To think men should not be allowed to be gynaecologists

I wouldn't be against a ratio being enforced - say, requiring 70% of gynaecology students to be female, as over half of women prefer female gynaecologists, and very, very few actively prefer men. That would hopefully make it more likely that every woman who wants to see a female gynae would be able to, but it also provides for those who prefer men, and doesn't bar men from the speciality.

I think as mammographers can only be female, there's a precedent set there that it's acceptable for those dealing with intimate female issues to be female. Given the large percentage of women who have been sexually violated by men, who have religious objections, or who simply feel uncomfortable seeing a man, I think it's proportionate to ensure there's a large majority of female gynaes.

What an absolute dick, I’m so sorry. I hope you complained, but I know in similar circumstance's I haven’t because it took me a certain amount of time to process what happened and by then thought it was too late.

The pragmatic approach is to make sure women can always choose a female doctor but the sad thing is men are over represented in this specialism and when half of all doctors trained are now female you have to wonder why this gender imbalance is persisting?

I'm guessing some of it is down to the family 'unfriendliness' of hospital based specialisms putting women off but I don't think that accounts for all of it.

Anyway, it's built in as a feminist to question the motives of men drawn to careers that place them in positions of power over women at their most vulnerable because we know from experience (and the data) that abusers are attracted to just these sort of opportunities - even if they have to train for years and years...

I get everything you’re saying, but I think I also expected a mention of the patient, too, at the end.

I think you need to put your big pants on and get comfortable discussing your body and its functions, tbh.

Women aren’t generally a danger to women/sexual predators, so that doesn’t stand up.

I would never see a male gynaecologist. I use private healthcare and always choose a woman. I think as long as women can request a woman, that’s ok. Some women don’t care, others do and that matters.

On mumsnet, men always make the best midwives, gynaecologists and nursery workers. Men are the bestest of the best. 😂

I had 2 males wake me up tell me no fibroid existing (oh it doesn’t cause heaviness in the abdomen, numbness, periods all over the place but they’d stuck a coil in anyway after this apparent non problem - I could have cried.

After 3 months the coil was pulled out and put in the best place of clinical waste before it managed to ruin anymore of my life missold.

A year later blisters of pockets of fluid grew in my lower limbs did I have a blood clot, a pulmonary embolism, a raging infection with the intent to go up to the lungs, off to surgery the fibroid after a battle of 2 years died. Under a male orthopaedic surgeon. My periods duly returned to an on time each month given I’m now in my 40’s and I’ve not taken HRT for a whole year odd that. Till the day they put me in the ground the gynae problem they couldn’t be bothered with I feel caused the medical emergency last year.

Can ‘t and won’t salute females either, on 17th March 2025 just before my very urgent rush surgery I’d got a uti due to not taking HRT? They can stick their HRT if they genuinely believe it exists to treat UTI’s… Hilarious when they won’t ever test an under 45 yr old for the menopause.

My male midwife saved my baby

Do you normally go around calling people handmaids for disagreeing with you?

Oh, and I bet you'd change your tune pretty sharpish if you developed symptoms of something potentially serious/urgent and there were no female gynaes available.

Don't be ridiculous. People are allowed to disagree with you without you insulting them

I would much prefer to see a female than a male obstetrician/gynaecologist. I would refuse to see a male obgyn if it involved any physical examination and book an appointment for another day if there wasn't a female OBGYN available (unless it was an emergency situation of course, like birth!).

I wonder if history of sexual assault/abuse influences womens opinions on your question OP. I'd assume anyone who had been a victim of sexual assault/abuse with a male perpetrator would find it very difficult to see a male obgyn.

Man or woman doesn’t bother me. I’m beginning to be a creeped out by instagram though because for no reason I can think of other than it has ESP posts from a male consultant gynaecologist in York cal.wilson have been popping up on my feed in the last week or two
He explained why he chose gynaecology as his specialty and his posts are really interesting and informative. He’s well worth a follow.

I was under gynae from about 12 for heavy periods, and really gave no shits it was a male consultant - there was always a female nurse (and my mum) there. It was a male GP who referred me, the female GP we had seen previously seemed to think it was normal that I was dripping blood all over school.

The idea that male doctors will get a thrill from looking at fannies all day is wild to me. Surely it becomes just like looking at noses or feet or throats or whatever body part you specialise in?

You are being completely ridiculous.

You are being unreasonable. I have been much more comfortable with male gynaecologist. Women are not necessarily more sympathetic. If you would prefer to see a woman you can ask to do so.
Banning anyone from any profession just on grounds of sex is suspect, really, it is.

Yes, obviously there should always be an option to see a female doctor if wanted.

I’ve seen 3 different gynae consultants over the years, and all male. No embarrassment whatsoever on my part. Yes it’s reasonable to wonder why a man would choose that specialty. You may also wonder why someone would choose to be an ophthalmologist ie operating on eyes for a living. Why be a colorectal surgeon and spend time operating on bottoms.

I have endometriosis and have met more gynaecologists than people wish to meet.

The male ones were much nicer than the female ones.

The male ones actually listened to my concerns. The female ones blamed my endometriosis pain on my “anxiety” and told me I needed counselling.

If you want appointments with female gynae’s then pay to see a private female gynae.

A man refusing to see a female urologists would be roundly mocked and criticised on here.

I don't care one bit whether my gynaecologist or obstetrician is male or female. But I support the right of women to ask for a female doctor, and would also support that man in asking for a male urologist.

But it's ridiculous to say that men shouldn't be allowed to be gynaecologists.

No issue at all with you requesting treatment by a female doctor, I would defend the right to that at any time, but why do you feel the need to make that choice for others, especially when the outcome of that would be even longer waits for treatment given the number of male specialists already working in the specialism, one of whom not only saved my life but provided excellent care which was really responsive to my feelings.

The other outcome that would be highly likely to follow would other fields being reserved for male doctors and I just dont see how that is a healthy way for any profession to operate.

I certainly don’t think they should be banned, but I do internally wonder what made them want to be a gynae!

Urologists aren't 'penis doctors ' , they are specialists in the urinary tract. Bladder, kidney, urethra. Half of their patients have a penis, the other half a vagina. But it's all in the same area.

I wouldn't hold him up as an example of a good male gynecologist. The story is his book about deliberately stitching up a woman's tattoo is grim and reeks of misogyny.

Don’t let the bastards grind you down love 😂 you can post your opinion and have posters rightly hand you your arse. If you don’t want a man, decline one. It’s that easy. You don’t get to opine then judge everyone else’s experiences. For what it’s worth I don’t go for smears etc, due to extremely traumatic rape in my past. But if I felt able to I wouldn’t hold it against a male or female professional either way. Many women in fact report that men are far gentler and careful.

I’ve had to have many many intimate examinations and gynae appointments and surgeries, some with me others with women. The absolute best gynaecologist I’ve had was male. He was lovely. But on the whole I’ve found men less prone to making assumptions due to their own experience (cos they ain’t got any) and more gentle in examinations (apart from one who was truly awful).