If you're female AIBU to ask if you're ok with male health professionals at all times and in any scenario?

[DockerDre]

It's just that question really.

I have a mild preference for a woman for woman stuff but have never requested it. If our surgery took on a male nurse, I’d book smears more carefully. I want the ability to choose for the women for whom it is a strong preference.

Prefer female gp for attitude. Don't mind for technical things, tests etc

I wouldn't be bothered. I'm a nurse and used to work in gynaecology, if a patient ever requested a female doctor we would do our best to respect their wishes, (unless in an absolute emergency) and I fully understand why some women may prefer that. I've been sad to read some of the experiences people have had working or socialising with male doctors that have meant they would always ideally request a female, all of the consultants I used to work with were male and every one of them was kind, understanding and respectful and treated all of the patients with dignity.

Oh and to the PP who asked what if you are giving birth and only men are around - well look at how many women are uncomfortable. Maybe they should train more women gynaes so we don't have that problem.

Notice how many gynaecologists are men? Now, how many andrologists are women? Funny that. It's almost as though men have a sense of ingrained entitlement to women's bodies which is not reciprocated.....

I prefer a female in a gp setting or in a sexual health clinic (where I had to go for coil fitting), however if it was a consultant at hospital I wouldn't mind either way

I rarely ask for a female HCP at the doctors but I did not a recent breast exam, only the female GPs do coil fittings and I'd want a female nurse for cervical screening tests. At hospital I don't care at all, at this point its either urgent or a short term interaction.

Really doesn't bother me.

No, I would prefer a woman.

I've never had a bad experience with a male HCP, and I've never been taped or sexually assaulted (I mean, except for the countless low level stuff that every woman has experienced).

But no, I would prefer a woman. And this thread just confirms why.

Interesting that so many people say, 'as long as they're professional, I don't care'. And then posters who know, or have spent time with male medics / students, confirm that they're anything but professional in their down time.

I personally don't have a problem with seeing a male hcp, but I haven't had an experience that would make me wary. I think women should have the right to ask for a female if they feel they need to

I was fine with both until a male HCP assaulted me during an examination the day before I gave birth. Now I will only see female HCPs.

I’m happy to have any gender, any colour, pretty much any age, so long as they are an actual hcp or a student.

Personally, I could never say I was comfortable with any medical professional at all times and in all situations. I just can't imagine that. All of the times I've experienced medical abuse - verbal, physical, and sexual - have been at the hands of women HCPs though I think I've seen far more women HCPs than male ones, especially as an adult.

I can why others would be uncomfortable with a man in certain situations and think the choice should be there, just as I like the choice to have someone with me or in the waiting room for me to help me be more comfortable and help me cope with my medical anxiety. I think patient comfort as much as possible is important, as well as medical accountability so people feel that HCPs who do cross the line will be dealt with. Sadly, both can be lacking in some places.

I don't mind, though I can understand why some people would. I kind of understand the attitude thing but I've come across some uncaring and unpleasant female HCPs and plenty of excellent male ones. I don't think you can generalise.

I have no problem with it, had multiple gynae surgeries and IVF cycles all done by male Doctors

I sometimes ask for a female GP, they seem to be better with some aspects of women’s healthcare.
I don’t mind male consultants though but think the choice should be mine.

It doesn’t bother me. I’ve had a lot of gynaecology problems and most of the people I have seen have been male. I trust my hcp.

My teenage sons would rather see a male dr if it’s anything to do with bowels or testicles.

Most of my ivf scans were done by a male doctor so any qualms about it soon disappeared along with my dignity!

Chillax, to be fair, the students I knew were students - young, callow etc. Not very different from lots of other groups of men in their early to mid 20s. I am sure lots of them grew out of it.

But not all. And how do you know which ones?

Plus, so much of it is unacknowledged male privilege that they will just never get over. Look at that Adam Kaye book, This Is Going To Hurt. People raved about that (brave, funny, raw etc) but I just found him thoroughly unpleasant and not a little sexist. Really grim. But he's a lot of people's idea of a good empathetic male dr.

The plural of anecdotes is not data, but...

I was genuinely frightened when I had to attend a medical appointment carried out in a male doctor's practice with no-one else present on the premises except his son. As it turned out, he gave me a breast exam that was not required for the medical he was performing, but neglected to record my height and weight, which were required.

I know he was definitely trying it on, but I've also had a number of breast exams from other (male) doctors that didn't seem relevant to my complaint at the time. And as for some of the comments!

I've never, once, had a female doctor need to see my breasts, and in fact when I had an echocardiogram, the women asked me to move my own breast.

So, no, I'm no longer okay with male HCPs in every context. I don't feel vulnerable when I visit my male GP, bit if I'm naked or exposing my genitals, I feel safer attended by a woman.

Interesting that so many people say, 'as long as they're professional, I don't care'. And then posters who know, or have spent time with male medics / students, confirm that they're anything but professional in their down time.

I am a woman, a registered nurse who has worked and socialised alongside many male nurses and doctors and I have no problem at all being treated by male or female HCPs.

But not all. And how do you know which ones?

Exactly. So no thanks. Especially as I approach middle age. Even more no thank.

I love that @StreetwiseHercules is so impotently furious over the fact that people do get to choose. That is quite satisfying.

I mostly am.
I say mostly because I had to see a GP this week and would've preferred a female one,since there were none available and i got in with a last minute cancellation I was just happy to be seen.

I had a lump in my breast and the surgeon was male. Very blunt guy,but very professional. All exams were very clinical and he made me feel safe in his skill. I think the follow up scan was by a male too. Again no issues.

When I was in labour the male anaesthetist was the only one that believed me that I could feel everything and checked over and fiddled with things to make sure the epidural is still working.

However just because I'm comfortable, or if I'm not I can easily cope with it it doesn't mean I don't fully support the right of other women to be seen only by female HCP,regardless of reason or situation.

Couldn't have cared less until hitting the menopause. Then started picking out an appointments with female GPs with a name that sounded like they'd be my age group or older (god forbid you ever get to see the same doctor twice). In an emergency I doubt I'd care.

I've been in recently for: chest infection, pain in my hip (turns out to be sciatica), have two more appointments which are for a) menopause issue that will require a vaginal exam and b) migraines. I'll be fine for all of them with a male doctor except the exam. That I have requested a female doctor (and yes female, not identifies-as).