Planned Parenthood...?

macgrl80 · 04-05-2008, 06:02 PM

So I made an appointment to go to Planned Parenthood for next week. I don't have insurance yet and the girl told me to bring my paystub and I might be able to get the visit for free. I am kind of nervous because I have never had an kind of GYN exam before (sadly I am 27 but I had a bad experience with a doctor when I was very young so I have always be afraid to go).
My questions is...has anyone ever been to Planned Parenthood and talked to them, been diagnosed ect with PCOS?? I am not really sure how extensive their services are there so I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks!!

mloverstreet · 04-07-2008, 07:07 PM

The summer between my graduating from high school and starting college, I used PP to obtain birth control pills. My dad would have flipped his lid if he'd found out I was taking bcps so Mom took me up to PP (so it wouldn't show on our insurance, etc.) They were really nice. I was a virgin at the time so I didn't have a pelvic done. (I was planning to have sex later in the summer. Yes, I know, lol. I'm a bit of planning nerd like that.)

I'm not sure about the extent of their services. The PP I used to get bcps was very small and only offered a selective number of services, but the PP I used once I started college was much larger and had a larger number of doctors available. When you have your doctor consult, just ask. I'm sure they'll help you if possible and if not they'll probably be able to offer a referral of some type!

Good luck!

~Maria

xraychick · 04-07-2008, 10:09 PM

A friend of mine goes to planned parenthood for all of her GYN stuff. She even has Health Ins, she just goes there because she like it.. I think they have a wide variety of services because when her Pap came back abnormal they even froze her cervix (i thin she had HPV)

Maryny · 04-08-2008, 11:49 AM

When I was uninsured I went to our local Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately I did not have a great experience, the NP would listen to what my problems were and treat me like that was impossible/I was lying to her. She was very dismissive and rough in the exam. She said "things might be wrong but I need to do an U/S and that would cost you 500$" [which we did not have so I did not get it] I got the birth control pills for free though, and as soon as I could, and my husband and I got insurance, I ditched the PP and the nasty woman working there.

I am sure everywhere is different, and they do cover the basics, depending on income.

I just had a "bad egg" in the dozen.

Mindijean · 04-08-2008, 12:03 PM

I used to love my NP at PP back in Vermont! They weren't the ones who diagnosed me, but they were good people and made me feel comfortable with my pap!

JustSoMe · 04-14-2008, 12:44 PM

PP never gave me a discount I always had to pay full price even when i was a student with no job......I never heard about them being able to diagnose things like PCOS but they might be able to direct you towards a place that can.....Our last experience wasn't very good with them so I have no intention of going back anytime soon! (went in for an ultrasound and they wouldn't let DH in with me because of there privacy policy...the whole time he was sitting upstairs with me in the waiting area there was no problem with privacy he could see who was going in and out and everything so why did it matter if he came back with me?!...completely wrecked my first ultrasound to see my baby....oh and I only got to see the baby when they printed the pictures out)

skittles75 · 04-23-2008, 03:18 PM

I live in WA, I have gone to PP on occasions and this last time I went to get bc and the NP I spoke with was very understanding and listened to everything I had to say and even said that becasue my previous doc didn't officially dx me with pcos the correct way she is going to have me come in and do and fast glucsoe test to be sure that is waht I have and I if she can't help me she will find someone who can...Oh did I mention she was preggers and very understanding to my needs...you just have to take it with a grain of salt and keep looking for someone who is willing to listen...good luck and happy hunting...My doc that I was paying to see me was completely opposite and didn't listen at all...i had to dang near beg for clomid and then she didn't monitor me and after 3 rounds she didn't want to see me anymore and referred me to an RE and she hadn't even seen me for a year yet..needless to say I don't go there anymore

macgrl80 · 04-24-2008, 05:44 PM

well i went and i was pleasantly suprised. the girls that worked there were very nice and the NP that did my exam was very patient and helpful. she made me less nervous about the whole thing. she listened to my concerns about PCOS and said it was a possiblity but also said it could be some other things...thyroid ect. she gave me the number for a clinic in my area (since i don't have insurance) and gave me a referral paper with the tests she though i needed done there. i also qualified for a program they had that offered exam and medication assistance so i didn't have to pay for my exam or 3 months of bc. she said to come back in about 2 1/2 months to see how i was adjusting to the bc and do a follow-up. all in all it was a good experience.

skittles75 · 04-25-2008, 06:51 PM

macgrl80..glad to hear that your appoinment went well and you found someone to listen to you...every now and then you get a good person who actually likes there job...lol

guineapig · 06-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Planned parenthood. Hmmp. My experience with them is sour. I was a student, no income, so my visit was free. They work fees on a sliding scale. I was given a quick pap, and then discussed birth control. And this is when they went wrong in my case. Instead of the pill I'd used successfully for 2 years, they pushed the newest, latest, greatest on me, and refused me my pill, which was depo-provera at the time. IMO that gave me PCOS and now I'm here. I felt they weren't listening to me and didn't even care about the side effects for teenagers--already complaints against the FDA, etc. So WRONG! I have never been back and never will go back either. Luckily, we have insurance now.

Maybe it depends on your Planned Parenthood. This one was in a very urban, innercity area where multiple STD and 5 kids are nothing new.

My advice is: do your research, and don't back down on the treatment or drugs you want prescribed.

Nena2007 · 06-09-2008, 08:02 PM

I didn't realize that birth control could cause PCOS. I wonder how that works?

midnightrose85_04 · 06-26-2008, 01:12 AM

I have had a great experience with PP. The nurses were nice and helpful, but the Dr. was kind of cold. I was already diagnosed, so it was to get a refill of bc. If you are worried about the price, there is a new medicaid plan that will pay for the visit, bc, lab tests, everything. When I told the clinic that I couldn't pay for a check-up, they got the papers, helped me fill them out, and when I got accepted, they made my appt. and were extremely helpful.
The new medicaid plan is called Family Planning Waiver Program...if you are between the ages of 16-44 with no history of complications like abortion, miscarriage, or hysterectomy, and you make less than a certain amount, you can be accepted. Just Google the name above or call the local health dept. They really helped me a lot and saved me a ton of money, b/c I was going to have to pay $170.
Good luck and don't worry!!! The Dr. is there to help!!

Aymen · 07-04-2008, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nena2007

I didn't realize that birth control could cause PCOS. I wonder how that works?

I've never heard of BCP causing PCOS. I do know that BCP can sometimes supress the symptoms and "normalize" your body, then often times when you get off the BCP, the PCOS symptoms come out full force.

I have had mixed experiences with PP. They charge based on a sliding scale (at least here in San Diego, CA) so right now as a full time student with no job, I get everything free. They ask for a donation if you can afford to give one. The one HORRIBLE thing about the PP in San Diego, that I've experienced, is that it takes you about an hour and a half to see the doctor, and they see you for less that 10 minutes. I usually try to be the very first patient there for that reason alone. I would rather wake up at the crack of dawn than sit there watching the same cheesy teeny bopper movie. lol The PP I've been going to has great Doctors though, and one of them knows A LOT about PCOS. Surprised the heck out of me!

hope2bamom · 08-04-2008, 03:26 AM

Can you choose what bcp you want? I am very happy with Yasmin, but with no job and being a full time college student, $55 a month is expensive. Do I tell them I have been dx with PCOS? Sorry, but I have no clue about PP, PLEASE HELP with all the information you can give me!!!!!!!!!!!!

batgirl23 · 09-03-2008, 09:49 PM

Macgrl80, Could you please tell me how your appointment went. I am considering PP myself. You can PM me if you want.

Thanks so much!