Female Or Male Ob/gyn- Which Do You Prefer?

[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

[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.

[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.

[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, ASN, EMT-I]

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 ! :)

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

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, 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.

[Marie_LPN, RN, 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.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I don't care.....what I want in a physician (or nurse for that matter) are these traits:

compassion

competence

caring

integrity

*gender* has not a thing to do with any of those attributes in my book. I have seen many OB/GYN's through the years, beginning in my teen years --- ( I mean MANY)---- for varying reasons, from delivery of my kids, to major gyn surgery x3, menstrual issues, all the way to perinatal losses and treatment. Their "ratings" in my mind had nothing to do with being male or female. There were good and not so good in both genders. I am lucky in that the "good" outweighed the "bad" in my experience!

[SmilingBluEyes]

I don't care.....what I want in a physician (or nurse for that matter) are these traits:

compassion

competence

caring

integrity

*gender* has not a thing to do with any of those attributes in my book. I have seen many OB/GYN's through the years, beginning in my teen years --- ( I mean MANY)---- for varying reasons, from delivery of my kids, to major gyn surgery x3, menstrual issues, all the way to perinatal losses and treatment. Their "ratings" in my mind had nothing to do with being male or female. There were good and not so good in both genders. I am lucky in that the "good" outweighed the "bad" in my experience!

[PediRN]

I never cared which until I was pregnant. When I was in labor, the females were much more gentle with the pelvics....the males made me cry out in pain.

[PediRN]

I never cared which until I was pregnant. When I was in labor, the females were much more gentle with the pelvics....the males made me cry out in pain.