Writer accuses GP practices of ‘treating women like idiots’ for asking them to explain how they know they’re ‘not pregnant’, but doctors say it’s ‘vital’ – so do you think the question is sexist?

A writer has accused GP practices of ‘treating women like idiots’ after making them explain how they know they are not pregnant when booking an appointment.

Alice Vinten, from Essex, a former police officer turned writer, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a screenshot of her attempt to book a doctor’s appointment online.

The form asked, “How do you know you’re not pregnant?” For example, if you are using birth control, you have not had vaginal sex with a man since your last period or you have had a negative pregnancy test in the past 24 hours.”

Alice filled out the form and wrote: ‘I am a 42 year old woman who does not need to explain to you why I know I am not pregnant. I know,” she wrote.

Alongside the tweet, Alice said: ‘Can all GP practices please stop treating women like idiots and asking them to explain how they know they are not pregnant. This question really f****s me. “I know I’m not pregnant, that should be enough of an answer.”

Alice Vinten, a former police officer turned writer, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a screenshot of her attempt to book a doctor’s appointment online

Dozens of women responded that they felt the same way, but several medical professionals said this was to protect the patient.

‘Frustrating for you, but essential for us. I have seen a woman who denied she was pregnant and then went into cardiac arrest due to a bleeding ectopic uterus. Absolutely terrifying experience for everyone. However, we don’t really have much say in how these questionnaires are designed,” said one doctor.

‘Wouldn’t this question still have helped? Also, this is a question I have to answer *every time* I want to contact the practice or request a GP appointment, as they are no longer taking calls for appts,” Alice replied.

Another wrote, “I recently had to ask a patient about a prescription I was issuing for antivirals and their response made me smile so much (she understood why)…. ‘I’m a raving homosexual…it’s the best form of contraception’ unfortunately the form didn’t have that option for me to check!’

“There’s no need to answer so rudely, though! This looks like a generic form, there may be women who need to double check this and this would prompt them to do so, but it is clearly a double check as it may change the care/treatment you receive!’ said another.

‘I am a midwife and have cared for a number of women (from very young to 45 years old) who either discovered they were pregnant late, or when they pushed out a baby at home (usually the bathroom). For some it was a first pregnancy, for some it was a second pregnancy. It’s not stupid Q,” one added.

“Every time I’m asked this question, and I’m a lot older than you, I always say ‘coincidence would be nice,’” another added. “Don’t worry so much about something so trivial.”

‘Wow. 500 words allowed for the explanation!’ said another.

Dozens of women responded that they felt the same way, but several medical professionals said this was to protect the patient

‘I understand why this is annoying, but there have been cases where people have had no idea they were pregnant and even had bleeding that they thought was menstruation. More of a duty of care than anything,” wrote another.

‘My favorite is when they ask if I’m likely to be pregnant and I say no, and then they ask when my last period was and I have to explain to them that my contraception means I don’t have them. THE HORROR (and lecture) every time,” another added.

‘Yes, or also for women who mainly have relationships with women; this question would require them to explicitly state that. It infantilizes all women and does not explicitly trust them to be in control of their own affairs,” said another.

‘I was 53 and in hospital for surgery for a broken ankle. I was asked if I was pregnant and I said no. They still made me take a urine test to prove it. Still completely amazed by this!

I have been having problems with my ribs for a year! I was asked if I could be pregnant.. I no, I was born without a uterus.. doctor.. okay, we still have to do a pregnancy test to confirm this. ..I had to walk out of the emergency room before I exploded.

I had to sign a waiver before surgery because I refused to take a pregnancy test as a 51 year old woman who had been in chemical menopause for 20+ years with severe adenomyosis and PCOS. Good grief.

If there is an ongoing reason why you are not pregnant, they should be able to record this in your records so that you do not have to be asked every time. A little thing that can save a lot of trauma for some.

I once saw someone answer this question with “20 years of lesbianism makes me pretty sure I’m not pregnant”