Would you see a male GP for a personal health issue?

[rhaenyraT]

Ive always asked for female doctors when being seen for this long standing issue before (to do with my arse basically - likely to need to get my pants off and possible have a digital exam). However this time I can only see a male GP or I have to wait ages. I’ve gone ahead and booked the appointment and keep telling myself that it’s just a body part to them but I still feel weird about seeing a male for a personal issue like this. Am I being ridiculous?

But if you let a random guy see your genitals on a ONS what difference is it letting your GP see

Same, why is he looking at a patient and assessing their sexual attractiveness

What have I said that possibly indicates I have ever had a one night stand?

I always prefer a female doctor and always ask for one. I’ve had too many bad experiences with male doctors being dismissive and I can’t be arsed (no pun intended) with them anymore.

In your case, I would probably just deal with it. If it makes you more comfortable ask for a chaperone - your number one priority is your health but a close second is feeling comfortable and safe.

my male GP rushed to get a chaperone when i needed to show my breast

Used to work in a gp surgery. Sometimes I acted as a chaperone on behalf of a female doctor, when she did a more intimate examination on a male.

No im saying generally. And most people have had one at some point

I honestly used to think a doctor was a doctor but the medical gaslighting by both male and female doctors I have seen and heard of over the years has changed my mind. It’s bad enough having to see a female GP who doesn’t listen never mind a male one.

Would I be at all bothered about showing any part of my body to a male Doctor? Definitely not.

I just have absolutely no faith

As he should. Chaperones protect the GP as much as you… nobody wants to be accused of something underhand that could ruin their career.

When I was much younger and needed a rectal examination, there were no female GP’s working in my surgery, so unfortunately I had no choice. The practice nurse came in as chaperone and it was fine. But once we had female doctors at the surgery, I always asked for one if it was something sensitive. It matters more to some people than others and that’s ok. I wouldn’t let something urgent potentially get worse though, simply through lack of a female doctor.

Well if you’re speaking generally I’d say that people are ok with men they are consenting to sexual touch with seeing their sexual parts in a sexual context. They’re not ok with man they do not want sexual contact with touching their sexual parts or looking at their sexual parts even if the GP doesn’t view it sexually.

It’s all about consent and personal preference. There are thousands of commendable and excellent male GPs. There are also sexual predators and multiple doctors have been found guilty of such behaviour. So if a woman wants a woman doctor so she should have one.

Last year, I kept getting non-sexual thrush as I have a huge problem with gluten - I can't eat any type of bread, including those with wraps, pizzas and even things like breaded fish fingers, etc., as it made both inside and outside of my ''you know what'' absolutely agony, and it felt like there was barbed wire in and around and spike limpy bits. Lots of excessive stinging too. I bought Canesten cream and even shoved plain unflavoured yoghurt up and around there, but it was painful getting my finger in and around to do it, so in the end I saw a doctor, a male, and he was great!

He was very patient and understanding and did a physical test ''down there' as gently as he could. I didn't feel embarrassed or anything. In his 30+ years as a trainee and qualified doctor, he's seen hundreds of women's bits!

If they were needing to physically examine my nethers then I'd prefer a woman. But if it was urgent I'd take anyone qualified!

I would accept a specialist of the opposite sex, like in a GUM clinic or gynae or cancer clinic. But a GP is a generalist and therefore I feel I'd rather have a woman.

WTF has one night stands got to do with this?

Its disturbing to think there's even the smallest link in either the patient or a doctors mind.

We all have the right to request a female or male doctor. That shouldnt be up for judgement. The fact that me, you, the next door neighbours milkman's daughter wouldn't care is totally irrelevant. Some women do have a big problem with a male practitioner and they have the right to ask. If that means waiting a little longer to be seen then that's for them to decide/weigh up at the time based on their own circs.

Our local GP's speciality is gynae and he's male. He trained and then changed to a GP after - so he's first person given. He's fine and you should have a nurse with you?
Tbh, it's hard to get appts so I'd be keen to get things rolling but totally understand if you're not comfortable. You can ask for a lady.

I wouldn’t like it, but I guess I’d suck it up in your situation, as being seen is preferable to a long wait.

I’m not sure why people feel the need to say that male doctors have seen ‘everything’ before? Like, yeah. Obviously. The issue isn’t their comfort, the issue is the female patient’s comfort. It’s not unreasonable to feel uncomfortable being examined intimately by a male doctor, and prefer a female.

What do you all think happened 30+ years ago when there were few female docs? Or specialities where there are few?
A chaperone should be offered as standard BY EITHER SEX doctor for an intimate exam.

Yeah thats fine but why would somebody be comfortable showing their genitals to a holiday romance or someone they met in a club as opposed to a doctor with a chaperone

Not a chance will I ever be alone in any way with a white man. Too many bad apples.

I have no issues with a male doctor, nor does my OH with a female doctor.

Last time he went to have his prostate checked, he was asked if a young female student doctor (on placement) could also have a rummage to give her experience.
He said it wasn't a lot of fun but the doc said it was difficult for students to get real world experience with that type of thing.😳

I don’t know, ask those people. Probably to do with context as I explained.

Doesn’t make sense to me

It seems when your drunk and sober they are two different rules

My gyn consultant is male so no, this wouldn't bother me and I really doubt any male doctor would be fazed BUT you are entitled to your feelings and more than in your rights to ask for a chaperone. Hope your issue is resolved soon.

Look at it this way. If I want someone to look at me sexually then it’s ok for them to look at me sexually. If I don’t want them to look at me sexually, then because I cannot read minds I’d avoid a man looking at my sexual parts because you don’t know if he may be looking at them sexually, which is what isn’t wanted.

So remove the man and you remove the risk of a man you don’t consent to looking at you sexually looking at you sexually.