Planned Parenthood

The security measures can be a little intimidating, albeit necessary. I was a little nervous as it was my first time visiting, but the staff was friendly and put my mind at ease. There’s nothing more than the normal amount of paperwork, and the staff helped answer all of my questions. The only reason I’m not rating 5 stars: the staff provided me my medical information over the phone without first asking for the password I declared during my initial visit. The whole point of the password was to allegedly prevent unauthorized persons from accessing my confidential medical information. Since I’d imagine confidentiality is very important to most patients at PP, this was a little concerning.

Nothing but good things to say. Thankfully I wasn’t bombarded by protestors (it was too cold outside for that), but the staff here is so great. I ran into a big issue with my prescription, but they did nothing but try their best to help me and pulled through. Staff was caring and friendly and helped me out SO MUCH when I really had no other options.

This place far exceeded my expectations. It’s clean and the staff is very friendly. Yes, you have to get buzzed in; that’s to keep the wackos out (picketers are there almost daily) and it actually made me feel safer. The scheduling people aren’t always on top of things and they don’t call to confirm like they say they will or give you much info prior to your procedure. However, the people who were tasked with performing my procedures/​exams were amazing. They talk you through it and keep you calm. When I needed explanation of some results, the doctor who worked with me called me and took 15 minutes to answer every question I had. I can’t say that I look forward to my visits there, but at least I know I’m being taken care of by knowledgeable, supportive doctors and nurses.

Terrible place. Not only I confirmed my appointment by calling them TWICE, but I get to the location and it looks like a jail cell. I had to be buzzed in. Once I entered suit A, the not-​so-​friendly staff member told me that I had to reschedule my appointment. Why? Because they scheduled me for something else than I wanted. I wanted a wellwoman exam, and they put it as a problem visit, and for that reason alone I couldn’t see the doctor, because they couldn’t figure out how much it was going to cost with my insurance. WTF? I even called them twice to tell them what I needed, and they, both times, agreed that my appointment is still good. I drove all the way from Norfolk to this location to be turned around. I will never, ever, go there again.

If I could give no stars, I would. Waste of my time. What is the point in requiring appointments when they mean nothing. I wasn’t seen until 2 hours after my scheduled appointment. I shouldn’t have to pay to have a 2 hour late appointment, small talk, and prescription written. HOPE exams are a joke. Why even see the patient? Have them fill the paper, write them a prescription and stop wasting peoples time.

I went here on October 11 because I was having symptoms of a possible STI. The first thing I wasn’t happy about was having to drop a copay of $ 55 (any other place I go with my insurance requires copays of only $ 30).
Next, I got called back by a nurse to do a clean catch urine sample, for reasons I don’t know. She then lead me into the exam room and told me to undress from the waist down. I’m the kind of person who refuses invasive procedures, and I wasn’t expecting this. When I asked her why, she basically said from what I filled out on the symptom sheet I got when I arrived there, she said I was apparently there for a «problem visit». I told her I just wanted a urinalysis for STI’s, and she told me since clean catches couldn’t be used, the only other way to test for STI’s was to have a pelvic exam. It would be very nice if the doctors here actually ASKED patients about their problems and concerns before doing any kind of procedure, instead of just making assumptions!
So after being coerced into a pelvic exam (and the doctor who performed it did not make me feel comfortable at all), the nurse told me I would need to start getting annual pap smears. When I informed her and the doctor that I refuse pap smears (once again, I don’t really do invasive exams), they both looked at like I was stupid. I thought Planned Parenthood was supposed to have «non-​judgmental» staff? First off, the physicians here need to be enlightened that annual pap smears aren’t even necessary for most women, and to not instill that kind of misinformation to their patients while telling them what they «need» to do. And above all, the physicians here need to be more respectful of a patient’s personal decisions!
So all in all, this Planned Parenthood location has judgmental staff that doesn’t insist on listening to a patient’s concerns BEFORE anything takes place.
And one last thing… get rid of the metal speculums. I don’t care how many times those things are autoclaved, it is very disgusting to have an object used on several other people before you inserted in your body.
If I ever have the misfortune of getting more issues with my reproductive system, I will NOT be returning to this sorry establishment.

Usually happy but I was not told that a hope exam was just the nurse looking at my chart and asking the same questions that I just filled out on the paper work!!! I was told I couldn’t get my next depo shot without having this exam but I can’t really call it an exam… I paid an extra $ 55 to have her repeat the paper questionnaire… I think that is part of a scam and I’m very unhappy for the waste of my money… if I’m going to be paying a lot I expect something to be done besides being asked repeat questions!!!

This location just opened up within the past year. Most of the press surrounding Planned Parenthood is focused on abortions, but what I think most people don’t realize that it’s actually an Ob/​Gyn and sexual health clinic for both men and women. Planned Parenthood seeks to provided these health services to everyone regardless of whether you do or do not have health insurance. For this reason, many people come in for care whether it’s for STI check, annual exam, reproductive treatment or procedures.
It always amazes me that protestors continue to stand outside the building and make it even harder for people to come in. It’s already very difficult for the patients to come in let alone being hassled by people who don’t know what they are talking about.
The staff here are really nice and quite accommodating of unusually circumstances. They are open minded and friendly. You do have to make an appointment here in advance.
Remember, this is a clinic for both women AND men so you will not get turned away if you are a guy coming in for an STI screen/​treatment.