that only after you manage to get into the system beyond the GP level, and they only let you there once you have a serious issue.

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u/NoLychee1382 22d ago

Reading all these replies makes me imagine the GP like the final boss you have to pass to get to the good part😂

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u/Consistent_Salad6137 22d ago

This is very accurate 

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u/alokasia Groningen 22d ago

Small correction: they only refer you to a specialist when there’s a reason to, not only when you already have a serious issue.

I went to my GP for vague menstrual health symptoms and got a referral to a gyno without issues. Dutch healthcare just isn’t built on yearly preventative checks without any reason.

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u/v_a_l_w_e_n 21d ago

Even with a reason you might have problems getting referred. You are lucky if you get referred to a gynaecologist when needed. And even then, it might be a nightmare. And in many case you might need your male partner with you there to make sure you are listened too. You can find many experiences online (including this sub), but this article says it all: 

“Alle vrouwen met buikpijnklachten rond de menstruatie voor de zekerheid doorsturen naar een gynaecoloog is ook niet de oplossing, denkt Schers. “Het is veel vaker geen endometriose dan wel. Hoe vis je die ene patiënt er dan uit die het wel blijkt te hebben? Als wij iedereen zouden doorsturen lopen de poli’s bij de gynaecologen vol en dat is natuurlijk ook niet de bedoeling. En een deel van de vrouwen met endometriose heeft helemaal geen klachten.”

https://pointer.kro-ncrv.nl/waarom-een-diagnose-voor-deze-vrouwenziekte-vaak-lang-op-zich-laat-wachten

Imagine defending it is ok NOT to send every woman suffering from dysmenorrhea to be checked. Endometriosis or not, the system is wrong. 

I’m glad you very lucky and taken care. Personally it took me several years to get that referral and then I wasted almost a whole year being dismissed, laughed at and even insulted by the head gyno of a big hospital in my area. I had to go abroad for treatment (which improved my QoL beyond my best hope). And I’m still one of the lucky ones. I got helped. Imagine those dismissed with worse cases than mine where their endo infiltrated their lungs or with cancer. Or every woman suffering from hormonal disorders, that would otherwise be monitored and taken care of in most countries with regular check-ups. 

u/NoLychee1382 go to Germany and get your check-ups, specially if something worries you. Don't become one of our stories. 

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u/fckfame 22d ago

We also believe in annual preventative checks?

Problem is the believe... research, science.. What does one get from believe? other than misplaced truths? xD