Does it matter whether your gynecologist is a man or a woman?

[CTyankee]

I have had great female gynecologists, but a male OB delivered my 3 kids. I think this is because there are simply more female gyns now than back in the 60s. I have had several lesbian gyns who were great doctors. My only disappointing experience was with a female doc who was just out of medical school and, as an older woman, I just felt I needed someone with more experience. My new gyn is good, very gentle and I like that.

[Jamastiene]

1. I do not have a gynecologist.

If I need to go poking around in there, I'll do it myself. }(

I also do not have kids and usually women do my pap smears. I'm fine with that. It depends on the gynecologist, to be honest. When I was younger, I went to a male one time. He was abrasive as hell. I imagine there are some men who can be human about it though.

I'm with you on that. Gentle is truly the best feature they can have, male or female.

[CTyankee]

2. When I worked at Planned Parenthood I almost decided not

to have a gyn, but go instead to one of PP's clinics and see a nurse practioner, as they are very, very good at PP. But I thought if I needed a doc for gyn surgery I would be referred out anyway, or maybe in a situation where I'd have to be seen by whoever the doc was. I thought it best to establish a relationship with my own choice of gyn.

[Maine-ah]

3. for me it matters.

My gyn is a woman. I think a woman can understand more about a woman's body than a man ever could and vice versa. Instead of an OB I have gone with a midwife, and so far I am quite pleased with that decision. I guess I'll know more in about 11 weeks.

A friend of mine had dealt with male gyn's, who kept telling her that her ab pain was all in her head. She finally switched to a female, and come to find out the poor girl was suffering from endometriosis, and cysts.

My GP is a female too.

[LaurenG]

4. I prefer a female

They have first hand knowledge about the goings on down there. Guys, well they just don't know what it's really like. Although I appreciate and commend anyone who can get through med school, I'm more comfortable with a female.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. The GP I have been going to for seventeen years is male.

He is knowledgeable and professional and knows my medical history better than anyone else (except for me). I trust him completely, and he knows when to refer me to a specialist if need be. He acts as a basic gynecologist, and that's fine with me.

[Haole Girl]

6. No

My OBGYN is male. He is a health professional, and a very good one.

[mad-mommy]

7. I went to a practice

who had 1 male and 1 female, I felt both did equally well treating me and answering questions, but the male doctor was more compassionate. It doesn't matter to me, as long as they are a good doc.

[radwriter0555]

8. A female gyno is so much more sensible. A woman is much more able

to identify with her patients, obviously.

And my life's experience tells me flat out that women make better doctors in general. I believe that women get into medicine as a passion, a true interest, and for all the right reasons. It would seem that men are not as compassionate, caring and considerate. Men tend to get into medicine for the financial aspect, not necessarily the helping humans aspect. I know a few exceptions to the rule, sure, but by and large... money over humanity.

Now, I know that this isn't true of all docs, but I firmly believe men get into gynecology for the steady income, not out of a true passion for that specific medicine. I have had some decent male gynos, but having had more unpleasant experiences with male gynos than with female gynos, I'll stand by my position.

I know there are bad female gynos, sure, they happen. But I have been able to appreciate my female docs far, far more than my male docs by a long shot. Women tend to be better at caring I think.

[sir_captain]

15. As a male med student, you are dead wrong

I think your generalizations about men in medicine are way out of line and it frankly really pisses me off. I have not met a single classmate, men and women both, who are not extremely dedicated to all the tenets of medicine. If you think that primary care medicine is a good way to become rich, you're extremely welcome to start paying off my half-million dollars in student debt.

If someone wrote the exact same post as you and simply reversed the genders, they would be jumped all over as sexist, mysogynistic pigs, and rightfully so.

I'm sorry you've had poor experiences with male doctors, but you have no right to generalize to such a degree.

[qnr]

16. Thank you. I think that that /really/ needed to be said. n/t

[WindRavenX]

21. well said

:thumbsup:

[philosophie_en_rose]

24. So you know how it feels to have someone probe your vagina?

I think you're taking the post above far too seriously.

[sir_captain]

27. Perhaps you should read the post again

I did not address the question of who makes a more appropriate OB/GYN -- that's obviously a question of personal preference. I have little doubt that if I were a woman, I'd prefer having a female primary care doc. What I objected to was the wholesale slander of all men who are in the medical profession. I find it offensive to be told that I am unable to have compassion for people and that I am somehow spending my time just trying to make money.

Take that post, switch the genders around, and then think about what you'd think of it. Sexism is wrong when it cuts either way.

[radwriter0555]

31. My personal experience with both male ob/gyns and female ob/gyns

places my positive experiences with ob/gyns within the female half of the species.

My further personal experiences with doctors in alllllll forms of medicine still further underscores my lack of good personal experiences with male doctors and my success at positive personal experiences with female doctors.

I made no mention of primary care, because we all know that's the place to get poor in, for sure; you guys are getting hosed on that; But the male specialists most certainly appear to choose their specialties far too often based on income projections. It's not a pleasant thought, and it explains why when I needed a new doctor, I would research the docs who were available for reference.

I have the right to draw such conclusions because I have lifelong personal experience to draw from.

My conclusion is that women make better doctors. Men should strive to be as good as the female doctors... then I wouldn't have anything to complain about.

It's not a question of being mysogenist, it's just the obvious differences in the sexes. Women are better multi-taskers, men are better with single focus obligations. Women are better parents, men are better at specific skilled mechanical labor. And this is generalizing about the majority, not all or nothing.

We just want you to look us in the eye and to stop being so damn condescending. We also want you to remember our names once in a while. It's not a lot to ask. Be a good doc, we need more of them!!!!! :D

[sir_captain]

37. I am flabbergasted

"Women are better parents" ??? A good *person* is what makes a good parent. Larry Summers was fired for making much, much subtler comments than you just did, and he was ripped to shreds here on DU.

You also don't know what you're talking about. An OB/GYN is a primary care "specialist" as is an internist. This is the sort of doctor that 99% of us have as our primary doctor--not just the poor.

Do you have any evidence for your assertions that "male specialists" choose their specialty based on income? Of course not. Would you be surprised to hear that dermatology and emergency medicine, two specialties that are considered to have a very high income and low number of work hours are increasingly sought after by female medical students (for various extremely legitimate reasons, I might add.)

I could go on forever, but there's clearly no point.

[Nicole]

46. As am I.

Just wanted you to know that you are not alone in that. :)

[sir_captain]

50. Thanks for the backup

glad to know I'm not crazy. Yeesh.

[REP]

48. If I'd Stepped In That Post, I'd Have To Burn My Shoes

I have rarely read such a load of horseshit. "Women are better parents"? You're right - "it's not a question of being mysogenist{sic}" - it's a matter of typing out utter nonsense as though it made some sort of sense. Sorry for your bad experiences - can't imagine why you've had problems with doctors...

[ScreamingMeemie]

32. Agreed. My GP is a male and he is the best all around doctor

we've ever had. Compassionate (he donates time each week to a nursing home) Caring...he remembers names and conditions and very knowledgeable. We hit a grand slam with this one.

[REP]

47. What a Hot, Steaming Load!

I've had crappy doctors of both sexes. I've also had wonderful, compassionate, caring, professional, kick-ass male doctors, including and especially my current primary physician, who's an excellent doctor and terrific human being. (My woman GYN falls into that same category, too.)

Men and women are equally good at caring - and not caring. Some doctors shouldn't be doctors. But to say male doctors care less (or are incapable of caring as much) for their patients than women doctors do is insulting and wrong, not mention sexist and stupid.

[Critters2]

53. I tend to agree

I was thinking about this while on a hospital visit the other day. I was driving past the "physicians only" area in the parking lot, and noticed 4 jaguars, 4 hummers, and a bunch of other unnecessarily expensive cars. I couldn't help but think, "And these are the guys who can barely pay their insurance premiums. I'd like to suffer like that."

[evlbstrd]

9. My gynecologist

questions my need for a gynecologist. Just because I'm male. Sexist jerk.

[CTyankee]

11. It would be great if you had the need for an OB/GYN

Is there any way you could arrange to get pregnant? Hey, you'd be the first man to do so! THEN, abortion would be legal, free and always available for sure!

[evlbstrd]

12. That would certainly do the trick.

Would I not also inherit Disneyland?

[CTyankee]

13. Huh? Sorry to be dense

but I don't quite get the connection...

[evlbstrd]

17. Just a joke I once heard.

The first male to get pregnant inherits Disneyland.

[Quantess]

10. Do ya s'spose this thread might be better in Health forum?

I mean, it's a valid subject, and the Lounge is maybe too jokey for a non-humorous subject.

[MissMillie]

14. I prefer a female doctor

It has been my experience, that female doctors are more willing to educate their patients. When I see my doctor, she'll stay w/ me as long as it takes to have my questions answered and never dismisses a question as a "stupid question."

I have been fortunate to have several female doctors treat me this way.

I imagine there are male doctors out there who behave this way, but I have yet to find one.

[begin_within]

18. After watching the movie "Dr. T and the Women," I'm just glad I'll never

have to go to a gynecologist. If I was a woman, I think I would feel a lot more comfortable with a female gynecologist. If I ever have to go to see a urologist, I'm sure I would only go to a male one. Maybe this is sexist, but I think people should go to a doctor they feel comfortable about seeing, and for intimate, gender-specific health problems I think that most people are probably going to feel most comfortable talking to and being seen by a doctor of their same gender. Most people, anyway.

[radwriter0555]

38. You're right.. we feel more in tune with a doctor who actually possesses

the same body parts and who has a basic operating familiarity of that body part.

You can speak directly with a man who has a penis, about your penis.. he's going to understand "that" sensation and "this" difference.

It's not about sexism, it's about sympatico.

[philosophie_en_rose]

19. In my experience, women have been better gynecologists.

I dislike doctors that treat me like a specimen, and, so far, the best doctors I've had are women. Very gentle and patient with my questions. They also tended to believe me and do the extra work to find out what was wrong with me.

It's not proof that gender matters, but there has been a pattern so far.

On the flip side, the best dentists I've had are men. Again, it doesn't mean that women aren't fabulous dentists. Only that the female dentists that I've had did not provide the best services for me.

[Quantess]

44. Female dentists:

I've had maybe 6 or 7 dentists in my life. Neither gender, in my opinion, is better or worse.

My 1st female dentist, which happened to be the nearest, was very skilled, but a real kook who made me feel put-upon. She was very insistent that I listen to a Christian comedy program on her walkman while she worked. The batteries ran out, and I didn't care, so I said nothing, until she asked me my opinion of this supposedly zingy Christian comedy. When I said, sheepishy, that the batteries had run out, she stopped everything to put in new batteries into the walkman, so that I could absorb all this Christian humor she thought was so important for me to hear.

The 2nd female dentist, my current dentist, is very skilled and has good people-skills. She's nice, and personable, and cool. She shares the business with her dentist-father. As soon as I get dental coverage, I'll return.

[skygazer]

20. Their gender doesn't matter to me

What matters is their attitude. I went to a pair of brothers for over 20 years and they were absolutely wonderful. Caring, gentle, considerate, good listeners. The older brother, who delivered my first, went into infertility treatment and his younger brother took over general obstetrics. Both of them were so great and they had a female partner who was fantastic too. I was happy to see any of them.

Between the three of them, they delivered my three kids, my granddaughter, my nephew and my niece. They treated me for a major kidney infection I had while pregnant with my son, as well as cervical cancer.

My current gynecologist is a woman and while I like her very much, she doesn't compare with the crew I used to see. If they weren't 3000 miles away, I'd still be seeing them.

[trof]

22. My doctor friend on doctors:

You don't want a real young doctor. They don't have the experience yet.
You don't want a real old one. They're too set in their ways.

Find one in their 40s who have seen a wide variety of cases and have a fair amount of experience under their belts.
Above all, find one that will LISTEN to you.
Good advice.

[greatauntoftriplets]

23. For years it didn't....

Then my internist sent me to a male doctor who is super Catholic. His office is filled with religious images. That rather freaked me out.

[AngryAmish]

25. Were I a woman, I would want a gyno w/ very small hands

[Nicole]

26. I have no preference

While it's true females can relate more to what I'm going through physically, they don't necessarily know more about it. They don't always show compassion either. I had a female gyno that compared my problem to hers. If she could deal with it & continue working then I should be able to also.

I finally told her "Hey lady, you weren't lifting heavy boxes all day while dealing with your problem".
I went to a male gyno who gave me an excuse for work until after my surgery & recuperation period. The female was only going to give me an excuse for after surgery.

I wouldn't rule out a female specialist if my male GP recommended one. However I won't seek one out based on gender either.

[LostinVA]

28. It does to me -- always a woman

1.) I feel more comfortable with a woman GYN, and

2.) There is no way a man can understand certain things, since they don't have certain parts. Why do I want to go to a doctor that has a chunk of knowledge missing? I don't.

My "GP" is a female Nurse Practioner. I adore her.

My Sports Med doctor is also a female.

[Shine]

29. To me it does.

I have a female gynecologist and I feel more comfortable with her than I would with a man.

I'd be wary of a man who knows more about my yoni than I do...other than my hubby, of course. :evilgrin: LOL.

[Left Is Write]

30. Not to me.

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. A male OB/Gyn delivered my daughter, and female deliverd my

son. Both were great doctors. Both were competent, caring and answered my questions. I don't think it would really matter that much to me.

[Katina]

34. It just matters that they are good and LISTEN

I have a male primary care MD and a female GYN. However, my 1st 2 GYN/OBs (in another state) were male. One was great, the other one was not. Since moving to this state, I have had 3 GYNs in 15 years. The male left the practice...good technically, but no personality, the next woman was just outright arrogant, and now the one I have I really like...and her nurse practitioner is also really good. So, I think it just depends on the individual MD, whether they are there to really listen and help you, or whether they are just going through the motions, looking towards the next patient to walk through the door.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

35. Mine's a woman.

I'm just more comfortable with a female gynecologist. However, my physician is male. The most he ever does however is check my heart rate & BP then give me a new prescription for my ADD meds.

[NewJeffCT]

36. While my wife would prefer a female doctor...

The good ones seem to have waiting lists out to some time past eternity.

The female doctors she has seen she has not liked too much because they did not seem to be the caring/compassionate types.

[Broken_Hero]

39. In my wife's experience

she has had better luck with female ones, than male ones....she says the most men are not as gentle, and the women seem to take more care...:)

[NMMNG]

40. I won't go to a male gynecologist, period.

[Book Lover]

41. No. What really shocked me was that I had a better experience

at Planned Parenthood than at my old traditional OB/GYN practice; both doctors were men. I had used PP for about five years in college; when I got a fulltime job and benefits, I started seeing a doctor in group practice, affiliated with a major hospital (office right across the parking lot from the hospital and everything). I thought I was going to get more personalized care. WRONG! I had to go to PP last year for reasons I won't go into, and found that I was being respected and listened to, and was expected to take the upper hand in decisions regarding my healthcare. My previous doctor was top-down old school. Never again.

[reyd reid reed]

42. Odd as it sounds, the GYNs that I've preferred have all been male

The female docs have been rougher. And I had one when I was about twenty who tried to insist that I examine my cervix. Repressed as I was, I nearly ran from the room in tears. This woman tried to MAKE me and I just wasn't interested, thankyouverymuch.

All but the last of my kids were delivered by male OBs. The fifth was delivered by a midwife.

[insane_cratic_gal]

43. I prefer a female for one reason

I don't have to worry about shaving my legs (or anything else) the day of the appointment :evilgrin:

[reyd reid reed]

45. I don't necessarily shave that day...

I'll check...but the hair on my legs, at least, isn't very thick and grows slowly. Stubble really isn't an issue, even after a week or so. A little lotion usually is enough.

[REP]

49. Doesn't Matter to Me; Experience Does

I've had an excellent male GYN and currently have an excellent female GYN who is also a brilliant surgeon. The male doc delivered me; the female doc is younger than I am, but not young enough to be worrisome. She was recommended to me by brilliant and excellent internist, and I thank him for that every time I remember to.

I prefer doctors who have a more conservative approach to things, such as my ovarian cysts; my current doc agrees with me on that plus she's had them, so she knows first hand that even little grape-sized ones like mine can hurt. (It's a nice change from the temporary GYN who saw me and asked me why I was wasting her time with a ruptured cyst. Um, because it hurt and the ER sent me there for a followup?) I don't need for a doc to have had the same things I do, but it was still kind of nice to hear, "Yeah, those things can hurt a lot!" instead of "Stop wasting my time!"

[Radio_Lady]

51. I'm going to see my male gynecologist tomorrow.

He's an Asian male who seems to have a good reputation with the HMO we go to. He did a uterine polyp removal on me last year and they were benign. I didn't have any after effects, and the anesthesia was amazing.

The female doctor I had prior to him -- was also a teacher and she was only at the clinic two days a week -- too hard to schedule with her.

[Critters2]

52. I've never been to a male gyn

I think it would creep me out a little.

[ChickMagic]

54. I don't go anymore, but when I did

I preferred a male. I had primary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, etc. and
female gyns told me it was all in my head and I was just trying to con
drugs out of them. Men were much more sympathetic. After my uterus was
removed, it had holes with "powder burns" where the cramping had actually
blown holes in it.

Too much information? :blush:

[MountainMama]

55. OMG!!

I've never heard of anything like that! I'm just glad it got taken care of and you're OK. :hug:

[ChickMagic]

57. Thanks, MountainMama!

:hug:
I had horrible problems and begged for a hysterectomy. No
doctor would do it when I was twenty and eventually I developed
stage IV ovarian cancer. That did the trick. I'm 20 years out
from it now.

I remember my mom telling me when I first started menses that
I was going to lay an egg like a chicken. I didn't come out
of the bathroom for days because I'd be embarrassed if it fell
out and broke on the sidewalk. :)

Back then, when I was 13 or 14, they put me on BC pills. At that
time, they were REALLY strong. We went camping and I laid on the
ground and puked my guts out for 2 weeks in the TX summer heat.

I was sent to a psychiatrist who told me that my extreme cramping
was due to my fear of sex. Huh? Anyhoo, I don't miss it one bit.

[mad-mommy]

56. I went through...

I went through 4 doctors before being diagnosed with that...5th one was a great doc. All male. Thankfully, I found him.

[ChickMagic]

59. Weird, isn't it?

So many of them think women are just hysterical.
Hence, the term hysterectomy.

[xmas74]

58. I prefer midwives.

I had a female OB/Gyn when I had my daughter but just for the c-section. I didn't like her because I never saw her until I was being prepped and saw her only once after.

For me it doesn't matter. All I really care about is bedside manner and I seem to find a better bedside manner w/ midwives.