Regarding an earlier ask abt hysterectomies, I want to get one at some point but you also mentioned you have to get an 'exam' (it was a little unclear what that entails but it sounds like a pap smear?) My question is, would it be dangerous to proceed without this exam? I have vaginismus, bad enough that I can't do a regular pap smear, & I don't think I'd be able to do any sort of other exam that involves vaginal insertion. Would that make me unqualified to have a hysterectomy?
nope, your body has limitations just like other people.Ā we (the medical community) are professionals and we have to work within those limitations.Ā I was especially using vague language because of OPās specific dysphoria.Ā Ā generally, they would do a combined pap and manual exam to help check for things like cancer/pre-cancer, fibroids, endometriosis.Ā In your case, (as in other cases where speculum isnāt able to be used), they may be able to do whatās called a blind pap, using just the brush, but no speculum.Ā While itās not AS effective, itās more effective than not screening at all, in people where that test is able to be done.Ā To replace the manual part of the exam, your doctor might offer an abdominal ultrasound, or may simply press on your lower abdomen, depending on if youāre having any symptoms.Ā Ā Frankly,Ā a lot of what we do in the USA is based on lowering risk.Ā When thereās already a low risk for a thing (undiagnosed cancer found for people having hystoĀ for non-cancer reasons), thereās not a whole lot you can do to lower the risk much more.Ā Our practices help reassure us that weāre not missing anything, and certainly it isnāt ideal to be in that risk percent, but we train for those patients too.Ā Ā very, very long answer short: just because you can not or do not have a pre-op exam (due to any physical or psychological limitation- adding that piece to forestallĀ future questions on the topic) does not mean you canāt get a hysto.Ā you absolutely can.Ā you may have to search harder for a doctor who allows you body agency, but that doctor is 100% being ableist so you DO NOT want to see that doctor anyway.Ā mod mayhemĀ














