Violence, discrimination… What to remember from an association’s report on consent in gynecology

Consent is still not taken for granted in gynecology practices, according to a survey posted online on Friday July 17 by StopVOG. The association, committed to the fight against obstetric and gynecological violence, collected the testimonies of 10,152 people, to 98% of women, “distributed throughout the territory”on a voluntary basis, through an online questionnaire available from July 30 to December 31, 2025.

This 240 page report born “does not claim to be representative of all gynecological consultations carried out in France“, even if it was carried out with the support of researchers. It highlights the extent of this medical violence and the desire of patients to be more respected. Franceinfo summarizes the key figures from this first national survey on the subject.

Consent rarely fully respected

Among the respondents, more than eight in 10 report at least one violation of their consent during a gynecological examination, for example when a doctor did not ask for their consent before carrying out an examination of intimate areas or a smear. StopVOG also points out the fact that more than 84% of respondents say “not having always received sufficient information” on the interest of each exam and its progress, which constitutes according to the association “a major obstacle to informed consent”.

Half of respondents report serious breaches of consent, “which may amount to sexual violence”according to StopVOG, as an examination carried out without warning the patient or despite her refusal, an examination accepted under pressure or out of a feeling of obligation or a painful examination. “The doctor inserted his fingers into my vagina without warning me beforehand of his action. I experienced it as rape. He was very brutal and I was in great pain”reports a patient.

One in two respondents said they had already undergone an examination that was “too painful for them, but which was continued despite the pain or the request to stop.”The most frequently cited procedures are speculum insertion (20%), vaginal examination (15%), smear (14%), IUD insertion (13%) and endovaginal ultrasound (12%).details the report. The investigation also concerns “inappropriate gestures on private parts” for almost 10% of respondents.

“The presence of a third party in the context of gynecological care remains too often trivialized, even though it must be the subject of explicit and prior agreement from the patient”also underlines the study. This reports numerous testimonies from patients who have had difficulty with the presence of medical students, imposed without their consent.

Nearly one in two people are victims of violence

In total, 45% of those questioned said they had been victims of violence during a consultation. Nearly 30% report gynecological violence, that is to say during follow-up (classic and in the event of recourse to abortion), and a quarter report obstetric violence, occurring during maternity follow-up (pregnancy, childbirth, stay in the maternity ward). The perpetrators of this violence, according to the report, are 40% gynecologists, 15% other doctors (radiologists, anesthesiologists, sonographers, general practitioners) and 13% midwives.

“During my first examination, I felt very bad, the doctor did not ask my consent before inserting a tool and minimized my discomfort by joking, even though I was a minor and had never had penetration before”says one of the respondents.

Furthermore, the survey reveals fragmented information during consultations on the different methods of contraception, and practices that do not respect good medical practices, such as a vaginal examination or an endovaginal ultrasound before any sexual intercourse with vaginal penetration (18% of respondents), a vaginal examination before the age of 17 (35%), a smear before the age of 25 (67%) or a vaginal examination without wearing gloves (4%). The StopVOG association points out that the smear, which allows superficial cells to be taken from the cervix to detect cancer, is only recommended by the High Authority for Health after the age of 25.

The investigation also highlighted numerous cases of violence suffered by young children during medical consultations. “The request for consent is often made only through those with parental authority, without information or assent from the child”notes StopVOG, reporting testimonies reporting trauma linked to rectal examinations carried out on young children.

Numerous cases of discrimination

Nearly 40% of respondents say they have suffered discrimination in their healthcare journey, continues the association. She lists the different cases recorded: “sexism, fatphobia, racism, discrimination linked to sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, reproductive choices”.

An impact on mental health and medical monitoring

Overall, the report reflects a widely shared negative feeling regarding gynecological or obstetrical follow-up. More than seven out of ten people say “have already felt physically and/or psychologically unwell after leaving a gynecological consultation, without this being linked to concern for their health”.

For one in two people, this had an impact on medical follow-up, sometimes to the point of leading to a cessation of all gynecological follow-up. The association also points out the risks of psychological disorders (loss of confidence, anxiety, sleep disorders, degraded sexuality, etc.). As for violence suffered during maternity care, it is correlated with an increased risk of postpartum depression, according to the survey.

This is why the association recommends strengthening prevention and information on rights and consent, and integrating obstetric and gynecological violence into the training of caregivers. StopVOG issues other recommendations, which it wishes to see adopted as part of the comprehensive bill against gender-based and sexual violence, which must be examined at the start of the school year by Parliament.