GP and "Lady Bits".

[LadyJJ]

I had a phone consultation with a GP earlier regarding my HRT (patches and topical oestrogen).
Throughout the consultation she referred to my vagina/vulva as my "Lady Bits ".
It felt very odd, I used the anatomical words.
AIBU to expect a doctor not to use weird euphemisms?

I actually quite like using euphemisms such as "lady bits" when casually discussing women's health issues with my DH.

Same here.

But with a medical professional, I'd expect to use and hear more serious words, like (at the very least) "genitals" (internal or external), or (when more specific) "vulva" and "vagina"

It depends. I’d be fine with my GP, she’s quite informal, but would find it strange from my gynaecologist.

Be guided by the patient if you’re going to start using terms like this, surely? I guess they have a place if someone is clearly embarrassed by the subject and using euphemisms themselves. If, and only if, it is clear everyone knows what is actually being discussed. For anyone else, correct terminology.

I’ve only experienced this once myself - a locum used the horrendous phrase ‘front bottom’. I find this utterly repulsive - it’s not another anus fgs! Not something I ever used as a child (nether regions was the preferred term, so much more dignified!) so I certainly don’t plan to start in my 40s.

As long as you know what is meant it doesn't matter.
I wouldn't be bothered about it.

A lot of women- you'd be surprised how many- wouldn't know what a vagina or vulva is, but it is weird if you were using those terms and she wasn't guided by that.

First world problems.

I went to see a GP once and he asked me whether relations with my husband were ok. I though he was asking about the state of our relationship- ie was I really stressed. Turned out he was asking me whether sex was painful. Very confusing conversation

@Monthstogo21

I cannot stand the tweeness of these things. Just call it by the right name. I feel the same 're poop. Hate it

"mammy, I left a pile of faeces in the toilet for you" 😆😆😆😆

At my 6 week postnatal check, I misheard my OB consultant - I heard the question "are you feeling yourself?" and assumed he was checking for signs of PND. I pulled a face and said "my mood has been quite up and down actually"... I realised he had asked me if I was FEEDING myself, aka was I breastfeeding. Very confusing phrasing either way. He was very pleased that I confirmed I was breastfeeding, and then totally failed to follow up on my lead about my low mood

This reminds me that last year I went into our surgery to book an appointment. It was a little busy so when the receptionist asked me why I needed to see the GP, I thought quickly and said "It's a problem to do with my... undercarriage." She actually yelped back a laugh.

I still have no idea why I used that particular word 😄

Had a doctor repeatedly refer to my front passage, no matters how many times he heard me say vagina... so wish I'd said that if he said front passage one more time I'd start calling it my cunt (settled instead for snapping that I wasn't a complete idiot and did understand the correct terms when he explained uterus and cervix, again after is used the words myself). I get that done people might need / prefer euphemisms, but it seems a pretty basic requirement for a competent GP to be able to talk to the person in front of them rather than have a set script to follow regardless.

I accompanied my son to a doctor’s appointment and she used “Peepee area” to refer to his genitals, he would’ve been around 12 at the time, we just looked at each other and lost it. The very words peepee area are enough to break us out in hysterics to this day

I couldn't get worked up about this tbh.

A gynae once asked me if I used "double protection". Took me a minute to work out what they meant!

You could have asked what did she mean by lady parts.

@Time2Move

Had a doctor repeatedly refer to my front passage, no matters how many times he heard me say vagina... so wish I'd said that if he said front passage one more time I'd start calling it my cunt (settled instead for snapping that I wasn't a complete idiot and did understand the correct terms when he explained uterus and cervix, again after is used the words myself). I get that done people might need / prefer euphemisms, but it seems a pretty basic requirement for a competent GP to be able to talk to the person in front of them rather than have a set script to follow regardless.

But why do you take a doctor using his/her cell referred terminology as an affront to you intelligence?

I simply cannot see the big issue here. If anything it shows that a lot of women here gave insecurities about their intelligence. They assume that a doctor not using the technical term for a body part means the doctor is implying that they don’t k ow the correct term.

Weird

@baroqueandblue

This reminds me that last year I went into our surgery to book an appointment. It was a little busy so when the receptionist asked me why I needed to see the GP, I thought quickly and said "It's a problem to do with my... undercarriage." She actually yelped back a laugh.

I still have no idea why I used that particular word 😄

My Granny used to say undercarriage (if forced to refer to it), and unmentionables for knickers! Made me smile to remember it :)

@Biscuitsneeded

That's not good. I train student doctors in communication skills. That sort of language would be challenged by me and any of my colleagues!

A doctor should speak whatever language the patient understands and is comfortable with.

Stomach and abdomen may be different, but in doctor-speak both are your tummy.

This kind of language makes me cringe. As does suddenly being called by my first name, the full version. Which I hate, hence I use the short version in real life.

My sympathies are with the HCPs. One minute they might be talking to an elderly person who may never have been taught about how their own bodies work. Next, they might be talking to someone from a conservative religious background who is very prudish and repressed. Then they may be talking to a confident articulate middle class professional who considers euphemisms about body parts & functions to be ridiculous and expects to be spoken to as an equal by doctors.

It must be tricky to find exactly the right tone for each individual patient.

@ahfuck foofoo is much worse.

I am an HCP but in much different role, so rarely have to discuss sexual health so maybe it would make a difference if I did it every day.
Yes I do think it's weird and uncomfortable to be discussing sexual health with a professional that uses child like euphemisms.
I just found the whole thing odd, like seeing a Podatrist who referred to your feet as Tootsies the whole time.

I would expect a female doctor in 2021 to be more able to name the anatomical names than saying "Lady Bits"....

Doesn't get you anywhere does it?

"Sorry doctor, which lady bits are you talking about?" Ridiculous.

I go to my male doctor about my "Lady Bits" Neither of us raise an eyebrow.

@FelicityBeedle

A lot of people feel more comfortable with euphemism, probably the majority. Doctors always say ‘downstairs’ or ‘back passage’ or similar ime

That's only on MN!

Totally weird.

Yes it’s weird. My GP says “down below” and I’ve known a lot of them say that.

What does it actually matter?? I can't believe the things people find odd. Who cares what terms are used as long as you know what they are talking about.
But what does “lady bits” mean? Breasts, vulva, vagina, clitoris, labia, uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes…?

I find it amazing that some people are offended by the correct words! How weird.