[JUSTYSMOM]

Hi,

I have used a male OB/Gyn ever since I started going to see one (oh about 20 years or so). I have never been to a female doctor. I have friends who swear by them. They say only a female doctor could really understand what they are feeling. They would NEVER go to a male doctor. Others (like myself) prefer male doctors. Maybe it's phychological on my part? I don't know why, but the thought of another female poking around in there makes me uncomfortable.

Who do you prefer? Is there really that much of a difference? Are female doctors more sensitive than males? Or is that dependant on the doctor? I thought my male doctor was sensitive, thoughtful and caring. He also had a great sense of humor. Who do you work for?

The reason why I am asking this is I have recently moved. There is an all female practice about 5 minutes away from me. My regular doctor is a good 25 minutes. I don't know if it is worth the switch or just stay with him.

Thanks
Jules

[elkpark]

I've known kind, sensitive OB/GYNS who were male and who were female. Also the opposite. It's more about the individual than the gender. The most unpleasant GYN I ever went to was a woman (my father, another physician in the community, tried to warn me that I wouldn't like her, but I wouldn't listen ... ).

[PennyLane]

I've only ever visited a female OB/GYN so I can't compare to a man. Personally, I feel more comfortable with a female doctor for both my PCP and my GYN. Also when I was in therapy I chose a female social worker. Those are the only specialties that I'm picky about in terms of gender.

[mother/babyRN]

I've worked with both and had a male OB GYN simply because I worked with him before we had a female physician...Now that I work for both, I do have to say that even if sometimes in the working environment males can be easier to work with or meld for lack of a better way of describing it, the female physicians have can identify more with our laboring patients because some of them have actually been through the same thing physically...I find it is much more realistic if a female physician who has actually pushed out a child of her own is explaining when or how to do that than a male who just can't quite get the gist of it...That said, both groups I have worked with have been equally accepted by the public at large..

[BabyRN2Be]

For my own reasons, I really prefer a female. I guess the first positive exam was with a female, and most of the negative ones have been with males. Just my opinion. Everyone is different.

[mother/babyRN]

I am switching to the female group because I too feel more comfortable discussing things with them...

[fergus51]

All things being equal, I'd choose a female. That said I will always pick the provider I feel most comfortable with and that has been a man about half of the time.

[hypnotic_nurse]

Had a very bad experience with a male urologist when I was in my 20s. So now I only see females unless there isn't one available in the specialty that I need.

[jnette]

Female.

I must be honest and say in all my grown years, I have had ONE kind, caring, sensitive male OB/GYN who also wonderfully delivered my son. He was sweet, kind, genuine, and from Lebanon. I'd have taken him with me everywhere if I could have.

I have moved a LOT... both in the military and in civilian life, so have had my fair share of PCPs... I have found that the male docs have been arrogant, condescending, patronizing, uninterested, bored... that I felt more like a number than a person, and always felt I was being rushed.

No more. I have a female PA now, and I'm sticking with her ! I feel like a human being again !

[Marie_LPN, RN]

My physician is a male, the PA is a male, the NP is a female. I see all three, they're at the same office.