to wait until Saturday to see a female doctor?

[cherryburton]

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?

Really glad you went Cherry, hope that'll be the end of it all

Imagine if all the blokes wanted a male nurse - the NHS wouldn't cope!

hope all is ok

@Pinots

Thanks everyone.

I don't think that's a very fair comparison SurreyDad, we're not talking about a nurse, we're talking about a doctor conducting intimate examinations, usually men have a good choice of male doctors should they prefer to see one.

Not relevant to Cherry anyway because she did decide to see the male doctor after all.

I had the same issue when I was concerned about a possible prostate problem, Cherry. Of course I cannot say whether it was more embarrassing for me seeing a female GP than for you seeing a male one - and you can't say either.

But please, Cherry, do as I did if you have any future worries: see whoever is free and be quick about it. Gender be damned.

KurriKurri: there are, still, more male than female GPs but the gap is closing and a man who really wants a male GP may have to wait, as I would have had to.

All the best, Cherry, you were clear and so was I!

Yes, I take your point Andrew, the gap is closing. And I echo your sentiment, please nobody let embarrassment stop you from getting the health care you need. And always be proactive in your own health awareness, and get anything that worries you checked.

I speak as a cancer patient, and I would hate anyone to have to go through the extended treatment I did, if a trip to the GP, whatever the gender, would mean theirs was caught earlier. I am fine now, but cancer treatment is one of the most unfun things I've done!

Andrew I'm so pleased you were all clear too

I think I'm going to have to go back. Whatever it is does not seem to be going away.

Hopefully its just a cyst or something.

For about 2-3 days every month my left boob really hurts. Kind of stabby and throbbing all at once. I'm guessing mine IS period related, prob when I ovulate as its just those few days.

Try not to worry and don't think the worst. Its probably something totally harmless.

The medical workforce is getting more feminine, especially in some specialities like GP, O&G, paediatrics but even things like urology (someone mentionned prostates). It won't be long till men wanting to see a male doctor have huge problems doing so, and given they have proved that getting blokes to attend the GP is difficult in the first place, it's potentially a big problem. Add in the general M/F split of FT/PT working and there's suddenly a problem seeing "your" doc each time too; no doc/pt relationship=potentially more uncomfortable for anyone.

Always get things checked if you have any doubts but do so with a female as they are more in touch with your issues.
Your pain is linked to bloating (water retention) a time in your cycle when your lymphatic drainage becomes sluggish. The lymph nodes are found thought the body but most significantly under the arm pits and can, when full, cause swelling of the breast. I have the same condition as you describe. Swimming and a good sustain jig-about should get rid of it!

I can understand how you feel. When I had DS and breastfeeding was failing in every way, every midwife had been round to have a poke and prod at my boobs, to no avail.

The best, most gentle, kindest midwife was a young man who was just so lovely, incredibly professional (he was the only one to say "do you mind if I touch the breast?"). I felt odd at first but he was so calm and professional that I kind of forgot that it was my boob he was poking.

Cherry - did you go back? How are you getting on?

Hope all is well.