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👍

OP was this the practice nurse in your GP surgery? If it was, smear tests are only a very small part of what he would do as a Practice nurse. So perhaps he went into this career with an interest in other areas (diabetes, asthma, hypertension, minor surgery etc etc) but part of his role is smear tests.

Agreed. Ridiculous.

I've had male & female gun/obs. As long as they are competent & have a good bedside manner I really don't care what sex they are.

The only time I was uncomfortable was when my midwife brought a male trainee with her to examine me at home when I was pregnant with my second child. There was something very odd about being examined by a young attractive (very young) man on my sofa. My husband was in the garage working on the car.

It’s always male nurses/midwifes that folk query rarely the doctors.

How lovely and congratulations xx

The male Gynaecologists I've seen have been gentle and careful not to hurt. Female Gynaecologists have been rougher and "put up with it, it is gonna hurt" when it doesn't need to.

Some of the best consultants who specialise in urology for men are woman and EQUALLY
The best consultants who specialises in gynaecology are men.

Accept they care they are professionals they won't care or even notice you out of everyone else they see

I think a lot of doctors pick a specialism in which they feel they can progress, it doesnt necessarily matter what it is. That said, I have seen one male gynaecologist in my life and he asked me if I had a boyfriend then tried to tell me my boyfriend wasnt good enough for me.

All gynae docs I've come across since pregnancy with eldest son 30+ years ago to my most recent issue 2 years ago have been men , I guess someone had to do it and not enough female consultants and maybe female consultants don't want to do gynae lol , good question op

@Hmm1234 Or are you part of the fairy brigade?!

🙄 eugh.
Sometimes it amazes me that people like you still exist, but clearly they do and it’s depressing as fuck.

No doubt you also come from the school of thought ‘can’t say anything these days!’

Dr husband spent some time in Obs & Gyne when training. Said that male staff fell firmly into two camps: woman-lovers and woman-haters. That said, if you’re fascinated by the human body, I can see how it would be interesting. Plus it’s generally well-funded.

I bet no woman having a smear test has ever said “I don’t want a woman doing it!” 😂

What on earth is "the fairy brigade"?

I had what was found to be a prolapse. When a surly bloke arrived, a good hour late, I thought he was the handyman, not a doctor. He was a wearing scruffy overalls.
At one point both he and his boss were peering intently at my nether regions, I felt very uncomfortable indeed, trussed up in the stirrups. Especially as they were both bald, overweight, middle aged and resembled my foul next door neighbour.

In some ways I can sympathise with someone feeling uncomfortable, but it says much more about you and society in general. We're far too hung up in the UK about bodies and sex. If you spend your time looking a bits of bodies every day the obvious novelty that some might feel wears off quickly. You're also making assumptions about a persons sexuality based on sex/gender, would you be as concerned about a Lesbian doing the job?

And there you have it ! Many years of experience in the nursing profession has taught me the same. If you've worked in Operating Theatres you would see the same. Snide, inappropriate comments abound, you really wouldn't want to know.
The power base /misogeny doesn't change just because they're in healthcare profession.

My brother in the US. When he did rotation in gynaecology he often spoke about how inappropriately some colleagues
spoke about their patients. Usually the most senior doctors with the most perfect bedside manner were the worst culprits.

Those who called out this behaviour and reported it were pretty much bullied and marginalised themselves sadly.

I would hazard a guess that most male gyns would go into that field because they want to help women and find that particular medical area fascinating. But, as with any profession, there are some bad, bad apples. However, most professions do not involve that level of intimacy.

When I gave birth I had a wonderful midwife, who was with me the whole time. However after I gave birth I was moved onto a ward with a male midwife. I was at my absolute most vulnerable, exhausted and in pain. My daughter wasnstuggling to breast feed and all I remember was this male midwife basically man handing my breast, no introduction, little explanation. I personally hated it, qnd insisted on leaving as soon as I could. For me it was an absolute no.

Probably same reason they become midwives too. It's an interesting part of medicine and get job satisfaction. Only same for women, once you've seen one you've seen them all. I've had both women and men gynaecologist and trust me there has been no difference. My son is a science man and loves the science behind everything, he couldn't care less about body parts unless there is a scientific reason behind it. Imagine the satisfaction of finding out its nothing to worry about and being able to give good news. Finding out its bad but treatable and able to make the person well again. Even extending life to be able to give that person more time with family. I honestly think 99.9% men that go into female dominant medical roles do it because they're interested in that field. Same as 99.9% of women in a male dominant role. You get the odd person who does it for other reasons. The woman gynaecologist could be part of the lgbtq etc community, would you question her motives too? I've never had a bad experience with either male or female.

Question - how are they meant to learn about what is normal and what is not? how are they meant to learn about gynaecology, so that they can treat you in said emergency, if they aren’t allowed to treat you when there isn’t an emergency?

Doctors choose a route because it’s interesting to them. Your ignorance is astounding.

A doctor is a doctor. End of.

”I’d let them treat me in an emergency” get over yourself.

@VickyEadieofThigh ive had a few women who have been brutal. I think it’s luck sometimes. Not saying a guy would be better at all but I’ve met a few really poor female nurse do my smear.

Because being a doctor is a male dominated environment still and women are starting to come through. I have found some male doctors listen more whereas I’ve found some women gynae doctors dismissive of my problem because they don’t have painful periods and think it’s part of being a woman.

All these comments are funny about specifically asking for a woman… I had a prem baby and had around 10 medical staff in the room men and women, all you care about is getting the best care not what gender the staff are. Imagine if I started demanding no men in the room... it’s laughable.

That’s good for you. I’m the same. However don’t assume all women are okay with it just because you were.

Some women have been abused and will not cope with having a male in the room. Some women have cultural reasons. Some women have no reason, nor should they have a reason. It’s their body and it’s up to them who they’d want present.

For the record, I’ve given birth 4 times and I cared and noticed exactly who was in the room at all times. So that “you won’t care or notice” bullshit doesn’t apply to everyone. Women deserve to feel comfortable, especially with intimate care. Their comfort trumps the feelings of a male medic. Thank fuck the male doctors are more empathetic than the majority of posters who’ve commented on this post.