Open minded doctors in Austin?

June 7, 2007 7:02 AM

I am thinking of getting some private area piercings, but am hesitant. I know as a female I will have to go to the doctor for routine female exams and I know my current doctor would be disapproving. I would love to find an open minded, liberal general practitioner who would not make me feel like a freak. Anyone have a suggestion on a doctor?
posted by Relly70 to health & fitness (14 comments total)

Where do you live?
posted by fallenposters at 7:09 AM on June 7, 2007

Where?

FWIW, I've had great responses at my Boston-area Planned Parenthood. Didn't even blink at my audaciously pierced nipples, and my genital piercing was a complete nonissue during my yearly Pap.

If you feel comfortable calling offices, this sounds like a question that a receptionist would be glad to help you with.
posted by weatherworn at 7:10 AM on June 7, 2007

She lives in Austin. Says so right up thar ^ in the title.
posted by iconomy at 7:12 AM on June 7, 2007

Heh. Sneaky. It's in the tag, too!

I'm assuming Texas. Here are some numbers for local PP clinics. It may be worthwhile to check those locations near college campuses.

Much luck!
posted by weatherworn at 7:15 AM on June 7, 2007

Are you sure your current doctor would disapprove? Most gyns really have "seen it all," more or less, and aren't shocked at all by piercings. They may express concern about getting a piercing done - I personally would have some concerns about making sure the piercer used sterile technique and had proper knowledge of anatomy as the vulva is a vascular, highly enervated area and there would be potential for bleeding, nerve damage, and infection. However, once the piercing has been done and has healed, I don't think many would take issue with it.

That said, of course, if your current doc is/would be disapproving of piercings, then you shouldn't be seeing this person. Piercings are a personal choice and a health care provider shouldn't ever make you feel like a freak. I don't live in your area, so I can't make a specific recommendation, but I think maybe asking some pierced or otherwise "unconventional" appearing folks who they see for gyn care would be helpful. Maybe if you have a female piercer you can ask her who she sees. Failing that, your local Planned Parenthood should be staffed with progressive providers who won't be shocked to see jewelery "down there."
posted by tuff at 7:16 AM on June 7, 2007

I think tuff is right. My partner's doctors are very socially conservative and so on, but don't bat an eye at piercings and other personal issues. Doctors are meant to be professionals, and that professionalism should trump their social views. If your doctor isn't like that, though, you need a new one, of course. All I'm saying is that there isn't always a link between socially conservative views and anti-piercing attitudes, nor between socially liberal and pro-piercing.
posted by Forktine at 7:36 AM on June 7, 2007

[a few comments removed. please do not start a discussion of what is or is not "normal" genitaliawise, there is plenty of internet out there for you to get your normalization on, or metatalk]
posted by jessamyn at 7:55 AM on June 7, 2007

Call your local LGBT center and ask for a referral to an "alternative lifestyle" friendly doctor. This pretty much guarantees they won't give a shit about your piercings.
posted by desjardins at 8:46 AM on June 7, 2007

There were once a lot of Austinites active on rec.arts.bodyart so if you don't get the answer you want here, you can ask there or AskBME at BMEzine. Although my guess is that Austin being Austin, any doctors there who are/were disapproving have long since gotten over it. You could also ask the female employees of the tattoo/piercing studios there who they go to.
posted by Martin E. at 8:47 AM on June 7, 2007

Seconding Planned Parenthood, they're lovely folks.
posted by anaelith at 9:13 AM on June 7, 2007

Kink Aware Professionals runs a list of doctors, therapists, and lawyers who are cool to that stuff. These professionals list themselves because they respect you and want your business.

On an unrelated note, choose your peircer carefully. Good luck! =)
posted by ilsa at 10:04 AM on June 7, 2007

I concur with tuff. Someone who condescends to you about your personal choices shouldn't be supported with your business. Not to say you may not get some advice about it - my dentist never made a disapproving noise to me about my tongue piercing, but he wasn't shy about making sure I knew the associated risks and asked at every visit if I'd had any chipping or bit it.

If you're at all ashamed of your decision to get it you could find that off-putting, but it's their job to look out for your health and do so in a way that reflects the reality of your life. If you have an otherwise good relationship with your current doctor (who knows your history more directly) and don't have a reason to be sure they'd behave inappropriately I'd suggest you try them out before you cut & run.
posted by phearlez at 10:51 AM on June 7, 2007

Anecdotally: I have several mods of this variety, and I've seen about twenty doctors in two different cities (I've moved and changed insurance A LOT). I've never had any of them do much more than say something like, "Oh, that's novel" or "Did that hurt?" Even if your doctor is really straight laced, I'm pretty sure they won't yell at your for it. If they do, tell them they're a douche and get a new one.
posted by nursegracer at 11:57 AM on June 7, 2007

Just because you've seen it all, doesn't mean you're open minded, and it can affect their diagnosis.

5 years ago, my then GF of 3 years, 38 and mother of two, decided to mow the lawn. In clothes she looked and was your typical suburban mom.

at her next scheduled exam, her OBGYN saw this (and made note of it). He suggested for no apparent reason, that she be tested for venereal diseases.

She had not even thought about it prior to the exam, but left feeling like her lack of pubic hair had prompted some weird value judgement on his part.
posted by Fupped Duck at 2:11 PM on June 7, 2007