If my gynecologist is male, can I request a female instead? Iam not comfortable with a man looking down there.

Question

Iam 27 years old and have been going to amale doctor since i was 21. Irecently felt bad about getting these and not telling the family. can any ladies please help? Iam due for another Pap and would like a female to do it, because of sexual abuse as a child.

Answer 1

You are an adult. You have the right to request whatever will make you more comfortable. If a female doctor makes it easier for you to have Pap smears and other ob/gyn procedures, then by all means get a female doctor.
As to the sexual abuse -- was that problem ever resolved? It's something that can fester along for years unless the situation achieves closure. That means an admission and an apology from the perpetrator and, given the circumstances, might also call for laying charges. Too many women hide sexual abuse, thinking that it was somehow their fault and it isn't. A child is not responsible for sexual abuse. The man who does it is. So please don't brush it under the carpet.
It's something you should tell your ob/gyn about as well, because it's unlikely that an abuser used a condom. You could have vaginal damage or a symptom free disease. The sad truth is that some of the STDs show lots of symptoms on the male, but not on the female and they can do irreparable damage.
Please look after yourself.

Answer 2

Check with the website of your health care provider to see which female ob docs are listed in your area.

Another option is to see if your male doctor has any nurse practitioners on his staff. NPs are fully qualified to do pap smears and female exams. They will get the doctor's advise if there is something outside of their scope of practice. I have personally found them easier to speak with and more willing to spend time with their patients.

You might want to talk with a psychologist as well (if you haven't already) to help work through the abuse memories and there long lasting effect.

Best wishes. I hope you get your answer.

Answer 3

Go to a female gynecologist. You need to be comfortable with your doctor. I have just the opposite problem. When I was young women doctors were as rare as hens teeth. I am not comfortable with a woman doing my paps

Answer 4

Yes very much so because every women has the right to feel
at ease when they go to any doctor. I will not go to a male dentist because of child abuse. If your gyno doctor does not have a female you do not have to give them reasons for going someone else.They should understand anyway.

Answer 5

You can definitely request a male! It's what makes you comfortable, and the doctor will understand! Plenty of women are not comfortable with this, doctors deal with it all the time!

Answer 6

You can make an appointment at a clinic that specializes in this and request a female doctor. I understand where you are coming from.

Answer 7

you most definatly can request a female, the hospitals only want to help you feel better so they will do what ever it takes to make you feel comfortable. So go ahead and ask for a female, I understand how you feel =)

Answer 8

Of course you can - just call the doctor's office & have them reschedule your apptm but you feel more comfortable with a female doctor. They would have to respect that. I've done it when I had to see an obgyn.

Answer 9

you certainly can request a female. i haven't had a male doctor in 30 years because i felt the same way you do.

Answer 10

yes you can just tell them that you are not comfortable with a male gynecologist and that you would like a female gynecologist for your regular check ups and for your pap