Getting on the pill - questions

What are the steps you go through before you get on the pill here?

I know in Texas, it was yearly exam, pap, urinalysis and exam before they would prescribe.  What do they do here? 

Shockingly, my stepdaughter said she has gone to the doctor to help regulate her periods and they are going to put her on the pill. But it seems they didn't do a physical exam but she is awaiting the results of her pregnancy test to come in next week.  Now, I didn't think this was standard to do a pregnancy test.  Didn't think she was active in this capacity either so there are many issues that need to be discussed if she is.

Thought I would ask here so I can talk to her about what testing they have done for her first.

Thanks.

~BEG

I was surprised how easy it was to get on the pill here too. They took a medical history and my blood pressure, that was it. Of course, I'd been on the pill before so maybe that made a difference, but I got the impression that my experience was standard.

I don't remember them doing any tests in the US either (besides blood pressure) I think the pill is so much less hormone than it used to be that it is much safer and they need to do less checking you out.

I did not get a pregnancy test, but they did ask when my last period had been and it was right then so no need for the test really...

I don't know about a pregnancy test because I've always gone from one birth control to another and so they could be sure I wasn't pregnant. I went to my GP (did some online research to find the pill I wanted which he very much appreciated since he's clearly not an expert!), answered some questions (about breast cancer, etc.), had a blood pressure check, and that was about it.... I go back every 6 months to have my BP checked by the nurse (no need to see the GP again unless changing the prescription) and pick up a new prescription....

I've never been asked to take a pregnancy test before being prescribed the pill. Usually they just ask for a little medical history & family history to assess risk of blood clots etc, take your blood pressure and sometimes they weigh you as well. It's the same procedure at a GP or a Family Planning Clinic. 

Thanks Ladies.

I found some information and if you go to the doctor to regulate your period, they do a pregnancy test if you have had sex recently.  Well, that's a whole new conversation to have with my stepdaughter.  Wow.  Not one I was ready to have but good to know. 

~BEG

I found it to be a hassle. They would refuse to issue me birth control unless I was on my period. I never had that happen in the US at all because if it is your first time they generally want to perform a papsmear (ie you CAN'T be on your period). It took me 3 months of getting my schedule and my period to match up in order to make the time to go get my birth control at the right time of the month!!

Also, one difference to the US is that they generally tend to perform papsmears every year once you begin birth control, but here in the UK they 'suggest' you get it done every two years.

I've been on the pill for 8 years (for skin/period pains) and the doctor has never requested a pap smear when prescribing it for me. When he put me on the pill in the first place, I was weighed and my blood pressure was taken and that was all (I was only 16 at the time, my mum was with me and I wasn't sexually active - it was purely to help my bad skin and awful period pains).

Now, everytime I go back for a repeat prescription, he just takes my blood pressure, checks that I don't smoke and gives me a prescription.

Thanks Ladies.

I found some information and if you go to the doctor to regulate your period, they do a pregnancy test if you have had sex recently.  Well, that's a whole new conversation to have with my stepdaughter.  Wow.  Not one I was ready to have but good to know. 

~BEG

They do a pregnancy test because IF your stepdaughter is on the pill and pregnant, it could be a bad thing for the baby.  It has nothing to do with if she's had sex recently, because I've always had a pee test (pregnancy) when getting papsmears or going on the pill (and there were lots of times in my life that I wasn't sexually active).  I too went on it to regulate my periods, which it does help (or at least for me it did).

Also, one difference to the US is that they generally tend to perform papsmears every year once you begin birth control, but here in the UK they 'suggest' you get it done every two years.

This is not quite true.

How often you have a pap smear in the US depends on how often your insurance will cover one (1 per year for the majority).

The UK has a very structured system in place to assure that all eligible, at risk women are tested. Once you are registered with a GP, your name will go into the system. The invitation for the first smear test is currently at age 25 (or older if you come to the UK as an adult). As long as your smear tests are normal, you will be on what is called "normal recall" and will be asked back every 3 years until the age of 50, after which you will be asked back every 5 years.

If abnormal cells are found in your smear, your course of recall will change depending on the severity of the abnormality. You may be referred straight to colposcopy or you may be asked back again in 6 months. You will continue to be re-tested until you have had 3 negative smears at 6 month intervals, and then you will be on a yearly recall for 10 years. If all your smears are normal, only THEN will you return to the every 3 year normal recall.

I had to go on the pill when I was a teenager in the States and they did a PAP, a pregnancy test, and an anemia test (because of the amount of blood they were scared I was losing) even though I wasn't sexually active. My mother who is a Nurse Practioner accompanied me to the appointment and said it was just standard procedure. I never thought twice about it.

I never had to do any of that when I went on the pill in the states!  Of course, I already had regular paps and such.  I just went to my doctor and discussed my options and he helped me set it up.  It was much the same here--as the others have described it.  I had an extra visit or two though as my GP tried to figure out when NuvaRing was going to be NHS approved.  When it wasn't available we looked at other options, I got a scrip which my chemist just up the road filled for free.

another thing i find different btw US & UK.  in the US i went in once a year for pap, manual breast exam, std checking, internal exam, birth control review.  was given rx for 1 year.  of course had to go to pharm every month to pay my copay and get the rx. 

in the UK i have to go in every 6 months to get my blood pressure taken.  every 3 years for pap.  offically at my surger you're supose to alternate- initially dr, then nurse 6 months later, then dr 6 months after that...

Each surgery or FPC does it differently here.

I was just given 12 months supply of the pill, which really surprised me as I had previously only been given 6 months.  And I have only ever seen a nurse.

Vicky

I was already on the pill when I came here, so the nurse just found me the closest equivalent in the UK and prescribed it. I just had to have my bp checked once in a while, that's all.

I don't know what happens if you want to go on the pill for the first time, though.

You might have better luck at a Family Planning Clinic or GUM (genitourinary medicine) Clinic since they deal with birth control a lot more than your GP. Your GP's office can give you the numbers to your local clinics.