To think men should not be allowed to be gynaecologists

I’m a nurse and I catheterise men on the daily, I am not a man but that doesn’t mean I can’t professionally care for a man..
The same way some people feel men can be dismissive of women, I’ve seen female doctors be just as dismissive. It depends on the doctor and I feels that’s nothing to do with their gender.
Doctors care for cardiac patients but have never had heart issues themselves, you don’t have to experience the issues to treat and care for them. Yes don’t get me wrong it’s a benefit when you’ve been through it yourself but not necessary.

I understand some of the arguments for and against.

Arguments like 'so only people who've had cancer can be oncologists?' are utterly stupid because 1. half of prospective medical students aren't cancer survivors and 2. oncology isn't specifically and exclusively an intimate practice.

I will say for my most recent gynaecological health scare I was treated almost exclusively by women in a Women's Hospital (excepting one surgeon and I was under GA for that anyway) and it wasn't until I experienced it that I realised what a safe and comforting environment it was. The option should be available for all women who want and need it.

May the lord open what ?

That's not true - off the top of my head cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, urology all offer a mix of both medicine and surgery

I'd still be fine with a male gynae though: both women and men are equally capable of being brilliant and terrible doctors

It's because it's a mix of medicine and surgery. No other specialty allows you to do both.

I wouldn’t be bothered if it was a man or woman as long as they were competent. I think when you are younger you would feel uncomfortable. A few years ago I had a Haemorrhoidectomy (surgery to remove piles) and it was a male consultant who did the surgery. I had numerous male doctors examine me before my surgery but it didn’t bother me, I just wanted them to help me.

I am so grateful for my OH's female urologist. She was brilliant and saved his kidney by operating twice through his penis.

Good to know that by your argument, she shouldn't be allowed to do that job!

I've had male and female gynaecologist and tbh, I couldn't give a crap what see they are - they were both competent and understanding. That all I needed.
...and the male was not 'weird' in any way.

My male gynae saved my life after seeing 5 other consultants, some women, who told me it was all in my head

We discussing limitations of gynos and it is important to have all perspectives. It is implicit in my post that ability and bandwidth of the clinican to be empathetic is going to directly affect the care they are able to give to the patient.

I find if I have an expectation to be heard I have to be prepared to listen to the opposite persons experience too.

Good god, grow up. If you're uncomfortable, ask to see a woman. Not everything that makes you a bit uncomfortable should be banned. There's no such thing as womens jobs and men's jobs. At least not since the 1950s.

I completely agree! That's why so many women patients get dismissed for pain & gynae problems! They just don't get it.
Not to mention, any malpractice that occurs, oh yeah: MEN!
...and as for OP saying hers was fantastic! What does he do, give her lollipops fgs!?

I agree.

OP, you can always request a female gynaecologist.

There's been several recently all "men shouldn't be primary teachers/nursery workers/be allowed to treat women."
All very "men shouldn't be allowed near women and children in case they're a danger."
Just all seems a bit 🙄

Almost every thread here is a repeat after 25 years of mumsnet, so why pick at this one?

The main correlation with the doctor's sex I can think of is that no-one wants a gynae with very large hands if one with more slender fingers is available?

Haven't we just had this thread like 3 minutes ago? It's getting more and more like Groundhog Day on here.
YABU.
YANBU for wanting a female gynaecologist, but YABU to say that there shouldn't be any males doing it.

So presumably you think men should not be fertility doctors either OP?

YADNBU. I agree with everything you wrote

I wouldn’t want one not for the reasons you suggest but because if I say ‘it feels like X’ or ‘you know when Y’ I think a woman would have a better understanding. Yes I get that you could be an excellent doctor and not have experience of whatever issue they treat, but I do think something that is unique to women is better understood by another woman.

Of course she thought that.

YABU anyway, OP. It was a male gynaecologist that finally took me seriously. Women kept telling me to pull myself together. Pain is normal, apparently. Except, actually, it's not to that degree.

I think yabu - there is absolutely nothing sexy about your clots or your aging vagina I can promise you. Its not like many young attractive people see a gynacologist. If anything i would think a lot pf men would be put off the idea of seeing so many lady parts all day every day - let alone have to think about periods etc.

Do you feel the same way about female urologists?

Me and my DH needed IVF. His urologist (who needed to complete surgical sperm extraction) was female, and brilliant. The doctors who did my egg collection were male, also brilliant.

as often is the case first reply nails it.

Having a preference to see a woman because you believe you would be more comfortable is absolutely fine

I recall the female Dr performing my ERPC after my second missed miscarriage with twins following ivf treatment who after introducing herself said to me “ so you’re here today for an abortion “. I wish I hadn’t had to see her

Who said those things?

Whoosh!