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Original poster

Male or female Gyno Dr - would you be fussed either way?

34 replies

flimflaminurjams · 26/01/2018 23:05

Just that really. I've been referred for an ongoing problem I've had since August.

Would you prefer to get your bits out in front of a female or male specialist or not bothered?

To be honest I would go to a male specialist, because they are a specialist (and this gyno problem is driving me up the wall). But it did make me surprised to see it was 70% male and 30% female specialists in this field across the 5 hospitals I can choose from (on NHS)

OP posts:
ProseccoPoppy · 26/01/2018 23:10

My gynocologist is a man. I go to him because he is the best person for the job as he has a very specific relevant specialism (I have private cover so a fair bit of choice). I don’t care who I see - I just care if they have the right skill set and he really does. The 70:30 thing is probably “just” the typical sex split for senior roles as I imagine consultants, like many other senior roles across a variety of sectors, are still more male, much as I very much hope that is changing over time.

frazzled3ds · 26/01/2018 23:10

I've been seen and treated by both male and female specialists in the past - I'm in the 'really don't care so long as they can sort it' camp! I appreciate that some people are less comfortable with a doctor of the opposite sex, and respect that - however have had three kids, all under consultant care and interventions in two deliveries, any 'hang ups' I may have had about who is looking at everything down there have long since been dismissed!

Hope you're able to get a swift resolution either way :)

Elsie2791 · 26/01/2018 23:11

"To be honest I would go to a male specialist, because they are a specialist"

I'm a bit confused, wouldn't you be seeing a specialist either way?

I've seen three consultants in recent years (not for anything gynaecological). My experience was that the one with the best communication skills was the female one, but that could just be coincidence I suppose.

I'd go see the one you can think is most qualified, but if you're not happy don't be afraid to ask to be referred to someone else. Some medics may have all the knowledge, but lack a good bedside manner, which is the main thing. I'm not bothered who looks at my bits in terms of their bits, but I do want them to not be a complete bit, so to speak.

toomuchhappyland · 26/01/2018 23:12

Doesn’t bother me at all - I’ve had plenty of male gynaes looking at my fanjo in my time. But I am from a medical family and I think that helps. They genuinely become utterly unbothered and only see a fanny as an object to be fixed. It might as well be a knee or an eyeball.

Original poster
flimflaminurjams · 26/01/2018 23:21

Elsie, sorry my wording wasn't clear. What I meant was I wouldn't mind if I saw a male specialist or a female specialist.

OP posts:
Spam88 · 26/01/2018 23:25

Depends I suppose. I'm more comfortable with a female. If my only option for a smear was to have w male do it, I wouldn't have it done, but if I had a problem I probably would be less bothered as long as it was someone who could sort it. When I was in labour I couldn't have cared less (although they were all female).

Thistlebelle · 26/01/2018 23:27

It wouldn’t bother me either way.

I’d be happy to have a make doctors if that meant a female doctor was left available for someone who needed one.

Thistlebelle · 26/01/2018 23:27

^^ Blush so many typos!

RefuseTheLies · 26/01/2018 23:30

I had years of fertility tests, ivf and have given birth. It’s now a surprise to me when a doctor doesn’t want to look at my foof. I stopped caring a long time ago about having a male or female consultant / Doctor / nurse / whatever

HirplesWithHaggis · 26/01/2018 23:34

I'm not overly bothered. IME, male doctors faffing with my foof have been rather kinder and gentler than women, no idea why. Confused

BrazzleDazzleDay · 26/01/2018 23:35

I really couldnt care, although I do think men are possibly a bit more... gad cant think of the word, but I mean more focused/worried bout small changes etc.. I prefer males tbh

BarryTheKestrel · 26/01/2018 23:38

I've been seeing a male gynecologist for a year now for an ongoing problem. He's the only one that's taken me seriously so far and appears to be willing to help. The 2 female gynecologists I saw before him dismissed my issues as nothing. He has made a real difference to something that was causing me distress and discomfort daily and I couldn't be more thankful.

For basic smears etc I've only ever seen females but for anything more than that I've seen a combination and have always found the males more sympathetic to the issues and more helpful.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 26/01/2018 23:43

I would want the best person/Dr for the job

gryffen · 26/01/2018 23:49

My last consult for my daughter's birth was male and during pushing he said I hope your not embarrassed- I said for God's sake no, if you are then your in the wrong job lol

Been good friends since then and he does all my gyn checks etc.

tobee · 27/01/2018 01:47

I was referred to a male gynae, nhs, no choice, for hysteroscopy and subsequent hysterectomy. I was quite happy and he did a great job.

But I was interested about the whole dynamic. I googled to find out whether patients thought it was issue etc. I came across an article about how male doctors like to specialise in gynaecology. Apparently, this is because women are much better patients in that they have higher pain thresholds, are more "in touch" with their bodies. But are also less likely to down play a problem then men do. Dunno if it's actually true!

Ireallylovetea2 · 27/01/2018 01:57

I'm not overly bothered but, in my albeit limited experience, I've found that male gynaecologists are more sympathetic and gentle, whereas the female ones were more like "yeah, I know, deal with it!"

Sounds silly, but I have more of an issue if they're a lot younger than me, which isn't hard nowadays, lol. I tend to feel patronized and worry that they don't have enough experience.

PollyPerky · 27/01/2018 08:34

My own gynaecologist is a man- seen them privately for over 10 years- and is absolutely adorable. I never feel embarrassed because he is kind, efficient in a professional way, gentle and says sorry if it hurts, so I have no issue with this.

I have also had more vaginal scans than I can remember again with a man (consultant radiologist) and he;s lovely too- incredibly gentle and caring.

I think male drs can understand that women may be embarrassed so make the extra effort to be caring, whereas some women drs are a bit gung ho!

MaisyPops · 27/01/2018 08:37

I couldn't care less as long as they are good at their job.

However, i would defend the right of other women to request a female dr.

TheNecroscope · 27/01/2018 08:40

I’m having a gynae operation this week and chose a female gynaecologist to see. If I had a choice, I’d choose female every time for anything relating to a female body.

Rubberduckies · 27/01/2018 08:48

I don't really care as long as they know what they're doing and can communicate it! In my experience male drs are more gentle down there and more willing to investigate some things when female drs have dismissed them. Interestingly enough Dh found a female dr gentler with his balls too!! It obviously depends a lot on the individual though.

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 27/01/2018 08:58

Always a woman. The last time I saw a male gynecologist he upset me so much I was urged to put in a complaint against him. I will always request a female - I have never had an issue with female gynecologists and have found they have understood me in a way the male gynecologists didn't.

hazeyjane · 27/01/2018 09:07

I have had a lot of gynaecological scans, examinations and procedures with men, women and seemingly every medical student in the South of England (on one particular day it seemed like they were all in there at the same time) - the only person I made a complaint about was female, she was abrupt, rude and it hurt. She then left me legs in stirrups with a curtain open. The nurse who walked past and found me supported my complaint as she was so shocked by my treatment.

I don't think this happened because she was female, she was just a crappy person who was bad at their job. Like MaisyPops, I would always defend the right of other women to request a female Dr.

However, like Maisy

PinkBlueYellow · 27/01/2018 09:28

I've had both.

I did feel more mortified with a male Dr's fingers right up inside me....Blush

So yes, I would prefer a woman in an ideal world but certainly wouldn't refuse a man.

StripySocksAndDocs · 27/01/2018 09:38

Seen both; don't care really as long as they are professional and not rude (experienced rude from both sexes).

I do opt for a nurse (over a doctor) for smears. I have a preference for female mostly because I decided they know what it's like to have a put speculum inside you (I'm quite titled, in the wrong hands it's very painful).

ToadsforJustice · 27/01/2018 21:06

I always choose female nurses or doctors or consultants. IME, men become gynaecologists because they are not good enough to become surgeons, so the closest they get is performing c-sections.