Planned Parenthood...?

[Kimberlina]

I recommend PP especially if you don't have insurance. I went to the one in my city (Walnut Creek, CA) recently for a gyno appt. since I don't have Kaiser anymore and was due for a pap smear. They were very friendly and helpful and the doctor's service was the same I used to get at Kaiser (apart from longer wait).
It was also free- woo hoo!
This particular one didn't have anything on PCOS, but they did offer me free couseling with a therapist... If you dont have insurance its a good place to go for your womanly check ups.

[puffnstuff]

I don't have PCOS, so I can't speak to that, but I have been to 3 different PPs over the years and have had great experiences with all of them.

[maybebaby80]

Anyone ever tried femara?

[Tina Castle]

Never been to Planned Parenthood, but I do go to a free clinic out here in Sac called, "Women's Health Specialists." They're really good and everyone is so nice. That's where I was diagnosed with PCOS, but not given any meds to treat it yet.

I have state insurance, but that's running out so I'll have to stick with free clinics.

The only doctors I've had trouble with are the state doctors that provide care to Medi-Cal patients. I once had a nurse practioner diagnose me with an STD and basically call me a s**t to my face. She gave me meds before getting the urine test back which came back NEGATIVE for everything. Turns out I had a bad case of Bacterial Vaginosis like I had initially let her know. Needless to say I never went back to that mean woman again.

Some of these places are no good, but don't rule out free clinics like Planned Parenthood. Most of the nurses and assistants are there because they really want to help people.

[sweetstar]

I have been to PP and while at the time, it was great because mine ended up being free, and I needed the help. But if I had insurance or another option, I wouldn't go there. I appreciate the services, thanks but no thanks type deal. It seemed like a Mickey Mouse operation, if you will. I mentioned PCOS and that I wanted to talk about it, and the NP blew it off. She has heard of it before, but had no interest in even going there.

I'm sure there are different expirences everywhere you go, but in my town... it's not an establishment that you brag about your expirences there.. you get what you pay for.

With that said, if you don't have any insurance I would go! It's great for that, it's just not anything I'd pick or pay for. If you get assistance with paying for it, in my state you will only get pap/pelvis exam, birth control, condoms, stuff like that. But you will not get any further care with PCOS-- in my expirence.

[mscysters2]

I didn't have a good experience. I got lectured -- I don't see myself getting remarried ever, and I'm not a spring chicken. I didn't get any help -- no exam, no u/s. And my appt. was scheduled for an u/s at that.

Apparently, one's experience was depend on how many services their local PP offers and who they get, once back.


Good luck!

[Anthony&Ashley]

yes ive used pp here in arkansas but that was b4 i found out bout me having pcos now they tell me they cant see me anymore but other then that its ok you can tell them anything

[girrrlychild]

the biggest thing with most PP offices is that they're going to push birth control. that's their primary function - make sure you don't have an STD, some other infection, cancer, etc - and keep you from getting knocked up.

however, most should offer a sliding scale for their fees (the one here helped me apply for "Plan First" - a state program) and be able to refer you to someone else if you have other concerns/issues.

as far as a particular DR, PA, or NP having a good or bad attitude, you're never going to know that before they walk into the room anywhere unless you've talked to someone who's seen that particular person before. but until i get a good referral/recommendation for a good gyn, i'll be going to PP. at least the women there don't try to blame all my problems on my weight.

[AngusDesire]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and have been lurking for a while and decided to post after coming back from an appointment at PP yesterday. I've suspected that I have PCOS for some time now and decided to find out for sure. Which didn't actually happen since the PP in my area doesn't offer any kind of help with anything involving you ovaries. I really like PP and their staff is usually friendly and understanding but if you're going for PCOS issues I would call ahead before making the appointment just to find out if they can actually help you.

Can you choose what bcp you want?

They offer a wide variety of BCPs and it's entirely up to you which one you decide to start taking. They'll recommend some but if you're interested in others they'll help you find one you're comfortable with. If you get your prescription called into a pharmacy rather than going to PP to get refills make sure you tell them to call the actual brand name in though. If you don't they'll most likely give you the generic instead. The first time I called it in the gave me the generic Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo (I forget the name). I tried it for a month and was sick the entire time!