Women and the Medical Industry - Page 8

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by supakitty

*I* keep track of my patients who are non-compliant.

Your post reminds me of a Seinfeld episode.

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by supakitty

I hate to be picky but NO SOLID DATA HERE either.

*I* keep track of my patients who are non-compliant.

That is really scary....what do you do that for?

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

It is done for safty for the patient and the provider.

I don't see how it inreases safety.

[the_lissa]

Originally Posted by applejuice

...but probably did not line everyone's pockets quite well.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$

That would be my guess as well.

[Periwinkle]

I have a dental checkup once a year.

I also have a GYN exam (incl. pap) once a year.

To me, I see no difference.

I do not perceive caring for my vagina to be so dramatially different than caring for my teeth and gums. My vagina is not something that needs to be tended to only in the privacy of my own home. It's a body part. It gets the same love and attention (and preventive care) as my teeth.

[fire_in_july]

Originally Posted by MamaInTheBoonies

I am not just thinking about instincts, but the right to be educated and not ashamed to feel your own breasts, vulva, vagina, cervix, etc.

It seems like men are allowed to do so, but females are shamed about it, kwim?

My problem would be that there would be NO FREAKIN WAY that I could feel or check my own cervix! (or even much of my vagina)
When I used a diaphragm, DP had to insert it for me.

I have a freakishly long torso and comparatively freakishly short arms, so, ummm, yeah. I'm doin' well to be able to reach my clit and insert an applicator tampon and wipe my rear end. Anything more internal that that is pretty impossible for me! When I really contort myself, I can get a finger maybe an inch or two inside and that's it.

I read about women feeling their own cervixes and it always just amazes me. They must be blessed with nice long arms. :-)

They actually had to change the dress code for me in high school - the rule was that skirts had to be "fingertip length or longer when arms are straight down at the sides". Yeah. On me, that meant the skirt could show at least the bottom couple inches of my buttcheeks.

[eightyferrettoes]

:LOL fire in july.

I can't feel my cervix most of the time, either-- fingers are quite a lot shorter than my vagina.

So I guess I should retract my previous statement about how I could be checking my cervix right now.

[AngelBee]

I think I fall somewhere inbetween on this issue.....if I have the issue correct. Long thread...

I do believe women need to be more educated and comfortable with touching their bodies and doing self checks.

I also feel that testing "can" be very beneficial. The key to me is customizing things for each woman, so that she is comfortable and her risks are weighed out to decide what testing/preventative things she should be doing by herself or with a medical advisor.

[supakitty]

Originally Posted by huggerwocky

That is really scary....what do you do that for?

Wait, so, it's bad when we don't keep track and then scary when we do?

Here's the really super creepy way I keep track of my patients: If they don't show up for a colpo or a LEEP after having an abnormal Pap smear... I call them.

[HeartsOpenWide]

Well thats even more reason why you need one. And it is true, I work for several doctors. Maybe you need to get a better one, not just one that does what ever their patient wants so they do not have to hear them complain

Originally Posted by MamaInTheBoonies

This is not true as I get birth control and do not need to have a pap every year.
I also know many women who get birth control without a pap.

[HeartsOpenWide]

Originally Posted by fire_in_july

My problem would be that there would be NO FREAKIN WAY that I could feel or check my own cervix! (or even much of my vagina)
When I used a diaphragm, DP had to insert it for me.

I have a freakishly long torso and comparatively freakishly short arms, so, ummm, yeah. I'm doin' well to be able to reach my clit and insert an applicator tampon and wipe my rear end. Anything more internal that that is pretty impossible for me! When I really contort myself, I can get a finger maybe an inch or two inside and that's it.

I read about women feeling their own cervixes and it always just amazes me. They must be blessed with nice long arms. :-)

They actually had to change the dress code for me in high school - the rule was that skirts had to be "fingertip length or longer when arms are straight down at the sides". Yeah. On me, that meant the skirt could show at least the bottom couple inches of my buttcheeks.

And if you could reach your cervix, just what would you feel for?? "Ummm, yeah,that feels like cancer!" If you can feel the cancer on your cervix with your finger, it is probably too late! (I am with you)

[HeartsOpenWide]

Originally Posted by merrick

Hmmm, seems like the woman who did the only definitive research on the effects of alcohol and conception would be aware of the risks of smoking and know a little bit more about cervical cancer.

Yes, but she did not know smoking and drinking coffee was bad for her until after she had he baby... her definitive research on cervical cancer will be after she gets it.

[coopnwhitsmommy]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

Yes, but she did not know smoking and drinking coffee was bad for her until after she had he baby... her definitive research on cervical cancer will be after she gets it.

Wondering how anyone in this day and age could not know this....My gramma knew this 50yrs ago...

[charmarty]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

Yes, but she did not know smoking and drinking coffee was bad for her until after she had he baby... her definitive research on cervical cancer will be after she gets it.

holy crap HOW.

[applejuice]

According to Dr. Robert Mendelsohn and much medical literature that he and other doctors have written and cited throughout the years, the one group of women who are least likely to get cervical cancer are also the one group of women who are most likely to get breast cancer.

Warning :: Spoiler Ahead! Highlight to read message!

---

Catholic nuns.

---

What is my point?

My point is that you can protect your health everyday by making important decisions that affect your health.

Visiting the doctor/dentist/specialist is a checkpoint, but does not make or keep you healthy.

Many people have gone for an annual physical, left the doctor's office with a clean bill of health, and then had a heart attack, stroke or automobile accident.

There are no guarantees in life.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

And if you could reach your cervix, just what would you feel for?? "Ummm, yeah,that feels like cancer!" If you can feel the cancer on your cervix with your finger, it is probably too late! (I am with you)

You should ask a midwife to show you how to examine your own cervix...

It has been done for a long time.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by eightyferrettoes

:LOL fire in july.

I can't feel my cervix most of the time, either-- fingers are quite a lot shorter than my vagina.

So I guess I should retract my previous statement about how I could be checking my cervix right now.

If you could find your cervix, you could detect a pregnancy early...how do you think a doctor does that...?

When you are not pregnant, your cervix feels like the tip of your nose.

When you are pregnant, your cervix feels like your pursed lips....

..unless you have had some kind of surgery there.

[eightyferrettoes]

Originally Posted by applejuice

If you could find your cervix, you could detect a pregnancy early...how do you think a doctor does that...?

When you are not pregnant, your cervix feels like the tip of your nose.

When you are pregnant, your cervix feels like your pursed lips....

..unless you have had some kind of surgery there.

Okay. I'm going to assume the midwife's fingers are longer than mine. I have jammed them up as far as they'll go; all vagina, no cervix.

Unless you want to come check it out, trust me on this one.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by eightyferrettoes

Okay. I'm going to assume the midwife's fingers are longer than mine. I have jammed them up as far as they'll go; all vagina, no cervix.

Unless you want to come check it out, trust me on this one.

No, ask the midwife or doctor you pay$$$ for your checkup. They know (or they should know.)

At the Feminist Woman's Health Centers I went to for my own health education, we were all given our own speculum and used a flashlight and a mirror to look at our own cervix...

This is not rocket science.

It is your body, and you need to take care of it.

Maybe you need an owner's manual?

[eightyferrettoes]

Thanks for the advice.

Maybe that's what we all need; a definitive owner's manual and a speculum. Outta come free with every baby girl.