Comments on: Gyno Knows Best http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:22:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: agasaya http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-162186 agasaya Sun, 02 May 2010 08:14:52 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-162186 All, The patriarchy offers many material rewards for offering their brand of Kool-Aid to supplicants among the tribe. Patients are not regarded by most as 'clients' but more as 'supplicants'. That can blind many women physicians into looking upon patients of their own sex as mere sources of revenue. The origin of that brand of bad doctoring is still rooted in patriarchy, rather than skill, Will. There are attractive fees for representing defense clients in malpractice suits and industry in toxic torts, This makes for a powerful attraction that can draw some female practitioners to eschew any identification with the particular vulnerability of women in these circumstances. I was in an ER the other day (I'm being poisoned with pesticides by industry due to my particular forms of activism) and the female toxicologist told me that a particular type of pesticide (the type found in RAID cans) "...is not toxic when inhaled...". Wonder where she trained? She boasted of her superior training when I told her flat out that she was wrong. Read the label on the cans, 'dear', if you can't be bothered to read the journal research which is NOT sponsored by the manufacturing company. Unless the funding stream is secondary to the reasons behind an individual becoming a physician, it's hard to find good docs in any area of practice. All,

The patriarchy offers many material rewards for offering their brand of Kool-Aid to supplicants among the tribe. Patients are not regarded by most as ‘clients’ but more as ’supplicants’. That can blind many women physicians into looking upon patients of their own sex as mere sources of revenue. The origin of that brand of bad doctoring is still rooted in patriarchy, rather than skill, Will.

There are attractive fees for representing defense clients in malpractice suits and industry in toxic torts, This makes for a powerful attraction that can draw some female practitioners to eschew any identification with the particular vulnerability of women in these circumstances.

I was in an ER the other day (I’m being poisoned with pesticides by industry due to my particular forms of activism) and the female toxicologist told me that a particular type of pesticide (the type found in RAID cans) “…is not toxic when inhaled…”.

Wonder where she trained? She boasted of her superior training when I told her flat out that she was wrong. Read the label on the cans, ‘dear’, if you can’t be bothered to read the journal research which is NOT sponsored by the manufacturing company.

Unless the funding stream is secondary to the reasons behind an individual becoming a physician, it’s hard to find good docs in any area of practice.

]]> By: Uppity http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-162031 Uppity Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:33:59 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-162031 An older conversation but a good one, I've had this argument a dozen times (about that very thread on that very listserv in fact). It comes down to not just squickiness about nudity in front of strangers, but the power imbalance. The doctor is an educated expert, fully dressed, often in a white coat, upright, and performing the procedure. The patient OTOH, is undressed, lying down, not an expert, female and in an all around vulnerable position. The power imbalance of male verses female added to the equation exponentially increases the vulnerability. As apparent by the doctors on that forum, they are very much aware of their position, and not only are they not sensitive to their patients plight, but they are downright arrogant, elitist, obnoxious and beligerent about their RIGHT to practice medicine on the masses. A male OBGYN working in this situation day in and day out is thriving on that power imbalance, not actively subduing it. He might have the best doctoring skills in the world, but he's doing his patients an injustice. A female doctor does not solve the problem, for a woman to survive med school, she'll have most likely become Margaret Thatcher-esk in her devotion to the P. Choosing a female ONGYN is only a choice for the lesser bad. An older conversation but a good one, I’ve had this argument a dozen times (about that very thread on that very listserv in fact). It comes down to not just squickiness about nudity in front of strangers, but the power imbalance. The doctor is an educated expert, fully dressed, often in a white coat, upright, and performing the procedure. The patient OTOH, is undressed, lying down, not an expert, female and in an all around vulnerable position. The power imbalance of male verses female added to the equation exponentially increases the vulnerability. As apparent by the doctors on that forum, they are very much aware of their position, and not only are they not sensitive to their patients plight, but they are downright arrogant, elitist, obnoxious and beligerent about their RIGHT to practice medicine on the masses. A male OBGYN working in this situation day in and day out is thriving on that power imbalance, not actively subduing it. He might have the best doctoring skills in the world, but he’s doing his patients an injustice.

A female doctor does not solve the problem, for a woman to survive med school, she’ll have most likely become Margaret Thatcher-esk in her devotion to the P. Choosing a female ONGYN is only a choice for the lesser bad.

]]> By: Sarah http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-161967 Sarah Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:38:12 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-161967 <blockquote>in what other profession does a man view disembodied pussy as a source of revenue?</blockquote> The pimp profession?

in what other profession does a man view disembodied pussy as a source of revenue?

The pimp profession?

]]> By: Comrade Svilova http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-161793 Comrade Svilova Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:05:22 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-161793 I'm glad that you bumped this thread, Jezebella, because it reminded me to make an appointment with my (female) gyno. I've been putting it off too long. I know it's years late, but I just want to add that my personal reluctance to see a gynecologist regularly comes from the unpleasant experience I had with my first such exam. The male doctor called me a "good girl" and patted me on the head when I scrambled off the table in pain. He also cheerfully told me that if the exam was that bad, the first few times I had sex it would hurt "quite a bit!" My mother was in the examination room with me, thankfully, and she immediately changed to a different doctor and apologized for bringing me to a doctor who obviously was clueless about treating women as humans with dignity. If a woman had said the same things, it would have scared me and pissed me off, but I wouldn't have also felt humiliated and violated. I’m glad that you bumped this thread, Jezebella, because it reminded me to make an appointment with my (female) gyno. I’ve been putting it off too long.

I know it’s years late, but I just want to add that my personal reluctance to see a gynecologist regularly comes from the unpleasant experience I had with my first such exam. The male doctor called me a “good girl” and patted me on the head when I scrambled off the table in pain. He also cheerfully told me that if the exam was that bad, the first few times I had sex it would hurt “quite a bit!” My mother was in the examination room with me, thankfully, and she immediately changed to a different doctor and apologized for bringing me to a doctor who obviously was clueless about treating women as humans with dignity.

If a woman had said the same things, it would have scared me and pissed me off, but I wouldn’t have also felt humiliated and violated.

]]> By: Jezebella http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-161621 Jezebella Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:57:08 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-161621 DLB, given the prevalance of HPV in America - and perhaps elsewhere - having regular pap smears if at all possible is essential to saving women's lives here in the U.S. Several kinds of HPV can cause cancer but must be caught and treated early. Many other STI's can be asymptomatic for years, but left untreated can cause major health problems for both a woman and her sexual partners. Regular exams are crucial for people who are sexually active, whether by an OB/GYN or an LPN at a reproductive health clinic. You are free to stick your head in the sand about being symptom-free, or perhaps you are not and never have been sexually active, but advising all women to forego regular exams is misinformed and irresponsible. DLB, given the prevalance of HPV in America – and perhaps elsewhere – having regular pap smears if at all possible is essential to saving women’s lives here in the U.S. Several kinds of HPV can cause cancer but must be caught and treated early. Many other STI’s can be asymptomatic for years, but left untreated can cause major health problems for both a woman and her sexual partners. Regular exams are crucial for people who are sexually active, whether by an OB/GYN or an LPN at a reproductive health clinic. You are free to stick your head in the sand about being symptom-free, or perhaps you are not and never have been sexually active, but advising all women to forego regular exams is misinformed and irresponsible.

]]> By: DLB http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-161240 DLB Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:14:21 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-161240 I've never understood why some expect women to explain their choice of Dr. Surely, women and men are entitled to see the doctor of their choice. Until fairly recently in Australia there were few female gynaecologists. I think today we're reached close to the 50% mark, but 25 years ago, it was woeful. I noticed while studying in the States women have FAR more invasive exams than other women. I was shocked at these annual gyn exams that seem to start in your teens and go on for the rest of your lives. I've had one invasive exam in my entire life and shopped around, basically interviewed three female gyn's until I found one I liked....hopefully, I won't need to see another one, but if I do, I'll go back to her. I wouldn't justify my choice of Dr to anyone, it's my business and others can see the Dr of their choice. I had a few frightening experiences with men as a young woman and trust became an issue for me. I simply couldn't see a male doctor for anything invasive. Even at this point in my life, I'd just feel more comfortable with a woman - end of story. I think when people attack women for seeing female doctors it amounts to defensiveness (in male doctors) and fear of losing business and ignorance, arrogance or insecurity in others. I do think American women have far too many routine exams and they lead to huge numbers of diagnostic tests, biopsies and even surgery. I know your doctors perform 600,000 hysterectomies every year, which is HUGE and quite terrifying. I'd stay away from the gynecologist unless you have a medical problem. I also found the comments made by those doctors quite disgusting - actually that whole website makes me ill. It's a bunch of doctors trying to frighten women into unnecessary tests and exams - scare mongering to make money. None of this would fly in this country, we know it's absolute nonsense - no healthy, symptom-free woman needs routine exams. I’ve never understood why some expect women to explain their choice of Dr. Surely, women and men are entitled to see the doctor of their choice.
Until fairly recently in Australia there were few female gynaecologists.
I think today we’re reached close to the 50% mark, but 25 years ago, it was woeful.
I noticed while studying in the States women have FAR more invasive exams than other women.
I was shocked at these annual gyn exams that seem to start in your teens and go on for the rest of your lives.
I’ve had one invasive exam in my entire life and shopped around, basically interviewed three female gyn’s until I found one I liked….hopefully, I won’t need to see another one, but if I do, I’ll go back to her.
I wouldn’t justify my choice of Dr to anyone, it’s my business and others can see the Dr of their choice.
I had a few frightening experiences with men as a young woman and trust became an issue for me. I simply couldn’t see a male doctor for anything invasive.
Even at this point in my life, I’d just feel more comfortable with a woman – end of story.
I think when people attack women for seeing female doctors it amounts to defensiveness (in male doctors) and fear of losing business and ignorance, arrogance or insecurity in others.
I do think American women have far too many routine exams and they lead to huge numbers of diagnostic tests, biopsies and even surgery. I know your doctors perform 600,000 hysterectomies every year, which is HUGE and quite terrifying.
I’d stay away from the gynecologist unless you have a medical problem.
I also found the comments made by those doctors quite disgusting – actually that whole website makes me ill. It’s a bunch of doctors trying to frighten women into unnecessary tests and exams – scare mongering to make money.
None of this would fly in this country, we know it’s absolute nonsense – no healthy, symptom-free woman needs routine exams.

]]> By: nic http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-144533 nic Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:57:44 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-144533 Beware of the male gyno if you have any uterine problems as they are 60% more likely to perform hysterectomies (desexing/castration) than female gynos.http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1615070 Beware of the male gyno if you have any uterine problems as they are 60% more likely to perform hysterectomies (desexing/castration) than female gynos.http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1615070

]]> By: Michaela http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-135649 Michaela Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:00:03 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-135649 If you're interested in doing some homework... http://medicineandman.com/blog/2005/07/13/blood-test-for-cervical-cancer-csa-test/ Info on the CSA blood Test Re: Routine breast exams in asymptomatic women see...www.racgp.org.au/afp/200805/200805thistlethwaite.pdf Re: pelvic exams in asymptomatic women see... www.racgp.org.au/afp/200806/200806stewart.pdf Happy reading! If you’re interested in doing some homework…
http://medicineandman.com/blog/2005/07/13/blood-test-for-cervical-cancer-csa-test/
Info on the CSA blood Test

Re: Routine breast exams in asymptomatic women
see…www.racgp.org.au/afp/200805/200805thistlethwaite.pdf

Re: pelvic exams in asymptomatic women
see…
http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200806/200806stewart.pdf

Happy reading!

]]> By: Michaela http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-135645 Michaela Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:33:23 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-135645 Also, wanted to add...are you all aware of the new blood test that will replace the Pap smear - the Cervical Specific Antigen blood test (CSA Test)... I understand it will be available in the States shortly... At the moment there are lots of high risk women who don't have smear tests for lots of reason eg victims of sexual assault - this non-invasive test is urgently needed... I've read that pathologists and Doctors may not welcome the Test - a simple blood test as opposed to smear testing (you need a Dr (& possibly a chaperone) and pathologist... The smear is relatively inaccurate (70% roughly)while this test is almost 100%.... I have already contacted several politicians in Australia and women's health action groups to get behind this Test - to make it available to women asap... Search the Interest for the CSA Test...hasn't it been kept quiet? Also, wanted to add…are you all aware of the new blood test that will replace the Pap smear – the Cervical Specific Antigen blood test (CSA Test)…
I understand it will be available in the States shortly…
At the moment there are lots of high risk women who don’t have smear tests for lots of reason eg victims of sexual assault – this non-invasive test is urgently needed…
I’ve read that pathologists and Doctors may not welcome the Test – a simple blood test as opposed to smear testing (you need a Dr (& possibly a chaperone) and pathologist…
The smear is relatively inaccurate (70% roughly)while this test is almost 100%….
I have already contacted several politicians in Australia and women’s health action groups to get behind this Test – to make it available to women asap…
Search the Interest for the CSA Test…hasn’t it been kept quiet?

]]> By: Michaela http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/02/18/gyno-knows-best/#comment-135639 Michaela Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:46:12 +0000 http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/?p=485#comment-135639 Actually women need to carefully consider whether exams that are often done routinely are even necessary... There is evidence to suggest that pelvic exams in asymptomatic women are totally unnecessary - it doesn't happen in Australia - and shouldn't be happening anywhere - an annual pelvic exam for every healthy women is just ridiculous. The need for smears and their frequency should be assessed having regard to your individual sexual, family and medical history. Many women don't need smears at all or only every 3 years or so...insist on an individual assessment or find a Dr who will listen... I was hounded for years about smears and finally sought advice from a senior female gyno - my husband & I were virgins when we met and there has never been anyone else - I haven't been exposed to HPV so don't need smears at all. If I haven't forced the issue and refused to submit, I'd be going through that unpleasant procedure every 2 years! There is also lots of evidence now that breast exams should not be done routinely on asymptomatic women - & the need for mammograms (and/or their frequency) should be discussed with your Dr. Unfortunately the medical profession does not encourage women to think for themselves - it seems like it's fine to intimate, frighten and pressure us... It's totally unacceptable - do your research and go armed with questions, don't just submit & don't allow Drs to treat you like a child. I worked at the Medical Board for a few years as a young lawyer...I heard some shocking stories of abuse of female patients by male doctors. I don't see male doctors at all - with a female doctor I don't have to worry about any of that (but I still need to know my stuff)and the other factor - I feel much more comfortable with a woman - I'm the person paying for the service after all... I don't feel I need to justify my choice of Dr to anyone... Once women were ridiculed if they wanted a female Dr, thankfully, that's changing with more and more female Doctors appearing... I know of one young woman who was pressured to see a male Dr - was told by the nurse not to be silly and that the Dr saw hundreds of woman every year (so what, what does that have to do with her preference & feelings?) she was sexually assaulted and will carry the trauma of that abuse for the rest of her life. My advice to women out there - don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable, end the consult and get a second opinion or see a female Dr...don't be afraid to say, "No"....if you're patronized or pressured - just leave.... I know it's difficult for a young woman to stand up for herself in the doctor-patient relationship particularly, when the woman is in a vulnerable position - the power dynamic is a difficult one... I would sleep better at night if I knew all young women (in particular) saw only female doctors and the rest of us knew how to stand up for ourselves.... Wishful thinking...I know! Actually women need to carefully consider whether exams that are often done routinely are even necessary…
There is evidence to suggest that pelvic exams in asymptomatic women are totally unnecessary – it doesn’t happen in Australia – and shouldn’t be happening anywhere – an annual pelvic exam for every healthy women is just ridiculous.
The need for smears and their frequency should be assessed having regard to your individual sexual, family and medical history. Many women don’t need smears at all or only every 3 years or so…insist on an individual assessment or find a Dr who will listen…
I was hounded for years about smears and finally sought advice from a senior female gyno – my husband & I were virgins when we met and there has never been anyone else – I haven’t been exposed to HPV so don’t need smears at all.
If I haven’t forced the issue and refused to submit, I’d be going through that unpleasant procedure every 2 years!
There is also lots of evidence now that breast exams should not be done routinely on asymptomatic women – & the need for mammograms (and/or their frequency) should be discussed with your Dr.
Unfortunately the medical profession does not encourage women to think for themselves – it seems like it’s fine to intimate, frighten and pressure us…
It’s totally unacceptable – do your research and go armed with questions, don’t just submit & don’t allow Drs to treat you like a child.
I worked at the Medical Board for a few years as a young lawyer…I heard some shocking stories of abuse of female patients by male doctors.
I don’t see male doctors at all – with a female doctor I don’t have to worry about any of that (but I still need to know my stuff)and the other factor – I feel much more comfortable with a woman – I’m the person paying for the service after all…
I don’t feel I need to justify my choice of Dr to anyone…
Once women were ridiculed if they wanted a female Dr, thankfully, that’s changing with more and more female Doctors appearing…
I know of one young woman who was pressured to see a male Dr – was told by the nurse not to be silly and that the Dr saw hundreds of woman every year (so what, what does that have to do with her preference & feelings?) she was sexually assaulted and will carry the trauma of that abuse for the rest of her life.
My advice to women out there – don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable, end the consult and get a second opinion or see a female Dr…don’t be afraid to say, “No”….if you’re patronized or pressured – just leave….
I know it’s difficult for a young woman to stand up for herself in the doctor-patient relationship particularly, when the woman is in a vulnerable position – the power dynamic is a difficult one…
I would sleep better at night if I knew all young women (in particular) saw only female doctors and the rest of us knew how to stand up for ourselves….
Wishful thinking…I know!

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