A doctor has denied a 27-year-old married lesbian her request to undergo a hysterectomy to relieve her chronic period pain, just in case she "stops being gay" and decides to be with a man one day.
Rachel Champ said that the doctor's refusal stunned her because she was told she could change her sexual orientation, leave her wife, and decide to have children the natural way, as she was still a young woman.
She revealed that she has suffered from period pain since her first menstruation at 10 years old and has been on pain killers and contraceptives since she was 12. Doctors told her mother back then that she was suffering from an unusual and debilitating period pain that could get worse as she grows up.
When she turned 25, Champ was admitted to the hospital because she could no longer stand up due to her period pain. Tests indicated that she likely has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common disorder for women suffering from heavy bleeding and extreme pain, and potential endometriosis.
Pursuing a Hysterectomy
After speaking with many specialists, Champ was determined to pursue a hysterectomy to take back her life since her period pain has been extremely difficult to manage. The procedure entails removing some or all parts of the uterus, depending on the doctor's assessment, the patient's general health, and reason for undergoing surgery, per Web MD.
Champ also said that she and her wife, Karen, have agreed to adopt a child if they decide to expand their family in the future. However, she was disappointed by the advice from a specialist who did not provide her with a medical reason as to why he could not perform the procedure. Instead, she was given a new set of birth control pills.
So, Champ posted her sentiments on Twitter and told Buzzfeed that she wanted to "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." Other women from all sexual orientations replied to her posts and shared their experiences with gynecologists who still insisted that they might want to get pregnant despite their health issues and personal choices in life.
Champ said that the response she got was "incredibly humbling, realizing she's not alone in her experience. Meanwhile, she filed a complaint against the doctor and sought another consultation with a different gynecologist.
Biases Against Women's Health
Her experience highlighted the misogyny and biases against women's health. Champ said that doctors would not reject men who seek a vasectomy, and they could even book procedures online without any consultations.
In her native country of Ireland, women's birth control pills require a prescription, whereas Viagra can be easily purchased at pharmacies over the counter. Champ argued that other people are given the right to decline a life-saving procedure, even if they risk death, but women still do not have any autonomy over their reproductive health. She is hoping things will change, especially for the LGBTQ community.
