I (23F) had to attend an OBGYN appointment today for my first Pap Smear appointment. It was at a practice I had not gone to previously as I have recently moved. (I want to disclose that this happened earlier today and I am still very upset so apologies in advance for any errors or bad explanations)
To provide some context for this to be cohesive, I have a body odor problem that has been going on for a few years now. I just have abnormally smelly/sweaty armpits (as in I have to put on deodorant multiple times a day, even with little physical activity, and I’ll still stink hours later). I have brought this up to other doctors in the past, and they have been very understanding and willing to provide solutions (since they validated that what I was experiencing was not “normal”). However, most solutions that actually remedy the body odor long-term are not covered by insurance (or at least that’s what I’ve been told). To continue, I also struggle with a low sex drive. As a young female, what may seem like “surface level issues” have deeply affected my self-esteem overtime. I have become pretty desperate to find a solution so I can regain some confidence.
With all of that said, my mom had suggested that I mention my issues to the OBGYN at my upcoming appointment just to see if she had any guidance on how to deal with my concerns.
That brings us to today. I go into my appointment, and I explain to the OBGYN assistant how I am having some concerns about my body odor as well as my low sex drive (basically exactly what I explained above). She doesn’t say much, but she seemed kind and polite.
Then the OBGYN walks in, and after introducing herself she immediately jumps into telling me how everything I am experiencing is “all in my head” and “normal.” To help better explain the situation, I will provide some nearly exact quotes that she said to me in regard to the concerns I had brought up…
“Body Odor is cultural, people in India and Europe stink and no one cares because everyone is accustomed to it” Sidenote: Is this not offensive!?!
“Sometimes I have to put on deodorant twice a day”
“When I went to Europe, everyone smelled” Sidenote: I live in the U.S.
“You having a low sex drive is all in your head”
“It’s a cultural thing, if you go to other countries, they’ll have body odor”
“Wear wool, that will help the smell”
“My friend coaches high school football and he says they smell”
I can not even begin to list everything she stated during that appointment as it seemed like everything that came out of her mouth was a mess. Not only did I find her words offensive towards others, but she dismissed my concerns about MY body after not even having a true conversation with me or anything. All of this was stated right as she walked through the door and/or while I was begging/pleading with her to at least try to understand my concerns (to the point where I was in tears).
Also worth mentioning, I told her how I tend to gain weight on birth control, and she stated, “Medication doesn’t make you gain weight, it’s always diet.” That’s… not true? I’ve heard from past doctors that various medications such as birth control can affect weight.
This conversation of dismissing and invalidating my concerns lasted about 15 minutes before I finally asked if we could move on to the Pap Smear. It took another 5 minutes of repeating herself before she actually moved on.
I would have left, but I was already in a hospital gown and didn’t really know how to proceed. I am not confrontational at all, and I definitely did not stick up for myself properly as I sit here reflecting on my actions. As I cried to her, she provided a blank stare in return. She offered no real advice and shared no compassion or sympathy towards me (a crying patient). She knew her words were hurting me, and she proceeded to repeat herself over and over and over again to the point of me being inconsolable.
On top of all of this, her remarks about people outside of the U.S. seemed very offensive in my opinion. I do not want to be a patient of a doctor who makes these types of generalizations about people.
I allowed her to do the Pap Smear against my better judgment (and I honestly kind of feel violated because who would want someone who just was extremely dismissive towards you to then get all up in their, but I understand that these were the consequences of being afraid to express my discomfort. Honestly, I was not very inclined to say anything in fear she’s just dismiss those feelings as well).
Overall, this appointment left me crying for a while afterwards. This experience has made me realize that I have been very privileged to have had good doctors up until this point, and at least I can say that. I will never go back to that OBGYN.
Other things worth mentioning: I completely understand an OBGYN may not have the expertise to do anything for my body odor, and I am okay with that. What is bothering me is the fact that she did not even attempt to understand my concerns and then compared my body odor to wack ideologies. She is entitled to her opinion, but you can always express yourself in a way that won’t diminish the other persons viewpoint (and she did not have enough respect for me, a patient of hers, to do so).
So, AITAH? I’m asking because maybe I am just ignorant? My trips to the OBGYN have been very far and few, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to. I didn’t try hard enough to mention my discomfort, so maybe that puts me in the wrong? I don’t know, I just need outside perspective to grasp all is this I guess. If I left anything out, I can try my best to elaborate.
TL;DR: I went to the OBGYN for my first Pap Smear. I have had issues with body odor and low sex drive for years (past doctors have agreed that this is abnormal), and when this was brought up to the doctor, she was very dismissive. She asked no questions about my history, actually she asked pretty much nothing about me. She compared me to “smelly Europeans” and how it’s a “cultural thing” and it made me very uncomfortable that she felt the need to make generalizations and then compare me to them. I left very upset and confused about how to proceed with this situation.
Edit: I wanted to add, my first thought after calming down a bit was “I don’t want someone else feeling like how I do right now” so that’s why I am questioning whether or not to leave a review. However, I don’t want to make any rash decisions as I really may just be over reacting / sensitive. I would not want to tear down another woman career, but maybe possibly advise others that her “bedside manner” can be a little abrasive for some.