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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My doctor doesn't "do female problems"

277 replies

Polkadotbikinininii · 05/03/2025 08:13

Phoned to book a Dr's appointment for my daughter about her periods. After going through triage with the receptionist (for literally 10mins) I was told that the Dr who is on this week "doesn't do female problems" and I need to phone back next week to make an appointment with a different doctor. I can't book that appointment today though.

Can you imagine a female dr deciding she doesn't want to deal with problems potentially affecting half the population?!

On the other hand, at least he won't be dismissive or try to mansplain

OP posts:
Notverygoodatusernames · 05/03/2025 08:14

That’s outrageous and I think you should make a complaint.

Ankleblisters · 05/03/2025 08:14

Notverygoodatusernames · 05/03/2025 08:14

That’s outrageous and I think you should make a complaint.

I second this

TheresNoSuchThingAsBadThoughts · 05/03/2025 08:15

I would absolutely complain about that. What a joke.

SnoozingFox · 05/03/2025 08:15

Given the experience I had with 3 different GPs (one female, two male) about menopause symptoms post-hysterectomy I'd like to say I'm shocked, but I'm really not.

Naunet · 05/03/2025 08:29

How is that not discrimination? Appalling, you should absolutely complain.

Original poster
Polkadotbikinininii · 05/03/2025 08:33

I would complain but then I worry that he'll be made to see patients and will not help them.

Women already get dismissed so I wonder whether having a dr openly say he doesn't want to deal with this is better?

I think I'm going to have to advocate strongly for my daughter as it is.

OP posts:
itsnotabouthepasta · 05/03/2025 08:33

That absolutely warrants a formal complaint.

ladymammalade · 05/03/2025 08:34

I suspect the receptionist was clumsily saying it's not his speciality, rather than it's not something he's prepared to treat. We have a couple of doctors at our surgery who are specialists in female health so people tend to go to them with period/hormonal issues.

Original poster
Polkadotbikinininii · 05/03/2025 08:36

ladymammalade · 05/03/2025 08:34

I suspect the receptionist was clumsily saying it's not his speciality, rather than it's not something he's prepared to treat. We have a couple of doctors at our surgery who are specialists in female health so people tend to go to them with period/hormonal issues.

No. She made it very clear she wouldn't book with him. Obviously if I'd pushed back she would have had to but there was definitely a refusal. She didn't say anything about the other dr having a special interest.

OP posts:
ThatAgileGoldMoose · 05/03/2025 08:37

SnoozingFox · 05/03/2025 08:15

Given the experience I had with 3 different GPs (one female, two male) about menopause symptoms post-hysterectomy I'd like to say I'm shocked, but I'm really not.

Same. The female, women's health specialist was the worst actually 😑 at least the male was compassionate and wanted to help, even if his basic knowledge of women's physiology was worse than I'd expect of a gcse student.

OP, I'd definitely make a formal complaint. I'm so sorry. It is one thing saying that there's not a women's health specialist on duty, but a GENERAL PRACTITIONER should not be picking and choosing what they want to see patients about!

Abi86 · 05/03/2025 08:39

Random thought (and probably wrong). But is it possible he’s on some sort of restriction? Maybe a misconduct issue?

Agentscullyandmulder · 05/03/2025 08:40

Sadly I had this issue a few months back 'can you book with a female doctor I don't really know what to say on these issues' I ended up walking out and booking with a female GP. It's disgusting

ThatAgileGoldMoose · 05/03/2025 08:40

Abi86 · 05/03/2025 08:39

Random thought (and probably wrong). But is it possible he’s on some sort of restriction? Maybe a misconduct issue?

That did occur to me. Towards women, or possibly towards children? Either is absolutely fucking awful, and a complete failure of the practice to have not ensured that they have cover for those areas.

Ihateboris · 05/03/2025 08:41

What the actual fuck?? Please complain!

ThatAgileGoldMoose · 05/03/2025 08:42

Agentscullyandmulder · 05/03/2025 08:40

Sadly I had this issue a few months back 'can you book with a female doctor I don't really know what to say on these issues' I ended up walking out and booking with a female GP. It's disgusting

Fucking hell. "Then kindly give up your medical degree because it appears that you're not fit to practice"

AnSolas · 05/03/2025 08:43

I dont have a problem with a doctor even a GP being upfront about not covering a specific area of medicine.

Its possible as its reproduction related that that the GP will not cover abortion or some fertility treatments so the pratice dont route any gyne to that GP.

I would be making a formal complaint that you cant book her in for a future appointment with the other doctor and have to phone back.

Butterflyfern · 05/03/2025 08:44

You should definitely still complain, but perhaps the receptionist was actually clumsily trying to ensure your daughter is heard? If she knows the other GP will just dismiss her?

Naunet · 05/03/2025 08:44

ladymammalade · 05/03/2025 08:34

I suspect the receptionist was clumsily saying it's not his speciality, rather than it's not something he's prepared to treat. We have a couple of doctors at our surgery who are specialists in female health so people tend to go to them with period/hormonal issues.

He's a GP, he's perfectly qualified to discuss periods, no one expects him to be an expert and he can refer her to a gynecologist if needed. There is no excuse for this.

SnoozingFox · 05/03/2025 08:44

I would also take a slightly different view on this - GPs are general practitioners. They cannot be specialised in everything, and in a practice with more than one GP it makes total sense to refer patients to the person who has the most expertise. Dr Brown sees the diabetes patients, Dr White deals with the pregnant women, Dr Green does the asthma care.

Lots of women have horror stories about being fobbed off or given really bad advice by a GP who is poorly informed about women's health issues. It's a waste of time as you then have to make another appointment with someone who does know what they're talking about. The receptionist was being honest and stopping you from wasting your time.

Serennityoption · 05/03/2025 08:44

I saw a female GP who did do gynae problems. She didn’t know I should have been referred for post menopausal bleeding. I was fobbed off.

Further down the line, I was diagnosed with cancer.

I don’t know what is happening with GPs these days but it’s not good.

GoldDuster · 05/03/2025 08:46

Notverygoodatusernames · 05/03/2025 08:14

That’s outrageous and I think you should make a complaint.

This. Complaint in writing asking for an explanation.

Imagine a man phoning the GP for medical help and being told sorry, they aren't doing male problems this week.

PenneyFouryourthoughts · 05/03/2025 08:48

Why are men becoming doctors if they can't cope with female anatomy? That's ridiculous!

Mrsloverlovers · 05/03/2025 08:49

I have a similar style doctor. And I told the smear nurse that I was struggling with my endo..

She said “never attend an appointment without your husband. The doctor will likely listen to you more if he’s there with you”

I repeated the story to another gynae related nurse and she repeated the same advice!

This was 3 weeks ago…… all medics are relatively young in their 40s. Does feel like we’re going backwards somewhat

(no, we aren’t allowed to switch GPs as we only have one practice taking on new patients and I’m already registered. No female GPs are available)

RandomMess · 05/03/2025 08:52

I booked a GP for a genetic testing referral for BRCA, he refused to refer and said I need to see the gynae GP!! Another 3 weeks wasted.

I was beyond fuming I was in the main criteria to be referred under NICE guidelines.

AuntAgathaGregson · 05/03/2025 08:55

To be fair, even GPs can have a particular specialism in different areas. In our surgery, there is one doctor who is known to be particularly good on children's issues, another who covers most of the maternity work, a couple who are particularly good with older people, another who does the minor surgery stuff, etc. It's a matter of playing to their strengths. You wouldn't complain that, say, an orthopaedic consultant isn't allocating clinic space to gynae problems, yet they would have gone through the same initial medical training as a GP.

I suspect if your daughter's issue had been urgent this doctor would have seen her and would have tried to help, but wouldn't you rather to to someone who has more experience in the relevant field?