#Pap Smears

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Tom Wray at Illinois Eagle:

SPRINGFIELD – HB2350, which requires insurance companies to cover transgender healthcare, went into effect on Jan. 1.  The bill amended the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code to require companies to cover pap smears and prostrate screenings for all people and not limit it to gender. It was passed in 2023 and signed into law in June 2023 by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D). 

It passed on a mostly party-line vote with the Democratic supermajority carrying it through. The bill had been very unpopular with the GOP, especially on the far-right. That seems to have raised its head as the law went into effect.  Illinois Review, a far-right online publication that has gotten retweeted by President-elect Donald Trump, has been criticizing Illinois House Minority Leader Toni McCombie (R-Savanna) for her vote two years ago. She was one of just three Republicans to cross the aisle and vote for the bill. 

According to the Review, McCombie has claimed her vote was just about cancer screening and prevention, which it is. The bill expanded access to cancer screening for all people. The Review also accurately reported that the bill expanded coverage for trans and non-binary people. They also reported that expansion was why the vast majority of the Illinois House Republicans voted against it. 

#HB2350, a law that requires insurance companies to cover gender-affirming care in Illinois, has now taken effect as of January 1st.

Far-right outrage peddlers such as the Illinois Review, Awake Illinois, and Darren Bailey responded to this news with unhinged anti-trans hate. #Twill

See Also:

Capitol Fax: Bill to rein in health insurance companies falsely mocked by far right

[rjalker]

Hi, I just read your post about Pap smears being painful. I had my first Pap smear today, and it still hurts a few hours later (about a 4/10 when I’m moving), and I actually passed out in the office afterwards. Would you feel comfortable sharing if the results of your Pap smear were normal in spite of the pain? I am a little bit stressed and looking for reassurance

Original post here (another related post here)

Thank you for sharing, I'm sorry that happened, it really sucks. I hope by the time I answer this ask you're feeling better. I remember my pain lasted the rest of the day and partly into the next, but I don't think I wrote it down anywhere.

The good news is they said my results came back normal, so I don't have to get another one for a few years. So whether the procedure is painful or not doesn't actually mean there's something unhealthy going on.

So you don't have to worry that your results are automatically going to show something bad just because the procedure hurt.

I hope more people will start speaking up about this kind of thing, it's completely unconscionable that we get shamed for it and told it's our fault if it hurts. This is the kind of horrifyingly systemic mistreatment you should be hearing about in documentaries of ancient history before people knew what germs even were, not something that should still be ongoing in 2024.

And as again, to ward off random bigots: I am a literal transgender. This post is not for you. And transmisics who attempt to interact with this post will be blocked and reported.

[kay-elle-cee]

Really can’t stress #8 enough!!! I had a really traumatizing Pap smear (like…bleeding and cramping and just…the doctor was apparently newly licensed and not comfortable performing it and it showed). When I found my new gyno I explained what happened and EVERY YEAR (I get them every year since my insurance pays for it), she’s overly communicative, talks to distract me, and regularly asks how it was. She’s an angel and even though I hate them, having a doctor meet you where you are is SO important.

Attn: People With Cervixes!

When was your last Pap smear?

Because I am tired of seeing young people (think 40 year olds!) die horribly of an almost completely preventable disease, and I haven't seen the obligatory Tumblr PSA about it, so I'm making my own.

1. CERVICAL CANCER IS REALLY BAD

Cancers that have a good prognosis are usually cancers that can be caught early--like skin cancer, which is easily seen, and therefore usually treated very early. Cervical cancer does not give you symptoms until you have very advanced disease, which means unless someone is regularly testing your cervix, you will likely not be diagnosed early. More than half of people diagnosed with cervical cancer present with advanced disease. 75% of them will be dead within 5 years. For comparison, when caught in the earliest stage, there is a 90% 5 year survival rate. Treatment for those diagnosed is chemo and radiation, and believe me, those are not fun. If you do happen to be in the lucky 25% of survivors, if your cancer comes back, you have an 85% chance of dying within a year. Also! We think of cancer as something that happens to old people, but the average age of diagnosis for cervical cancer is 50.

2. WHO GETS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer used to be the most common cause of cancer-related death in women in America, but at this point it's basically a disease of People Without Pap Smears--developing countries, immigrants, low socioeconomic status, BIPOC, rural communities, LGBTQ, etc.

3. HOW DO PAP SMEARS SAVE YOUR LIFE?

A Pap smear is a screening test for two things: HPV, and your cervical cells. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Literally half of the people in America have some strain of HPV on their body. Most HPV infections go away on their own (in people with healthy immune systems), but some strains are Very Bad, and some people are just Very Unlucky, and the HPV starts causing your cervical cells to turn cancerous. 91% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. So a Pap smear looks to see if your have HPV, and if so, is it one of the bad ones? And also, do you have any cancerous cells hanging about in your cervix? And! It takes 10-30 years for HPV to turn those cells into cancer, which means you have a really really long time to catch it before it becomes cancer and cut those pre-cancer cells out!

4. WHAT ABOUT THAT VACCINE?

The thing my dad said I shouldn't get because it might make me a slut. Yes! There is an HPV vaccine! You should get it! It protects you against the nine most common cancer-causing types of HPV. It's recommended starting at age 11, and you can get it up to age 45 now! (It used to be 26, but as of 2020, it's now extended.)You can get it from most primary care doctors, or from Planned Parenthood, CVS, Walgreens, etc. If you get the vaccine you still need Pap smears.

5. I HEARD YOU CAN ONLY GET THE VACCINE IF YOU'RE A VIRGIN

Fake news. While the vaccine does not treat old infections of HPV, it does prevent new ones, so while the benefits are theoretically decreased in those who have already been sexually active, it does not mean you will not benefit from having it!

6. WHO GETS PAP SMEARS?

Everyone with a cervix starting at age 21, until you lose your cervix or until you're 65. You should get them every 3-5 years (depending on your exact age and what test your doctor does).

7. BUT I GOT THE VACCINE

Nice! You still need Pap smears.

8. I HAD ONE AND IT WAS HORRIBLE/I'M SCARED OF THE EXAM

Talk to your doctor about this in advance! Good gynecologists (and other providers) will work with you to minimize discomfort as much as possible. They can use a small speculum and lots of gel, prescribe anti-anxiety medications to take in advance, and some people will even use numbing creams and/or laughing gas.

9. BUT I DON'T HAVE/CAN'T SEE A GYN

Most primary care physicians can do them! So do a lot of urgent care centers!

10. BUT I'M A LESBIAN

HPV can be transmitted through oral/genital contact, hand/genital, and even hand-to-hand-then-genital, so you still need Pap smears.

11. BUT I'M A VIRGIN/ASEXUAL

You still need Pap smears. HPV can be transmitted not just through penetrative sex, but also through oral/genital, hand/genital, and hand-to-hand-then-genital, and also 9% of cervical cancers are not caused by HPV.

12. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER MAN

If your cervix was removed, then congrats! You do not need Pap smears. Otherwise, unfortunately, you are still at risk for cervical cancer and need to be screened.

13. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER WOMAN

Neovaginas do not need Pap smears! Congrats! Consider getting the vaccine, though, to prevent spreading HPV to others.

14. BUT I'M A CIS-GENDERED MAN

Congrats! You do not need Pap smears! You should still consider the vaccine though, not only to prevent the spread of HPV to others, but also because HPV causes 50% of all penile cancers as well.

In summary: please please please go get your pap smear. Go get vaccinated. The spread of HPV can be prevented, and cervical cancer can be caught and treated before it even becomes cancer.

DON'T FEAR THE SMEAR

[caring-for-women]

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[garnishwithnightshade]

[warning: tmi but also no cursing and not explicit at all]

read below the cut for things i said during my first pap smear (happened very recently):

"Woah" [said at least once, not sure exact number]

"Christ have mercy that hurts"

[hissing/shushing noises]

"Stop" [said at least once, not sure exact number]

[to technician, through tears] "Could you hold my hand?" [she did]

so. yeah. not painless for me. but it took less than a minute! and i recovered extremely quickly! :D

honestly it was a little comedic how quickly i recovered. anyway. it's over now 🥳

[see my tags]

[discoverybody]

From Pap Smears to Periods: The Gynecologist Visit

Regular visits to a gynecologist are an essential component of an individual's reproductive health care, which is why many women place a high importance on maintaining their reproductive health. In this piece, we will attempt to dispel some of the myths surrounding trips to gynecologists, as well as provide some insights into the role that they play. In addition to providing surgeries, diagnoses, and treatments for a variety of

gynecological diseases, a gynecologist is a physician who specializes in the reproductive health of women.

It is also possible to obtain information regarding menopause, fertility, and contraception from them. There is a significant distinction between a gynecologist and an OB/GYN, with the latter also specializing in obstetrics. It is essential to become aware of this distinction. When it comes to selecting a healthcare expert, specific demands should be taken into consideration. In the course of a visit to the gynecologist, you may anticipate a confidential discussion regarding your medical history, which will be followed by a physical examination that may involve breast and pelvic examinations.

One of the most widespread misunderstandings regarding gynecologist examinations is the notion that they are only required for persons who are experiencing symptoms or who are expecting a child. In actuality, routine exams are essential for the purpose of providing preventative care and identifying gynecological diseases at an earlier stage. Despite the fact that gynecologists place a high priority on patient comfort and take a caring approach, there is a common misconception that examinations are always challenging or painful.

In order to improve the experience as a whole, it is essential to be truthful about any issues or discomforts that may arise. The maintenance of reproductive health, the identification of risk factors, the monitoring of changes over time, and the timely administration of medication are all essential reasons to visit a gynecologist on a regular basis.

As a woman, I have always placed a high focus on taking care of my reproductive health with the utmost importance. Go-to appointments with a gynecologist on a frequent basis are an essential component of this care. On the other hand, I am aware that the idea of going to a gynecologist might be intimidating and strange for a great number of women. The purpose of this essay is to dispel some of the more frequent myths about going to the gynecologist, provide some insights into what to anticipate, and demystify the experience. My goal is to enable women to take responsibility for their own gynecological health by providing them with an awareness of the function of a gynecologist and the significance of maintaining frequent appointments

[reasonsforhope]

Article

"Every year, over 350,000 women die from cervical cancer and another 660,000 are diagnosed. [Note: Plus trans men and other trans people with a cervix.] As a consequence, children are orphaned, families impoverished and communities diminished by the loss of mothers, wives, daughters and sisters. 

And yet, unlike most other cancers, almost all these cases and deaths can be averted. We have powerful vaccines that can prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer; we have diagnostics to detect it early; and we have treatments for those it strikes. With these tools, cervical cancer can not only be stopped; it could become the first cancer to be eliminated. Some high-income countries are already close to elimination, meaning fewer than four cases per 100,000 women.

But in many low- and middle-income countries, these tools are still not available, which is why 94% of cervical cancer deaths occur in those countries. 

In 2018, WHO launched a global call to action to eliminate cervical cancer, which was followed in 2020 by the adoption by all 194 WHO Member States of a Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. The strategy calls for countries to achieve three targets by 2030: 90% of girls fully immunised against HPV; 70% of women receiving timely screening; and 90% of those found with precancer or cancer accessing treatment.

These targets are not just aspirational, they are achievable, even in low- and middle-income countries.  Bhutan has already reached the targets, the first to do so in the South-East Asia region. 

Since introducing the HPV vaccine in 2011, Rwanda has reached vaccine coverage of 90%, and today announced its national goal to reach the 90-70-90 targets three years ahead of schedule, by 2027. Already, in two districts – Gicumbi and Karongi – Rwanda is meeting those goals. Nigeria, which introduced the HPV vaccine in October last year [2023], has already vaccinated 12.3 million girls.  

We have the tools and the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer. 

Since WHO issued the global call to action in 2018, more than 60 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine into their immunisation programmes, bringing the total to 144 countries that are routinely protecting girls from cervical cancer in later life. With scientific advances, we can now prevent cervical cancer with just a single dose, which 60 countries are now doing.  

The largest provider of HPV vaccines to low- and middle-income countries is Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which plans to vaccinate 120 million children between now and 2030. But this plan requires that investments in health are sustained. We are also counting on manufacturers to confirm and honour their commitments to provide HPV vaccines to low- and middle-income countries in the coming years, to avoid the supply constraints that held back progress in the past.

But we cannot rely on vaccines alone. The impact of the rapid scale-up in vaccinating girls now will not be seen for decades, when they reach the adult years when cervical cancer typically appears. To save lives now, we must match the increase  in vaccination with increases in screening and treatment. 

Decades ago, as more women gained access to pap smears in developed countries, the mortality associated with cervical cancer dropped rapidly. Today, even better tests are available. Over 60 countries now include high-performance HPV tests as part of their screening programs. Women can even collect their own samples for HPV testing, removing more barriers to life-saving services. In Australia – which is on track to become one of the first countries in the world to achieve elimination – more than a quarter of all screening tests are now done this way...

Several countries are also investigating the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy of screening in resource-limited settings. When women are found with precancerous lesions, many are now treated with portable battery-powered devices, which can be operated in remote locations."

-via The Telegraph, November 18, 2024. Article written by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

[seraphim-soulmate]

every1 talkin about pap smears. here's my take. i don't care. prod my coochie all u want. doctors are gonna be weird and my body is but a science experiment and a vessel. good luck to the rest of yall tho

[bittsandpieces]

look I definitely don't have a medical kink but all of the follow up appointments from my oral surgery have maybe made me realize something about the feeling of gloved hands in my mouth. and it mightve featured in a dream I had last night

[shotmrmiller]

nahhh please tell me more about Simon fucking me nasty after one glance f the fluff

I’m ill too

half a glance cuz his eye's still swollen shut post fight. you'd been clucking at him like a hen because he's a grown man, pushing forty, what is he doing throwing hands like he's some street urchin but his cock's just getting stiffer and stiffer as your voice gets louder and words start to slur together cuz you're just so heated and he's looking at you like soap does the vintage playboy magazines

when will the guys ever take you seriously???

apparently now, when he says to put your chest flat on the table, hands tight around the edge. he even says please. (although it was so indiscernible it could've just been a figment of your imagination)

now you're getting fucked stupid in the back room of some run down bar with your jeans pooled around your crossed ankles, tips of your shoes scraping against the grimy tile floor with each thrust that makes your upper thighs hit the table painfully but the searing pain on your arse is worse when simon gives it a "love tap" with a calloused open palm because you let go of the table to bite your fist with blunt teeth to keep from caterwauling at the feel of him carving a space in your hole only he can and will ever fit in

(say goodbye to your boyfriend sweetheart you're his now. the cum that's stained a dark spot on your jeans says property of simon)

[borninrot]

he is my pookie bear

[kleefkruid]

Hiii I’m back in the land of the living they scraped my womb with a spoon

[fourforyouodo]

The dilemma of living on a starfleet ship

[angelnumber27]

If every club played solely crystal castles I would be a club grl but. They don’t