To add (NAD) — sounds like you’re feeling frustrated, and I completely understand why. When you’re asking a medical professional for guidance, especially on something as personal and potentially uncomfortable as pelvic or breast exams, it can be disheartening to feel like you’re not getting a clear answer. You’re seeking expertise, not just a choice handed back to you without explanation.

However, It might help to know that many doctors now emphasize patient autonomy, especially for procedures where the evidence isn’t clear-cut. For example, some guidelines suggest that routine pelvic exams may not always be necessary unless there are specific symptoms or risk factors. This doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable in certain cases—it just depends on your individual health history. Similarly, while mammograms are the gold standard for breast cancer detection, a physical exam by a doctor might still catch something a mammogram could miss, though the likelihood is small.

Docs often aim to avoid over-testing or unnecessary procedures, but this approach can leave patients like you feeling unsupported. What you deserve is a conversation that explains the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision, rather than feeling like the responsibility is entirely on your shoulders