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👍

My gynaecologist is a male, he's fabulous. Although I haven't seen him in a long time.

I think to be a (decent) gynae as a male you need to have utmost respect for female anatomy.

The worst gynae I saw was a middle aged female. I changed from her to the male one and it was one of the best things I did. I got fobbed off by the female one.
The male one made it possible to get my diagnosis (which ended up being cancer, after many fobs.)

Thanks for agreeing. Unfortunately HQ have taken down my comment despite it not breaching any of the Talk Guidelines - I checked. Apparently stating that people aren't naive just because they're not sexist is unacceptable on here (the exact words I used).

Although the poll would indicate that it's actually nearer 50:50

Meh I just think about the fact men are disappearing from gynaecology- 85% of gynaecology students are female and it climbs higher each year, also makes it harder for the minority of males trying to make it in the field as women patients decline them far more often now they have a choice and female doctors are the norms.

So the debate about being for or against male gynaes won’t matter as there will be nothing to debate 😂

OMG!!!!! That's horrifying.

No where did I say it didn't happen. But there are some in this thread suggesting all men in that field are in for the kicks.

And yes. Trauma can happen in many way. My trauma was caused by women. And it's not insubstantial trauma.

85% of gynaecology students are female and it climbs higher each year, also makes it harder for the minority of males trying to make it in the field as women patients decline them far more often now they have a choice and female doctors are the norms.

Interesting. It seems to match up with what a PP said about her GP friend getting fed up of treating 'women's issues' as female patients keep requesting a woman doctor.

It appears as though in the real world women prefer to see female doctors when it comes to intimate healthcare.

And potentially men prefer to see men about prostates/testicular disorders.

It's the same as asking why are some women urologists...we have a female family friend who is a urologist. She has done it for years is great at her Job and it just so happens that most of her customers are men and their prostates. urologists will see women too though. There are a significant number of obstetricians and gynaecologists that are men. It is what it is.

Yes, I do agree that most men will not be entering the field for nefarious reasons and have no doubt that there are passionate and compassionate men in the field. I guess it’s just extremely difficult for women (and men for that matter) when their request for a same-sex practitioner cannot be honoured and I have the impression it’s not anyways understood why it’s so important. Up thread, there was a post about a male doctor who would oblige with onward referrals but would feel disappointed to be refused ‘simply for being male’. Maybe I’m wrong, but this implied a lack of understanding of the reasons for these requests. I feel like trauma-informed care and cultural awareness should be an integral part of medical training and that it should just be commonly accepted that if you are a man choosing a specialism involving intimate and invasive procedures on women, requests for a different practitioner will just be part and parcel of being in that field. Same for female practitioners with male patients actually, although the underlying societal dynamics are largely different.

I worked as a midwife..we were excited to get a female registrar..thought it would be nice for the women but to be honest she wasn't sympathetic to her patients and I actually found the male doctors much more sympathetic!

My least painful smear test was done by a male doctor

I don't know why OP but I had a lump on my breast, I got a needle inserted into my breast tissue, to guide the surgeon to the problem area. The guy inserting the needle was brutal, didn't numb the area up properly, so when he said "you really shouldn't be in this much pain," I was really upset. I thought yeah I cry and make a tit of myself for the hell of it you wank.

Gah, how awful. I’m so sorry you experienced that. It beggars belief that anyone could think that is acceptable practice. Thank you for sharing, but really sorry to hear.

Not sure you understand the role of a practice nurse. Cervical screening is not a novelty it's an integral part of the job among many other activities. Most practices have multiple nurses so you would have a choice. There are women who are happy with a male nurse

I asked to transfer away from a female obgyn when I had DD. She was very dismissive of my concerns and not understanding of my additional needs. She said when DH asked about CS if needed she said 'If she was meant to give birth that way she'd have a zip,' Moved to a fabulous male obgyn and returned to him for DS

Early poster saying she'd be embarrassed but not complain sums it up for me

I would prefer a female.

If it was a smear I would expect female and would not consent (however good credentials of male nurse/doc were)

I have had male surgeon re gyno surgery - I was under general anaesthetic but felt uncomfy due to his bedside manner and dismissive attitude. Plus he was a Spire doc and I felt I was on a conveyor belt of treatments that paid for his lifestyle. Also, he could not say "periods" or "vagia" or any other female anatomy - instead he said "down there" - gave me the rage!

I have had male breast surgeon - totally happy with him checking breasts and draining polyp

Elsewhere I've had good and bad doctors/specialists irrespective of their sex - but in my opinion the most condescending have been males.

The ones who wanted me to take a medical path that I was uncomfortable with and reluctant to do - but it was the established and "easy" option - were females

The problem is with socialisation and women not being able to say no - whether that is as a patient or as a doctor

No, because women as a rule don't tend to rape men, etc. Nor do they tend as a rule to watch torture porn involving degrading and causing pain to men.

Some women have valid reasons for wishing to only be treated by women when in medical situations that make them feel vulnerable. I am sure if a man felt the same way then he would ask for a male speciast to treat him.

I dated (briefly,years ago) a Gynaecologist. He was a really sweet, timid man. His father was also a G'cologist and I always thought he was a bit of a jumped up know-it-all.

I most certainly wouldn't have wanted my (then) partner's father to be performing my smear, at that time! That would have just been weird.

So, I think the OP should be able to ponder without people jumping down her throat.

Because its not that long ago that women couldn't be doctors never mind specialists. I'm a doctor qualified 30 years and when I was training almost all consultants were men.

A female gynae dismissed all my symptoms. Gas lit me. A male gynae took me seriously and saved my life.

Same! I didn't need life saving surgery but I did need surgery. 6 months of being dismissed by female gynaes! Male gynae did a scan immediately and booked me in for urgent surgery! A friend had a very similar experience!

Thanks @ScotchPine 💛

No idea. But I didn't care why, when the male gyn surgeon correctly diagnosed and operated on my 11yr old daughter w

When she had a gyn emergency a few years ago. Didn't even enter my head was sex the surgeon was!