As reported by the New York Post, one woman took to TikTok to share her alleged experience getting a pap smear where her doctor offered to ‘scoop out’ her period.
During the video, which racked up millions of views, she said: “Scoop it out? Do I look like a pint of Häagen-Dazs? And, yeah… she scooped it out.”
Since then, OB-GYNs and experts have come forward to share the facts and debunk any myths surrounding ‘period scooping’.
What is period scooping?
Although it’s of course not a medical term, health experts have suggested that period scooping could refer to a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.
Dr Andrea Alexander, an OB-GYN based in Houston, told the publication that this is likely what the original video was referring to.
This surgery works by gently opening or dilating the cervix and then a spoon-shaped tool will be used to remove tissue from the uterine lining.
It’s usually used after a miscarriage or childbirth, as well as for some abortions and for treatment of some conditions like polyps, fibroids and endometrial hyperplasia, or as a diagnostic tool.
‘Period scooping’ could also refer to using a manual vacuum aspirator (MVA), or another gentle suction procedure to empty the uterus.
Again, this is used for miscarriages and abortions.
Alternatively, some experts have suggested the person could have been talking about menstrual extraction, where a cannula and syringe is used pull out menstrual flow in one go.
Why is period scooping controversial?
Experts and OB-GYNs have warned against period scooping as it’s not a procedure you should be doing to simply avoid having a period.
Dr Shannon Clark, an OB-GYN and professor at the University of Texas, said in a video response: “No OB-GYN, or any provider for that matter, should be offering to scoop anything out of anyone at the end of a routine procedure.”
She added: “There are things we can do to help someone who’s having irregular or heavy menstrual cycles. But people can’t just sign up for an appointment to just ‘scoop it out’ so they don’t have to have a menstrual cycle.”
Both methods cause unnecessary pain for the patient, most likely worse than your period would be, and it can increase the risk of infection if it’s done routinely.
“You need antibiotics to prevent sepsis and infection,” the expert explained. “But if you give too many antibiotics too routinely, you have the potential to cause bacterial resistance.”
Not to mention the potential of developing Asherman syndrome, which is when scar tissue builds up inside your uterus or cervix, causing pain, irregular periods and even infertility.
In short, ‘period scooping’ is simply a viral idea that’s best left on paper.