What's involved going on the pill?

[Diamond_Edge]

Hi, my GF ( she's 18 ) is thinking of going on the pill and we were wondering what's involved? I mean when she goes to her GP what will (s)he do? Is there a physical exam or blood test? Or does the doctor just give you a little chat and then write out a prescription, which you then pick up at your chemist?
After that do you have to go back for checkups even if everything seems to be going well?

Thanks in advance
Diamond_Edge (on behlaf of his GF:-)

[kerrielouise]

when i went onto it, i just had to explain why i wanted to go, 'cos if it's for contraception they give you 'the talk', i had my blood pressure taken but that was the only 'physical' thing.
once they decide what pill they're gonna put you on, they do the prescription and then you go and pick it up.
thats what happened with me anyway.
from previous posts i'm guessing that the girls in America actually do have a more 'physical' aspect to it?
kerrie
--x--
[edit] i had an appointment with the dr when the first prescription run out, just to make sure everything was going ok, but after that i got a repeat prescription for 6 months worth. afterwards i have appointments every 6 months just to make sure everything is ok.

[~Fanta~]

Well, i don't know how it works in other places, but i just came to my doctor and said i wanted to go on the pill. So he did the standard physical check they usually do, and gave a perscription for two months. He said i should come to him again after those two months, and he'll check me again, and if everything is ok he'll give a perscription for the next 6 months.

[Tootsie Pop]

I had to answer some health questions (to make sure I had no alergies to medicines). They pricked my finger to check iron levels.... etc... basically the basic doctor stuff (weight, height, etc). Then I had to talk to the main doctor. She told me about STDs and about the pros and cons of being on the pill. The only con was that it wasnt proven or disproven to cause cancer... I dunno. (unless you count gaining 3 pounds and possibly having your breasts grow a little... but I dont really count that..) There are about 10 pros, so being on the pill is a really good choice. Then we had to do the gyno exam. A pap smear is involved. Then she gave me 2 packs of pills and a prescription for the next year. After 3 or 4 months of being on them, I have to go back for another checkup to make sure that the pills arent causing any reactions or causing any harm. (if they do cause harm or anything then they will just switch the pills). The whole ordeal isnt bad at all. Tell your girlfriend not to worry. She will be fine, and going on the pill is a responsible choice. :)

[Dreamer]

I live in Britain - I just asked for it, the doctor asked a couple of questions like "do you get migraines?", took my blood pressure and gave me a six month supply.

[SoSweetAngel]

I see you're in the UK....

I didn't have a blood test or a pelvic exam. He just asked if I smoke (you can go on the pill if you smoke - but a diferent type), if there was any history of blood clots in my family, if there was a history of breast cancer in my family, etc etc.
Then they tell you that the pill doens't protect you from STDs a couple of times.
Took my blood pressure...
Then that's it!

You have to go back every 6 months though - to check your blood pressure again and to make sure there aren't any problems. You might only get 3 months supple to begin with.
Anyways, it's nothing scary!