When it comes time for that yearly physical, just the thought of undergoing a pelvic exam is enough to riddle some of us with anxiety. Maybe it's a matter of pain sensitivity, or maybe it's the slight ick factor of being overexposed and underclothed, but we're pretty sure that very few women look forward to gynecological procedures. The Daily Beast did some digging on the matter (sparked by BuzzFeed's controversial "Hottest Gynecologist Ever" article), and noticed a growing trend: On top of everything else, more and more women are getting creeped out by male gynecologists.
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The site found that most women just felt comfortable having a fellow female taking care of them, a sentiment echoed by Rebecca C. Brightman, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine: "Younger women do not want to go to a man in his 50s and 60s," she said. And, she mentioned, older women prefer to work with fellow ladies on sensitive topics like menopause.
These changing preferences are also reflecting trends in the medical field itself — more women are doctors than ever before. In fact, female med school applicants are starting to outnumber male applicants for the first time. Now that hospitals are no longer dominated by men, it may seem slightly odd when men choose gynecology over other specialties.
Of course, there are always two sides to every story, and The Daily Beast found several women who aren't looking for a gyno bosom buddy anytime soon. They cited reasons like feeling judgment from female doctors, or experiencing better bedside manners with male Ob-Gyns. It goes without saying that finding a doctor is a deeply personal choice that varies with each individual, but we want to hear from you. Tell us about your gyno preference and why. Just remember, we're all friends here. (The Daily Beast)