Any individual who has to periodically visit a gynecologist will likely tell you that the appointment is can be less than a pleasant experience. For some, it is uncomfortable and invasive. For others, it is literally painful. For some, it feels threatening and triggering events that may have occurred in their life.
For these reasons, many gynecologists have empathized with their patients and either sought out information from them about what would make them comfortable in the office, or they've employed items in their office to make the atmosphere more relaxing, like candles.
That's all well and good, and even appreciated, but every once in a while, a gynecologist is likely to miss the mark when updating their office. Kelsey, of @smelseylol on TikTok, caught one such example on camera.
While visiting her current gynecologist's office, she noted three printed black-and-white photos of subjectively attractive men.
The video begins simply with her looking at the camera with a mask on before she pans the camera over to the pictures. Then she zooms in to the photos, which were positioned directly over where the patient's head would be, giving them direct visual contact with the images.
You can watch the video here:
Kelsey captioned the video:
"At the [gynecologist] office, and he has photos of handsome men taped to the ceiling above the exam table."
"Is that weird, because it feels weird."
Some thought the gynecologist was trying to be funny, or trying to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
Others were troubled and thought this was mocking or sexualizing the experience.
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
@smelseylol/TikTok
It's true that there are gynecologist offices in the world that go all-out in preparation for their patients to help them have as pain-free and stress-free of an experience as possible. There are some offices that will dim the lights, use incense or candles, and play music or a TV show.
While these adaptations may be helpful and relaxing to many patients, they are consensual additions to the appointment, and they inspire physical relaxation during an uncomfortable, sometimes threatening, time.
Hanging photos of "attractive" men seems to inspire a sexual response instead, or to make light of the situation, both of which may be feelings that a patient will not appreciate, and which will not inspire them to make a follow-up appointment.
