SMG Women's Health 11 Nevins Street, Boston, MA 02135

"Every time I visit this office I have a poor experience. Although the staff overall are friendly and the space is clean and well equipped, my body is never taken seriously and I feel like a car in an assembly line. I don’t believe it’s because any of the staff or doctors are ill intentioned, I feel it’s part of a larger systemic issue, but I don’t think that excuses behaviors I’ve experienced as a patient. I always feel like they are trying to get whatever procedure/appointment done as quickly as possible so that they can move on to the next patient. When I have had to get an IUD inserted or removed, I am told that I should just take ibuprofen prior to coming in even though last time I got it reinserted…I threw up from the pain, so no I don’t think an ibuprofen will do it. My last appointment I received a Pap smear from Dr.Noel. I walked in, he asked how I was doing and then barely listened to my answer as he set up for the pap smear and told me to get undressed all at the same time (again very rushed). Then he started the Pap smear without giving any warning or letting me know that he was about to start or that I should expect a pinch or SOMETHING, just went right in as I continued to answer his question that he asked when I first walked in (this is all within maybe five ten minutes of walking in the door). I told him that my psychiatrist had diagnosed me with PMDD and that I was surprised he didn’t diagnose me with it, as the symptoms of PMDD were the main reason I started seeing him in the first place (to get an IUD to hopefully reduce symptoms and period). To which he answered…”whats PMDD”…of which I explained what it was and he said “oh yeah that” and nothing else…no comment on the fact that he didn't feel the need to tell me I had a disorder which would’ve given me clarity and validity in why my body and mind do the things they do. None of the conversation he felt the need to look me in the eye or speak to me as a human, just kept working and not really acknowledging my presence other than what was directly in front of him. At the end of the appointment (which totaled maybe 15 minutes) he asked if I had any questions (again not looking me in the face), I told him my periods have been really long and wondered if he knew when they would shorten up, he said “they’re that long? Interesting…” and pretty much nothing else until I asked again what he thought on the matter and was then sent on my way. Again, I don’t feel that Dr.Noel or the staff here are meaning to make women/people with uteruses feel negatively on purpose but this was my experience, I hope it helps others. If I wasn’t moving out of state I would do more research on local OBGYNs that specifically work on making their patient feel human and valid."

"Gotta love a gynecologist who teaches safety with automatic weapons. Completed the SMG class and next week I’m going to start the sniping course."