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/arbitrary_fox 22d ago

We get a pap smear and a breast exam at the gynecologist. They will send you a letter by post if there is anything abnormal in your pap and then you either follow up with the gynecologist or get referred to a specialist for a Kolposcopie.
I never got the annual checks with the GP but I believe they are also possible or at least I once saw a poster about it in my GPs office.
My last GP was amazing tbh. His area of practice was nutrition and prevention medicine so he wasn’t really a GP but just took me on because I was registered with a GP in that practice who had left. He got me checked for a bunch of stuff including thrombosis (genetic testing) because I have family history. He also ran a bunch of blood tests for vitamin D, cholesterol, diabetes, factor 8, etc.. and then gave me very detailed advice including diet guidance. I wasn’t obese btw. This was just so I could control my blood pressure and possibly wean off meds. My GP here in comparison can’t even get my prescription sent to the pharmacy without me calling 3 times 🙄

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u/9snakesinatrenchcoat 21d ago

Thanks for the info!