With every step, a sharp pain coursed through my lower abdomen. It felt like someone was stabbing me in my pelvis. I’d never felt anything like it. I wanted to stop. I wanted to sit. Preferably, in a hospital where a doctor could tell me what was going wrong with my body.
However, that was not an option.
I was hundreds of miles from home and struggling to make my way through a crowded airport to catch a flight I couldn’t afford to miss. I cried silent tears during the flight and hoped the stranger sitting next to me wouldn’t think I was insane. When I finally made it home I headed to the nearest urgent care center (it was cheaper than the ER). I explained my symptoms and the doctor explained that she needed to do a pelvic exam and pap smear to make sure everything was "okay" in that area. I tensed at the thought of being examined.
As I changed into the robe that was provided and placed my feet in the holders, I grew increasingly uncomfortable. I felt so exposed. But I knew it needed to be done. So, I closed my eyes and responded to the questions the doctor was using to distract me. It turned out I didn’t have cervical cancer or an STD but if I let my discomfort outweigh my doctor’s need to do the exam, I never would’ve known for sure.
Pap smears are used to take a sample of cells from the cervix to detect any abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. Pelvic exams are used to feel the size, shape, and location of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes and detect any growths or abnormalities.
Having these done yearly decreases the chance of cervical, uterine and ovarian diseases. It allows for the early detection of things like cervical cancer which can be deadly. They only take about 5 minutes but go a long way in preserving your health. Yet, many masculine people avoid getting these procedures. Some avoid it simple because they don’t think they need one. However, nobody with a cervix, uterus, or ovaries (regardless of gender identity or presentation) is exempt from needing to visit the gynecologist. Human papilloma virus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer, can be contracted through skin-to-skin sexual contact. That means no matter what activity you’re engaging in, if your skin in the genital region is touching someone/being touched, you can get it.
You should have a yearly visit to the gynecologist from the age you become sexually active or the age of 18, whichever is first.
Not only can they do preventative measures like pap smears and pelvic exams, they are also best qualified to identify diseases and help with other concerns in the genital region such as pain or abnormal/heavy bleeding. Some masculine of center individuals may avoid the OB/GYN because of the discomfort they experience when anything is inserted, a fear of discrimination, or body dysmorphia that can accompany having certain body parts examined or discussed. These are valid concerns. Yet they may be overcome. Communication is key when working around or through the negative feelings you may have when visiting the OBGYN. Talk to the trans people you know and see if they recommend any practitioners they’ve had good experiences with. Also, communicate your needs to the practitioner you are seeing. Discuss your preferred pronoun use, what you are and are not comfortable with, and don’t be afraid to request adjustments. If you need more time to gather yourself before and after an exam, tell them. If you need them to be extra gentle, tell them. If you want to have your clothes on for as much of the visit as possible, tell them. Good doctors will accommodate your needs. In addition, you can Google “tips for providing paps to trans men”. The first link that comes up should be to a PDF that you can print and give to the person performing your pap or exam. This PDF will provide the medical professional with a guide to accommodating the needs of masculine women and trans men. If they respond well and do their best to provide trans-inclusive care go back yearly and encourage your friends and family to do so as well. The health of you and your community depend on it.
-Marcia J.
However, that was not an option.
I was hundreds of miles from home and struggling to make my way through a crowded airport to catch a flight I couldn’t afford to miss. I cried silent tears during the flight and hoped the stranger sitting next to me wouldn’t think I was insane. When I finally made it home I headed to the nearest urgent care center (it was cheaper than the ER). I explained my symptoms and the doctor explained that she needed to do a pelvic exam and pap smear to make sure everything was "okay" in that area. I tensed at the thought of being examined.
As I changed into the robe that was provided and placed my feet in the holders, I grew increasingly uncomfortable. I felt so exposed. But I knew it needed to be done. So, I closed my eyes and responded to the questions the doctor was using to distract me. It turned out I didn’t have cervical cancer or an STD but if I let my discomfort outweigh my doctor’s need to do the exam, I never would’ve known for sure.
Pap smears are used to take a sample of cells from the cervix to detect any abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. Pelvic exams are used to feel the size, shape, and location of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes and detect any growths or abnormalities.
Having these done yearly decreases the chance of cervical, uterine and ovarian diseases. It allows for the early detection of things like cervical cancer which can be deadly. They only take about 5 minutes but go a long way in preserving your health. Yet, many masculine people avoid getting these procedures. Some avoid it simple because they don’t think they need one. However, nobody with a cervix, uterus, or ovaries (regardless of gender identity or presentation) is exempt from needing to visit the gynecologist. Human papilloma virus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer, can be contracted through skin-to-skin sexual contact. That means no matter what activity you’re engaging in, if your skin in the genital region is touching someone/being touched, you can get it.
You should have a yearly visit to the gynecologist from the age you become sexually active or the age of 18, whichever is first.
Not only can they do preventative measures like pap smears and pelvic exams, they are also best qualified to identify diseases and help with other concerns in the genital region such as pain or abnormal/heavy bleeding. Some masculine of center individuals may avoid the OB/GYN because of the discomfort they experience when anything is inserted, a fear of discrimination, or body dysmorphia that can accompany having certain body parts examined or discussed. These are valid concerns. Yet they may be overcome. Communication is key when working around or through the negative feelings you may have when visiting the OBGYN. Talk to the trans people you know and see if they recommend any practitioners they’ve had good experiences with. Also, communicate your needs to the practitioner you are seeing. Discuss your preferred pronoun use, what you are and are not comfortable with, and don’t be afraid to request adjustments. If you need more time to gather yourself before and after an exam, tell them. If you need them to be extra gentle, tell them. If you want to have your clothes on for as much of the visit as possible, tell them. Good doctors will accommodate your needs. In addition, you can Google “tips for providing paps to trans men”. The first link that comes up should be to a PDF that you can print and give to the person performing your pap or exam. This PDF will provide the medical professional with a guide to accommodating the needs of masculine women and trans men. If they respond well and do their best to provide trans-inclusive care go back yearly and encourage your friends and family to do so as well. The health of you and your community depend on it.
-Marcia J.
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