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👍

"Not suggesting they're pervets for women, just perverts for power."

Yup, silly.

There is so much wrong with this. It's ill informed, mysogynistic and just gross

Stranger, is why do people work in Urology?
Becoming an expert on urine and faeces their production and elimination.
Must make for riveting conversation on meeting new people?

I’m shaking my head at some of these responses - really?!

This is the reason I’ve heard from colleagues.

also, women are great at presenting early with complaints so there’s lots of curative treatment which is appealing to would-be gynaecologists

Quite.

If you Google ‘make gynaecologist crime’ and ‘female gynaecologist crime’ it’s pretty easy to see why many women wouldn’t have a male gyno.

I had a really fantastic male gynae consultant when I had ovarian cancer.

I don't really care whether they're male or female provided they're kind and make any examination as painless as possible.

On that front, by far the most painful have been smears done by nurses, one of which ended up in an internal tear.

And the best by three male gynaes, who took the time to be as gentle as possible. They were also very sympathetic and understanding.

Perhaps some of the male doctors like having only female patients? But without an ulterior motive. I certainly wouldn't be suspicious unless they gave me particular reason to be.

That's not what the thread's asking though.

No idea why men choose to work in gynaecology, but my gynae consultant was a lovely man and I never felt anything but comfortable with him.

I have a friend who is a GP. The two practice partners are male and the other salaried GP is also a male. She hates that she always get given the ‘women’s issues’. Her interest was always in palliative care but her appointments are quickly filled up with women wanting to talk about mental health and the reproductive system to another woman; she is the only one at that surgery who knows how to fit a coil. She understands why women want this but also it’s not what she wanted from her career and is thinking of packing in it. I guess my point is, why would anyone want to be a gynaecologist? Why does any doctor choose their speciality?

I’m responding to this persons comment @SleeplessInEngland surely that’s obvious lol? Or am I only allowed to respond to the OP or something? Everyone else is talking amongst themselves including yourself.

Because you're attacking a strawman. No-one's questioning why some women might prefer another woman to examine them. They're taking issue with the ridiculous insinuation that all male gynecologists have sinister motives.

Men can work in whichever specialism they choose.

I also have that ability to choose, and use it by asking to be treated by women as much as I can. Having been assaulted by a male consultant, and spent the subsequent 12 years (and counting) dealing with the resulting PTSD, I'll stick to my guns with that one, thanks.

I always wondered what the junior doctor thought when he was sewing me up after my episiotomy for DD1.
I cared not it was a he, legs akimbo.

Then when the midwife sewing me up for DD2 said I'd been sewn up too tight before, then I wondered some more!

Ah yes silly me. No men in positions of power ever use their position to abuse women do they?

What the? 😂

Theres an attack here alright but it’s not from me. I don’t even know what you’re going on about, we’re allowed to talk amongst ourselves you know even if you don’t like what we’re talking about.

Of course some men do. That fact isn't the 'silly' part.

I would never let a male gynaecologist near me. I'd prefer not to have a male involved in any health or intimate care for me, ever.

I don't know why a male would want to do this - I expect there are a range of reasons from the patrician to the perverse. Don't care. Just stay away from me.

Nope, you have totally lost me, I have no idea what you are trying to say.

Unless your point is that you don't believe any straight man would be a gynecologist for pervy reasons, which I find incredibly naive.

Female andrologist is not the same at all. Female sex organs being internal it's always going to involve more invasive and intimate procedures. Plus men are generally bigger than women so do not feel as vulnerable. Plus only a tiny fraction of sex offenders are women. It's hardly unheard of for a male doctor to sexually assault a female patient - hence why female patients usually have someone else in the room with them. Not an unreasonable or goady question at all, OP. Except to MRAs and their handmaidens.

Historically, the medical profession has been male-dominated.
On a personal basis, I'm much happier with my male gynae than any female one who has treated me in the past. I don't find it weird at all.
I was speaking to a student doctor this weekend and he wants to become a nephrologist. Can't see why wanting to be a gynae would be any weirder

@knitnerd90 I remember reading decades ago in an American mag that the reason so many women opted for caesarians, was ‘to keep your tubes honeymoon fresh.’

Around the same time, different American mag, I read that a woman should not breastfeed if it makes her husband jealous. 😱

equal opportunities i suppose

I think it is a reasonable thing for men or women to be interested in obs/gyn as they develop their medical careers as doctors. All of them are operating at a high level and as a PP has said if it was only women doctors and women patients then it would be under valued and also women doctors might get pushed into the role instead of being given the chance in any field.

That's doctors though.

I don't understand male nurses specializing in this field - they don't do research or push the field forward. Their skills are not unique as may be the case with a brilliant doctor.

Most people on the thread are glad of the help of doctors in a birth situation or if they have have cancer or a serious surgical situation regardless of their sex. But for regular, low(ish) skill things like smear tests or other check-ups and swabs - why would a man opt into that kind of role? I am a little suspicious of male gyni nurses.

Women do treat and examine men for prostate things - the biopsies and scans and ultra-sounds re often managed by female staff. Women tend not to go into jobs because they are dodgy motivations though. Men have much less to worry about however embarrassing it might be.