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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Male hospital staff

521 replies

ToadRage · 20/05/2026 13:51

I don't really know how i feel about this or if I'm just being a bit precious. I had an appointment for a transvaginal ultrasound a couple of weeks ago. I was a bit shocked to find the sonographer was a man. A female nurse was present and she did all the talking, he barely said a word to me. I have had ultrasounds before but they have always been done by women. He was professional and nothing out of the ordinary happened but I felt a bit awkward as I haven't had a man down there except my husband in 20+ years, not even a male doctor. Am I wrong in thinking I should have been told it was going to be done by a man, maybe given the option to request a woman or AIBU?

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CocoQueen2024 · 21/05/2026 13:15

Ive had three of these ultrasounds and where I get them done, they have asked if I prefer male or female doing the procedure and then give me an appointment according to what I want.

TheignT · 21/05/2026 13:14

Gloriia · 21/05/2026 13:10

Man tells women things 'stuck up bum' just the same as vaginal examinations and he's allegedly a hcp Confused.

From a woman it's worse. Hopefully you won't find out but it really isn't pleasant, well if it's a colonoscopy I suppose there are other things that might be easier.

TheignT · 21/05/2026 13:12

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 13:04

You just can't stop digging that hole, can you? Now you compare your rectum to a woman's vagina ~ 'not a million miles away'! Please stop inserting yourself into posts about things you know nothing about, and we won't tell you what we think you should have felt about your vasectomy.

I've had smears and a colonoscopy (,thing stuck up my bum). If I had to choose I'd go with the smear any day. It is much quicker and less painful in my experience. Also not nearly as invasive and embarrassing, the camera has to go way further than is needed for a smear. The plus side is you get to see part of your body that isn't normally visible. I also had an angiogram and got to see other bits of my inner workings but it felt less embarrassing.

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 21/05/2026 13:12

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 13:04

You just can't stop digging that hole, can you? Now you compare your rectum to a woman's vagina ~ 'not a million miles away'! Please stop inserting yourself into posts about things you know nothing about, and we won't tell you what we think you should have felt about your vasectomy.

I'm sorry but digging the hole is a very funny analogy in this context.

Misogyny in the healthcare system is probably partly based on men not really seeing much difference between men and women and having a total lack of empathy for women. It's shocking how much is normalised for women that I've only learned recently is not normal at all.

Gloriia · 21/05/2026 13:10

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 13:04

You just can't stop digging that hole, can you? Now you compare your rectum to a woman's vagina ~ 'not a million miles away'! Please stop inserting yourself into posts about things you know nothing about, and we won't tell you what we think you should have felt about your vasectomy.

Man tells women things 'stuck up bum' just the same as vaginal examinations and he's allegedly a hcp Confused.

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 13:10

Ninapertree · 20/05/2026 21:44

Its also a bit "ugh" to think how many vaginas its been in before us

Oh ffs they clean it! You're not going to get one of your own.

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 13:07

Gloriia · 21/05/2026 13:00

Oh dear. The fact that you're a male nurse and can't see the difference between women having vaginal examinations and 'things stuck up your bum' is deeply concerning.
Are you still a nurse?

I've answered some points upthread.

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 13:04

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:53

None, obviously. But I have given such treatment. And I have received treatment by having things stuck up my bum. Which is not a million miles away.
Anyway, I sense you're not one for reasonable debate.

You just can't stop digging that hole, can you? Now you compare your rectum to a woman's vagina ~ 'not a million miles away'! Please stop inserting yourself into posts about things you know nothing about, and we won't tell you what we think you should have felt about your vasectomy.

Gloriia · 21/05/2026 13:00

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:53

None, obviously. But I have given such treatment. And I have received treatment by having things stuck up my bum. Which is not a million miles away.
Anyway, I sense you're not one for reasonable debate.

Oh dear. The fact that you're a male nurse and can't see the difference between women having vaginal examinations and 'things stuck up your bum' is deeply concerning.
Are you still a nurse?

C8H10N4O2 · 21/05/2026 12:54

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:53

None, obviously. But I have given such treatment. And I have received treatment by having things stuck up my bum. Which is not a million miles away.
Anyway, I sense you're not one for reasonable debate.

And I have received treatment by having things stuck up my bum. Which is not a million miles away

The fact that you believe this to be comparable is precisely the problem.

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:53

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 12:41

What experience do you have of an object being inserted into your vagina ~ which is what the post was about?

None, obviously. But I have given such treatment. And I have received treatment by having things stuck up my bum. Which is not a million miles away.
Anyway, I sense you're not one for reasonable debate.

henlake7 · 21/05/2026 12:50

I went for one recently and it was a male doing it. As it turns out I didnt have it done though as Ive never been 'open for business' down there and he didnt fancy his chances!😆
It didnt bother me that he was a man though. They will always have a chaperone for you and as a health care professional myself I know how my male colleagues view this kind of thing (same way I regard male patients. We try to be as respectful as possible but its honestly just a job!).

C8H10N4O2 · 21/05/2026 12:49

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 12:41

What experience do you have of an object being inserted into your vagina ~ which is what the post was about?

He has the holy penis. Of course he know more about being a woman than <checks notes> women.

Apparently not able to acknowledge that the reason many women are unwilling or unable to tolerate intimate treatment by men is the realities of men. When men compare what its like for a women to have an unknown sonographer penetrate them with a penis shaped object to having a female urologist they are telling me they have no fucking clue.
I hope such men are less tone deaf to women’s concerns when actually dealing with them.

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 12:41

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:26

I have no vagina, that's true. But I have relevant experience both as a treatment-giver and receiver - some have found it relevant. You don't. Fair enough 🤷 Up to you.

What experience do you have of an object being inserted into your vagina ~ which is what the post was about?

InterestedDad37 · 21/05/2026 12:26

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 12:16

This post is about women having transvaginal ultrasounds. You have no vagina. I fail to see what your experiences as a male have to do with this. And while I'm on the subject, I'm astounded that you think any of us will be interested in your opinion. I see for the first time why so many women wish men would stay off MN.

I have no vagina, that's true. But I have relevant experience both as a treatment-giver and receiver - some have found it relevant. You don't. Fair enough 🤷 Up to you.

ItWasAlwaysMaybelline · 21/05/2026 12:16

InterestedDad37 · 20/05/2026 14:51

As a (male) nurse, I was involved in treatment of 'private bits' of men, women and children. So was my dad, my mum, my sister, and many of my relatives, both male and female.
As a patient, I've had a female surgeon do my vasectomy, and female nurses changing dressings when I had to have an operation 'downstairs'.
And guess what? Nothing untoward ever happened. Everyone was professional, and just did their job. Or was happy with their treatment.

This post is about women having transvaginal ultrasounds. You have no vagina. I fail to see what your experiences as a male have to do with this. And while I'm on the subject, I'm astounded that you think any of us will be interested in your opinion. I see for the first time why so many women wish men would stay off MN.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 21/05/2026 11:48

ThisCandidMintGoose · 21/05/2026 11:17

great, but most women do not feel any discomfort and see no difference between a male or a female doctor. If there's any discomfort, it really has nothing to do with the sex or gender.

interesting that you translate the interest of someone who tries to help women as being selfish and self-centered. You might want to read WHO has made breakthrough in medicine and pain management.

Some people care. Some people don't. I mean PEOPLE, men or women.

but most women do not feel any discomfort

What is your evidence for ‘most’ women not feeling discomfort as that’s not reflecting anything I’ve seen. It seems to be a very vocal but tiny minority that genuinely doesn’t care.

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 21/05/2026 11:47

Allisnotlost1 · 21/05/2026 08:00

What woefully misinformed nonsense. It’s nothing to do with EDI, the number of women across all specialisms has increased, so there are actually fewer men in Obs and Gynae than in the past. I’m in hospital now, on a gynae ward, and the doctor I’ve just seen is a young man. My own consultant is a woman, as are almost all the nursing staff.

Sonography is not gynaecology. But since you ask. Why wouldn’t a man be just as interested in the unusual combination of medicine and surgery gynae offers? Or the incredible opportunity to save and deliver new life in obs? Seems very important to me that men are interested in women’s health rather than the more traditionally exciting areas like ortho and cardiology. If only men outside of this specialism gave a shit about our health maybe we’d be better off.

Any case of sexual assault is disgusting and terrifying but keep a sense of proportion - it’s less than 1.5% of medical staff who are accused (using your figures). You’re more at risk in a bar, or a taxi, or at the gym or even at work.

What woefully misinformed nonsense. It’s nothing to do with EDI,

You seem to be the woefully misinformed one here. There have been campaigns by nursing organisations and the NHS to increase the number of men in disciplines relating to female medical care as well as childcare. No coincidence that there is a rise in the number of female patients and children in childcare settings being sexually abused.

Sonography is not gynaecology.

I haven’t mentioned gynaecology 🤷‍♀️

Seems very important to me that men are interested in women’s health rather than the more traditionally exciting areas like ortho and cardiology.

Trouble us, we (and the courts) know that some men are attracted to female medical issues or things like childcare for very bad reasons. A further complication is that they don’t tell us that up front. So we don’t find out which ones have bad intentions until they have committed a crime. You may be happy to gamble your safety but you can’t speak for others.

Any case of sexual assault is disgusting and terrifying but keep a sense of proportion - it’s less than 1.5% of medical staff who are accused

Oh that’s ok then - we’ll just carry on as we are and tell the victims (oh wait, we can’t tell the 76 yr old who was raped and died of her injuries by a man in a hospital - they haven’t quite got around to catching anyone because they are clearly too busy - from the details of the case it was most likely to be a staff member) they are just the unlucky ones and ‘only’ 1.5% of male staff in the NHS are likely to be rapists. Not a problem.

You’re more at risk in a bar, or a taxi, or at the gym or even at work.

Do you have any figures to back that claim? Why do you dismiss the fact that women are being sexually assaulted by male colleagues as ‘needing to keep a sense of proportion’?? What is remotely dismissible about a vulnerable woman, often immobilised and ill being sexually assaulted by the man paid to provide her care?

Or the incredible opportunity to save and deliver new life in obs?

The number of male midwives is tiny. Yet the number of male midwives convicted of sexual offences is not zero.

The number of male childcare workers is tiny, yet the number of male childcare workers convicted of raping children is far more than zero.

If you want to argue for more men in these areas you need to decide how many sexual assaults and rapes you find acceptable as a result.

ThisCandidMintGoose · 21/05/2026 11:17

Dahliadaily · 21/05/2026 11:09

Men are responsible for the overwhelming majority of sexual offences. Men have paraphilias more commonly than women.
even leaving that aside, I don’t want to be treated by someone who puts their career before women’s understandable discomfort.

Same goes for the “what about lesbian health practitioners” argument. Think about it.

great, but most women do not feel any discomfort and see no difference between a male or a female doctor. If there's any discomfort, it really has nothing to do with the sex or gender.

interesting that you translate the interest of someone who tries to help women as being selfish and self-centered. You might want to read WHO has made breakthrough in medicine and pain management.

Some people care. Some people don't. I mean PEOPLE, men or women.

Dahliadaily · 21/05/2026 11:09

thisishowidisappear · 20/05/2026 15:33

Think thats a rather nasty post.
what about women who specialise in male anatomy?

you can always ask, you just may not get, or may to wait ( but again, that’s up too the person, i can understand some woman not wanting a man).
it’s never bothered me having a bloke. Ive had some better ( rather embarrassing for me!) apps with men.
I've had this procedure with a man, and a breast appt with a man, all ok.
i would rather have them and get them out the way ( but that’s just me).

Men are responsible for the overwhelming majority of sexual offences. Men have paraphilias more commonly than women.
even leaving that aside, I don’t want to be treated by someone who puts their career before women’s understandable discomfort.

Same goes for the “what about lesbian health practitioners” argument. Think about it.

Superscientist · 21/05/2026 11:04

ThisKeenPinkSnail · 21/05/2026 11:00

Well, you are lucky to have never had a different experience and obviously any woman who is assaulted by a male doctor, such as myself, was just not vigilant enough. Unlike you. Their fault.

That is not what I was saying at all just that during my exams I was able to see what he was doing. The Dr went out of his way to ensure that I knew what was going on at each step. I would say rather than it being a sign of the difference in the patient it was the difference in the Drs. A doctor that doesn't want you to know what they are doing as they are doing it would not make their actions as visible. During these two specific examination I felt comfortable that he was doing nothing more or less than was necessary medically.

ThisKeenPinkSnail · 21/05/2026 11:00

Superscientist · 21/05/2026 10:54

Well I knew that they had gloves on when they went under the sheet. Still had them on when they asked for the speculum and then the swab for the preterm labour test and then for the infection test and then when they removed the speculum so yes I didn't see exactly what they were doing but their hands were never out of my sight for more than about 15-20 seconds at a time

Well, you are lucky to have never had a different experience and obviously any woman who is assaulted by a male doctor, such as myself, was just not vigilant enough. Unlike you. Their fault.

ThisKeenPinkSnail · 21/05/2026 10:59

Whyarepeople · 21/05/2026 10:50

I was pointing out that the tarring comment is ridiculous because no one is tarring anyone. I stand by that. I never said anything about everyone or brushes or anything like that. It's the word 'tarring' I take issue with as you're implying people are accusing men of things. They are not.

To clarify for people who seem to have comprehension difficulties around this, I do not believe a male HCP will assault me. I literally have no concern whatsoever about that (I understand others do). The reason I don't want a male to do an vaginal ultrasound is because being in a dim room with a man I don't know penetrating me, with anything, is a horror situation for me. It doesn't matter how kind or nice or lovely he is. It doesn't matter how good his intentions.

Your feelings aren't wrong, nor would they be wrong if you felt differently. I totally get how you feel. I have been assaulted by one male doctor, but I don't expect men in those kind of positions to assault me. It's just one, out of so many more I have seen who are very professional and some I have been very comfortable with. I don't worry if I'm seeing a male professional but there are some situations I feel more comfortable with a woman. That said, I had a male GP for years who I felt very comfortable with for everything.

I'm not comfortable with anyone putting a probe up there but, if given the option, I'll choose a woman. Really just because I prefer someone with the same biology who has the same parts and more understanding of that experience.

Last TVU I had I couldn't help but feel that if men had to have them, they'd have found another way by now.

Superscientist · 21/05/2026 10:54

ThisKeenPinkSnail · 21/05/2026 10:24

You can't see their hands once they are behind the sheet that token covers you and they can take them off. A thing you might not notice till after the fact. Don't know what kind of contortionist you'd have to be to watch that sort of thing.

Well I knew that they had gloves on when they went under the sheet. Still had them on when they asked for the speculum and then the swab for the preterm labour test and then for the infection test and then when they removed the speculum so yes I didn't see exactly what they were doing but their hands were never out of my sight for more than about 15-20 seconds at a time

Whyarepeople · 21/05/2026 10:50

INeedaDietcoke · 21/05/2026 08:52

I literally said it's an uncomfortable and vulnerable position to be in, and I don't even carry the same trauma as you. I also said providers should be understanding if women express a preference. I also said 'men shouldn't be tarred', not 'everyone here is tarring men with this brush'.

We are saying basically the same thing, you've just picked one part of my comment and gone to town calling it ridiculous. I wasn't attacking you for your very valid feelings.

I was pointing out that the tarring comment is ridiculous because no one is tarring anyone. I stand by that. I never said anything about everyone or brushes or anything like that. It's the word 'tarring' I take issue with as you're implying people are accusing men of things. They are not.

To clarify for people who seem to have comprehension difficulties around this, I do not believe a male HCP will assault me. I literally have no concern whatsoever about that (I understand others do). The reason I don't want a male to do an vaginal ultrasound is because being in a dim room with a man I don't know penetrating me, with anything, is a horror situation for me. It doesn't matter how kind or nice or lovely he is. It doesn't matter how good his intentions.