i've been working on a few posts about my parental culture shock, as a canadian mom of 2 who has recently moved to argentina. but today i have to write about a different kind of total, utter shock.

perhaps it's 'just' culture shock - something i didn't know about life in argentina until just now. i don't know, you tell me.

i can't seem to scoop my jaw up off the floor or stop asking my partner, incredulously, "but, can you believe it?"

image: a normal pap test. pretty, eh?

i casually mentioned to my friend that i needed to get a pap done sometime soonish, and could she recommend a doctor. (this was before i realized that my health coverage doesn't let me choose my doctor.)

she was happy to recommend her gynecologist: "he's pretty good. and he uses lubricant."

WHAT?? you mean that some gynecologists DON'T USE LUBRICANT? when they're putting a speculum inside you?

she found my bewilderment shock to be pretty amusing.

"they usually just tell you to relax and to breathe." AS IF. well, i guess i'm glad i asked.

*****

i mentioned this conversation to my only other female friend here. and get this:

she had never even heard of the use of lubrication for a pap test.

my outrage doesn't know whether to boil and sizzle or try to snuff itself out in the name of 'adapting to cultural differences'.

*****

i'm normally pretty chill about these things. though it's slightly uncomfortable, i've had no negative experiences, i don't even particularly mind if a man does the exam. i find it a lot more challenging to get blood taken than to have a pelvic exam.

but come on.

how hard can it be to put a little gel on the speculum, or on the gloved finger, that is going to be inserted into a part of my body that is so clearly meant to be lubricated before anything goes in there? no gel? warm water even. something!!!!

it would be like men getting prostate exams with no lubricant. they do use lubricant for those exams, don't they?

the more i think about it, the more outraged i get (and i'll admit it, nervous. i still have to get this done, and i have no idea what kind of experience awaits me).

the more i think about it, the more it seems to me like a total lack of respect, a total unwillingness to do anything at all to make life, and health, a little more comfortable. i can't help but think that this is about women's dignity. like the whole epidural-and-lie-on-your-back-for-labour routine vs. get-a-midwife-and-make-your-own-choices.