Top search terms on this blog reveal some interesting information. For instance, search terms such as “are pap tests mandatory” reveal that many women still don’t know pap tests are optional. Similar search terms that find their way to this site include:
“Can I refuse a pap smear”; “Can you refuse a pap smear”; “Can you refuse a pelvic exam”; “Refusing pap smears”; “Are pap smears mandatory”; “Can you refuse a physical exam”; “Can I refuse a pelvic exam”.
Other search terms reveal many women are looking for ways to get out of having a pap test/pelvic exam, and include the following terms:
“How to refuse a pap smear”; “Can you say no to a pap smear”; “Can you opt out of a pap smear”; “Can you refuse a pap test”; “Can I say no to a pelvic exam”; “Can you deny a pap smear”; “Can you refuse at your first gynecological exam”.
Another popular search term includes “Do male gynecologists get turned on”, and related terms suggesting many people are curious about the state or arousal of male gynecologists during pap tests/pelvic exams. A popular post on this site, “The Other Side of the Speculum: A Male Doctor’s Point of View” indicates that some male gynecologists do get turned on during intimate exams.
The search terms that find their way to this site reveal that many people don’t know that pap smears/pelvic exams are optional, and that many people are hoping to avoid intimate exams. This is sad given it’s 2023, soon to be 2024, and folks still don’t know that yes you can opt out.
forwomenseyesonly 
Clearly women need to be told at the doctor’s office that these exams/tests are optional. Medical staff will insist they don’t provide this information since “of course women know” but many of us report not knowing and feeling intimidated and/or coerced into it.
Yes, no one says anything it’s just get undressed and put the gown on, then as soon as the doctor comes back it’s when was your last pap? Then it’s put your feet in the stirrups
Not if you’re smart. Then, it’s “I choose to keep my clothes on, thank you” and “I’ve weighed the risks and benefits of paps and choose to opt out” and keep repeating as necessary. Women who don’t stand up for their bodily autonomy in a health setting make it harder for all of us.
Judy
Judy, when I was younger I trusted that it was all for my own good and just did what I was told. I found doctors and nurses very intimidating. As I got older I started to question paps and after a lot of searching I realized I could say no. I’m older and crankier now so it’s gotten easier to say no but as a young woman being pressured into it I didn’t understand that I had a choice.
Dawn
Hi Dawn
I think a lot of us here have had the same experiences as you in being intimidated and thinking we were doing the right thing by just going along with it. I’m glad you’re older and wiser now, as am I. Unfortunately the medical community still often frames optional screening tests as being mandatory, especially those geared toward women. All we can do is keep asserting ourselves when necessary and educating others when we have the chance. - Judy
Thanks Judy. It’s great being older and wiser isn’t it? Good luck to any doctor trying to pull that bs on us now! Truthfully though it took a long time for me to find a way to get out of it. When I started I would tell the receptionist that I didn’t want to discuss paps with the doctor and asked for a note to be made. That didn’t work very well because the first thing the dr would say was “why don’t you want to discuss paps?”. The next strategy was to say my last pap was 6 months ago and that was easier. Now I just don’t go to doctors, haven’t been for years and I’m still alive.
I avoid doctors as well. Besides pap smears, they also push mammograms with an almost hysterical coercion. In addition to their risks (overdiagnosis, etc.), there are countless studies proving they don’t lower the incidence of advanced breast cancer, but radiologists and others with vested interests have been allowed to control the narrative. As a result, the masses, with the exception of a few, are thoroughly brainwashed. I think you’re new to this forum Dawn, so welcome, and please post more often! – Judy
Women don’t get coerced into paps because they’re not smart. How cruel to say this.
Perhaps I could have worded it better. By “smart” I meant well informed. This is often something that happens over time, as it did with myself and many others here. I was coerced into the stirrups whrn I was younger, but wouldn’t be now since I educated myself and learned how to say “no.” – Judy
I’m sorry Judy, I reread your comment and I see what you meant now. I’ve been having an especially hard time with memories of the past medical rapes and not being as patient with people as I would like. I’m sorry, I appreciate your kind response.
No worries, I should have worded that post better. I’m happy we’re on the same page – we’re all in this together and we all derive strength from each other.
Hello, anyone free for a quick chat? X
hi gang. I hope you are all ok. I havent posted for a long time. I opted out of smear tests sometime ago (when i used to rant on here) anyway the week before Christmas i received a text reminder for a smear test. I deleted it. It was personal in that it came ftom the practice nurse herself. On Christmas Eve about 2pm i received another. I thought well Happy Christmas to you too. I deleted that one as well.
Those of you who know me know what a terrible time i had with smear tests when i was younger. Making me believe they were compulsory!!!!I wont be having one but i will keep you all informed if anything comes of it in the New Year.
keep up the good fight my dwar warriors
Linda xx
Hi Linda. Those reminders are so intrusive. If that happened to me I would probably have a hard time enjoying the holiday. Christmas Eve?! They’re truly shameless. I read your story in the book that people here wrote. I was also tricked as a young person for many years. Have you found a way to move beyond it all? Personally I have not as of yet. I think it would be easier, even highly possible for me, if we could say no and that would be the end. You said a couple things in the book that have stuck with me for years and I’ll probably always remember. The first about your body belonging to the NHS and the second about how you should have been enjoying your youth. I’m in the US and feel the same way on both counts, but replace the NHS with the local family practice.
It’s nice to see you Linda! I’m sorry you had to deal with that especially just before Christmas. The timing right?! I’d love to hear what happens in the New Year. I feel sorry for them if they keep pestering you lol. Sue xo
hey Linda sorry I only just seen this! So glad to hear from you and that you found peace eventually, you had a horrible time with your doctor and smears, I’m surprised though they’re bothering you again now is it a new nurse? Also we’re about the same age, I’m 62 next year and had I stayed in the system my last smear ever would have been spring, 2024.
Just over 3 years ago now I moved from England to Wales, first practice I tried to register at was very sniffly and ” expected I would attend health checks” so I said I won’t waste your time further then. Second one I tried accepted me.
So nice to hear from you. To you and to all you other amazing women here, and Sue, may 2026 be your best year ever!?
Luv, Kat x
Thanks Kat, same to you.
So many amazing women on this site. Standing strong and best wishes to all for 2026. Sue xo
Linda if you did officially opt out and they started bothering you again would it be worth reminding them under Data Protection it’s actually illegal to harass an opted out person about smears ?