Getting a Gynecologist in Paris
When I first moved to France, like most people I imagine, I didn’t immediately start looking for a doctor. I waited until I needed to see one and I eventually found a GP that I liked and she became my médecin traitant. When I finally got my carte vitale I started getting my pill from my GP. I thought I was doing pretty well in terms of my santé. It wasn’t until I met my friend Ameline, that I came to realise that I was missing one big and important piece of the puzzle.
Our conversation went something like this
“Merde…”
And merde indeed, I had no idea that I was supposed to have a gynecologist. I’d had a couple of smear tests back in the UK but I hadn’t realised that my GP wouldn’t organise that for me here. In England the nurses at your local doctor’s office send you a letter for your appointment, simple as that. In France it’s actually much more your responsibility to go and get checked out.
So, in light of the new information I had acquired, I booked myself in for an appointment with my now gynecologist.
My First Appointment with a Gynocologist
Let’s be real for a second, I was very nervous and probably even a little frightened before my first appointment. I had absolutely no idea what to expect and I wasn’t even sure I’d understand what she was going to say. Personally I just hoped she would be nice enough to explain things to me if I needed clarification.
In reality, I needn’t have been worried, my gynecologist was lovely and although very straight-talking. She very clearly explained everything to me and what I would have to do in future with regards to visiting her. What she did do was insist I change the pill I was taking. I was a bit taken aback at first as I had been on the same pill for ten years but she went on to explain that it was a ‘3rd generation’ pill. This meant that it had a lot of negative side effects and had actually been taken off the French market years ago. Yikes. She also said that she wanted me to do a blood test, just in case, before giving me a new pill and to be honest I was grateful for her vigilance.
She was also very sweet about the smear test. I know some women say that they don’t find it painful but it’s definitely not a comfortable feeling and it always makes me nervous. My gynecologist very clearly stated that she knew it wasn’t the most fun thing to go through but that she would do it as quickly and as pain-free as possible. When she put it like that, it immediately helped me to relax!
The Cost
I’d heard that appointments were in the region of €75 so when she asked me to pay just €11 I thought there had to be some sort of mistake. However, this is one of the benefits of going to a gynecologist in a public hospital. It will always be cheaper than a private practice. Remember, you can always get an idea of how much a doctor costs from their ‘categories.’ Category 1 is the cheapest and Category 3 is the most expensive. My private health care reimbursed me the rest a few weeks later so I ended up paying just €1 for my entire appointment! So don’t worry if you’re on a budget, the public hospitals make it possible to get treatment.
The only thing I found strange was that she handed me my smear test at the end. I think she could see by the look on my face that I had no idea what I was so supposed to do with the weird looking test tube in a medical bag I’d just been handed. She explained that I had to take it to a lab, pick up the results a few weeks later and email them to her. I’m used to it now and when I told my French girlfriends they just laughed and said it was normal!
The Best Gynecologists in Paris for Expats
I have compiled a list of all the gynecologists that come recommended by expatriates living in and around Paris. Thank you in advance to all the ladies that made this list possible. I hope that this article will help you find a gynecologist and not be scared to book your first appointment! Just make sure you check if a) they take the carte vitale and b) which category they fit into.
English Speaking:
Dr Gunita Jolly-Paul (75116)
Can book via doctolib
Dr Romain Guilherme (75015)
Can book via doctolib
Dr Joelle Peyron-Chamoun (75008)
Can book via doctolib
Dr Georges Horyn (75004)
Can book via doctolib
Dr Jocelyn McGinnis (American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly sur Seine)
Can book via doctolib
Dr Jean Noel Guglielmina (American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly sur Seine)
Can book via doctolib
31 Comments
Vivian Black
You made a great point about how you should know what to expect for your first appointment and how the person you go to will almost always be very nice and clearly explain everything. My best friend and I have always gone to the gynecologist together, but we have both moved and we need to find a new one that fits our needs. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us out.
My Life Living Abroad
Thanks Vivian!! Good luck with your search, Doctolib is very helpful because you can see people’s reviews of the doctors. On google to! Hope that helps. Chloe
Stephanie
Hi Penny and Chloe
Do you mind sharing the names of your gyno with me? I’d be greatful.
Also I’m on Doctolib but I don’t see the patient reviews anywhere. Could you give me a tip where I may look?
Thanks a lot!
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Vivian, I am not giving out her details anymore but there is a great list in the article if you’re looking for someone.
Indeed it seems they do not show the reviews anymore, but they do on google so I would google the person before booking 🙂
Good luck!
KAITLIN
Thank you for your help!
I have a question — do you NEED to have your official card vitale before seeing a gynecologist, or can you see one with the temporary card you can request?
Also, do you happen to know if maternity care can begin as soon as you are signed up for health care through the French government, or is there a waiting period (as there is with many American and international health insurance companies)? For example, I currently have Cigna international health coverage, but am required to be on my plan for 12 months before being eligible for maternity coverage.
Merci!
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Kaitlin, as far as I am aware there is no such thing as a temporary card, just a temporary number which the doctor’s won’t accept.
However if you have a temporary number, you can see the doctor, get a feuille de soins and send it off to your AMELI office. You will be reimbursed in a month or two.
If you have nothing at all, you can still see the gynocologist but you will have to pay and you will not be reimbursed.
Sadly for the maternity question, I don’t know at all! Sorry!
Hope that helps!
Ruslana
Hi, I’m 5 months pregnant and looking for a russian or polish speaking gynecologist in France.can someone recommend me?
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Ruslana, did you try the facebook Expat groups? Someone there should probably be able to help!
Penny
Hello everyone,
I have found a very nice and caring female doctor who however is in Boulogne. She speaks English and helped me through my pregnancy. Happy to share her name in an email.
Thank you
Angie
Hi! Thanks so much for this post! I just moved to Paris and really need to get an appointment. Could you give me the name of your gynecologist? It seems you had a great experience with her! 🙂
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Angie, I have just emailed you the name of my gyno! Hope that helps!
Ana Maria
Hi, Would you mind sending me the name of your doctor? Thank you! 🙂
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Ana, I am not giving out her details anymore but there is a great list in the article if you’re looking for someone. Good luck!
Melina Rokai
Hi! I’d be extremely grateful if you sent me the name of the gyno you end up choosing. Thank you!
Best
Melina
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Melina, I have just emailed you the name of my gyno! Hope that helps!
KT
Hello,
Thank you for your helpful post! Could you please also email me your doctor’s name, please?
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Kamille, thank you! My gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!
Stephanie Dixon
Hi there,
I’m new to this site and I too will need a gyno soon, will you please send me your gyno info? Also if you happement to see an internist or any other specialists, please share those too! I’m moving to Paris in a few short months and will need these.
Thanks so much for posting this. Very useful.
SB
Hi Chloe,
Thanks so much for writing this article! I just moved to Paris from London and looking for a gynaecologist too, and as yours sounds fantastic would you mind sharing your doctors details with me too please?
Many thanks!
Penny
Thanks so much Chloe for writing this! I just moved to Paris from London and looking for a gynaecologist too, would you mind sharing your doctors details with me too? Much appreciated!
Thanks,
Penny
Stephanie Dixon
Hi there
Could you share your gyro with me too? Thanks so much
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Stephanie, thank you! My gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Penny, thank you! My gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!
Agata
Hello,
I’m a polish woman who just moved to France,I speak russian fluently and my mother tongue polish.i don’t speak a word in french and I’m using Google translate.can anyone recommend me a Polish, russian, czech or Slovak speaking doctors in France?
Thank you in advance
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Agata, I would recommend using the Facebook group Expatriates in Paris to ask this question. Someone should be able to help you there 🙂
Elle
Hi Chloe,
Thanks for sharing your experience, it is really helpful!
May I kindly request the contact of your gynecologist?
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Elle, thank you! My gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!
Mamjoi
Hi, great post!
I’m looking for a new gyno, the one you have sounds really good, would you mind sharing her contact details with me?
My Life Living Abroad
Hi, thank you! My gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!
Jessica H
Thank you so much for writing this post! I found it to be extremely hopeful. I’ve relocated to Paris and I’m in the process of looking for a gyn. Can you please email me the name of your gyn? I will very much appreciate it. Thanks again!
My Life Living Abroad
Hi Jessica, my gyno has now changed but there are plenty of other great ones recommended in the article. Hope that helps!