US gynaecologist asks women's advice - then apologises for saying 'women'

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This is a fantastic tweet thread full of messages from women that the gynaecology profession must read and follow. Yet his profuse apology for saying 'women' after being criticised leaves a sour note.

mobile.twitter.com/stuboo/status/1467522852664532994

I’ve got to say, a visit to a gynaecologist in the US sounds like a trip to a bloody spa. Some of the things requested like heated gowns… wow. No wonder healthcare is so expensive over there.

@kwiksavenofrillsusername

I’ve got to say, a visit to a gynaecologist in the US sounds like a trip to a bloody spa. Some of the things requested like heated gowns… wow. No wonder healthcare is so expensive over there.

Yeah, we Americans are crazy for expecting to be treated as if we're human.

BTW, you're also paying through the nose (Americanism?), just not at the point of delivery.

We really do not pay through the nose in the UK

Haha no we don't expect heated gowns when going in for a gyneae check here.

I saw his original tweet and was happy at how refreshing it was to see normal language being used for women. Sad to see his grovelling dehumanisation of women.

My Gynae in the US had a heated drawer where all the metal instruments were kept warm. No cold speculums there.

There is this idea extant that the British pay more out of their wages in tax than Americans do.

In the USA, tax paid amounts to about 25% of GDP (and that includes a lot of rich people who contrive to pay no tax at all through various dodges, so the less well off pay a higher proportion of what they earn). But sorting out the American tax system is an arcane art, probably involving the sacrifice of virgins (footnote) on hilltops at midnight under a gibbous moon.

In Britain the rate of income tax is
Up to £12,570 ... 0%
Basic rate: £12,571 to £50,270 ... 20%
Higher rate: £50,271 to £150,000 ... 40%
Additional rate: over £150,000 ... 45%

The NHS is free to everyone at the point of delivery, though we do have a flat-rate prescription charge of £9.35 per item (goes down to nothing when you get your pension), and if you need many medications every month you can get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) at £30.25 for three months, £108.10 for a year. That covers everything except (I think) wigs and surgical bras and support garments. You have to pay for support stockings as each one an item rather than a pair of them being an item... but these are details, I feel.

(footnote) virgin woodlice.

If you enjoy having an annual vaginal exam and a heated gown, great. Completely unnecessary so shouldn't be paid for except as a lifestyle accessory.

Had an ultrasound recently (not gynae) and the radiologist had pre-warmed the gel. When I was having pregnancy ultrasounds (7+ years ago) they hadn't done that. Made a big difference.
The first reply on the thread is "Not having the crotch end of the bed facing the door". Just some basic human decency is what's really required.
And yes, it's WOMEN who need gynaecological care. Women, girls, females.

I can't believe a bloody gynaecologist thinks he 'incorrectly' named women as the ones needing his care.

The word 'folks' is so fucking twee too.

99.999% of those who need this care want to be acknowledged as and called women. That is the correct word to describe human females.

Utter bullshit.

The NHS is free to everyone at the point of delivery, though we do have a flat-rate prescription charge of £9.35 per item (goes down to nothing when you get your pension), and if you need many medications every month you can get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) at £30.25 for three months, £108.10 for a year.

In England, and even there, 90% prescriptions are free, because of age, pregnancy, or various chronic health conditions which mean you get exemptions, such as diabetes.

Here are my suggestions. Instead of warm gowns, I would rather have 1) a female gynae 2) one able to talk about women

@EBearhug

The NHS is free to everyone at the point of delivery, though we do have a flat-rate prescription charge of £9.35 per item (goes down to nothing when you get your pension), and if you need many medications every month you can get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) at £30.25 for three months, £108.10 for a year.

In England, and even there, 90% prescriptions are free, because of age, pregnancy, or various chronic health conditions which mean you get exemptions, such as diabetes.

Yes, well, I was giving worst case so's not to seem too biased.

Because of various health disasters, I haven't paid a bent ha'penny to the NHS this century. Sometimes I feel guilty about it, but I don't know there is any way available (apart from providing unopened packs of goodies for the nurses) that I would be able to do anything about it..

A few years ago when I went for a smear the nurse said “oh, you need a smaller speculum” (I am a very tiny woman).

I was in my mid forties and wasn’t aware they came in different sizes.

She was the first nurse who had ever thought I’d be less uncomfortable by doing this.

I’d like that level of thought for everyone who needs it.

@Linguini

Haha no we don't expect heated gowns when going in for a gyneae check here.

But be honest we don't really get such checks on the NHS at all. Apart from occasional cervical smears done by a nurse, you only see an actual gynaecologist in hospital when an issue has been suspected/identified. NHS is an ultra-minimal service and the USA is likely too extreme in the other direction. There must be a happy medium somewhere surely?

Why can't they just say women and trans and non binary people who need gynaecology care? Includes everyone, avoids pissing women off by erasing, and avoids confusion for those who have English as a second language, and those with learning difficulties. I absolutely get that FTM & NB people need gathering in too.

I can't believe a bloody gynaecologist thinks he 'incorrectly' named women as the ones needing his care.
The word 'folks' is so fucking twee too.

I think 'folks' is more acceptable/commonly used in the USA than UK and I sensed that he bridled about using words like men or people or a long list of "women and men and non-binary and non identifying" etc etc so settled on 'folks who may need gynaecological care'.

It's not elegant but it doesn't seem to be a complete capitulation.

Why can't they just say women and trans and non binary people who need gynaecology care?

Yep... The million squids question right there... Why is excluding women preferable when using "inclusive" language?

Because transwomen want to visit the gynae too. 'Validating identity' was listed as one of the top things a gynae can do for a transwoman on an American gynae's website. A woman is someone who can bond with other women on the doctor with the warmest, prettiest gowns.

The most rapacious health system on the planet is driving this ideology. Why would a private service gynae not want a potential huge new market?

"Folks" is not "twee" in the US; it's just a more casual term for "people." Or sometimes "parents/family" as in "How are your folks?"

Surely it’s the trans men that still need gynae check ups. The trans women will have to go to whatever male checkups are called.
I suppose for a fee they could pretend. After all it’s the less than 1% that are driving this farce.
Everyday is like living in the story of the emperor’s new clothes.