Women Don't Have to Stand for 'Degrading' Pap Smears

on November 20, 2011 at 12:01 PM

woman laying on doctor bed For most women, that annual visit to the OB/GYN is pretty much the opposite of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. In other words, it's NOT among one of our favorite things. If you're lucky enough to have a good doctor, your pap smear might not be something you particularly dread. But even then, the drill we go through can range from annoying to cringe-worthy to downright upsetting.

I'm not surprised a big part of the problem is now being attributed to some physicians' total lack of warm bedside manner. At least that's what researchers in the UK say in a study published in the journal Family Practice. They found women feel like they're not always treated with the kindness and sensitivity that they would like by their docs, who can often appear detached and distanced. Yeah, I can relate!

My annual last year, with my cold, sourpuss, now former gyneoclogist, was incredibly frustrating. We butted heads over my thoroughly researched game plan in mind for birth control (long story short, she wouldn't stop pushing the pill on me after I carefully and even cheerfully explained I would never take it again in a million years!). Oh, and by the way, she barely remembered who the heck I was (even though I'd been her patient for three years), but no matter. I also realized she was definitely the type of doc who keeps their hand on the door throughout the whole visit ... Not literally, of course, but you know, she was the in-out-wham-bam "see ya next year!" type.

After having become good friends with a holistic OB/GYN (who I couldn't be the regular patient of, since she lives across the country), I realized I deserved better. My new local doc still doesn't have the greatest attitude about my interest in naturopathic and holistic methods, but she was definitely warmer than the last. Which, you know, is important when a doc is hanging out down there with the speculum!

So, I don't blame lots of women for feeling like going to see their docs even once a year is a miserable experience. Or for feeling frustrated or disappointed when they expect their doctors to treat them like individuals with emotions instead of just another patient in a line-up of vajayjays to examine today. Sadly, though, as I've learned from my OB/GYN friend, sometimes it's really not the doctor's fault. They're just not trained to have a pleasant bedside manner, and the system is broken, too -- they struggle for the time to truly communciate and make a connection with patients.

It's a shame, and there's no real simple fix. But no woman should stand for feeling ashamed or humiliated in her doc's office. There are doctors out there who can take the time to make the annual exam feel more personal and sensitive. If your doc isn't one of 'em, it couldn't hurt to strongly consider making a switch!

How do you feel about your annual visit to the OB/GYN? Have you ever felt like the experience was degrading or embarrassing?

Image via Perfecto Insecto/Flickr

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: obgyn

Comments (30)

sweetcherry_59

on Nov 20, 2011 at 12:09 PM

I love my OBGYN. He has been my Dr for years and my yearly paps don't bother me at all. He really knows me as a person and not just a chart. He talks to me about all of my concerns and he even takes the time to ask about my son and family. He makes me feel comfortable and I can't see myself going to anyone else. I feel like all women should have a Dr like him and it makes me feel bad for the women who have such horrible experiences.

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amomonous

on Nov 20, 2011 at 12:20 PM

i LOVE my OBGYN. He knows me and my family. Always asks about my career and how i am doing in general. He respects my desire to never be on birth control again and always informs me what is next (You might feel some pressure right now. This may be a little cold, etc). Afterwards he always tells me to take my time and enjoy my day. he has been my doc since i was 12 and has only gotten nicer. the only downfall is women love him SO much they line up out the door for him. now i only make first-thing-in-the-morning appointments. I hope you find the right fit for you. Great docs are out there!!

RhondaVeggie

on Nov 20, 2011 at 12:28 PM

I don't think it's degrading. Painful and uncomfortable sure but not uncomfortable in a mental sense. It's just another medical exam, the dr sees a whole bunch of vaginas every day. Frankly I'd rather have a dr that just gets in and out, I don't much care for being told exactly what they're doing (if you're going to wiggle my cervix just get on with it, don't tell me how it's going to feel) and I really don't want to have a conversation while I'm lying there taking deep breaths and trying not to squeal too much.

Nonmember comment from Candace F

on Nov 20, 2011 at 1:51 PM

I had a Dr once that I went to for a couple of years. One year he decided that he needed to do a new test where he checked my ovaries from behind and needed to stick his finger in my "back door". I refused that test and he said he would wait till my next yearly. Since everyone who had him loved him and I didnt have any problems before (I was also young and had no health problems either), I went to my next yearly. He again wanted to do the back door ovary test and when I refused again he yelled at me and told me to grow up! Im not one to ask about others experience but I've never heard of that test before or since and my female dr that I switched to has never mentioned anything like that. Talk about degrading.

Melissa042807

on Nov 20, 2011 at 2:03 PM

This is why it's so important to have an OB/GYN you're comfortable with. Mine is great - we have the exact same sense of humor and I'm always super relaxed at my appointments. And they're really quick with the PAPs at the office too - my OB is sometimes unavailable doing a delivery or something so the NP will do it and she's great too. Can't say a PAP is the most comfortable thing in the world but at least they're fast!

momtolittleg

on Nov 20, 2011 at 2:18 PM

I go to the NP at my OB/GYN office and I love her! She's awesome. She always carefully reviews my chart with me each year, making changes as needed, and is very warm and helpful. I don't mind going.

luckygirlyo

on Nov 20, 2011 at 2:54 PM

I taught sensitivity training to ob/gyns at major med institutions in NYC. Drs are being trained now as part of the curriculum. I will say this-as a patient who uses all at her disposal-naturopathic and holistic stuff is a nice idea. BUT you don't WANT a dr who doesn't do his/her job, which is NOT holistic care. I had an experience where a very bad condition wasn't diagnosed and could have been if proper testing was done. If your interested in holistics-go to a naturopath,etc, and always inform your doc.

MamaK88

on Nov 20, 2011 at 3:17 PM

Yet another reason to see a Midwife!

My CNM is amazing! Very fairy-godmother-like. Kind and gentle.

DebaLa

on Nov 20, 2011 at 3:18 PM

I LOVE my ob-gyn. He is awesome in everything you could want from a doc. I've often joked to him he must have been a woman in a past life, for which he chuckles as a compliment.

Besides his GYN talents, did I mention he came to the hospital to labor with me overnight during his xmas vacation allowing 9 family members??

Facebook comment from Mary Fowler

on Nov 20, 2011 at 3:41 PM

OH I got a good one when my daughter was 16 she got pregnant and then went to her first pap smear. Being her first she was nervous and was crying so the Dr. says "I don't know why you are crying there was something bigger than this is in when you got pregnant." We left right then, he is now a plastic surgeon.