Online Searches for 'Gynecologist Definition' Surged AfterBarbieMovie

Mar. 15, 2025

Margot Robbie, as Barbie, arrives for her first gynecological appointment in the hit movie.Photo:Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

TheBarbiemovie’s iconic final line — featuringMargot Robbie’s Mattell-doll-come-to-life at a doctor’s appointment, proudly saying, “I’m here to see my gynecologist” — sparked online interest in what exactly a gynecologist does.

“In the week followingBarbie’srelease, there were large increases in the national online search volume for terms referring to gynecologists…and gynecologist definition,” a recent study published in theJournal of the American Medical Associationsaid.

There was a 154.1% increase in the term “gynecologist definition,” specifically, and a 51.3% increase in the term “gynecologist.”

“Other thanBarbie’s release, there were no major events during this period that may have led to widespread changes in search interest in gynecology.”

Margo Robbie, as Barbie, arrives for her gynecological appointment in the final scene of the hit movie.Warner Bros. Pictures

“We were surprised to find that there was a measurable effect ofa single jokein a two-hour long comedy movie,” study author Christopher Worsham, a critical care physician at Mass General Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School toldPsyPost.

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“When we did some research into the film, we read that one of directorGreta Gerwig’s goals with the final line of the movie was to make it clear that gynecological care is normal, and so it was fun that we were able to find concrete evidence that it was effective in some way.”

Stock image of a woman at a doctor’s appointment.Getty

Getty

As Gerwig has said, she included the line not just as a“mic-drop kind of joke”but also as a way to normalize gynecological care for young women, calling it a “very emotional" scene.

“Growing up and being embarrassed about my body, and just feeling ashamed in a way that I couldn’t even describe,” Gerwig has said. “It felt like everything had to be hidden.”

“And then to see Margot as Barbie, with this big old smile on her face, saying what she says at the end with such happiness and joy — I was like, if I can give girls that feeling of, ‘Barbie does it, too,’ that’s both funny and emotional.”

“Most healthcare providers recommend seeing a gynecologist for the first time between 13 and 15,” theCleveland Clinicexplains, noting that “Once you’re sexually active or reach age 15, you should visit one regularly.”

source: people.com