A doctor has shared a candid observation about women apologizing for their bodies during gynecological exams.
Her reflection has sparked widespread conversation online about body image, shame, and the pressures women internalize long before stepping into a medical office.
In a now-viral video, the physician, known on Instagram as “Dr. NG, MD” (@dr.ng.md), described a recurring experience she says happens before many Pap smear appointments: women apologizing for their pubic hair before the exam even begins.
“She gets on the table, she gets into position, and right before I start she says, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t have a chance to shave,’” the doctor explained. “Or, ‘I was going to get a wax but I didn’t have time.’”
Rather than focusing on the medical procedure itself, the physician said many patients appear preoccupied with whether their bodies meet social beauty expectations, even in clinical settings where appearance has no impact on care.
“You’re about to let me examine one of the most vulnerable parts of your body,” she said, “and the thing you’re worried about is the state of your pubic hair.”
The doctor acknowledged that she understands the feeling because she, too, grew up absorbing societal messages about how women’s bodies are “supposed” to look. But she questioned why so many women feel compelled to apologize for natural features unrelated to health or hygiene.
“Where did she learn that from?” the physician asked. “It didn’t come from medicine, because we don’t care about your pubic hair.”
Her comments touched on a broader issue many women identified with online: the pressure to present themselves as perfectly groomed, even in moments involving vulnerability, healthcare, or discomfort.
Health professionals have long statedthat Pap smears — routine procedures used to screen for cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer — do not require shaving or waxing beforehand. Medical providers generally advise patients to prioritize comfort and routine hygiene rather than cosmetic grooming.
Still, the physician argued that cultural messaging surrounding femininity and attractiveness often follows women into deeply personal healthcare experiences.
“We carry those messages into some of the most vulnerable moments of our lives,” she said.
The most poignant moment of the video came near the end, when the doctor challenged the shame many women have been conditioned to feel about their bodies.
“Your body was never something you were supposed to apologize for,” she said. “Not before a Pap smear, not in a doctor’s office, not anywhere.”
The discussion has since evolved into a wider conversation about body neutrality, medical anxiety, women’s health experiences, and the psychological impact of unrealistic beauty standards.
