Do you request a female doctor/nurse to do your smear test?

[catscan]

Just that really.

[LadyMcLadyCrisps]

It doesn’t personally bother me either way but I am absolutely 100% supportive of a woman’s right to do so. I would not want even one woman to be subjected to invasion of her body or space by a man against her wished and/or without her express agreement and/or consent and I do not care what the stats on it might be, I will fight for that ONE WOMAN if need be.


This ^^ 100%

[2sly4you]

I've had a lot of examinations for lots of reasons. I find that male doctors are better at smears/more gentle than female doctors but nurses surpass them both (I don't think I have been examined by a male nurse).
I can't account for the difference.
Oh, and if I have my history taken by one person (e.g. a nurse), and then I'm examined by another (e.g. a doctor), it's going to be a fucking nightmare because they don't read the notes properly.

[k2p2k2tog]

In my practice, it's always the nurses who do the smears. The practice nurses are all female. So it's pointless asking for a woman as that's who you'd get anyway.

When I was being referred to a gynaecologist for fibroid treatment I requested a woman and I'm glad I did as there was a lot of rummaging around.

[Gingersstuff]

Not something I've had to think about as our practice nurses have all been female. But yes, I would request a female nurse if need be.

[BeesAndChiscuits]

I ask for a woman - I would be even less comfortable with a man doing it.

[WhooooAmI24601]

No. I've had them done yearly since DS1 was born and sometimes it's a male, sometimes female. I'm easy whichever however I wouldn't try to undermine or underestimate the importance of a woman's right to choose who she'd prefer to see her in such a state of vulnerability simply because I have the luxury of not being bothered by it.

[AndInShortIWasAfraid]

I haven't yet had a smear test due to age but having had some very bad experiences with male doctors completely disregarding me during my pregnancy I think I would request a female doctor/nurse.

[Tawdrylocalbrouhaha]

I've never requested one, but the nurses who have carried out my smears have all been female.

I've had internal exams by male gynaecologists, which didn't bother me. They always call in a female chaperone though, for everyone's sake.

[MiddlingMum]

I was asked if I minded a male nurse doing my last one. Apparently so many women request a female nurse that some male nurses don't get enough experience. He was lovely and considerate, and made sure I was aware I could ask him to stop at any time. Actually we just chatted about other things while he got on with it. I saw him in Waitrose later that day and did think about what he'd been doing

[grannytomine]

No, I've always had it done by a female nurse but have had male and female doctors.

[Skarossinkplunger]

I have had a fair few gynae issues and I have always found that it is less painful/uncomfortable with male health professionals than female.

I think women think you just have to grin and bear it, whereas the men went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

[ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay]

I always request a female nurse for smears. I’ve had multiple ivfs and infertility investigations and I didn’t mind if the doctor was male or female. I think I’m ok with a male gynae as they have been through medical school. Not sure why.

[niceandtoasty]

As with some of the other posters, the nurse doing my smear test has always been a woman and it has never occurred to that I could get a male nurse.

I did have to have a gynaecological procedure done by a doctor and I was referred to a male doctor and wasn't told that I could have a choice for that. I think I would have preferred a female doctor (although I may be biased after the fact because he was horrible and it was a really difficult, painful experience).

[Voice0fReason]

All the nurses at my practice are female and I do prefer that for smear tests.
I've had examinations by male doctors before but there has always been a chaperone. I don't mind that.

Women should definitely have the right to ask for a female for any intimate exam.

[NeilPetark]

I haven’t really thought about it, but all the nurses at my surgery are female. I had a male midwife come out to see me after I had DS. He was wonderful.

[Aria2015]

No, I've had them done by a male doctor and female doctor. I don't have a preference, although I preferred how the male doctor allowed me to lie on my side rather than open my legs which felt less invasive.

[Maatsuyker]

No. I'm as comfortable with a man as with a woman. After years of fertility treatments I don't care who does what down there as long as they are professional about it.

However, I would support any woman who would ask for a female staff member if that makes her more comfortable.

[TowerRingInferno]

I’ve only ever had them done by male doctors (gynaecologists). I think they’ve always had female nurses as chaperones.

[Imnotposhjustquaint]

I’m not really bothered. I had a Nabothian cyst checked out around 6 months ago and it was a male doctor who examined me with a female nurse chaperone present.

I can certainly see why some prefer a female doctor.

[Scribblegirl]

The man who got rid of my cancerous cerix was male. I don't give a fuck frankly. I'd rather be alive.

There are many people who have a reason for requesting a woman. But for me the most clinically appropriate doctor was the priority.

[RainbowGlitterFairy]

It doesn't bother me. I quite like the male nurse at my GP's, hes very polite, gentle and efficient with a minimum of pointless chit chat.

[IfyouseeRitaMoreno]

No but I wish I had.

[borntobequiet]

I have always found male HCPs more sympathetic and respectful than females, who in my experience have been dismissive, unsympathetic and unkind - presumably because they themselves have had no problems, so can't understand women who do have problems, for example painful periods/PMDD.

[talulahbelle]

My first smear at 19 (back when they did them that young) was done by a male. I don’t remember having a problem with it.

[GummyGoddess]

Yes, because I make the possibly stupid assumption that they know what it's like and will therefore be more gentle. So far all the tests have been done by women and they have all been really nice to me.