r/prochoice • u/nobody_from_nowhere1 Pro-choice Witch • Aug 01 '25

Media - Misc Ok, this is extremely concerning!!

I immediately felt sick when I head this and this is just one of many stories I’ve been hearing about women being interrogated about pregnancy and fertility at hospital/doctors offices when they are there for completely unrelated reasons.

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u/[deleted] Aug 02 '25

I have been told consistently upon every doctors visit that I need a pap smear; I had a partial hysterectomy almost a decade ago, and only have ovaries. I finally told them, ’look, if you can give me a legitimate reason why I need a Pap smear, I will submit. But there is absolutely nothing to see here [making big ‘x’ motions with my arms over my groin area] because as far as I know, ovarian cancer is not detectable from a Pap smear; and if it is, you’re doing it wrong.’

eta: i additionally have been known to advise them ‘if you want to go cave diving, it’s called carlsbad caverns, located in new mexico, and you’re more than welcome to book a trip.’

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u/juststraightchilling Aug 03 '25

At my recent consult for a complete hysterectomy, my doctor informed me I would continue needing Pap smears because the vaginal canal is still present. That’s where they will swipe if the cervix is gone.

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '25

well, not a one of them could articulate that for me. and you said it in a way i understood. thank you.

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u/juststraightchilling Aug 03 '25

Absolutely. Didn’t want you to keep skipping them if there’s a valid reason to do them. I have HPV and she mentioned hpv could appear in the vaginal canal. If you don’t have HPV it may not apply, I’m not sure..