Part 4/8:
Listening to Voices That Matter
The team uncovered powerful insights: patients frequently describe feeling scraped or poked, being unprepared for the procedure's physical sensations, or feeling that their bodies are no longer theirs in that moment. For transgender individuals, especially those on testosterone therapy, the challenges intensify—dryness, increased pain, or the need for more lubrication are common. Many trans men find passing the exam daunting and even dangerous, leading to avoidance that jeopardizes their health, such as delayed screenings for cervical cancer.