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kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

This might be one the men here might want to skip over, or maybe not, just know it's a 'girl' question.

I was wondering about being able to get refills of the birth control I am already on when i move over there. How would it work? Would I have to see a new doctor entirely or could I bring a copy of the prescription I currently have and head over to a pharmacy with a translator?

And whether or not I need to go to a doctor to do this, I will eventually need to go for my annual and I was wondering how the women who have gone feel about the quality of gynecologists in Mexico (Mexico City, preferably), or what they have heard about them. My family has a history of ovarian/cervical/breast/skin cancer and so these appointments are very important to me and they cannot be neglected.
My significant other seems to think I will have a hard time finding a decent gyno there, so I figured I'd ask the people who actually have to deal with these doctors.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Not only are there good specialists of every kind here in Mexico, you can get in to see them without waiting great lengths of time.

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

How's the cost for the uninsured?

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

It is inexpensive, but will depend on the area you land. I know of someone who went in recently for some thorough tests and x-rays for a stomach ailment, only to discover he had appendicitis. He was charged only $400.00 pesos (under $40.00 USD). $400.00 pesos seems to be about the maximum going rate for foreigners to receive a medical consultation in my city.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

You can find any level of quality in Mexican medicine and doctors. For a decent gyno, ask someone you know (a coworker, your employer, a student) to recommend one to you.

Costs vary, but like Sam, I'd say 300-450 pesos is the right amount to expect for a consultation. For medical issues that aren't serious, you can see a doctor attached to a pharmacy (Genericos, Similares) and pay 20-30 pesos for the visit.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

Yes, definitely ask around before you see anyone, regardless of what kind of doctor you need. The first dentist I saw here for a major root canal infection was horrible and I refused to let him do the necessary surgery. I survived on antibiotics until I got several recommendations fromrich older Americans living in thsi city. The guy I went to was a bit more expensive, but worth the price because he did a good job and I had absolute faith in him.

scottmx81 · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 64 Location: Morelia, Mexico.

I was wondering about being able to get refills of the birth control I am already on when i move over there. How would it work? Would I have to see a new doctor entirely or could I bring a copy of the prescription I currently have and head over to a pharmacy with a translator?

Most medicine doesn't require a prescription in Mexico. Most any pharmacy will sell you anything you want except for a certain highly controlled class of drugs such as Ritalin and narcotics.

The pharmacies have a big book available which lists common brand names for different drugs. At least part of it is organized by category, so you can look up birth control and find which one resembles what you are already taking. They have this book out on the counter at many farmacies, otherwise tell them what you're looking for. I'd recommend getting familiar with the various brand names online before heading to the pharmacy, so when you see one that you recognize, you'll know that's it. The various websites don't tend to list the brand name used in every particular country in the world, but the same few tend to be recycled.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

I would suggest that you keep/bring your pill package so that you have an easy reference if you cannot get your exact brandname. That way you will have the ingredients and the percentage of them so if you cannot get your brand, you will at least be able to get one that has the same ingredients.

It is very easy to purchase the pills though. Just walk in and tell them what you need. If they don�t have your brand, they will help you find something similar. No questions, no perscriptions, no dr. visits.

As for gyno�s, I found one in my neighbourhood and am pleased with his manner and knowledge. I would do as others have suggested and ask friends and co-workers for recommendations and go from there.

MO39 · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:00 am Post subject:

I'm beyond the age when I need to worry about birth control, but I do need to find a good dentist in my neighborhood (Colonia Cuauht�moc). If someone has found one they would recommend, please send me a PM.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

There are only two things in the world Mexicans can claim complete superiority in...good salsa and dentistry. A lot of Americans study here for it. There are a number of good dentists in Roma, just up the road from you.

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

Thanks guys, this really takes a load off my mind, here I was all worried that it would be some sort of difficult and many pesos to keep my prescription. Though I would gladly have paid for it if I had to, I can say without a doubt it would be cheaper than a baby.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject:

You've already got your answer (I don't use the internet on the weekends) but for what it's worth, I recently had my annual--more complete than in the us because the doctor has Coloscopy equipment right there so I got a pap and a coloscopy (in the US they usually only do a coloscopy after an irregular pap result) for 350 pesos.

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

it's a colposcopy, coloscopy sounds like something dreadful involving the butt:)

it's really awesome that they do preventative care like that, here they tend to act like it doesn't really matter unless your uterus is about rotting out and that doing that would just be going overboard.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

My wife uses an excellent Gyno (female) in Mexico City for around $350 MX per consultation. She is a long standing friend and has also performed ovarian surgery on her with no problems. She also gives advice about other specialists when necessary. If you want to know her, PM me when you arrive.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I'm coming to Mexico for a term abroad next year. I HAD been planning to stockpile birth control pills before I came, then bill my student health plan when I returned to Canada (as I can only bill one pack per month in advance, but I can bill for the whole year retroactively). This thread makes it seem like it would be easier to just bring a month or two worth of pills and then get them from a Mexican pharmacy. How much would they cost per month? Does anyone know if Marvelon (desogestrel - ethinyl estradiol) or something similar is available?