To think men should not be allowed to be gynaecologists

[CaragianettE]

Just that, really. Saw one last week. He was trying to be helpful, but I really really really don’t want to discuss ‘do you get clots’ ‘do you experience flooding’ ‘do you find intercourse painful’ with a strange man. Yes it would be awkward with a strange woman too, but at least I know she likely has some lived experience of what we are talking about. TBH I also question men’s motives for choosing this job, not just the licence to look at strange women’s vaginas, but I think there’s something deep in the male psyche that just loves laying down the law to women about their reproductive systems. It’s a job for a woman, and while I know men were allowed to train for it in the past, I think they should now be phased out.

I agree OP. I’ve had a very dodgy older male consultant Gynae who did a full examination with no chaperone present. He was definitely dodgy. I wish I’d said no. ☹️

No, its simply that all of those things are relevant to the issue, and there's no point in talking in circles on issues we won't agree on, as I disagree with the conclusions you've drawn.

I think that a quarter of women actively wanting or needing female gynaecologists and the majority of the rest not having a strong preference, means that most gynaecologists should ideally be female.

It does if you've watched or read The Handmaid's Tale. "May the Lord open" is used in these as part of the system of control, enforcing compliance and making women aware of their reproductive duties.

OP is clearly one of those posters who expected everyone to agree with her and is upset when the vast majority have not, hence turning to insults.

It’s strange isn’t it, that the vast majority of NHS are women but that this majority if those able to charge a fortune for their services are men.

I wonder what that’s all about.

That's ridiculous. Plenty of male consultants choose to work part time hours or in private practice so they aren't available to the NHS full-time.

So if that's right ,and 75 % of the NHS is female
Surely 75% of gynecologists are female to
So technically we should all get a choice ,or most of us automatically get a female

So a rape victim shouldn't come onto mumsnet and complain that she has a longer wait to see a gynaecologist because...why?

YANBU I always ask to see a female gynaecologist.

I agree men shouldn't be banned. I think generally if a woman needs life saving surgery and has trauma around males, she may be able to tolerate it, but often it's retraumatising and deeply distressing. Of course, in a life or death situation that's still preferable, but it’s not great

The OP isn't going to come back, you know

Batshit. I think you’ve bigger issues than having a male gynaecologist to be honest.

As long as that's the case, and having male gynaecologists doesn't mean women who want to see females can't, or have to wait longer than others, then it's not an issue.

YANBU I'd prefer a female to be honest. I think maybe we should be given a choice?. I had a male doctor at a menopause clinic recently who told me to buy a new bed after I told him of my joint pains. I did wonder why on earth he chose to work in that field- cold and dismissive. Females only for me please. Obviously women can be dismissive too but I feel much more comfortable talking about certain problems with them.

I have a male gynae. He´s great. My pregnancy consultant was a man also. Also great. The only time i had a woman I found her cold, distant and clumsy.

Its reasonable for a woman to prefer a female gynaecologist, but some dont care either way.

But as our society has abandoned gender roles and the "appropriateness" they sometimes bring, you could never reasonably exclude men from this career.

You aren't being unreasonable. It's weird. When I was a teenager I was reffered to a male gynecologist and I didn't go because it made me feel very uncomfortable. Same reason I see a female GP when I have female issues. Otherwise I am fine with a male GP.

Interestingly, it seems that men are in fact slowly being pushed out of OBGYN – even more interestingly, female patients' reluctance to allow male medical students to treat them/deliver their baby is framed as a 'bias' that needs to be educated out of them, because men are apparently entitled to touch women's vaginas

Male doctors prefer not to go into OBS and gynae as they don't feel clinically strong enough - they are often excluded from seeing patients during their student days (apart from the team of gynae volunteers at some med schools) and the only time the get to deliver babies is during the elective where governments of some countries have stopped female education.
What about a female doctor who mainly sees prostate patients?
Female surgeons can be quite cold and unpleasant (and up till recently male consultants were arrogant and rude).
Everyone has the right to ask for a chaperone (both patient and doctor/nurse etc)

I don't think they should be banned, but they must understand that some women may feel intimidated about talking about intimate issues with them and may prefer a woman.

I have to have regular colposcopies due to previous cervical cancer. I am always pleased when I get the male consultant as he is much more reassuring, sympathetic and it doesn't hurt. The female ones have been more rough pokey

But then I also have limited embarrassment on various lady things so maybe i just don't care that much?

BUT I think you should have the right to chose. They always ask if i am OK with a male consultant

Banning is ridiculous but there should be a choice, I am a suvivor of sexual abuse and sexual violence and was groped by a male doctor when I was 15 so would always opt for a woman if possible. Had one male gynaecologist, he was patronising, explained nothing even to the extent of not answering my questions. Probably not due to his being male but it was a horrible experience.

Goodness sake. This, again. Near-daily at this point.

Sure, let's get rid of a huge percentage of gynaecologists and only accept women into gynae training. I'm sure that will help women's health. I'm sure that won't negatively impact us in any way.

18 month wait here for a gynae - we need more not fewer!

And if I hadn't had good experiences with male gynaes, Adam Kay's misogynistic book would put me right off.

You're being unreasonable. I've had great experience with male gynaes... However I did have one tell me I had a "great looking vagina" when I was young, so I did think that was pretty creepy. But in terms of medical care the majority have been great for me tbh

How ridiculous.