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’ve only ever had female OB/GYNs, but the fertility specialist who helped my parents conceive me was male and my mom thought he was fantastic. My parents tried unsuccessfully for a few years to have a second baby, and I remember going to appointments with my mom and her doctor letting me spin around on the stool in the exam room. Fun times. 🙂 He’s still practicing over 40 years later and has won several awards.

YABU.

So you think men study for 7 years, just so they can look at fannys all day? 😂

What an utterly ridiculous and silly OP.

I've been seen and even operated on by both male and female gynaecologists and both were absolutely fine.

You haven't received the 100% validation you were expecting so now you seem to have flounced.

I used to do private secretarial work for a well-respected child and adolescent psychiatrist, and one day I asked her why she thought some men wanted to be gynaecologists. Her response was that women had the ultimate control because they were able to give birth to the next generation, and this profession was the closest thing for men who were that way inclined. Basically, it seems to be about control. Food for thought.

My DM always used to say she preferred seeing a male doctor.

Calling people who don't agree with your preposterous suggestion handmaidens... grow up.

Those who cannot convince others of their argument often resort to insults. It's a sign.

Not true. Dr Sascha Dua is an eminent female Consultant Breast Surgeon who was actually on tv a couple of months ago (I want to say Channel 5) and it followed her life both at work and at home. She diagnosed my triple negative breast cancer back in December 2019. She is pretty impressive! I saw her privately, but then went on to have NHS treatment at my local hospital. I didn't want to go down the Plan A route of chemotherapy/lumpectomy/radiotherapy so opted for a mastectomy which meant I was cancer-free in six weeks, as opposed to at least seven months (much of which would have been during lockdown). My surgery was done by a Consultant General Surgeon and he was amazing! I definitely had 5 star treatment!

Reading through this, i'm not sure id want anyone to look and tell me the truth.

That’s your hang up though. Your problem if you don’t feel comfortable.

Ask for a female one if you prefer.

They are doctors doing a job

Just when I thought questions on MN couldn't get any more ridiculous. Utter madness...

That is quite an odd take from an intelligent person

Considering that I regularly have to wait months longer on the NHS waiting list to see a female Gynae, yes I do think there's a shortage.

Edited to add: I've been told frequently by hospital booking staff that I could have an appointment much sooner if I would agree to see a male doctor.

I roared with laughter at the brats and twats line. Adam Kay delivered it superbly.

OP you do know you have a choice. If you dont want a dude scoping out your vagina, its not compulsory.

Personally, I have never had an issue with male Obs & Gynae and think your opinion that this is a field exclusively for women is a reflection on your needs, not the competence of the highly trained specialists who work in this field.

A woman has her own opinion, so she’s a handmaiden! How irritating is it when this is trotted out?

Don’t want to see a male gynaecologist, don’t!

But don’t name call me because I’m ok with it.

Shall I start name calling you?

My gynae/ obstetrician consultant was amazing born pre and during pregnancy. Validating about a long term health condition, advocated for me with other health professionals and ultimately kept me and my baby alive during labour.
I think it’s about the individual rather than the gender here and if you can’t see that, that’s a you problem.

My triple negative cancer diagnosed Dec 24.

I was cancer free January 26 after the lumpectomy, the follow up chemo and radio were adjuvant treatment, which I’m very pleased to have received. Prevention is better than cure.

Mine was diagnosed through a mammogram, out of interest how did a gynaecologist diagnose yours?

Yanbu at all!!! Dunno why a man would want to specialise in women's fannies. It's fucking weird.

Lol at citing Adam Kay. An absolute misogynist. Just cos he's gay, doesn't mean he's fine to study my anatomy.

Honestly, the handmaids out in force on this subject amaze me.

YANBU to prefer a female gynecologist. I've had excellent care from multiple male gynecologists though so YABU to want to ban them.

This is one of the most ridiculous threads I've ever read.

A high percentage of those fannys will be having unpleasant problems too! Hardly the easiest route to getting your rocks off.

so remove all male gynaecologists let’s see the waiting lists for appointments then! I’ve never heard anything so bizarre

Yeah I was just thinking about my first two births- both ended in emergencies and both were resolved by men. I didn’t care about their sex at all obviously, it didn’t occur to me whatsoever and why would it? When your life is in danger, you just want the doctor to save you. I never thought of it from their perspective of it being quite exciting because the “boring” births are handled by midwives!

I've worked in women's health and if we didn't have male gynaecologists there would be a huge shortfall! Probably 3/4 of our gynaecologists were male.

Conversely, one of my good friends (a woman) worked in men's health and had a far more intimate knowledge of the male appendages than I would ever want to have!

It is absolutely your right to request a female gynaecologist but, when you are waiting twice as long (or longer) for your appointment please don't complain. Of the gynaecologists I know, the kindest and most respectful have been men. I think, perhaps BECAUSE they are men, they have a genuine interest in how women's reproductive systems work.

Do you think so? It always struck me as odd that a man would want to be a gynaecologist, hence why I asked the question. She didn't phrase it quite like that, but that was the gist. I found the response very interesting at the time, hence why I remembered it.

It’s not weird for a doctor to want to specialise in obs and gynae at all. It’s actually one of the most varied and interesting areas of medicine to specialise in. You have a mix of surgery, oncology and medicine and then the added bonus of helping deliver babies. There are very few medical roles which encompass those three main areas of surgical , medical and oncology. I think gynae might be the only one actually.