Can gynecologists know if there's been recent sexual activity?

[nikolai521]

Hey--

I know this isn't a medical forum, but it's the closest thing I know to what's out there. I was just wondering, my girlfriend has this infection, and she needs to know whether it's serious or not (probably not, her sister had something similar and all she needed was some antibiotics).

The thing is, her dad is making her come home so that she can see one of his best friends, who happens to be a gynecologist. My girlfriend is Korean, and so is the gynecologist, so the normal patient confidentiality laws / code of conduct don't apply (i.e., if her dad's gynecologist friend discovers she's had recent sexual activity, there's going to be a big mess for her). That's just the reality of the situation.

My question is, if it is possible for gynecologists to be able to determine from looking down there whether or not there's been recent sexual activity.

Thanks

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[Finn]

It doesn't matter if both are Korean or not. Confidentiality applies. My doctor and I are both Irish and that doesn't negate our laws and moral obligation. And yes, the doctor will know.

 

[Drakensoul]

If you're worried that the doctor will tell your dad regardess, I'd make sure your girlfriend went in and made it a point to ask the doctor (in an "I already know, I'm just making sure you know that I know" way) about whether or not he sticks to the patient confidentiality laws.

Just make sure he knows that she won't tollerate him breaking the law just so that he can tell her father whether or not she's had sex.

 

[juddson]

Grown women should not be forced to see their father's gynacologist friends. Korean or not, I would recommend that you urge refusal.

Judd

 

[stinkycheese]

Make an appt at Planned Parenthood. Do not let her see her father's friend. I believe it when you say that this gynecologist would disregards confidentiality laws, from my experience with the Korean community, and I also know that her father will make her life living hell if he finds out something he's not supposed to find out. Abort mission. Go to PP.

 

[azzarah]

The gynecologist would probably be able to tell if she's had sex in the past (I dont know what you mean by recently). If I were her, I would just go to another gynecologist and then tell her Dad that she has seen another dr and is okay now. Or maybe she could ask for a female gynecologist to bypass having to see her dad's friend (assuming he is male).

 

[azzarah]

Grown women should not be forced to see their father's gynacologist friends. Korean or not, I would recommend that you urge refusal.

Judd

I agree.

 

[jbish]

It depends on how recent and what the gyn does. If it's really recent and he does a pap smear/wet mount there could be sperm left over (saw that last night in the ER). Also, her hymen will obviously be not intact, but that doesn't necessarily mean she had penile-vaginal intercourse as you can always buy a dildo (or have other means. ahem.)

 

[juddson]

It depends on how recent and what the gyn does. If it's really recent and he does a pap smear/wet mount there could be sperm left over (saw that last night in the ER). Also, her hymen will obviously be not intact, but that doesn't necessarily mean she had penile-vaginal intercourse as you can always buy a dildo (or have other means. ahem.)

Even a moderately athletic female would have long ago disrupted her hymen, right?

judd

 

[dara678]

It doesn't matter if both are Korean or not. Confidentiality applies. My doctor and I are both Irish and that doesn't negate our laws and moral obligation. And yes, the doctor will know.

It does matter whether they are Korean ... in many Asian cultures -- and especially with doctors from Asia who weren't trained in the US -- things like that don't matter if there are friendships on the line.

 

[calmike2001]

i second stinkycheese: GO TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. payment is on a sliding scale, totally confidential. just tell your dad that the problem resolved and that she doesn't need or want to go anymore.

 

[Seaglass]

It does matter whether they are Korean

It may matter on a cultural level, but on a legal level confidentiality applies. If you are going to practice in the US you have to play by the rules. I doubt any state medical board would overlook this on the basis of "cultural differences." Should a complaint be brought this doctor is looking at losing his license.

C

 

[lata]

from personal experience i can tell you that asian 'aunties' and 'uncles' aren't going to keep it to themselves - esp if they feel the kids are doing something they shouldn't....
yeah, they should abide by US law but somehow we don't speak up and it continues....

 

[dara678]

Yeah - exactly what lata says. I've seen some Asian doctors do some pretty sketchy things ... but they're not going to get caught, no one is going to report them. That might be a problem in this case.

Even if the gynecologist in the OP's case told, suing your elders or getting them in trouble -- especially an elder that is a friend of your parent's -- would probably be really looked down upon.

 

[WatchingWaiting]

Hey--

I know this isn't a medical forum, but it's the closest thing I know to what's out there. I was just wondering, my girlfriend has this infection, and she needs to know whether it's serious or not (probably not, her sister had something similar and all she needed was some antibiotics).

The thing is, her dad is making her come home so that she can see one of his best friends, who happens to be a gynecologist. My girlfriend is Korean, and so is the gynecologist, so the normal patient confidentiality laws / code of conduct don't apply (i.e., if her dad's gynecologist friend discovers she's had recent sexual activity, there's going to be a big mess for her). That's just the reality of the situation.

My question is, if it is possible for gynecologists to be able to determine from looking down there whether or not there's been recent sexual activity.

Thanks

It seems kind of unnecessary to tell her parents about her personal medical issues, especially if the parents are controlling. Too late now though. Why not just go to the local student health center and have it treated? Just tell the parents she felt it was too important to wait. Then, after it's cleared, you say it's cleared, I don't need to see the Korean gynecologist.

 

[med_stud_07]

It seems kind of unnecessary to tell her parents about her personal medical issues, especially if the parents are controlling. Too late now though. Why not just go to the local student health center and have it treated? Just tell the parents she felt it was too important to wait. Then, after it's cleared, you say it's cleared, I don't need to see the Korean gynecologist.

well...just tell the korean MD that she uses a lot of toys.

 

[Agent999]

ya, in asian cultures, it's very likely the MD will tell her dad, eventhough that's totally illegal. If she have sex like a few days ago and her father will get her into deep trouble for that, I would suggest you start making up some lies.

 

[CeLo]

Something is creepy about seeing a gynecologist that is her dad's friend. I would never go to someone who knew my family regardless of whether or not they would tell anyone anything. Seeing them socially would be really weird. I agree that she should go to planned parenthood. I am not Asian but I have a good friend who is, so I understand the parent thing; nevertheless, you need to remember that if you're over 18, you don't have to tell your parents anything and they can not force you to do something you don't want to.

 

[Bobblehead]

The fact that you're posing this question should make you rethink having her see any physician where there's any doubt about the professional relationship. Depending on the findings you may very well have to be treated as well. Best have her seen by a local health clinic or student health if enrolled in a university.

 

[saiyagirl]

tell your girlfriend to tell her father that she is uncomfortable being seen by a male gynecologist and prefers a female. he'll probably buy it. make sure she has a female gynecologist ready to suggest, and if i were her, i'd make the appointment ahead of time.

who did her sister see? could she see the same doc?

 

[ericdamiansean]

yeah, exactly..she should say that she would prefer seeing another doc

Sometimes, the confidentiality rules do not apply when it comes to friends etc, esp in the Asian context, people get really busybody
In my uni, when there's a doc who knows which student has what disease ie. a murmur or scoliosis and he doesn't think twice about telling other students about it so that 'they can learn'

 

[Seaglass]

Sometimes, the confidentiality rules do not apply when it comes to friends etc,

They always apply. Always. If someone breaks them, for whatever reason, they can be censured. They always apply. Always.

C

 

[McEntrye]

I agree with several posts above that your friend should not under any circumstances see the doctor if she feels that confidentiality may not be respected. It does not matter how old she is, any issue having to do with STDs is totally confidential. Her best solution would be to find a Gynecologist at home, see that physician and be totally honest with Her/Him. The Gynecologist will most likely respect confidentiality because he or she has no reason not to respect it and legal and ethical obligation to do so.
With regards to the issue of being able to detect sexual relations, as was outlined above, it would only be possible to visualize things if the relations had taken place within 5-7 days. If she does have an infection, it must be treated as rapidly as is prudent because it could lead to serious consequenses regarding her future health. So encourage her to see an impartial doctor and home, and not to tell her father about it. She can simply avoid the issue and if it remains a problem, her gynecologist has a responsibilty to assist her in with the problem with her father.

Hopefully this response is helpful to the reader.

M

 

[KidDr]

Forget about whether or not the doctor will be able to tell if she's had sexual activity recently, which is hard to determine unless there's sperm seen on a wet mount. If she has an STI, that answers the questions. I agree with others--she needs to go to PP, or anywhere else. Just not the dad's friend.

 

[Heliums]

Hey--

I know this isn't a medical forum, but it's the closest thing I know to what's out there. I was just wondering, my girlfriend has this infection, and she needs to know whether it's serious or not (probably not, her sister had something similar and all she needed was some antibiotics).

The thing is, her dad is making her come home so that she can see one of his best friends, who happens to be a gynecologist. My girlfriend is Korean, and so is the gynecologist, so the normal patient confidentiality laws / code of conduct don't apply (i.e., if her dad's gynecologist friend discovers she's had recent sexual activity, there's going to be a big mess for her). That's just the reality of the situation.

My question is, if it is possible for gynecologists to be able to determine from looking down there whether or not there's been recent sexual activity.

Thanks

Report him for violating confidentiality

 

[16846]

If the dildo is still up there, then yes 😀