********* Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 So, I have this friend. She has an appointment with her new gyn. next week. It took her six weeks to get this appointment, as well as much finagling to get her dh to be able to stay home and watch her two young boys. She is expecting 'Aunt Flo' to begin her monthly visit the very same day that her appt. is. She's rather sure her prediction is correct, and that Aunt Flo will come to visit within 24 hours of the scheduled appt. (Clearly she's hoping Aunt Flo holds off till after the appt, but we all know how that goes.) Should she *sigh* call and reschedule, or can the dr. still do a yearly check-up so long as Aunt Flo has not, uh, established her presence heavily yet. And yes, I see the irony in the fact that my friend would rather I post here than just call the dr's office and ask. And my friend would like some BTDT opinions on this, if anyone has them. Not just 'I would think' opinions. 'Cause if all she gets is conjecture, she'll still have to call and ask, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 my dr will do it with AF. She says the process of the culture will separate the blood from the cells taken during the pap smear. OB/GYNs are not bothered by blood, it just seems a bit yucky to us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I know that for certain things, it is actually better if the woman has started her period (ex: it's best to insert the Mirena IUD on the first day of your cycle....) so judging from that I am pretty sure that, yes, things can be examined during. I realize this is just conjecture (ish) but it's the best I can offer. Maybe your friend will take that as sufficient, or hopefully someone else will pop in with more BTDT experience. For your friend. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 my dr will do it with AF. She says the process of the culture will separate the blood from the cells taken during the pap smear. OB/GYNs are not bothered by blood, it just seems a bit yucky to us! :iagree: This is what my doc told me as well. In only about 2% of cases they have to redo the pap. And mine was a regular doc, not a gyn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofeat Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Well, MY friend actually did call the doctor over this issue, just last week. ;) Aunt Flo was going to be on day 4 of her visit. The verdict was that everything would continue as long as Aunt Flo wasn't very heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I don't have the answer. But, I'm :bigear: because I've always wondered about this. I would worry that a flo would be in process at the examine time, if you kwim. Could be a bit messy and embarrassing. If it were me....I'd reschedule. But.....maybe I'll find out here that that's not necessary. I hope you get a definite answer.....or, er....that your friend gets a definite answer. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama_Rana Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 My gyn's office has told me repeatedly that as long as I'm comfortable they can still do the entire exam even if I'm menstruating. Last time it wasn't too heavy, but I think this next appointment might be at the height of flow. :( They do need to redo my pap, but if I understand correctly that's because they didn't get enough of one type of cell, not because of the menstruation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 So, I have this friend. She has an appointment with her new gyn. next week. It took her six weeks to get this appointment, as well as much finagling to get her dh to be able to stay home and watch her two young boys. She is expecting 'Aunt Flo' to begin her monthly visit the very same day that her appt. is. She's rather sure her prediction is correct, and that Aunt Flo will come to visit within 24 hours of the scheduled appt. (Clearly she's hoping Aunt Flo holds off till after the appt, but we all know how that goes.) Should she *sigh* call and reschedule, or can the dr. still do a yearly check-up so long as Aunt Flo has not, uh, established her presence heavily yet. And yes, I see the irony in the fact that my friend would rather I post here than just call the dr's office and ask. And my friend would like some BTDT opinions on this, if anyone has them. Not just 'I would think' opinions. 'Cause if all she gets is conjecture, she'll still have to call and ask, LOL. I really have BTDT. For several years in a row I seemed to have a knack for scheduling gyn appointments for exactly the time of the special visit from Aunt Flo. Twice I rescheduled and once I went through with it for just about the same reasons as your friend (had to wait too long for appointment and put too much effort into a babysitter). It wasn't pleasant, but I got through it. It had no effect on the exam, but it's not something I want to repeat if I can help it. ETA: I did ask and was told by both the staff and my doctor that, while Aunt Flo is not always such a nice visitor, she has no power over the examination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Aunt Flo was visiting during one of mine a few years ago, and it seemed to mess things up a bit. The blood cells in the pap smear were confused with blood cells that can show up with other conditions I guess, and they ended up doing a biopsy to rule out everything. She told me next time to plan it between "visits." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 My doctor made me reschedule in such a situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
july19 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I've BTDT....and with my gyno, it didn't matter. The pap smear didn't need to be redone at all, and honestly...it kind of hurt less...if that makes any sense. I've always had pressure and sharp pain while having a pap done. But last time, since my cervix was already in a snit, it was much more comfortable. Back to the topic at hand. With my doctor, it wasn't a problem. Hope this helps your friend. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 So this is all news to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssavings Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 My GYN told me last time that it was best to reschedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I have a *ahem* friend who faced this very situation this week, except that this *friend* is in the throes of perimenopause and can no longer predict when her friend might show up to visit. The GYN (well, she used to be a GYN, now doing family practice, but conveniently still offers GYN services to non-pregnant patients) informed my friend that it looked like she'd just started as she finished her exam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 My doctor (a family practitioner) did mine during Aunt Flo's visit, no problem although it was the first day and just kinda spotty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I would call them and let them know the situation and see what they suggest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 drinking 8-12 cups of lemon juice (over the course of a couple of hours) can prevent the Flo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Definitely ask the Dr. I had a Dr. who wanted me to reschedule. For some of us, trying to predict when AF is going to hit is nearly impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 drinking 8-12 cups of lemon juice (over the course of a couple of hours) can prevent the Flo. Straight?:blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Straight?:blink: :lol::lol: pucker up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 drinking 8-12 cups of lemon juice (over the course of a couple of hours) can prevent the Flo. :blink: Wow. I don't think I've ever been that desperate to prevent it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 To answer, I have to give a little TMI of my own. My aunt Flo comes for a few days, then goes away for a day and comes back for a few more days. So I happened to have my first pap test on day 4, when there was no Flo, but right in the middle of that week. The pap was abnormal so I had to get it done again, and the second time it was normal. I then did some research and found that the period can mess up the test. So personally, I would not go back for a pap during Aunt Flo's visit if I could avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinlunachick Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I can't imagine that any physician who is involved in the process of childbirth would be put off by menstruation. I do understand how it could possibly interfere with any sort of visual exam, but other than that, it seems like it ought to be no big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer67 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 For pap smears,my GYN tells me to reschedule. Obviously, if you are going to see your GYN for heavy bleeding that won't stop, well............you will be bleeding. More embarrassing to us then them. Your friend is better off calling and asking them this hypothetical question. So in case she does need to reschedule, they might be able to do it right after Flo leaves the building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I've always wondered about this situation also but have never asked my dr-I usually just try to schedule as best I can around that time of the month and if I get any surprises I would change the appt if I could... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Well shoot. You all gave me, uh, I mean my friend, too much conflicting advice, so now she still doesn't know what to do. She may have to break down and call after all. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCrazyMama Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Even if it was okay I just couldn't do it.:blushing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraciebytheBay Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 My gyn said that unless it is the very beginning or very end, reschedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilka Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 :blink: Wow. I don't think I've ever been that desperate to prevent it. I only did it once. I was 20yo and going to the beach for Spring Break. It really did work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heliconian Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 I was actually told by my GYN that the first day and the day or two before can make it hard to get a reliable PAP and I should reschedule. So I add to the confusion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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