Is Your Gyno a Man or a Woman?

I don't want ANY man, but my husband poking around down there. I specifically chose the office I did, because there is only women in their office.I LOVED my Dr., and personality and bed side manner does matter. However, they HAVE to be female.

If it makes any difference, a good friend of mine is married to an OB, and even though he's straight, he doesn't ever think of his patients "that way." If you like a doctor's temperment and bedside manner, go for it.

Over the past 6 years I have seen 8 different OB/Gyns, amongst 3 groups of doctors. 3 of them were men, and I was actually MUCH more comfortable with 2 of them than with most of my female docs. The only one that made me uncomfortable was a perfectly good doctor (actually the chair of a major academic hospital's OB dept), with good bedside manner--but he was SOOOOO HOT! Couldn't wait for those appts to be over!!

Personality and bedside manner matter the most. My current doctor is a man and an enormous improvement over the last two female doctors I had. The female doctors tended to be dismissive and snarky. In contrast my first visit with my male doctor was in his office so we could discuss my medical history and any concerns I had either health wise or regarding my desires/needs with my medical care. Two thumbs up. Also he is so calm and laid back. I only feel the need to worry when he worries which is very rare. We joke during the visits but he listens closely when I ask questions and tries to patiently give layman's terms answers. My doctor makes a conscious effort to be in the room for the entire appointment and not make you feel rushed. You can't beat that these days.

I actually asked a question along these lines the other day. My OB/GYN is a nice looking man. He is one of the best drs I have had. I was sent to him because the woman I thought I wanted couldn't see me until it would be too late for me to start a specific therapy for my pregnancy. After meeting him and discussing my situation (my medical records are thicker than Homer's Iliad), I stayed with him and his practice. Honestly, he was more interested in what I was saying and listened with respect. He wasn't just going through the motions like the women I had seen in the past. Because he doesn't live in a woman's skin 24/7, he less apt to jump to conclusions based on his own experience. He realizes all women are different and he is a professional. I have recommended him over and over again.

It also helps that he has a staff of workers who from the receptionist, nurse, lab tech, and scheduling to the billing department are amazing people who know me by name and really care. I will never switch again!

Man. I've been with him for 13 yrs and I love him to death!

There are 8 doctors in the practice where he's located. 1 other man, and the rest are women. Honestly, I really like all of them...I rotated my appointments during pregnancy so I'd know everyone that could potentially deliver me.
For OBs, I look for laid back folks. If you can make me laugh during a pap, you're in!

I see a man. I have seen him for 11 years now. HOWEVER, I feel that now that I'm menapausal, I may see a woman going forward. (Ive recently seen a woman specialist and SHE WAS HORRIBLE).

I only say that because my male DR doesn't seem to understand that you CAN be 42 and be going through the change.

I think it depends on the individual. I really like my Dr. I just need him to believe me...lol

Sending good thoughts your way.

I NEED a female doctor. I actually had a male deliver my last baby and lets be honest while it would have been nice to have my own doctor up there you really just want the baby out safe and he did a great job of that and when you are in that much pain you could care less really. But I am so uncomfortable with male doctors that even when its a male ultrasound tech I get uncomfortable. I also had to see a male dr. when my OB was on vacation over Christmas and just for a check of the heartbeat and quick measurements I was so upset and uncomfortable. I cant even get a massage from a male - too freakin weird for me

I have been to both.
Currently I see a man.
Not because he is a man, but because he's a good doctor!

Male. Easier to get appointments. Not really a preference, just how it seems to work out when I've changed medical plans. I've had female OBs before and honestly, not much difference. The only thing strange about my current male OB is that he appears to be younger than me ... that weirded me out more than the fact that he was a man!

I figure, too, if I want my son to accept female doctors, I need to accept male ones. I make my determination based on my experience with a doctor, not on gender.

I see a man. Never really considered trying to find a female. Around here there are more men than women.

I have only had male gynos, and I like them a lot. They seem to be more gentle and laid back than women I've come in contact with.

I have both, sort of. My main OB is a man - he delivered all 3 of my children and I wouldn't want it any other way. If I have a 4th - I will be going back to him. But, I also saw the midwife for some of my appts (same office) if he was unavailable - and she is awesome. I can say I really enjoyed having her as a nurse/midwife. She was there for my whole pregnancy with my 3rd and it was a great experience. She even called me after my delivery to see how I was and to find out what the babies gender was. She really made me feel like she cared.

So I guess my answer is it depends on their individual personality b/c both my Dr. and my midwife are awesome and I am comfortable with both.

I've had both male and female gyn's who were good. I had one female gyn who I hated. She thought her experience with female parts was the exact same experience every woman had. Whenever I said something hurt she would say something like "I've had that procedure lots of times and it doesn't hurt, you need to suck it up!"

Male. I've been a patient for about 25 years. He has a great demeanor and it has never been uncomfortable. My only wish is that I could go to him for everything! I'm not as comfortable with my regular family doctor, but I only go if I'm sick which, knock on wood, isn't often.

I base it on personality and credentials....I don't care what sex the doctor happens to be. My current gyno is a female. I can't say I have a super close relationship with her. I only see her once every 2 years.

In the beginning of having to go to an OB-GYN it was all men all the time. I had my son at 28 with a male doctor. When I hit 30 and beyond I made a conscious effort to select a woman and have had women.

I recently have had to go to an acupuncturist. He used to be an OB-GYN but now a practice in acupuncture. I simply love the man. My husband is so impressed with him that he too will be going to him.

He listens really well and knows both Eastern and Western medicine which is very helpful in my particular situation.

I had a male gyno before pregnancy, a different male with my first baby, and a female with my second. Both the male and female are great docs and I didn't ever feel self conscious physically. But, I do think it's a little easier to talk to the female one about the more personal topics.

My OB/GYN is a male. My experience is that male GYN's are gentler.

I think it comes down to how comfortable the doctor makes you feel, regardless of gender. I have had two OBGYN doctors that were male and loved both of them. I would follow my current doctor to the ends of the earth. I just adore him. He is also a dead ringer for Robert Downey, Jr.! I kid you not. Every time I see a movie with RDJ I always think, "Man, that guy looks like Dr. B!" LOL! This too freaks a lot of my girlfriends out. They always ask how can I be so comfortable with a guy OBGYN that is so good looking. The fact of the matter is he is just so nice, so professional and down to earth. His nursing staff is excellent as well as the other doctors in his group. I would go to any of them. I always walk out of there feeling like I am their favorite patient. I just love them all to pieces. In fact, another doctor in his group delivered my son because it happened on a weekend and my doctor was out of town. He was awesome too. It isn't like I go into my appointments all googly-eyed and drooling over him. We kick back and have a nice chat about all sorts of things-his kids, my kids, lastest topic in the news, the newest restaurant in town,etc. and of course any issues I may be having of a female nature.
My point is, if you feel really comfortable with this male doctor then that is who you should go to. You should feel like you can tell them anything- medically speaking. That is what they are there for! Great question. I hope my answer helps!

EDIT: After reading some of the other posts, I wanted to add the following: I don't think I would mind a woman doctor. My internist is a woman and I feel like I can discuss anything with her as well. I really base my opinions on how well I click with the person and how professional and thorough I think they are.
I do prefer a female massage therapist over a male one. I did get a male masseuse once, and it was actually a really good massage. As long as people are discreet and professional, I can get past the gender issue pretty easily. I WOULD NOT get a bikini wax from a man though. That would seem too personal and weird I think!

A.

Mine's a woman. I've never had a male doctor for that. I get upset when I'm not pregnant because I have to go a whole year before I can see her again. She's simply amazing!

I've had both. I think it really comes down to who are you most comfortable with? To whom are you comfortable telling any issues that might be a little embarrassing? Given the intimacy of this particular doctor-patient relationship, you have to be comfortable. I had a male doctor delivery my baby, and he was an excellent surgeon (C-section) and very experienced. I ultimately switched to a woman in the practice because his bedside manner STUNK. He had no sensitivity to how the information he was relaying might impact me. The woman had more sensitivity and I could relate to her better.

I've never thought it uncomfortable or weird when I've had a male doctor.

So, it all depends on the relationship between you and the person - male or female.

Man. However, he's been my doctor since I was 9, and I've never considered trying to find another!

I actually try to stick with midwives. The hospital/clinic I go to has Ob's and midwives working together. I can see a midwife for all my Ob/Gyn appointments, and can write Rx, etc. I love them :)

I have a man gyno and have for years. My doctor's office has a couple of women nurse practitioner's that I have had to see over the years and I am a little embarrassed when I have to see them. I would say what would make you feel comfortable then do it. I don't have a problem talking to my doctor about anything because he is good to give great advice. Good luck in your decision.

I have a female physician and a female gyno. In regards to the physician, I've gone to both male and female, but at this point in my life I'm sticking with a female because I feel that they can uniquely understand my issues. I also had a verrrrrry bad experience with a male doctor as a teenager and that experience probably factors in to my decision, too. As far as a gyno, I've never gone to a male and I never will. I'm sure there are some fabulous male gynos out there, but I just don't feel comfortable going to one.

I think personality is a big part of it, but I have two women I see in the same office most of the time. One was my primary and one I got to know after she delivered my daughter. I don't mind the men in the practice, either, but I feel like I can talk to those two doctors better than any male OB/GYN I've seen. If you are comfortable and you think he does a good job and takes your concerns seriously as his patient, then make the appointment with him. I once had a GP who I hated because she was so dismissive. Not all doctors have good bedside manner.

The first GYN I ever saw was a woman, and when I was younger that mattered to me. My current OB/GYN is a man. He delivered both my babies and I really like him. My mom and sister both see him now too; they met him at the birth of my older son and were impressed.

Honestly, I don't care. I want the best doctor whether they be male/female who has a good bedside manner and is highly skilled and knowledgeable in all areas of obstetrics/gynocology. When I was younger, I thought I could never go to man, so I started out with female doctors. But once I had my first child, I could care less. I just want the best doctor thats right for me.

I always had a woman doctor - right up until I got pregnant! :)
My first OB was a man, but he left during my pregnancy for an opportunity in NZ. I did see all the other docs from the office, but the only one that I liked was also a man. I imagine that lots of people wouldn't have liked his style, but I really felt at ease (there were times that he didn't even appear to be listening, but then suddenly he would spit out like 10 answers all at once - annoying to some, but I felt that he was really listening, processing and in control).
After I delivered (C-section) I continued seeing him for "post" care until it was time to resume "normal" doctor routines. Then I just drifted back to my regular office (which is a family practice, they do everything there - except OB) where I started seeing my original dr (a woman).
Honestly, I think it just depends on the person! (although I do have a friend who will ONLY go to a male doc) :)

Most of my doctors are female. It's just been my preference for most of my life. This includes my gynecologist. During my last pregnancy, I had her partner treat me and deliver me and he was fantastic so if she ever left the practice I would use him. But I have no reason to change, otherwise.

As long as the doctor specifically is qualified and has a great bedside manner, I'll allow treatment and use them but I do lean heavily toward choosing female doctors. I think it's important to support women in the medical field.

I've seen both but now use a woman. I do prefer her but I think alot of it is her personality. I have alot of friends who use male gyn and really like them. I think it depends on the doctors personality more than anything.

My current doctor is a woman but when I started going at 15-16 I had a man. He was my family doctor and I saw him for everything. It wasn't weird or anything.

I don't care if the OB is a man or a woman, I justI want an OB with good bedside manner and small hands!

i had an older guy that delivered my daughter, i loved him, he was my sisters ob with all her kids and sadly since i moved he wont be my ob when we decide to have another kid

I had a male family practice doctor since I was 16, so when it was time for my yearly exams, he was the one who did it. Later down the road, I was my sister's birthing coach and found an ob I liked that was male. When it was my turn at having a baby, I went with that same male ob. I think it is all dependant on how comfortable you are with the actual doctor.

I've never had a woman doctor, but I figure the male doctors have seen so much equipment in their day that mine isn't going to be any different. I totally think it's personality.

Female. I had a bad experience with a male doc when younger and just prefer a female doc.

I've also had fertility treatments, and I had lesser experiences with the male docs (and great experiences with the female docs). It felt like the male docs were conducting procedures in my sensitive nether regions similarly to how they might work on a car. Let's just say they were not delicate, and it was uncomfortable. The female docs I've had seem to understand the sensitivities a bit better.

I wish when we moved I could have moved my male OB/GYN with me. He delivered both my babies...best doctor I have ever seen. Both General and GYN.

Currently, I see my general doc for my yearly, she is female. Neither were chosen for the gender but because both came highly recommended to me.

I've always seen a man but that is b/c the few that I have seen have a good personality and demeanor. I doubt I would have a problem with seeing a woman either though. I guess for me I figure if they are all doctors.

Weird double standard though b/c if I were to get a bikini wax I would go to a woman.

I didn't feel that I needed to be seen by a woman, but I also have not seen a gynecologist in 17 years. I've seen a midwife since my third trimester of pregnancy with my first baby. I didn't choose midwifery care because I wanted a woman, but because I wanted someone who was not a surgeon and was primarily trained in well-woman care.

I have a woman but that is bc she was recommended to me and is great. I never actually had a specific gyno before starting to have kids 5 yrs ago, she is my first and now she has delivered all my kids so I will stay with her as long as she has a practice in the city I live in ;) But I don't think I would care either way. When my sis was in and out of hospitals she had male nurses that had to bathe her and catheterize her and all that and they are all so good and thorough. So I don't think I would care at all either way, just happen to have a women that is really great.

I had terrible experiences with male doctors when I was younger and one terrible woman doctor SO - I tended to select female doctors, based upon my experiences.

But as I got older and the docs got younger, it changed. Now, for me, it depends on the individual. I have had more women gynocologists, but right now, the one I have is a man...and he is more perceptive and gentle than any of the women doctors *or the midwives* in the same practice. That's saying something!