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Women are taught to be modest,
endearing, and chaste in traditional society. For some women, this is simply a decision to separate
themselves from behaviors that could cause them to be labeled as “broads” or
other derogatory terms; for others, keeping these ideals in focus is a
religious or moral decision. Many
of the ethics that relate to the aforementioned adjectives may be upheld for
the long haul, until the inevitable occurs: a visit to the doctor’s office.
The repetitive embarrassing
questions, glares of judgment, and being forced to be completely devoid of
clothing all in the name of protection from the rare and elusive cervical
cancer diagnosis manipulate women into thinking that they have no choice -
except to submit. They feel that
they must give details about intimacy, undress as quickly as possible upon
demand, and live their lives according to that which the modern society has
imposed. Unlike traditional
society, the modern society suggests that women are to become intimate by a
certain age; otherwise, she is inferior to other women or simply lying about
her lifestyle choices. This
situation leaves no room for women who choose to wait for marriage or women who
choose other lifestyles that do not include intimacy.
While a woman would expect some of
these awkward situations to occur if she is attending a previously scheduled
appointment for a pelvic examination, this is not the case. Many times, when a woman visits a
doctor’s office or clinic for allergies, musculoskeletal issues, or even visual
and auditory tests, she is automatically questioned about the date of her last
pelvic examination and her intimate history. If she does not answer these questions to the satisfaction
of the nurse or technician, she is automatically scheduled for a pelvic
examination. Oftentimes, the
examination is demanded offered impromptu. Diagnosis of the issue that caused the woman to visit the
practice is often delayed until she has submitted to the unrelated and
unexpected pelvic examination. This
tactic removes her options; this proposition invalidates her choice.
Notwithstanding the fact that this
examination has little to do with the reason for the visit, the medical worker
making the decision to send the woman for the examination is often uneducated
in regards to the purpose of the examination. Pelvic examinations serve one purpose: to screen for HPV
(human papilloma virus) – the virus that has the potential to cause cervical
cancer. Nevertheless, the
development of cervical cancer is extremely rare and may only develop in those
having exposure to the virus.
Thus, chaste women or women refraining from intimacy for other reasons
have no chance of exposure to HPV.
Furthermore, men are not asked to have their nether regions examined on
the spot while reporting unrelated health issues; yet,
society has deemed this treatment acceptable for women.
The treatment of women is even
shaming for those who have scheduled
an appointment for a pelvic examination.
The woman is instructed to remove everything
and lie down with her legs separated as far as possible. If she only removes enough clothing for
the examination and nothing more, technicians and/or nurses often refuse to
allow the doctor to know that she is “prepared” for the examination. Having her upper body exposed in such a
manner throughout the entire examination is completely unnecessary and only
speaks to society’s perception that anyone and everyone must have access to a
woman’s body upon demand. She is thereby violated. Also, those
electing to have this examination are often misinformed; these women are told
that pelvic examinations offer screening for ovarian, uterine, and cervical
cancers. This is not true; only
cervical cancer screening is provided by such an examination.
We must not allow a misogynistic
society to dictate our lifestyles and choices. A woman should not be given a pelvic examination at an
unrelated doctor’s appointment via manipulative and impromptu methods. She should not be questioned over and
over again about her lifestyle choices – answering once per visit should be
enough. She should not receive
judgmental stares regarding her answers to the questions. Finally, the women who have decided to have
the examination at a scheduled visit have the right to privacy. We should not have to completely
undress and only those required by
law or requested by us should be in the room for the examination.
We have a voice; let us force society to be an ear.
American College of Physicians. (2014, June
30). ACP recommends against pelvic exam in asymptomatic, average risk,
non-pregnant women. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 4, 2015 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140630193407.htm
Written by Aurelia Gooden
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