WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for June, 2000: Re: humiliation of pelvic exam

Re: humiliation of pelvic exam

From: A (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 18 Jun 2000 11:30:25 -0500 (CDT)

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At Sat, 17 Jun 2000, Blue~ wrote: >
>Humiliation? Thats putting it mildly! I just posted about a recent trip
>to a Gynegologist. (A woman no less) She had her nurse assisting her,
>(fine if she is needed to operate the high-tech chair for the Dr., which
>was in fact the only thing she did during my exam) but this nurse was
>more interested in looking at my body. She stood right next to me and
>even leaned in closer to get a better look while the Dr. was performing
>her exam. Both of these women had absolutely no bedside manner and very
>little personality that I could see. It was one of the most
>uncomfortable situations I have ever been in. They can't be that stupid
>can they? Don't they realize, (especially if it is a woman Dr. and
>nurse) how uncomfortable this is for us as it is, without the additional
>embarassment of having not one, but TWO TOTAL STRANGERS gawking at your
>body? Persoanlly, I have had more compassionate treatment by male Dr.'s.
>
>If they are so concerned about womens health then why don't they take
>steps to make an unaviodably uncomfortable situation at least more
>bearable for us? How difficult would it be to acknowledge a persons
>feelings and say something to attempt to put them at ease? I understand
>how getting it done and overwith in a timely manner can aide the
>discomfort but without any sign of compassion for your human dignity,
>rushing through an exam makes me feel like an lab animal. I certainly
>will not be back in that Dr.'s examination room again and probably would
>not have another exam at all if I didn't have unanswered questions about
>my current health. Call it self preservation.
>
>At Sat, 17 Jun 2000, Connie wrote:
>>
>>Pam: Hi! I agree with you about the whole "humiliation" of the exam. I
>>haven't had a pap smear done for 2 years now, I am on ERT and have
>>somehow gotten away with just calling in for the refills...but my luck
>>may run out this year! I just feel total humiliation also and I have had
>>so many problems that required a visit to the doc, but I have been
>>fortunate that I have been able to "talk my way out" of the exam. I
>>know it is not a smart thing, but I did have a hysterectomy and both
>>ovaries are gone..so I feel what's the point in going. I also agree
>>that if they can make hpt's and ovulation predictor kits, why not pap
>>smears?? Maybe some day!
>>
>>At Sat, 17 Jun 2000, pam wrote:
>>>
>>>I have read that 40% of women do not have annual PAP Smears performed.
>>>Due to the humiliation and degradation of the pelvic exam it would seem
>>>that this number would actually be higher. Can anyone explain why, with
>>>all of the technology and money in the OB/GYN industry, this procedure
>>>can't be done in a more respectful, less invasive way. Also why
>>>couldn't the pap smear be done at home.
>>
>>--
>>Connie
>>

I had a bad experience once with a female doctor also..I didn't need a pap smear as I was only 16 and not sexually active..I was already afraid to see a new doctor but I had to get naked as well...instead of her making me feel comfortable she was rude and mean..I was very shy and didn't speak much so my mother did all the talking..This doctor was so rude she raised her voice to me and said don't you know how to talk? my mother just told her I was shy..Still this doctor didn't lay off..In fact she got even ruder when she looked at my private area below she commented " I thought your kind of people were hairer than that" and she told my mother to look..well my mother just said that we are not a hairy family..I was so mortified I almost cried..To this day I can't forget that experience and I almost rather die than go for a pap smear.. I know that all doctors are not like that in fact I had a male doctor who was so nice and understanding that I actually let him do a pap smear,he was quick and got it done fast because he knew how uncomfortable I was..but now that I have moved I'm scared to see a new doctor..I know I'm due for one, haven't had one for years..but because of that one experience I'm too scared..I wish they could come up with one that you do a home..

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