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?

You have the right to feel exactly how you want. If you find it odd but 100 women on here don’t it doesn’t mean you are wrong or weird. We all have the right to be seen by same sex GP if we want. However, it may take longer to get an appointment. But it is your right.

Personally yes I would (and have) happily seen a male GP.
But I don’t think you’re being ridiculous not to want to. And you’re not alone - that might be part of the reason you have to wait longer to see a woman.

I am just saying that I do not want one; why is it so hard for you to understand that? It is my preference. If the Dr wants one then so be it.

I also prefer not to have one. I’ve had one before when the doctor wanted one, but the less people looking at my private parts the better

You do realise that not everyone has one night stands?!

I do feel like that when making gp appointments but then have had several gynaecology referrals and it’s always been a male gynaecologist so I don’t have a choice then.

I’d see whoever was available to be honest!! You’re lucky to get an appointment sometimes. They’re medically trained once they’ve seen one vagina or back passage they’ve seen them all!

I don't it matters what anyone else thinks but you. It's about your comfort levels, not anyone elses.

I'd be fine with either but it's not wrong to feel differently- you are allowed your own feelings about it, just might mean that you need to wait longer for an appointment. It's certainly not ridiculous to feel more comfortable with a female doctor.

If I had to I would do it but I’m lucky that my GP practice is all female apart from one GP and the occasional locum so I tend to get a female GP as standard.

I had to have a hysterectomy recently (and a lot of intimate tests etc beforehand) and the only male staff I saw through everything were for an MRI and then for my surgery the only men in the room were a nurse and the main anaesthetist, all the others were women. With how serious things were around that though I would have seen any male doctor if it was the fastest option.

For general stuff I wouldn’t care about the sex of a medical professional. Same in an emergency. But if it was gynaecological I’d prefer a female practitioner.

I’d prefer a woman but if that meant I’d have to wait longer, I’d see the man.

It doesn't bother me but I don’t think you are unreasonable wanting a female GP.

I sometimes see a male doctor but it depends what your symptoms are and why you wanting to see the doctor i if it’s women problems then yes I ask for the lady doctor another thing I don’t like is when you ring to make an appointment and the receptionist asks why you want to see a doctor I don’t tell them why it’s private they’re just a receptionist to make and cancel appointments maybe that’s just me but I don’t my problems being conversation on the receptionists lunch break

Apart from male GPs maybe having slightly bigger hands, it honestly wouldn't bother me. I went to my male GP for a breast lump and a groin lump and he was really good; very matter-of-fact and sensitive/gentle with the exam. We didn't have a chaperone and i didn't feel i needed one. Shame he's retired now, i never see the same gp twice now.

Same. I’ve had two electives, ivf, and a host of gynaecological issues and prefer to see a man. The women that I’ve seen lacked any sort of bedside manner. Now that I think of it, all treatments for my kids and I’ve only taken them to a male doctor.

I have no choice, there are no female gynaecologists in my area. And the female “chaperones” are very butch looking types, who are very intimidating. I now request my husband is with me for every single meeting, every single appointment, everything. I was really upset when I had an endometrial resection and he wasn’t allowed in the operating theatre with me (I was sedated in the end).
Just shows how appalling the NHS really is. I am now massively traumatised (I don’t want to get into it but needless to say there were more people in than I had been told about) and terrified off having any more surgeries.

I had a digital exam at the hospital once, I never worried about the sex of the proctologist. During the chat I found him creepily flirty, complementing me etc, I wasn’t too concerned because a chaperone came in for the exam.
a few weeks later I got a letter calling me in for a follow up appointment. I called the hospital to ask what it was regarding since he hadn’t found anything during the exam but they said there was nothing in the notes. I told them that I thought he’d been inappropriate and they said they take note.
it has made me wonder what kind of person chooses to be a proctologist.

My surgery offers a chaperone for all appointments, male or female, though I guess they hope people won’t take them up on it for every appointment! They do have volunteers at the surgery who will sit and talk to patients, come in and scribe for patients who need it, and generally be friendly because the drs know they have patients whose main issue is loneliness

I’m not sure if it is the case now but I had an internal examination with my male GP after my last child was born 20 years ago. I was not offered a chaperone and was told nobody was available when I asked. It has put me off male GPs for life.

I have such complex and rare health issues and so many things wrong with me that I can’t afford to be fussy about who I see otherwise I’d be very unwell waiting for appointments all the time if they had to make it a female. I’ve given up worrying about it now (despite being a victim of abuse and all sorts). I do appreciate others wouldn’t be able to cope and obviously I still think people should be given the choice but honestly I’d be dead three times over by now if I delayed things due to making sure I saw a female doctor etc.

Yep. The female specialists kept pushing me to have a hysterectomy over a myemectomy because it’s an easier surgery. The first one especially was super sarkey and dismissive over the fact I would not consider it, but bear in mine I was in my mid 30s, no kids and did not want to close the door on them.

My male specialist was so empathetic, knowledgeable and the consultation went way over time. The ironic thing was I always asked for female specialists but given my experiences over the years I have no idea why I continued to do so! So now I don’t care!

Completely nails it.

If you feel uncomfortable ask for a chaperone. There will be signs telling you can. The doctor won't mind, he's used to it.

They are just triaging you. They don't discuss your issues. Medical staff are trained in confidentiality.

Plus,. I think the phrase 'lady doctor' fell out of use in about 1972....

I just don’t feel comfortable with male doctors, I always ask for a woman.