'humiliating', 'medicalised'
Do men not realise, that even when completely healthy, a lot (possibly even most) see a doctor once or twice a year their whole lives?
When I was under 20, it was for the pill every 3-6 months (depending on how easy going the doctor was about re-prescribing) - not bad, but a hassle, bloodpressure, and a chat.
Then once you hit 21, it's a smear test every couple of years, still the pill appointments. Then perhaps you get pregnant, and all dignity is chucked out of the window. Perhaps it's quiet for a few years, just the smears, maybe still the pill, then you hit 50 and the mammograms kick in too.
We're continuously poked and prodded for our own good - I wonder if this is another case of TW being treated as W and thinking that they're getting some kind of especially bad treatment, when actually it's entirely normal.
On that subject, I just signed up with a new GP realising it had been too long since my last smear, and thinking it was about time I had my boobs checked. On the phone I matter of factly said my weight, and described myself as morbidly obese (we were talking about general health). She was horrified - told me to never describe myself that way, that it wasn't useful. I was stunned. Every (male) doctor I've ever had, for almost any appointment I've ever had from veruccas to chest infections has included a lecture about my weight. I'm actually looking forward to getting thoughtful care that goes beyond 'you should lose weight, that'll help it' and actually listens to the problem rather than seeing a tubby middle-aged mother and making assumptions.