topic Re: Women Over 65 in Wellness

Women Over 65

Shelbelle — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 21:51:24 GMT

How often is it necesssary to see your gyn for a checkup at this age?/ Medicare only pays for a PAP every 2 years because that is the time line recommended. but some gyn's still say to come annually for a wellness visit. I know many who only go every 2 years or even longer, what do you think ? Mamms still yearly, that is a given.

Re: Women Over 65

wagirl — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 21:58:18 GMT

I just turned 67 and go every year for an exam and I think every 3 years there is a pap done along with it.

Re: Women Over 65

Drythe — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 22:21:22 GMT

@Shelbelle

Every year, just like Mammos.

Statistically, the occurrence of the ‘issues’ identified by Pap smears drop after age 65. The recommendations for testing are based on those stats.

I don’t want to be a statistical anomaly.

Re: Women Over 65

Winkk — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 22:12:10 GMT

Every woman's situation is different. I think that should be a decision made with your doctor.

Re: Women Over 65

ALRATIBA — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 22:13:39 GMT

None of my doctors recommend wellness visits. I see the doctor when I'm sick.

I see my ENT (monitor hearing loss) and eye doctor (vision issues). I get my teeth cleaned twice a year.

Re: Women Over 65

NicksmomESQ — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 23:13:24 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
None of my doctors recommend wellness visits. I see the doctor when I'm sick.

I see my ENT (monitor hearing loss) and eye doctor (vision issues). I get my teeth cleaned twice a year.

@ALRATIBA I'm with you. I go to the doctor when I'm sick.I visit my dentist twice a year & eye doctor once a year. I'm not a fan of doctors.I go when necessary. I don't look for problems.

Re: Women Over 65

SilleeMee — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 23:49:30 GMT

I'm turning 66 this year. My last visit with my gyn was two years ago when I had a pelvic exam + Pap. My gyn told me that would be the last time I would need that type of exam unless there was a reason to have another. I've never had a positive Pap in my life.

Re: Women Over 65

mac116 — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:09:00 GMT

I go for a wellness physical and mammogram every year. Pap smears are included every other year. I am over 70, and need to go that often for prescription renewals, and my own peace of mind.

Re: Women Over 65

chickenbutt — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:17:10 GMT

I haven't been to one for almost 20 years.

Re: Women Over 65

bmorechick — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:21:35 GMT

Because I am still employed and 65, my health insurance continues to pick up the tab for the PAP. When I retire, I will be able to take that insurance with me, at the group rate with the exact same coverage for me and hubs, as my secondary. They will continue to pay for it when Medicare denies it. If and when they don't I will pay for it out of pocket. While I have never had a positive pap, I still got all my parts, so I think there's still a risk.

It scares me not to have one every year for a while. I was late to menopause at 59 and never had any symptoms other than an absent monthly.

Re: Women Over 65

Estates — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:25:46 GMT

I recently changed insurance plan and doctor so I had to start over with new doctors. I had a wellness exam.When the results were sent,they said all was normal.They recommended a wellness every 5 years after menopause then none after 65 if you have not had a abnormal result. I'm 62 so I will be 67 so no longer required.

I googled it and that was the recommendation.However,it seems to vary from person to person,doctor to doctor.

Re: Women Over 65

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 01:00:25 GMT

@Shelbelle I have not had a GYN exam in at least 4 years. I am 66 and she/doctor told me that a woman had to wait a minimum of 2 years after an irregular pap to stop the exams. I have never had a irregular or suspicious pap so I stopped the exams the year she mentioned it!

Re: Women Over 65

ALRATIBA — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 01:27:51 GMT

@bmorechick

I was over 60 - just stopped - no symptoms - no hot flashes. Nothing.

Doc said it was completely normal. My grandmother, my mother, my sister ... we were all the same.

------------------------------------------------

@bmorechick wrote:
Because I am still employed and 65, my health insurance continues to pick up the tab for the PAP. When I retire, I will be able to take that insurance with me, at the group rate with the exact same coverage for me and hubs, as my secondary. They will continue to pay for it when Medicare denies it. If and when they don't I will pay for it out of pocket. While I have never had a positive pap, I still got all my parts, so I think there's still a risk.

It scares me not to have one every year for a while. I was late to menopause at 59 and never had any symptoms other than an absent monthly.

Re: Women Over 65

whywontyouletme — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 06:06:56 GMT

Are you bragging or complaining? Sounds crazy to me.

Re: Women Over 65

LindaSal — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 12:56:38 GMT

My breast cancer surgeon told me now at age 60 I should go every two years or so and that every year is not necessary anymore. I still do a normal physical with bloodwork, dentist, eye doctor, breast surgeon (as she still orders my mamms) and the cardiologist.

I'm not looking for problems, I am trying to avoid them!

Re: Women Over 65

Shelbelle — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 13:25:10 GMT

Thank you all for your replys. My gyn says to come annually, even tho a Pap is done every 2 years, she says her exam covers other things, but I am really undecided on this.

Re: Women Over 65

KCDiva — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 13:35:18 GMT

I am now 64 but I had a complete hysterectomy over 20 years ago. I went every year for a check up but one day my doctor, a relatively new one, asked why I was getting a pap. She said you don't have anything to check. I haven't had another one since. I get my regular mammogram and regular checkup but no pap. Other doctors since have agreed.

Re: Women Over 65

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 19:42:43 GMT

After my hysterectomy, several years ago, that was it for me. Still have to keep up with the mammos and bone density but I'm off schedule since last year was screwed up. Need to get back on track with that.

Re: Women Over 65

SeaMaiden — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:40:42 GMT

The only reason I go is to get the blood work done every few years...the rest is worthless.

Re: Women Over 65

proudlyfromNJ — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:44:33 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
The only reason I go is to get the blood work done every few years...the rest is worthless.

@SeaMaiden I had a mammo for the first time in years a few years ago. That's it. My Dr. insists I need bloodwork and to see her every three months. PITA. I only do it as I am on 3 or 4 meds and she needs to see how they are doing. She can't get my blood pressure down after all these years.