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forced pap smearFrom: ani (anonymous@obgyn.net)Fri, 11 Feb 2000 23:37:22 -0600 (CST)
this is going to sound strange, but i am at a loss... i am an applicant for an overseas volunteer program and as part of their medical screening they 'require' a pap smear. they are adamant about this, but for various reasons i really, really do not want to submit to any sort of gynecological exam. i have argued with them on several occasions about the requirement but to no avail. while i understand the necessity of maintaining good health, and while i would definitely seek medical attention if i thought anything was wrong, i am healthy, rather young for any sort of cancer, and extremely protective of my personal boundaries. i don't feel that i should be forced to compromise my beliefs in order to be a volunteer, especially in a country where women have fought so hard to have the right to choose what happens in regards to their reproductive systems. so, two questions... 1) one of the reasons i do not want to have a gyn exam is a carefully maintained virginity. everything is intact, not just physically but metaphysically as well. the organization's nurse informed me that a pap smear will not break the hymen, but i read a post here in which the person stated that the hymen definitely will break. what's the story? (and this doesn't even address the metaphysical implications of transcended boundaries, but there's not really much to be done about that, i guess) 2) is it legal to require a pap smear as a prerequisite to employment? does it count as discrimination if, for example, a religious belief forbade penetration of any sort (as do buddhist precepts for nuns, which i have taken) and the organization still refused to allow me to go despite the fact that in all other ways i am a qualified volunteer? right now i have scheduled an appointment to have this done but i have had nightmares every night since i made the appointment, i can't eat, and i break out in a cold sweat every time i think about it. i do not otherwise have psychological problems, but this is extremely distressing. nothing equivalently intrusive is asked of male volunteers and it seems to me that to force someone to have a medical procedure done must have legal implications. i am not threatening legal action, i just want to know EXACTLY what my rights are in this situation. it's been one of my dreams to be an overseas volunteer since i was eight years old but i do not want to start the experience by compromising my own integrity. it would taint the entire thing. any information anyone can give me would be deeply appreciated. many thanks, and sorry this has been so long. -ani
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