Planned Parenthood

Wonderful planned parenthood location! I always get everything I need here and I get it quickly. This location is my go to for my birth control and gynecological needs! I can walk in or make an appointment and I get everything I need within an hour or two when I know it could take weeks or up to a month to even see a gynecologist through my regular health insurance. Planned Parenthood is a relief and a blessing to all women and people in general in this country. The fact that people want to defund it is simply insane to me! So many would be left without care. Planned Parenthood forever!

Drove almost an hour for an appointment. To get inside you have to press the intercom and let them know. After filling out paperwork I waited a little bit to get attended. The lady who attended me, Vanessa, was really sweet. She helped me understand and helped me clear any confusing I had. While I was with her I felt so much more comfortable than when I first got there. Once I saw Remelyn, the nurse, she made me feel like I was welcomed and I didn’t feel judged. If you ever have to come to this location like I had to I hope you get lucky and get attended by Vanessa and Remelyn! :)

Let me begin by saying I am a huge advocate and support of Planned Parenthood. This was my first time at the Lakewood facility and I would hate for my review to be generalized to all PPs as my previous experiences were wonderful.
With that said, the front office staff and nurse who took my vitals were incredibly sweet, patient, and attentive. 5 stars for them!
I went in for a regular check up, specifically a PAP and IUD check.
I was not disappointed until I met with the nurse practitioner. The moment she entered the room, she began speaking to me regarding issues that were not familiar. She had not reviewed my file. I shared with her that it was not me she was referring to and that I was there for a full check up, IUD and Pap. She continued. After conducting a standard pelvic exam she tried to send me on my way. I explained to her that I was there for a PAP. In a very condescending tone, she said «I already put my equipment away.» I told her that it was written in my file and explained again why I was there. Annoyed, she stepped out of the office, I suspect to confirm with the nurse (who I also told), and came back in to do the test.
She was incredibly condescending and unprofessional. She tried to hurry me out of the office instead of take time to review my case. The most upsetting part was how condescending she was in her tone and explanations.
Unfortunately, I recommend people go to another PP facility.

I have only been here twice and not once have I had them be rude to me. Maybe you just got them in an off day? It only took me am hour for walk on and out and o was on my way. Would come here again:)

I feel so bad that this place has bad reviews because based on my visit I feel they deserve all 5 stars.
Vanessa was my nurse and she was so sweet and helpful. She answered all my questions and was patient.
My gynecologist was Reme and she was amazing! I was so nervous to transition from my old Gyno to a new one but I am more than happy!
Reme is so professional, helpful, comforting, and has a great personality. She is a great gynecologist, better than my old one at Kaiser Premente.
I recommend you make an appointment, even though they do take walk ins. I made an appointment, arrived like 40 minutes early, and was seen right away. For a Saturday morning I was shocked how empty it was.
If you don’t have insurance and are in need of some birth control, a screening, or anything like that I really recommend you come here! Be patient with them if it’s crowded because they truly do care and are doing their best (:

I definitely give this place the full five stars. I had come in for the first time about a few months ago, and expected it to be a lot more nerve racking than it was. I went in for plan b, and instead of feeling judged i really felt like they cared about helping me. I don’t have a lot of money, and arrived in a panic. I was immediately signed up for «Family Pact,» and that weight was lifted. The doctor also was very informative about all the different kinds of BC, which really helped me find the right one for my needs. Planned parenthood, you rock. Not only are you a safe haven but I’m loving the privacy of the center. The fact that you must be buzzed in makes me feel really good. So to all you girls out there too afraid to get help, this center is amazing.

I always come in to see Remelyn. She is wonderful! I feel very comfortable coming in for an appointment and asking questions. She always has a smile on and gives me any information that I need.

Yesterday I went to Planned Parenthood for the first time ever. Lakewood was the closest location, so. why not. My appointment was at 8:50 am, and it was surprisingly empty. I went in for a depo shot, I was a little nervous because it was my first time getting the shot.
Everybody was super helpful, kind, and answered any questions I had. I was a little surprised to see the reviews here saying that the staff was rude, perhaps it’s just the morning staff that was nice?
Either way, I would definitely come back again.

Actually a good experience. Plenty of parking. Waiting was really clean. Floor were super shiny lol. They have a flat screen that was playing TWILIGHT! Yes! Yes the normal wear and tear for a facility thats probably ten years old but not as ghetto as some of the worst ones. And I have been to the really hood ones. This one even has air conditioning. Front desk clerk was nice. She wasnt overly hold ur hand nice but lets be honest its not a private doctors office its PPH. The nurse taking my vitals was very nice and comforting. The nurse who took me back to my room was nice as well. She explained everything and even gave me a mini bottle of APPLE JUICE! The clinician who came to see me was great. Great attitude. Turned out to be an infected ingrown hair but she tested for other things just to be safe. I did not feel rushed. There was clearly nothing she could do for it but gave me home care options. The only thing I have to knock a star off for is the wait time. Boooooooo! My whole visit too 2 and a half hours with most of it in the waiting room. So bring a fully charged phone, magazines, tablet something to keep you occupied while you wait and and a snack cuz you will be there a while lol. Atleast they kept apologizing for the wait. This place is not as bad as they say… not in the morning. Never been in the afternoon lol. Would go back.

Based on my most current visit, I wouldn’t visit this location ever again. I made an appointment because I felt a lump in my left breast and I was — and still am — concerned. I am not sure what I am more upset about — the idea that the lump in my breast might be cancerous or the medical assistant, Alejandra.
Since my appointment was in the morning (this Monday morning, to be exact), I was kind of tired and I think Alejandra might have been tired as well. To be honest, if she was tired she shouldn’t have taken it out on me by being so rude. I wasn’t feeling tense until we were inside the exam room. I’m pretty familiar with the procedure in which the medical assistant has to ask me personal questions. For the most part, I wasn’t nervous until she asked me if I’ve been with men or women. I told her, «One man.» She thought I said «woman», and I corrected her. She asked me the question again, this time in a vulgar tone, so I just said «men» and she raised her voice to say, «That’s what I was asking!» I didn’t expect a tone in her voice, so it shocked me.
She then rushed to take my blood pressure. We had to take it four times because she made me feel uncomfortable and I could not relax properly. I usually relax myself by taking deep breaths, but Alejandra told me to stop doing that. She then gave me a reading of ¹⁵⁰⁄₉₈! I wanted to tell her that in all of my previous experiences of having my blood pressure read I usually get normal to low blood pressure, but I was too upset to argue with her. She told me she was «concerned» about me and that I should eat a healthier diet and take multivitamins. I agree that I should eat healthier foods, but multivitamins? Seriously?
As soon as Alejandra left I wanted to cry, but I had a feeling she’d come back. I was right, she did. She was going to ask me some more questions and fill out a form for me, but I told her I already filled that out. She said, «Oh, really?» as if she did not believe me and left the room again. She came back saying that she couldn’t find the paperwork so she filled it out for me. When she left, I just laid down wearing the gown and drape. She returned AGAIN to pick my clothes up off the floor, and I felt really agitated that she kept coming back when I was supposed to have some privacy and wait for the clinician.
When the clinician came I was so relieved, at least for a while. She asked me how I was, and I cried a little bit. I told the clinician about the medical assistant (I didn’t say Alejandra’s name, I was scared she might confront me about it) and she said, «Oh, no wonder your blood pressure reading was so high. I’m sorry about that.» The clinician seemed to genuinely care about my concerns, so I calmed down a little bit. By the end of her time with me, I asked her if she could come back and read my blood pressure.
I think she must have been busy with another patient because Alejandra came back to do it instead. My blood pressure was lower this time so she acted nicer to me, but I didn’t sense the same kindness like I did with the clinician. It was more like Alejandra acted nicer just so she could stay out of trouble. Someone opened the door, held up the forms I filled out earlier, and asked, «Is this patient with you?» Alejandra looked at them and turned to me saying, «Oh, you did fill them out!» No… really?! Then before Alejandra leaves, she asks if I want any candy or snacks. I said no thank you, and guess what? She returns with candy! Excuse me, Alejandra, I thought you wanted me to be on a healthier diet? Of course, I didn’t eat the candy because I thought this false sympathy was really insulting.
A different medical assistant (I think her name is Thelma?) came in after Alejandra left and she was so much more patient with me. I’m glad I ended my visit with her, if Alejandra came one more time I would’ve broken down in tears.
If you must visit this PP location, beware of Alejandra. She made my visit more stressful than it had to be and I hope future visitors avoid her poor service.

I honestly hate this location. The staff is rude and they always seem to be ruining an hour or two behind. I had to come here with family one day and was told I could not use the restroom in the location and to go to the gas station across the street… I have nothing on me and I still have to go across the street? Any other location has let me and anyone else I am with go inside to pee. Then they are rude about it. I just go to the one by my job now. Thirty minutes away but it is worth it. The difference between honey and vinegar.

Beware. I went in for a textbook problem, and Richard Ward, RNP (Registered Nurse Practitioner) tried to insist on giving me a pelvic exam. I refused — you can always refuse — and he tried to bully me into it. For my symptoms, a pelvic exam was not medically necessary, and his behavior was completely inappropriate (don’t worry, I filed an official report about it).
Women! You do not need a pelvic exam to diagnose a UTI. If you have unusual symptoms, or other things going on, they may ask for a pelvic exam to rule out other possible diagnoses, but for a classic, straight forward UTI, the testing is a urinalysis, palpating the abdomen, & checking the kidneys. They may want to see your tummy to be sure there’s no discoloration, but you sure as heck don’t need to take it all off for that.
Know your body, and know your rights, and beware of Richard Ward, RNP!

I went in to ask some questions about my birth control and my most recent exam, but was amazed at how poorly this was handled. I was taken back and asked– IN THE HALLWAY– «what do you need?» I was shocked and super uncomfortable that the woman would ask me to begin discussing personal things in a hallway with people all around us (employees and other patients), but she said we could just talk there, we didn’t need a room. I was so uncomfortable discussing such personal material around other people, and was not given the respect of privacy.
On top of this, the woman who was supposed to answer my questions didn’t even know as much as you could learn from a quick google search. This woman actually gave me some information that I knew for a fact was false. I corrected her on one thing and her response was «oh ya I don’t know anything about that, you should ask someone else.»
I could go on about the absurd answers this woman gave me, but essentially my biggest concern is that she is providing people with misinformation that could legitimately put people at risk, since information in this area is critical for people to make healthy, informed choices.

I’ve been frequenting this Planned Parenthood location for about two or three years now, and up until now I haven’t had an issue. However, today really took the cake in ways to piss me off and forever avoid stepping foot in this place. Some of the nurses at this location can’t seem to take blood pressure readings correctly. This is a very basic skill that ALL medical professionals have to learn to do correctly.
I went in to get a refill on my birth control, and the nurse took my blood pressure with an inappropriately sized cuff. It’s important to monitor blood pressure when taking birth control due to some side effects of certain hormonal methods. For those that don’t know, a blood pressure cuff should cover at least 75 to 80% of the person’s arm with the inflatable portion of the cuff. Using a cuff that’s way too big or too small can alter your results and give false high/​low/​normal readings. Why is it important to do this one very basic thing correctly? I’ll tell you why. It’s because if your blood pressure is too high then you won’t be able to get your birth control refilled. Not only did they incorrectly read my blood pressure, but now they are requiring me to get «clearance» for my «high blood pressure» that I don’t even have. They told me that I need to get onto blood pressure medication in order to be able to get my prescription. Why did all of this happen? Because one person didn’t know the importance of using the correct cuff on a sphygmomanometer and how to correctly read it.
For those that think I’m in some sort of denial over a condition, I can honestly tell you that I’m not. I rechecked my blood pressure on five different machines to make sure that I wasn’t crazy and that I didn’t have high blood pressure, since hypertension is a very serious condition and requires treatment. This Planned Parenthood’s reading: ¹³⁴⁄₉₂ (clinical sign of hypertension). The reading on multiple machines with the correct sized cuff: all within 2 – 4 mmHg of ¹²⁶⁄₇₄ (well within normal blood pressure range and NOT a hypertensive state). The thing that chapped me the most was that they were unwilling to listen to me when I tried to tell them why it could be reading higher than normal.
Background info on me: medical professional of over three years. No previous history (ever) of having hypertension.

I’ve been coming here for over a year, and the service was never amazing but also wasn’t horrible. I will note that the staff is really helpful, but unfriendly and can SOMETIMES can be rude. Today I met Emily (MA) and Hilary (Nurse Practitioner) and they were both AWESOME! Emily was polite AND friendly! She’s a ray of sunshine in that gloomy place. Hilary is young and very informative. She definitely has a sense of humor and knows how to make a lady feel comfy!

I had a friend who recommended this specific PP and I said sure why not. The first couple times I went here they were just alright. Depending what time of day you go, who is working which shift, u can have a completely good or bad experience… As of today, I went to the PP in Whittier ON A SATURDAY and from just that ONE visit, I automatically was so much more satisfied overall with service, the environment, AND getting in an out quickly as a walk in! Personally I am never going back to this Lakewood one. Not worth my time…

The best experience ive had at any planned parenthood yet. Nice location clean waiting room woman at front desk was friendly. I only waited a few minutes to be seen and the nurse was very nice. My visit did not take long either.

Fast and easy! Free Magnums, well at least for those of us that can actually fit into one without it. Lmao!

Arrived at 12:15 for a 12:45 appt. Didn’t see the doc until 3. Doc was full of put-​downs re the number of years it’s been since I last had intercourse. She questioned why I was replacing my expired IUD, then made notes on paper towels and stepped out with them and my file. I thought she was going to deny me the procedure I needed. She returned, and then when she was down there, the assistant entered, with the door quite ajar (no, that’s fine; let everyone see me naked). Then SHE went on about how long it’s been since I’d had intercourse. At the end of it, I lied on the table and cried, blaming the cramps – when it fact it was the verbal and emotional beating I’d taken from them.
So much for warmth and sensitivity and supporting women.

My first time at a Planned Parenthood was at this location.
Took me a while to find it because it’s very secluded and you really can’t see the sign from Del Amo street.
You can tell who’s a newbie when you see the person figuring out how to open the door… only to realize that you have to use the intercom to walk in. Well yes, that was me looking like an idiot until a girl inside pointed at the speaker.
My first impression was… «this is the waiting room? Wtf?»
Smallest waiting room ever! And sitting with starngers and being able to listen to everyone’s business… AWKWARD!
But the staff is really nice and imformative. Waiting is a bitch though so make an appointment or walk in the moment they open.
If you don’t have health insurance, this is a great place! Men feel free to come here too!