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👍

It’s not about seeing bits as they do that all the time and it’s not all that pleasant or exciting to them (neutral not grossed out exactly, unless hygiene issues)
definitely not sexual

Oh and it’s more complex than just specialising in say the liver, hence more interesting. Involves the actual bits, endocrine system and immune system etc

(I’m just repeating what they said!)

makes sense to me

millions of men are sexually assaulted by women every year though its just not taken as seriously socially.

Source for both claims or in calling BS.

I've seen several male gynaecologists over the years but the one that sticks in my mind is the horrible, nasty one at a Winchester hospital back in the late 70s who replaced the consultant I was supposed to see and appeared with about half a dozen student doctors. I was 23, nervous anyway and he was an absolute pig.

I really hope that none of those students thought the way he treated me was how women were supposed to be treated with internal examinations but most of all, I hope he isn't still working as a gynecologist.

Vile man.

So the relative power dynamic makes no difference?

1 in 4 women is sexually assaulted and 1 in 20 men. If 95% of these assaults are done by men (and I suspect higher) then 250 women out of a thousand have been assaulted by a man, and given those numbers the fear that it might happen again is a very real one. Meanwhile around 3 men out of a thousand have been assaulted by a woman, and those who can were (1) not in quite the same position of vulnerability that a woman was when assaulted by a man, and (2) much less likely to be fearful of it happening again, because it is incredibly unlikely that it will happen again.

TLDR, given the numbers and the relative power dynamics I find it impossible to believe that male victims of sexual assault by women are as affected by it as vice versa.

Maybe, I suppose, the increased shame could offset the other factors, but I regard shame as a lot less serious that terror.

No of course it doesn't make a difference and it's disgusting to suggest otherwise. Ffs.

I am genuinely astonished how you could believe that given that we live in a world where the power balance is not equal.

The relevant power dynamic at a societal level makes fuck all difference to the individual and it is minimising and rape/sexual assault apology to suggest so.

Not all. But some. Predators are attracted to areas that give them opportunity and power to indulge themselves.

You're surely not suggesting there are no rotten apples?

I don't want to offend anyone... if anyone can point me to any articles about the male survivors of female sexual assault, especially ones that can quantify the levels of trauma compared to female victims of men I would be delighted to read and be proven wrong. What is absolutely 100% self-evident to me based on common sense is not always supported by the evidence. I would love the evidenc e

I don't care if it's a man, woman or a Martian from Mars who treats me, so long as they do the job right and sort any issues.
Why do men enter into that field? I have no idea as it's never a question I've thought to ask when he's at eye level with my muff.

It was you that sexualised medicine. Not the OP.

I don't accept either of those points AT ALL.

So much anecdata here, of wonderful male doctors, shit female ones and vice versa. I'm not sure that it helps the question at all. Obstetrics, yes I can see both male and female medics going into that field because of the many positive reasons outlined here.
But gynaecology -- not so much. Trickier and not necessarily great outcomes, or the ability to even make much of a difference in some cases. Unless obs and gynae are always inextricably linked?
I see that med school entrants are about 50 percent women these days so it can't be long until qualified and experienced doctors, and then consultants, will also be roughly 50 percent female. Good news for those whom the choice of sex is important. And they're absolutely entitled to their choice.
To add to the anecdata, when I had my first DC the male consultant obstetrician was a grade A, gold-plated cunt. Old school, brusque, uber dismissive and majorly affronted by any queries. I detested him.
He was not around when I gave birth in traumatic circumstances and the young doctor who actually delivered DC had tears streaming down his face when he had to tell me my baby had died. He had tried his damndest, he cared and it showed.
So, two male doctors, chalk and cheese.

Then you're a rape apologist @YouSirNeighMmmm

I don't think obstetrics and gynaecology are a singular department in the UK are they?

Well, you seem to be offended by the idea that men might be less affected by being sexually assaulted by women than vice versa, and women cannot rape by definition, so I don;t see how this makes me a rape apologist.

In fact I have no idea what you are talking about. If you choose to reply to me again can you please go back to basics and spell out as clearly and simply as possible what your point is.

I have to say this message is SO bitter and sounds like you

Statistically, you’d not want women working as nurses in NICU/PICU situations or geriatrics if you wanted to keep babies and the elderly safe because of a few bad apples (who mainly happen to be female).

Which statistics are they @HoppingPavlova ?

I don't think one can quantify trauma.

Sorry. My screen jumped too soon. You have unresolved issues. I have experienced sexual abuse and have also experienced treatment under a male gynaecologist for surgical treatment of a molar pregnancy. I will defend him to the hilt that he was one of few ,in the few weeks of care under EPU, that treated me with kindness and respect.

I assume the majority just find it interesting, however, I was sexually assaulted during an internal exam on the maternity ward before giving birth to my first child by the male surgeon who came to talk to me about the possibility that I might need a c section.

I would prefer to only have women gynes.

One might be able to approximate it though? Compare male victims of women and vice versa by reference to length of time before therapist and patient agree that much of the worst trauma has been dealt with; percentage of each sex who develop an addiction afterwards; whether it changes behaviour or whether people's day to day livs carry on as before?

My husband had to have surgery on holiday in USA. They advised him his surgeon was a black woman, expecting him to demand a white male surgeon he just wanted the best chest doctor and that was her....

Because they are interested in medicine and end up specialising that way. My friend who is a consultant obst/gynaecologist (female) said she started in colorectal as she wanted to do surgery, and this is relatively straightforward surgery, and it led to obst/gyny. She said that is a common pattern. And she agrees about the happy outcomes. You need to be good in dynamic and critical situations too. I can see why it appeals.