Post # 1

Member
614 posts
Busy bee
So I’m switching gynecologists because I was going to a family practitioner and she wasn’t as familiar with different types of contraception as I had hoped. Plus, if I’m going to have children in 2 years, I might as well use an ob/gyno right?
My BC prescription refills are running out this month, so I needed the wellness exam. I’ve been very busy workwise but I needed to get an appt. I run out of BC this sunday, so I made the appointment for this Friday. I’m going to talk to the dr. about switching types of contraception.
Anyway, i wasn’t thinking when i made my appointment. Now I’m on my period because it’s the last week of my BC…Any ideas of what to do? I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to go to the gyno when I’m at this time of the month… but I will be out of birth control otherwise. help!
Post # 3

Member
2742 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t know. I usually time mine for when I’m NOT on my period. Can you go to your former Dr. for a refill and the schedule the wellness exam for later.
Post # 4

Member
614 posts
Busy bee
I am out of refills– to get more, I have to have my once-a-year wellness exam first.
Post # 5

Member
14186 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Call and get some samples from the doctor (your GP has some), but she won’t do your annual wellness exam while you’re on your period.
Mine was more than happy to load me up!
Post # 6

Member
13099 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I was forced to go to the gyno during my period before (was having some issues and needed to get in ASAP) and it wasn’t a problem at all. I even expressed my concern to the doctor and she said not to worry in the least!
Post # 7

Member
9056 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I would call them and explain the situation (that you’re unsure if you can have certain tests that you’re expecting while on your period). If you can’t, I’m sure they’ll make you a second appt for the wellness exam.
Or, push back the appointment and just go to a walk-in clinic/your family doctor for the refill. If you have an appointment, I’m sure they’ll give you a couple months extra prescription.
Post # 8

Member
1995 posts
Buzzing bee
I doubt it’s a problem! They see plenty of women all the time – they’ve of course done exams on women mensturating! You can call to see if it’s a problem for you specifially. It’d be easy for them to maybe prescribe 1 month’s refill of the pill until you can reschedule a week later if you’re more comfortable.
Post # 9

Member
1537 posts
Bumble bee
My doctor told me she couldn’t do a proper pap smear while I was menstrating so that’s whay they reccomend scheduling around it. I’m sure if you call like PPs have said then you can at least get a BC refill for one month and reschedule for when your period is over.
Post # 10

Member
4137 posts
Honey bee
most docs won’t do a pap while you’re on your period. i don’t know about where you live, but for me to schedule an annual as a new patient there’s always at least a one month waiting period no matter what doctor i call…will you even be able to get an appointment within enough time?
Post # 11

Member
2867 posts
Sugar bee
I had a pap while having vaginal bleeding. It wasn’t ideal but I had been bleeding for 40 days (yeah, it was freaking me out). Anyways, they were able to get enough cells despite the blood.
EDIT: I should also say my doctor gave the go-ahead for the exam b/c he didn’t know when I’d stop bleeding and the nurse practitioner who performed the procedure said it was iffy smear but my results came back normal.
Post # 12

Member
1940 posts
Buzzing bee
I would just call and explain the situation to a nurse at the new office. They will tell you to either come in or not. The doctor may be willing to write a one month prescription to hold you over until you are able to come into the office (if so, have the phone number to the pharmacy and they can call it in). Also, if it’s near the end of your period, it may be lighter, so it might not be such as issue.