Non-Consensual Pelvic Exams on Unconscious Women Legal in 45 States

• In 45 states, doctors and medical students are legally allowed to practice pelvic exams on women who are under anesthesia without being granted explicit consent to do so.
• A medical student published an article in 2012 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology describing the practice:

“In obstetrics and gynecology, I encountered the first act of medical training that left me ashamed. For 3 weeks, four to five times a day, I was asked to, and did, perform pelvic examinations on anesthetized women, without specific consent, solely for the purpose of my education.”

Details

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the Association of American Medical Colleges have all condemned the practice, but it remains legal in the vast majority of American states.

A 2018 review paper highlighted several studies that indicate that the practice is common.

As bioethicist Arthur Caplan describes:

“Sometimes, more than one student will practice the exam, with many sets of gloved fingers in the patient’s vagina without their knowledge.”

Some women have reported internal bruising and vaginal pain after unrelated surgery, and couldn’t understand why.

Defenders of the practice say it’s necessary for medical students to gain experience in performing a common medical procedure. Opponents say it’s tantamount to rape.

The practice is explicitly outlawed in Hawaii, California, Illinois, Virginia, and Oregon, but remains legal in all other states.

What do you think?

Should pelvic exams on anesthetized women without their explicit consent be legal? Why or why not? Tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / romankosolapov)