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"Ignorant" is not usually a word one uses to describe a doctor—as it seems like it should be the antithesis of the profession.
Doctors go to school for long amounts of time and work long hours dealing with the most delicate thing about humans—the human body.
However, one doctor certainly made a strong case for applying the word ignorant to himself after questionable conduct with a lesbian patient.
27-year-old Rachel Champ of Ireland asked for a hysterectomy to control her extremely painful periods.
However, the doctor's refusal raised quite a few eyebrows.
Can't believe that today a gynaecologist told me that a hysterectomy wouldn't be considered as an option for my debilitating period pain on the off chance that I divorce my wife, my sexual orientation changes, I meet a man and decide I want children 🙃🙃🙃
— rachel (@RachChamp_) November 1, 2021
It's worth adding that I'm 27 and I've had severe pain since I first got my period when I was 10. I've had two surgeries (1 with ovarian drilling), tried three different contraceptive pills, the mirena coil, and have tried every combination of painkillers. Nothing has helped.
— rachel (@RachChamp_) November 2, 2021
Important to mention that he did not give me any medical reason why I could not have a hysterectomy. He told me it isn't an option because I'm too young, the pain I'm in is clouding my judgement and my life circumstances may change. No medical reason why it's not an option.
— rachel (@RachChamp_) November 3, 2021
Without offering a medical reason, this doctor denied Champ a hysterectomy "on the off chance that [she] divorce[s] [her] wife, [her] sexual orientation changes, [she] meet[s] a man and decide[s] [she] want[s] children."
A (male) doctor once explained to my friend how she might want children sometime, so she could not get a hysterectomy, and when she mentioned adoption as an option if that became the case, he told her that adoption just isn't the same.
My friend, *who is adopted*
— Viv (@VivJaye) November 2, 2021
I had a doctor suggest to me at 19 to 'just get pregnant' because that can help with endo pain during the pregnancy. When I asked what I was supposed to do after with endo back AND a kid to take after he was silent
— carly (@carly_victoria) November 2, 2021
I cannot understand why gynecologists defend the reproductive rights of random hypothetical future husbands over the rights to a healthy, pain-free life for their own very real, very present patients.
— Eduardo Mercer 🌹🏴 (@emercer) November 2, 2021
Yep I was told this to. I already had 3 kids and I was single and they said what if you meet someone who wants kids? I responded we can adopt but why does an imaginary man have more say over my body than I do?
— Princess Fat Fingers (@SavahnaB) November 2, 2021
Unfortunately, several others came by to share similar stories of the time their doctors gave them unreasonable reasons for withholding helpful medical procedures.
Champ initially went to the doctor to request the hysterectomy to head-off what she suspects is endometriosis.
"I wanted to share my experience—as I have with other aspects of my journey—to try and draw some attention to the barriers that women—specifically LGBTQ women—face every day trying to get basic respect and understanding from their healthcare providers."
I can't even get my OB Gyn to put me on the implant so the extremely painful periods stop. Her objection? What if I suddenly meet a man and suddenly decide I want babies right fucking now and I have to go through the hassle of taking it out of my arm.
— Ary🦩🍂🍁 (@hannigramteacup) November 2, 2021
I'm just going to go ahead and assume this was a male gynecologist 🙄
— Sunshine Hassell (@SunshineMcHasle) November 2, 2021
I was refused one because I might want kids. I started having investigations because I wasn't getting pregnant - untreated Endometriosis left me infertile, which they found because of those investigations. So they won't do it in case I want to get pregnant but I cant get pregnant
— CB Bean Uí Foghlú 🦋 (@CBFoley) November 2, 2021
Oh sound like my urologist when he refused to do a vasectomy because my wife 10 months pregnant might change her mind....in response she squirted him with breast milk
— Sarcastic husband (@Sarcastic_hubby) November 2, 2021
She also chose to address those who showed up to tell her what she already knew—a hysterectomy was irreversible.
"I see a lot of comments agreeing that because a hysterectomy is irreversible, I'm too young to decide if I want one at the age of 27," she said.
"Another irreversible decision is having children, but how many people would tell me I'm too young to have a child at 27?"
I had my hysterectomy at 27. 2 years later, I am much happier, both physically and mentally. Keep fighting and searching; I'm certain you'll find one who *will* listen.
— Irene, the Mage of Mind (@Insanity_Lady) November 8, 2021
It's none of anyone's business tbh and it's crazy that they (the medical doctors) won't let you make this decision . Your body, your choice. Keep pushing for it 🙏
— PictureSkewArtiste (@brigittavbesouw) November 8, 2021
Reading a few accounts here and the level of misogyny, sexism and infantilisation of women is astounding 😳
— Helen (@helen_barnowl) November 2, 2021
I truly don't understand how ANY Dr has any right to deny anything reproductive wise.. bc of what THEY think might happen.. like Who are they to say that you can't do this!? What right do they have. ?? I DONT GET HOW THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO DENY WHAT SOMEONE DOES W THEIR BODY!!
— me (@imthesickhoe) November 3, 2021
"I hope it can highlight that women are still not given autonomy over their own bodies in 2021," Champ said, on what she hopes will be the takeaway from her ordeal, "and that a lot of work is needed to undo the deep misogyny and biases many doctors hold that prevent women from getting access to healthcare."
"I hope that it means someone else won't be treated the same way I was."