Followup question to that other Gynaecologist question a few minutes ago.?

In the US, do you have to go to a gynaecologist for something as simple as pap smears and birth control? I'm in Canada and I do all this through my regular doctor. The only time I've ever been to a gynaecologist is when I was 15 and my periods were very irregular. Even my doctor's nurse practitioner does my breast and pelvic exams. What about in the UK or anywhere else in the world? Very curious. I don't even go to an obstetrician for my pregnancies, my family doctor takes care of everything - including delivery - and it's always been very smooth and wonderful.

Where I live (US), I have gone to a general practitioner for a lot of it. Actually, right before I had my first baby I could have done everything local without seeing a gyno, but my family doc left, and the hospital would no longer do maternity services, mostly for insurance reasons. So now I have a 2 hr drive to the nearest doc, so for me it's just as easy now to get an OB/GYN for all of my "female" needs. But no, it isn't necessary.

you can go through your regular doctor just for birth control but i would only let a gyno do a pap on me...thats their job

In the US a general practitioner can do the pap smears, BC, breast and pelvic exams. Nurse practitioners can do the exams as well but can't prescribe BC. I think most women in the US see an OB/GYN for pregnancy.

Family doctors are rarer here, you can go to them for it but not general practitioners usually. There's a great family doc near me who attends births.

Other doctors can do exams and give you birth control but, most women seem to prefer the OB/GYN for prenatal care and serious problems.

It all depends on your choice. You can do either one...Is always good to see the specialist, regular doctor are good too..

In the US it is left up to the patient's choice. Our family doctor does pap smears and attends births. Many women do choose to see an OBGYN for both pregnancy and yearly exams. I prefer a closer relationship with the person who delivers my babies! :0) So I used the same midwife for all of mine (they also do pap smears and can prescribe birth control).