Discussion on mumsnet regarding exams

I came across this discussion, seems to me talking about internal exams and smear test in the Uk and whether they were necessary or abuse

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1600252-I-was-abused-by-my-GP-wish-Id-reported-it?pg=1

I read that thread, and while a couple of people had valid points, most women/girls and the original poster totally overreacted and didn't understand what was being done in their exam.

There's another website out there dealing with medical modesty issues. On reading it, my feelings were that the vast majority of the complaints were due to unreasonable demands or expectations. There were some cases where a male, going for genital surgery was demanding a 100% male staff. Anyone who has worked in a hospital knows that nursing is a female dominated profession. It's unreasonable to expect the hospital to rearrange their schedule to accommodate every patient's desires. There's no guarantee that properly trained personnel of a single gender are even employed.

The case here seems reasonable. The doctor wants to insure that the young woman is healthy before prescribing a hormonal drug. He likely followed SOP that the young girl's friends didn't have the benefit of a caring doc.

Point of reference, I grew up in the eighties, so my physicals were conducted during the same time period as most of the posters.

I remember, most always, having to get undressed no matter what the reason for the visit. My genitals were examined most every appointment. Female friends confided that they had to undress and have their breasts and genitals examined.

Now I hardly ever have to remove a stitch of clothing for my annual exam. I guess this is how many of the posters concluded that they had been abused. I however believe that the medical profession has placed patient modesty on a pedestal these days. That wasn't always the case.

Twas the fashion of they day well documented in this forum, nice however to see it corroborated by non med fet women

Good find

I have a thought in response to something that Jds4med said. I think the idea of a guy insisting on an entirely male nursing staff for his surgery is not only totally unreasonable but highly amusing. A number of years ago, I was getting a physical and the young female PA wanted to know if I wanted a male practitioner to do the hernia exam. For me there really isn't any erotic value on the receiving end and even less so because the whole thing is so quick and uneventful. So, I asked her to proceed without giving it any real thought. But I thought about it later and I wondered if anybody takes her up on that offer. To get right down to it, why would I want to go out of my way to have a guy play with my balls when I have a hot chick standing right here waiting to get started if only I give my consent. I usually have to work really hard to find a women who is interested in touching my balls, so its kind of a real easy decision. Maybe if I was gay or Muslim I might have different feelings about it, but those are the only two issues I can think of. Its amazing how some people get totally wrapped up or overreact to something that any reasonable application of logic should tell you is altogether irrelevant..

I read that thread, and while a couple of people had valid points, most women/girls and the original poster totally overreacted and didn't understand what was being done in their exam.

I agree with Susie that most of the posters on that mumsnet thread were overreacting or talking complete nonsense. In the 60s, 70s, 80's it was standard practice in the UK to do an internal examination and sometimes also a breast examination before prescribing the pill. My wife had it done as a virgin by her male GP, and then several times over the years at the family planning clinic again with male doctors. No chaperone was present and the examination was always done in an appropriate fashion, there was certainly no abuse. I've spoken to other close female friends who are not involved in medfet and they all recount similar experiences.

DRAMA, "Crying Wolf", immaturity of the patient, etc etc etc comes to mind after reading that thread!!! Rolls eyes and shakes head!

It makes me wonder how many providers have had their good name smeared and reputations ruined due to this!

Doing a pelvic and breast exam was considered good practice at the time. To accuse a doctor of any sexual assault just on the basis of this is pure hysteria.

From the data sheet of Microgynon 30, a pill which has been in use for about 40 years. This was a data sheet from 1998/99:

"Examination of the pelvic organs, breasts and blood pressure should precede the prescribing of any oral contraceptive and should be repeated regularly".

Not really sure if this is relevant but where my wife works here in the states they make every attempt to ease patients fears. In an emergency the patient is usually unable to make their wishes known and there is not time or staff available to do so. That being said during routine scheduled procedures if a patient asks for all male or all female staff then they will work it out. For some cultures it is almost a necessity. They will refuse a procedure unless there is an all female staff doing the prep work.

To get right down to it, why would I want to go out of my way to have a guy play with my balls when I have a hot chick standing right here waiting to get started if only I give my consent. I usually have to work really hard to find a women who is interested in touching my balls, so its kind of a real easy decision.

Some years ago I found a small nodule on one of my testicles and decided that the prudent course was of course to make a doctors appointment for an initial assessment. At that time our family doctor of many years worked with several other female doctors in a group practice and when you went for a consult and two were on call, it was a bit of pot luck who would call you into the office - the male or female doc.

Anyway, before leaving for the doctors, my wife had one of her total disconnects from reality. I was going out the door and she told me in a totally serious voice, not unlike a mother talking to a pre-schooler, if I had seriously considered that I just might be called in by the (younger) female doctor. She talked very cautiously, almost as if I had never thought this through and that now, just minutes before leaving, I might end up in hysterics.

I think I gave a big sigh and I know I certainly rolled my eyes to high heaven. I answered that, good grief and jumping Jehoshaphat, I absolutely and sincerely HOPED that it would be the lady doc. She looked flabbergasted and then flustered, apparently not really thinking things through herself. I laughed to myself on the way out the door and I know she heard it too.

So I guess this odd kind of thinking goes for both genders.