To wonder why men work in gynecology?

[CustardC]

Genuine question, my sisters and I were discussing our most recent smear tests and sister 1 commented on how her nurse was male. I've always asked for a female when I book a smear or any type of gyne issues and it's always been respected, but it got me thinking...if there are any men here who work in that field, why?

I'm fully prepared for the backlash that ill probably get but honest question👍

Yes I've thought this too. Unless it was a life or death scenario I'll never let a male gyn treat me. Perhaps it's a "fascinating" field of medicine with ample "opportunities" but I'm not going to lie - I'd question their motives.

I have wondered about this too!

Maybe there's genuine medical interest - not to mention a lack of medical staff all over, meaning any staff is better than no staff.

Maybe they lost someone to a women's gynae cancer. Maybe they're just specifically interested in providing the right kind of care for women.

It doesn't bother me. I don't like male opticians and dentists, because they get right up into my face and I've had panic attacks. But I've had male gynae support, both during pregnancies and outside of that, and I've not felt uncomfortable yet.

Who knows? That is like why do women work in andrology? As long as the person is qualified and does their job well that is what counts.

Why not?

They're as capable as women though I suspect that they are turned away by many women.

I was grateful for the male doctor getting DD out when she was stuck during the birth.

I'd probably be a bit embarrassed during a smear test but wouldn't complain.

Are you saying that you can only specialise in a field where you have the same issues?

Why do young doctors specialise in gerontology?
Why do doctors with no children specialise in Paediatrics?
Do you have to have mental health issues to specialise etc etc

I can't answer your question but I had a male gynaecologist is Germany. He was the only Dr nearby who had appointment space when I needed it and I'm so glad he did as he was absolutely brilliant - I had a stillbirth and he was incredibly kind and caring during that time and my subsequent pregnancy - he went out of his way to help me. I always got the impression that he was just interested in the subject and liked helping women, he was really happy for me when my healthy baby was born.

Because the female reproductive system is interesting?

If it was a female-only area of care interest, standards of female specific care would be worse and less valued than they already are (thinks of maternity unit scandals)

This is really silly.

Just a question, if a man said he does not want a female andrologist and questions why she is in the field will it get the same response as women not happy being with men gynaecologists.

I agree. Other female oriented areas - like obstetrics and midwifery - have a clear focus that isn't just women's bits, ie creation of life, babies. Straight gynaecology for men does strike me as a bit odd.

Because obs/gyn is one of the few specialties that includes surgery and medicine ( most medical subspecialties are one or the other ).

Because Obs/gyn is one of the only areas of medicine in which patients want to be there.

I wish there were more female gynecologists that's for sure, I feel much more comfortable with female gynecologists and from my own personal experiences of dealing with both, I've had better understanding and outcomes when dealing with a woman

Because most doctors in general are male so there will be more male doctors than female in any field including gynaecology.

In terms of the male nurse I would have thought that's a rarity. I've been for plenty of investigations/scans down there and it's always been a female nurse or sonographer doing it without me explicitly requesting it.

Indeed.

Also, the one and only time I had a male HCP (and he was a doctor) do my smear he was absolutely brutal, left me bleeding, shaking and traumatised. Never letting a man do that again.

Any time I've had men for that kind of stuff it's been junior doctors on some kind of rotation.

I had no issue being dealt with by men during pregnancies for internal stuff but for smears etc now as I've got older I definitely prefer women.

It’s a specialism which covers a huge range of work - it’s not just smears, it’s managing complicated pregnancies and delivering babies. I’ve heard one ObGyn refer to that aspect as “happy medicine,” where he can make a huge impact on the patient and her family. Besides which, all male doctors, whatever specialism they choose, will deal intimately with women and girls in 50% of situations which require an intimate or sensitive examination. Obstetrics and gynaecology is hardly an exceptional area in that respect.

But, I also think it’s fine to not want a male doctor if that’s your personal preference and comfort, and women should have the right to make that choice wherever practically possible.

Why not? It’s a career path as good as any, no? And given how many senior medical people, heads of Trusts, heads of research facilities etc are male quite frankly having more men with an interest in the field can only be beneficial.
That nurse may progress to unit lead, or into senior management at a Trust deciding where funds are needed, start speaking at conferences, having influence or into research and start arguing and fighting for funding into women’s reproductive health.

would you argue that female medics should have anything to do with prostrate cancer treatment, or research? Would you question their motives?

I have wondered this frequently as in what draws them to this specialism but equally it doesn't bother me. I've had quite a few gynae issues since my early 20's and most of them have been dealt brilliantly with by male gynaecologists.

I get what you are saying but if you open the door for one thing then it will lead to doors for other things e.g., men saying they do not want to be treated by female urologists, people wanting to be treated by people from the same country/language as them etc... Where will the line be drawn?

Why does anybody choose gynaecology? This always astounds me, do you think that men just do it so they can look at vaginas all day? It’s a specialisation, the same as cardiology or any other but for some reason women sexualise it and act as if men are strange for choosing that career path. I could say so much more but won’t bother to allow myself to be worked up

All my children were delivered by men. I'm 55 and almost all my OB/GYNs have been male. I'm in America so maybe we see things differently here, but its really not an issue.

Oh yes I wanted to kiss the doctor who managed to deliver my 10lb baby who was very stuck. The fact that he was male didn't bother me in the slightest.

Clearly so they get their rocks off at work and get paid for it!

Back in the real world probably because it’s of interest to them professionally.