A lot of people in this forum are trying to choose a specialty, and I think this poll might help people (including me) narrow down the specialties they are interested in. In all sincerity, my intention here is not to be a troll; my intention is to gather information that will help females decide if they want to be urologists and to help males decide if they want to be ob/gyns. I am not going to judge you based on what your vote is, which is why I made the votes private. Thank you for voting, since this is a topic that has been weighing on my mind for a long time.
do you choose your doctor based on gender?
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I've been to both a male and a female urologist. I stick with the male only because I work with him, he's closer, and he doesn't make me pay. Also, he's a good doctor.
I tend to pick female doctors if they're available. For some specialties they just aren't available - e.g. I only found one local female orthopedic surgeon covered by my health plan, and then the number I dialed was disconnected.
Ironically enough, I tend to prefer male ob/gyn physicians. Most male ob/gyn's I've seen tend to be fairly open-minded about it because they don't have any personal experience with such matters.
Ironically enough, I tend to prefer male ob/gyn physicians. Most male ob/gyn's I've seen tend to be fairly open-minded about it because they don't have any personal experience with such matters.
Doesn't matter as long as they warm up the speculum ... haven't I said this already?? That's the only thing that matters!
I could care either way about the gender of my urologist. A woman may be even better, seeing as how Im not too crazy about having another dude handle my package. But whatever. However, my girlfriend will see a female ob/gyn, thank you very much.
I'm female, so hands down - female ob/gyn; however, I don't care about the gender for any other specialty. I have had both male & female PCPs, male dermatologist, male orthopedic surgeon, male general surgeon, and male & female pediatricians. 
There is just something about going to a male ob/gyn that I just won't do. Hasn't anyone seen "the hand that rocks the cradle?"
There is just something about going to a male ob/gyn that I just won't do. Hasn't anyone seen "the hand that rocks the cradle?"
Word. I'm not progressive/mature/secure enough to go to a male OB/Gyn. Sexist? Of course. But I'm not super fond of the whole OB/Gyn experience anyway (i.e., I'd rather get the cooter cancer than go in for my yearly) and I don't want to be further weirded out on the rare occasions when I do actually go.
Haha you are awesome. Would you be willing to see Ben Stiller, the famous bestsest OB-GYN on the planet?
Just wanted to point out that many women don't seem to care much about the gender of their obstetrician, but plenty have some sort of a preference about their gynecologist. Assuming you consult either doctor about your sexual issues, of course.
We should expand this poll to include sexual orientation?
Would a gay guy rather see a female urologist?
Would a lesbian rather see a male OB-GYN?
Would a gay guy rather see a female urologist?
Would a lesbian rather see a male OB-GYN?
I'm a little biased here because my mom's OB/GYN is male and he's wonderful! And in my family we don't like to go to the doctor, so that says a lot. So maybe I would go to him, in particular.
However, if I didn't know any, I would probably play safe and pick a female gynecologist as well.
However, if I didn't know any, I would probably play safe and pick a female gynecologist as well.
- Jul 23, 2004
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This thinking is much more common than most people think. I was speaking with a group of women a few weeks ago and about half shared this sentiment. Several of them mentioned male OB/GYNs taking them "more seriously" than female OB/GYNs.
Yeah, I go back and forth trying to figure this out sometimes. For example, I don't suffer from serious PMS or disabling menstrual cramps, and when I hear other women say that they need to take an entire day off of work and stay home with a heating pad there's this little voice in my head that says "Puh-leaze, you've got to be kidding me!" Because I'm thinking hey, I'm a woman, and I've never had this problem. My logical mind knows that everyone has their own problems and their experiences are unique to them, but that little snippy attitude just rears its ugly head from time to time.
And then the other theory is that maybe I feel a sense of inadequacy or competition being worked on by another woman with similar equipment.
My undergrad only had female gynecologists at the health center. I guess just to play it safe since most of the students ask for a female doctor. I used to think it wouldn't matter, but after working with some male doctors (not gyns) at my current job and hearing comments about female patients, I will avoid a male gynecologist like the plague. Sorry guys!
I'm female, so hands down - female ob/gyn; however, I don't care about the gender for any other specialty. I have had both male & female PCPs, male dermatologist, male orthopedic surgeon, male general surgeon, and male & female pediatricians.
Yea, ditto. Female ob/gyn or NP but for problems unrelated to sex/reproduction I don't really care. The male fp who referred me to a female ob/gyn didn't seem to mind this preference at all. Plus, all of the NPs (and docs) at my college's women's health group are women so there's not a choice available there even if someone wanted one.
I Agree
Thanks, guys. And thanks to everyone for voting so far. I must admit I'm surprised by the results so far: since there was once a time when all ob/gyns were male and since male ob/gyns have been around much longer than female urologists, I expected people to be more comfortable with male ob/gyns than with female urologists. I see where you people are coming from, though.
Where I'm coming from: I'm a female who's interested in urology, but lately I've been wondering if it's worth it if a lot of patients would choose a male doctor over me. Since SDN members tend to be younger than the general population on average, I'm guessing that the viewpoints you people exhibit are going to be around for a long time to come. All the urologists I've interacted with so far have been encouraging, but the viewpoints exhibited in this poll are just one additional thing for me to consider, I guess.
Factoid: In 2002, 28.6% of ob/gyns were men; 12.7% of urologists were women (JAMA).
Irrelevant factoid: Other specialties that are low on women include anesthesiology (28%) and radiology (24.7%). Anyone with insight into why these fields would be low on women? It's not as though they're poor-lifestyle specialties the way that, say, general surgery is. I would have thought that women would gravitate toward such specialties for lifestyle reasons.
- Aug 11, 2006
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I think guys in general care less about that sort of stuff.
I think you'd still have plenty of male patients as a female urologist.
Ive gone to a female fp doctor for years so that might have something to do with my apethy
I think you'd still have plenty of male patients as a female urologist.
Ive gone to a female fp doctor for years so that might have something to do with my apethy
Guys should play it safe and never become a OB/GYN. They are leaving themselves wide open for false accusations which will most certainly be believed. Loss of medical licence, criminal charges, and a civil lawsuit are just not worth it guys.
Honestly I don't care what gender my doctor is. Most doctors just see their patients as a bunch of veins, nerves, and organs anyway.
Honestly I don't care what gender my doctor is. Most doctors just see their patients as a bunch of veins, nerves, and organs anyway.
lol, seems like the females win either way. But then again that's what I've heard about nurses too-patients prefer female nurses in a simlar fashion =(
I personally don't care. If anything guys prefer the female over a male urologist since you're not putting yourself in a vulnerable position in relation to another man. So while it's still embarassing you don't feel as threatened telling a female.
At the end of the day I don't think it really matters since the male urologists I know are all pretty successful anyway (although I only know 2), and the one I actually know decently is a pretty nice person so I don't think I'd feel weird about it either.
I personally don't care. If anything guys prefer the female over a male urologist since you're not putting yourself in a vulnerable position in relation to another man. So while it's still embarassing you don't feel as threatened telling a female.
At the end of the day I don't think it really matters since the male urologists I know are all pretty successful anyway (although I only know 2), and the one I actually know decently is a pretty nice person so I don't think I'd feel weird about it either.
If I could add in another obnoxious prejudice when I had my son, I was with Kaiser, and they like to rotate you through a bunch of ob-gyns so that the odds are one of them will be oncall when you deliver. Myself, I was ok with the male ob I saw (nurses describe him as a big teddy bear, and that's pretty accurate -few people would see him as threatening or sleazy within 5 minutes in a room with him), but one of the things that would have made me uncomfortable would have been discussing my attitudes about what I wanted with someone who had gone through their medical education in a 3rd world type setting. I have a friend who did some away rotations in Pakistan, and she tells stories about nurses slapping women in labor across the face when they were screaming from the pain -this is not the sort of environment I would want the person who helps me through my pain to be comfortable with, thanks. I can also imagine that it would be a leap for someone from a more sexually conservative culture to understand when I go to him/her for advice about my libido.
I also wouldn't want a pediatrician to be uncomfortable with me breastfeeding an infant in front of him (especially if he's kept me waiting for an hour with a sick, cranky infant), or to be unfamiliar with typical american parenting and its most common variations. I have seen both male and female peds who got that, and both male and female who didn't. I know many of my students' parents seek out MDs from their own ethnic group.
I guess the difference is, you can theoretically educate an MD, regardless of background, into relating to patients of various cultures/genders, but you can't necessarily do the same for patients.
when I had my son, I was with Kaiser, and they like to rotate you through a bunch of ob-gyns so that the odds are one of them will be oncall when you deliver. Myself, I was ok with the male ob I saw (nurses describe him as a big teddy bear, and that's pretty accurate -few people would see him as threatening or sleazy within 5 minutes in a room with him), but one of the things that would have made me uncomfortable would have been discussing my attitudes about what I wanted with someone who had gone through their medical education in a 3rd world type setting. I have a friend who did some away rotations in Pakistan, and she tells stories about nurses slapping women in labor across the face when they were screaming from the pain -this is not the sort of environment I would want the person who helps me through my pain to be comfortable with, thanks. I can also imagine that it would be a leap for someone from a more sexually conservative culture to understand when I go to him/her for advice about my libido. I also wouldn't want a pediatrician to be uncomfortable with me breastfeeding an infant in front of him (especially if he's kept me waiting for an hour with a sick, cranky infant), or to be unfamiliar with typical american parenting and its most common variations. I have seen both male and female peds who got that, and both male and female who didn't. I know many of my students' parents seek out MDs from their own ethnic group.
I guess the difference is, you can theoretically educate an MD, regardless of background, into relating to patients of various cultures/genders, but you can't necessarily do the same for patients.
boy, you really are paranoid. Don't get married, don't do anything that could let you get sued.....just bury all your gold under the floor, Silas.
My undergrad had two male OB/GYNs and no women. Never heard any complaints.
- Feb 12, 2006
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I'm female and don't have a preference with regard to the gender of my OB/Gyn. I've seen men and women who I liked and didn't like. It comes down to personality and bedside manner rather than gender for me.
My mom is opposite of most women - she won't see a female OB/Gyn.
And for the OP wondering about going into urology as a woman - my husband is completely weirded out by the idea of seeing a male urologist.
My mom is opposite of most women - she won't see a female OB/Gyn.
And for the OP wondering about going into urology as a woman - my husband is completely weirded out by the idea of seeing a male urologist.
I'm a female and I've seen both male and female docs.
Granted... i've never seen a male ob/gyn, but i have seen a male family practice when i was ~10-11. And let me tell you.... it was CREEEEEPY CREEEEPY CREEEEEEPY CREEEEEPY.
I am scarred for life. And now, I vow never again will i EVERRRRRRr see a male ob/gyn, family practice, obstetrician, anything to do with my reproductive system.
Granted... i've never seen a male ob/gyn, but i have seen a male family practice when i was ~10-11. And let me tell you.... it was CREEEEEPY CREEEEPY CREEEEEEPY CREEEEEPY.
I am scarred for life. And now, I vow never again will i EVERRRRRRr see a male ob/gyn, family practice, obstetrician, anything to do with my reproductive system.
- Jul 23, 2004
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Wow. Was your mom or dad not in there with you? I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing a physical examination of a 10 or 11 year old without a parent present. Both for legal reasons and to cut down on the creep-factor for the kid.
Of course you're entitled to your preference. And, I have no personal stake in this since OB/Gyn is about as far away from my interests as you could get. But, this argument never made any sense to me. Would you only go to an oncologist who had cancer? Would you only go to a neurosurgeon with an aneurysm? Do you see where I'm going with this....? Just because a doctor hasn't experienced your exact symptoms (and let's not pretend that just because one woman has experienced dysmenorrhea that it's necessarily the same as another's) doesn't mean that the doctor is incapable of being empathetic or is incapable of treating your symptoms.
I"m a bit suprised with the results here. I frankly choose the Ob-Gyn who is most convenient to me - it matters not whether they are male or female, and I've used both. I thought most women would feel the same, but then I've always felt comfortable with that area and have not sexualized the exam as some seem to be doing here.
As for the mechanic analogy, I'm not sure its valid. After all, I'm a surgeon who's never had cholecystitis but feel comfortable talking with a patient about it, diagnosing it and surgically removing the gallbladder. I diagnose women every day with breast cancer (and some men) and have never had cancer myself. If one had to have personal experience with every medical condition to be an expert, we'd have a lot fewer generalists and a lot more specialists.
A female Ob-Gyn may be better able to understand menstrual cramps, labor and delivery (if she has children), etc. but being able to experience the same as your patients doesn't make you a better physician, IMHO.
As for the mechanic analogy, I'm not sure its valid. After all, I'm a surgeon who's never had cholecystitis but feel comfortable talking with a patient about it, diagnosing it and surgically removing the gallbladder. I diagnose women every day with breast cancer (and some men) and have never had cancer myself. If one had to have personal experience with every medical condition to be an expert, we'd have a lot fewer generalists and a lot more specialists.
A female Ob-Gyn may be better able to understand menstrual cramps, labor and delivery (if she has children), etc. but being able to experience the same as your patients doesn't make you a better physician, IMHO.
I dunno, I guess in the end I just feel more comfortable with a woman tinkering down there than a man.. maybe I'm just too old-fashioned..
Then you'd want a man - they were the OB-Gyn's of our mother's generation and before!
But I don't think I'd want ANYONE tinkering around...they'd better know what they are doing and put everything back where it was!
To me experience does matter a lot. I could care less whether a male ob/gyn gives me paps, but if I have another baby I will be sure to have a doc that has gone through it before. This isn't to say that I would only go to a woman obstetrician. I would only go to a female obstetrician that has had a baby. My first ob never had kids and she was really blasé about my pregnancy. She even prescribed me several class c meds, saying there was, "little" chance of harm to the baby. When it is your baby a "little" chance is still unacceptable. You can describe pregnancy and childbirth all day. You can see hundreds...but it isn't the same as experiencing it. Just my opinion, feel free to ignore it.
I'm female, so hands down - female ob/gyn; however, I don't care about the gender for any other specialty. I have had both male & female PCPs, male dermatologist, male orthopedic surgeon, male general surgeon, and male & female pediatricians.
Yes I have.
The majority of girls I know who have had multiple babies and had gender differences in their docs have preferred male OB/Gyn's because they are gentler. The sentiment might have more to do with lady docs who have had kids, though, because they have (again secondhand here) expressed something to the effect of "It's not that bad" as if the laboring mother ought to be more of a trooper.
From a male prospective, I prefer docs who are women when they don't suck (big problem in my experience). Urology? Don't care unless I need someone to get a semen sample firsthand.
I think that you are going to see a lot of variation in responses based on people who have had a lot of pelvic exams vs. those who haven't. It really shouldn't be a big deal.
Yes I have.
The majority of girls I know who have had multiple babies and had gender differences in their docs have preferred male OB/Gyn's because they are gentler. The sentiment might have more to do with lady docs who have had kids, though, because they have (again secondhand here) expressed something to the effect of "It's not that bad" as if the laboring mother ought to be more of a trooper.
From a male prospective, I prefer docs who are women when they don't suck (big problem in my experience). Urology? Don't care unless I need someone to get a semen sample firsthand.
I think that you are going to see a lot of variation in responses based on people who have had a lot of pelvic exams vs. those who haven't. It really shouldn't be a big deal.
Naughty, naughty.
Oh and to answer the question, I'm a female who prefers a female ob/gyn. The big reason for that would be the only time I've seen an ob/gyn is when I was pregnant. I'd prefer an ob that has kids and has gone through pregnancy/labor verses one that hasn't.
I only see female doctors in any specialty, OB/GYN or otherwise, unless I'm in a severe emergency situation - it's a bit of a neurosis I have. A few years ago I broke my ankle and I elected to wait for an hour longer in the emergency room to see a female doctor.
I can't ever imagine being comfortable with a male psychiatrist, much less a male OB/GYN, but to each their own.
I can't ever imagine being comfortable with a male psychiatrist, much less a male OB/GYN, but to each their own.
Basically I could care less if the doctor is a man, woman, or whatever else - as long as they are warm, friendly, and good at what they do, I'm happy.
I chose my wife based on gender. She happens to be a doctor.
I guess that means I chose my doctor based on gender!