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.

What next - men shouldn't be paediatricians? I've heard it all now, in that it's suspect when men train as gynaecologists.

So they should care about women’s health issues but not actually do anything about them?

You do understand don’t you that it’s the not doing anything about them that they are criticised for?

I’m a lesbian midwife so I guess I should be banned in case I went through the degree just to perv on random women?

Personally I care more that my medical caregivers are qualified and good at their job than what sex they are.

My (male) gynae was the best doctor in a long list of doctors who treated me when I became very unwell. To date he's probably the best doc I've ever had, though a pain specialist was up there too and that was over 30 years ago.

Human, brilliant at his job, funny and could talk to him, nothing was too much trouble. I was sad when he retired. I even bought him a nice bottle of malt on my last apt with him before he retired, I never do things like that..

His young (male) replacement was hideous. Self-important twat who just did everything wrong from a patient's point of view. I asked to see another doctor after him.

I don't care what sex and what they do. I just want docs to be good, in all fields.

My husband had a brilliant female urologist dealing with issues concerning his penis. Should she be viewed as weird and banned too?

I am very exercised about medical misogyny, but this is one thing I would not care about. I do find some male doctors dismissive of women's pain, but I've also found female midwives like that.

I can't imagine being turned on if I had to look at men's willies for my job. So I'm not sure why male gynaecologists are suspect.

So you aren't actually interested in anyone else's opinion, then? Why did you raise this question, OP, if you only wanted answers that agreed with you?

Yeah that one, why?? You’re bonkers!!!!

I agree with you. For this you CANNOT ARGUE that men have more empathy and lived experience than female gynaes which is highly relevant to feeling comfortable in a consultation and why they often have nurses as chaperones! You are perfectly normal in sensing this. I always ask for a female doctor and feel great knowing I can offset the male bias in my choices xxx

Absolute nonsense. Actually what you are proposing is more likely to be from The Handmaids Tale. Should we all cover up in case men can't control themselves.

Not everything has to be about sex you know.

Choose who you want.
But don’t limit my choices thank you.

I want skilled and available to see quickly. If that makes me a handmaiden so be it. But you’re the one assigning jobs based on sex.

I’ve had to have many many intimate examinations and gynae appointments and surgeries, some with me others with women. The absolute best gynaecologist I’ve had was male. He was lovely. But on the whole I’ve found men less prone to making assumptions due to their own experience (cos they ain’t got any) and more gentle in examinations (apart from one who was truly awful).

Don’t let the bastards grind you down love 😂 you can post your opinion and have posters rightly hand you your arse. If you don’t want a man, decline one. It’s that easy. You don’t get to opine then judge everyone else’s experiences. For what it’s worth I don’t go for smears etc, due to extremely traumatic rape in my past. But if I felt able to I wouldn’t hold it against a male or female professional either way. Many women in fact report that men are far gentler and careful.

I wouldn't hold him up as an example of a good male gynecologist. The story is his book about deliberately stitching up a woman's tattoo is grim and reeks of misogyny.

Urologists aren't 'penis doctors ' , they are specialists in the urinary tract. Bladder, kidney, urethra. Half of their patients have a penis, the other half a vagina. But it's all in the same area.

I certainly don’t think they should be banned, but I do internally wonder what made them want to be a gynae!

No issue at all with you requesting treatment by a female doctor, I would defend the right to that at any time, but why do you feel the need to make that choice for others, especially when the outcome of that would be even longer waits for treatment given the number of male specialists already working in the specialism, one of whom not only saved my life but provided excellent care which was really responsive to my feelings.

The other outcome that would be highly likely to follow would other fields being reserved for male doctors and I just dont see how that is a healthy way for any profession to operate.

A man refusing to see a female urologists would be roundly mocked and criticised on here.

I don't care one bit whether my gynaecologist or obstetrician is male or female. But I support the right of women to ask for a female doctor, and would also support that man in asking for a male urologist.

But it's ridiculous to say that men shouldn't be allowed to be gynaecologists.

I have endometriosis and have met more gynaecologists than people wish to meet.

The male ones were much nicer than the female ones.

The male ones actually listened to my concerns. The female ones blamed my endometriosis pain on my “anxiety” and told me I needed counselling.

If you want appointments with female gynae’s then pay to see a private female gynae.

I’ve seen 3 different gynae consultants over the years, and all male. No embarrassment whatsoever on my part. Yes it’s reasonable to wonder why a man would choose that specialty. You may also wonder why someone would choose to be an ophthalmologist ie operating on eyes for a living. Why be a colorectal surgeon and spend time operating on bottoms.

Yes, obviously there should always be an option to see a female doctor if wanted.

You are being unreasonable. I have been much more comfortable with male gynaecologist. Women are not necessarily more sympathetic. If you would prefer to see a woman you can ask to do so.
Banning anyone from any profession just on grounds of sex is suspect, really, it is.

You are being completely ridiculous.

I was under gynae from about 12 for heavy periods, and really gave no shits it was a male consultant - there was always a female nurse (and my mum) there. It was a male GP who referred me, the female GP we had seen previously seemed to think it was normal that I was dripping blood all over school.

The idea that male doctors will get a thrill from looking at fannies all day is wild to me. Surely it becomes just like looking at noses or feet or throats or whatever body part you specialise in?