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Woodlands clinic tells woman Pap smear test will cause her to 'lose her virginity'
Moving forward, the clinic intends to change its confirmation message based on patient feedback.Ilyda Chua
June 18, 2025, 12:43 PM

While attempting to book a Pap smear test at a Woodlands clinic, a woman was taken aback to receive an unusual confirmation message.
"Do take note that we only have MALE doctors. Pap test will require us to check your vagina (and you will lose your virginity)," the message read.When she asked why the line about virginity was included in the message, she was told that it was so patients would have a better idea of the procedure.
"However, this shouldn't be the case as it's spreading unnecessary fear and misconception," she told Mothership."I have done [Pap smears] before multiple times with both male and female doctors, but this was the first time I received such a weird message stating that I will lose my virginity if I proceed."
Clinic's response
A spokesperson from the clinic, speaking to Mothership, confirmed that the text message was indeed sent out to the patient.The message is part of the clinic's standard operating procedure, and is phrased in a way to "create awareness that the Pap smear test is required to check the vagina and the speculum has to be inserted".
"We explain this to the patient as we do have incidents where patients came in without knowing the procedure," the clinic said in response to Mothership's queries.It added that the clinic wished to avoid the scenario of a first-time patient who did not understand the full details of the procedure, refusing to go ahead with the test after already making a trip to the clinic.
The same message would also be sent if the doctors involved were women, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that while their doctors are trained to be gentle, there is a "high possibility" that the hymen will break.
The hymen is a piece of tissue covering or surrounding the vaginal opening, historically and socially associated with virginity.
But it has no connection to a woman's sexual experience, and may break from non-sexual activities — such as inserting a tampon, cycling, gymnastics or horseback-riding — as well.However, the clinic said it intends to change its confirmation message, based on patient feedback.
A Pap smear test is a nationally-recommended screening test for cervical cancer.
It involves taking cells from the cervix, located at the end of the vagina.
A speculum is placed in the vagina to reveal the cervix, and a brush is then used to gently collect the cells.