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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wait until Saturday to see a female doctor?

63 replies

cherryburton · 28/06/2011 13:38

I'm a bit worried about my left breast; I had a really sore nipple the other day and I've got an intermittent dull ache. There doesn't seem to be a lump or anything but it's starting to worry me.

I've just made an appointment but I can't get in to see a female doctor until Saturday and I don't know if I'm being a bit daft not wanting to see a man? I could probably get an appointment more quickly but I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea.

But am also worried in case it's something serious and might get worse, and should be seen sooner?

AIBU to wait for a female?

OP posts:
Bast · 28/06/2011 13:40

YANBU but your surgery is for not providing a more adequate service.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2011 13:40

If you are worried I would see a male doctor as soon as you can. If course YANBU for wanting to see a female but the male docs have seen it all before. I'm sure all is ok but in the event would would need to see someone else, that someone may be male anyway

Best get it checked asap!

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2011 13:41

...and I cant see how the surgery is BU Bast - it's not like they are saying she cant see a doctor at all till sat, just a female one!

honeybunmum · 28/06/2011 13:41

It's only a few days away, if you feel more comfortable seeing a woman then do that. After all even if there is any cause for concern you'd probably have to wait to be referred anyway. If you were saying you had to wait a week or more, I'd say be brave and go asap. Good luck, hope it's all fine. x

LadyThumb · 28/06/2011 13:42

Yes, YABU ! FFS, there are breasts in newspapers, breastfeeding in public, and pop singers hang them out at any excuse. I am sure a male GP is not going to take offense at you whipping your breast out for a medical reason!!!!

nickelbabe · 28/06/2011 13:43

i think YANBU.

lady just because the Dr's seen it all before, doesn't mean she has to be comfortable with it!

I would ring the surgery again and tell them how worried you are, and that you really want to see a female doctor as soon as possible.

Callisto · 28/06/2011 13:44

YANBU for wanting to see a female doctor, but in my experience, male doctors are much gentler when examining me and much more sympathetic about any health worries. So maybe you should try seeing a male doctor - you may be pleasantly suprised at how nice they are.

Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 13:44

LadyThumb, not too worried about him taking offence! It's more to do with me not being comfortable with it.

Am trying not too stress about it too much in general but it's worrying me - do you need to find a lump for it to be something bad or can the symptoms I've mentioned be bad on their own?

OP posts:
Callisto · 28/06/2011 13:46

Don't start self-diagnosing - it's the road to stress and worry by the bucketful.

Bast · 28/06/2011 13:48

It is not BU to expect both female and male doctors to be just as available as each other, Betty.

BranchingOut · 28/06/2011 13:50

How about going to see a male doctor, but taking a female friend with you?

Or, ask the surgery for a female chaperone.

The other approach is to explain that you are not very comfortable - I am sure that any good doctor will be able to carry out the examination with the minimum necessary physical contact. Also, maybe you can carry a long scarf or similar to cover up any areas that are not being examined.

Bast · 28/06/2011 13:52

Cherry, the symptoms you describe could be a number of things, not necessarily cancerous, however, it is imperative you are checked and checked fully.

If seeing a female GP gives you the confidence to go in, talk freely and be palpated properly, then take that appointment.

Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 13:55

Thanks everyone. I might give it 24 hours and if am still stressing I'll try to bring the appointment forward.

Am trying very hard not to google diagnose...

OP posts:
Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 14:00

And now I have googled. Sad

OP posts:
anewyear · 28/06/2011 14:02

Do have a practise nurse, can she not have a quick look?

anewyear · 28/06/2011 14:02

bloomin PC,
She may be able to putyou mind at rest

anewyear · 28/06/2011 14:03

put your mind at rest.....even

thisisyesterday · 28/06/2011 14:04

yanbu to want to see a female GP, but do weigh that up against worrying yourself sick after googling! you might be better off seeing a male GP sooner so that you can put your mind at rest?

I think I'm in a minority of people who actually prefer a male doctor for things like this.... i somehow feel more comfortable with a man doing stuff down there than a lady!

mayorquimby · 28/06/2011 14:06

"It is not BU to expect both female and male doctors to be just as available as each other, Betty."

Well without knowing the details of the op's surgery, what do you suggest small local practices do. they may have only 2-4 doctors and it's the summer. If they only have 1 or 2 female doctors they may well be away on their holidays.

Bast · 28/06/2011 14:37

I wasn't aware it was a local, small practice.

If the surgery make choices that have a detrimental effect on their patients, they are U.

PssstOverHere · 28/06/2011 14:43

OP do you have an NHS walk in centre near you? You could call and ask if they have a female doctor in today or tomorrow and then go in. I doubt they would mind if you explained your concern.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2011 14:46

I fail to see how a surgery can possibly keep female/male docs free just in case someone has a preference.

My surgery has 4-5 doctors, one female, the rest male. You book and get what you are given.....arent' most doctors surgeries small and local ???

mayorquimby · 28/06/2011 14:47

I didn't say it was a small local practice. You made a statement that a practice was being unreasonable if they could not provide the same level of access to female doctors as male doctors.
I asked you what do you suggest smaller local practices do in that event, regardless of whether por not the op's practice is such a practice? due to their size or resources it may just so happen that at different times of the year, which are beyond their control, there will be a greater availability of one sex of doctor. You claim this is unreasonable. I'm asking what do you suggest are the alternatives?

Pixieonthemoor · 28/06/2011 14:49

I understand that you might feel a little uncomfortable but get yourself to the male doc ASAP. There is nothing sexual in it for them at all and you need to relieve yourself of the stress this is causing you. Go. Now.

porcamiseria · 28/06/2011 14:51

please go asap. hope its OK. and even if it is a harmnless tumour it will be likely removed by a male surgeon, so please just get it checked iout for your own peace of mind