So I’m a great supporter of getting STI tests done
regularly. It’s preventive medicine in my books….but I am fascinated by how
many people are actually afraid to get tested or live in a lala land about their
risk factors. In other words convincing people to make testing a part of their medical
routine is still a problem. There could be many reasons for this. Embarrassment,
shame, fear and myths surrounding STIs are just a few of the simple ones.
I’m going to add to this the judgement of doctors with
poorly guided sensibility. Let’s take my recent routine testing experience as
an example. It went to my usual walk in clinic (we’ll just refer to it as one
of those MCI places)….I go to this place since their hours are usually better
than my family doctor’s and it is the
same place I go for my tests so they have a record of my history. Usually my
visits are fine and simple. I don’t get the same doctor twice (since I really
only go every three months), but my records are there so they are all in the
loop. This time, unfortunately, I had a
doctor that I do not think read my chart and, I’m guessing, missed the unit on
STI’s during her MD classes.
I told the nurse that put me in the room that want to get
tested…and then had to repeat this to the doctor. Frankly I think that should
just be followed with an “ok, here is the reco, go to the lab”….instead this
fool…and there really is nothing else to call her….asks me some simple
questions and proceeds to tell me that I have chlamydia….hahahahahaha….what?!!!
Here is an excerpt of our conversation….none of which would lead me to believe
that I had anything more than a yeast infection:
“Are you having any
symptoms?” “Well there is some white
discharge and a little scent”
“Ok, is it a fishy odour?”
“No, I’ve had Bacti Vag years ago and it does not smell like that”
“Ok it sounds like you have chlamydia and I will have to
give you the antibiotics before you leave here today” “Can I just get tested first, rather than
take something I don’t need?”
“well it could lead to bigger issues with your pelvic area. Are
you having pelvic pain?” “no”
“you should take the meds anyway”
---idiot----absolute idiot----first of all the discharge was
not yellow, there was no blood, no pain during intercourse….if I was having
true symptoms of a full on chlamydia infection I’d have one or two of these…at
least.
What is also stupid is that this doctor (and I use the term
loosely) didn’t even look at my last report...I was tested clear in October…approx.
3mths prior. I would have had to be exposed right after that test in order to
have a symptomatic infection by now. That’s common sense anyone reading a
sexual health website could pick up.
This doctor didn’t even ask if I was having unprotected sex.
She did not even pose the question. She asked how many partners I have had
since then, but not about condoms…I guess she just assumed I must not wear them……right…….
Suffice it to say, I’m not an idiot and I don’t think people
should just be taking antibiotics for fun. I have an understanding of STI
transmission and usually just get tested as a precaution. I knew it was not chlamydia. It’s doctors like this that are causing strains
of STIs that are antibiotic resistant. …bunch of idiots.
The worst part is that she is leading people to believe that
they are ill when they are not. This reduces my trust in our medial system and
I’m not sure who else feels the same way, but it is enough to make you not
bother getting tested. This ‘doctor’ did not even follow the correct STI
checklist before telling me I was ill…………...and all tests came back negative!!
The moral of the story is: ladies your vagina will go
through multiple states of existence throughout the month..from stinky to
odourless; dry to gucky mess. The rule of thumb is to get tested with every new
partner or possible exposure to risk. Check your fluids regularly and know what
your normal is and don’t let some doctor push you into taking antibiotics when
all you need is cranberry juice.
-------------------------------------
-Here is a little on myths and facts on STIs in Canada: http://sexualhealthontario.ca/myths/
-Chlamydia among young women: A resource for
population-specific prevention (Report form the Public Health Agency of Canada)
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/chlamydia-eng.php#a4-1
-Toronto Sexual Health Clinics http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=30865e67bbee0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
(I usually find the hours and lines to be a bit ridiculous, but they are handy
if you do not have OHIP)
Follow me on twitter: @msnicolesbits
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