Great topic. I've been to both male and female gynecologists. I feel that overall the experience is the same, they are trained medical professionals after all. It was weird at first seeing a male doctor, but I overcame that awkwardness pretty quickly when I realized it was the same experience. If anything, I'd even say that the male doctor had a gentler touch.
So my advice would be go for it, especially since you said it's an urgent issue and he's available sooner. less

I used to be like that, wanting woman only to do my exams. Then I got pregnant, and I just didn't care. I look for someone with experience and looked at the skills on the clinics website. I figure it's their job, they see so many people. I got less weird-ed out about it. I've been going to him now for the past 6 years. Very professional. Go for it, try not to think too hard about it. less

My advice for that would require a bit of imagination, just pretend that's your only option. Also imagine that you have about 6 of the grossest STDs at the same time, and assume the gyno has seen worse (they probably have) and put it in to perspective.

Heck, if it makes you feel any better I've been to the gyno pregnant, with a UTI and yeast infection at the same time. I got treated like a human being, not somebody with a gross smelly vag. less

I hate internal exams to begin with. I'm freaking out because Family Planning says I'm pregnant but I don't see that as a likely possibility. There was a slip up once a few months ago, and I took Plan B, but my cycle has been completely screwed up since then, and I think I had a partial miscarriage (which hours of online research suggests would still lead to a positive pregnancy test if the fetal tissue wasn't removed). Family Planning says they can't do anything else for me and that I need to see an OBGYN if I want to be checked out for a possible miscarriage. I don't want to be pregnant, but I also don't believe in abortion, so I'm hoping at this point that I'm right that it was a partial miscarriage causing the positive results on the test. Unfortunately even the guy can't see me until Monday, but I've been losing a lot of sleep worrying about this and I really need answers quickly. less

It's normally a quick thing. He may say a thing or two about what he is doing and what you might feel. And there is normally a nurse in there when a procedure is done. What helped me is "he is just doing his job", "I need his help", "This is a good doctor". You'll be out of there before you know it. Remember they have seen everything. So don't worry. less

Aw, at this point it's more about your health and the health of the potential fetus that is most important, viable or not. Unfortunately for you, I also agree Family Planning/Planned Parenthood may not be the most reliable source of information.

If funds allow, I would advise buying a few of the advanced pregnany tests...the ones that determine how far along you are in a pregnancy. That way a couple of tests might be able to give you some insight on if this is a miscarriage (the weeks predictor will drop based on HCG levels), or increase if your HCG levels are going up (an indication the pregnancy is progressing.)

That will at least give a little help, not medical but at least scientific. less

Has anyone ever gone to a male OBGYN? If so do you prefer a male or female and why?

I need to see an OBGYN quickly, and the only one at the office who is available in the next several weeks is a older guy. I'm not really sure I'm comfortable having a guy do my exam, even if he is older. Any input would be greatly appreciated. less

Great topic. I've been to both male and female gynecologists. I feel that overall the experience is the same, they are trained medical professionals after all. It was weird at first seeing a male doctor, but I overcame that awkwardness pretty quickly when I realized it was the same experience. If anything, I'd even say that the male doctor had a gentler touch.
So my advice would be go for it, especially since you said it's an urgent issue and he's available sooner. less

I could care less if my doctor is a male or female, so long as they have a good reputation and I form a good rapport with them. That level of trust and professional confidence is what matters most to me.
Having said that, I can tell you that of the different GYN doctors who have had me as a patient over the years, I found the men were more gentle and, shall we say, more respectful of my privacy, strange as that may sound. I am sure every doctor is different (in fact, I KNOW they are), but the couple of woman I happened to see, were just a bit "rougher" during exams, pap smears, etc.

Interestingly, my hubby has had the same experience with urologists over the years. He has had some kidney stones in the past, and he has found that woman urologists (few and far between, but certainly there), were more gentle and thorough in their care, then the male doctors he saw. He preferred them, just professionally.

In any case, every doctor is human, and thus "different", just as we are, when being a patient. Thus, the gender of the doctor should really not even be a consideration, when choosing who to do your care. That is just my take on the situation. You, of course, need to do what makes YOU feel comfortable. After all, it is YOUR body and YOUR care. You are the customer, and the consumer and should feel trust in the person who you are entrusting with your care.

Good luck with the new doctor, whoever you see. less

If I were in your situation, I would see the first OBGYN who had an opening. If the male doctor was the first one available, I would go to him in a heartbeat. I've had both male and female OBGYNs. Yes, I prefer a woman, but it's not that big of a deal. Go to the male doctor and don't think twice about it, your health comes first!

If you don't mind, please update to let us know you're okay. You don't have to go into details or anything if you don't want to. I'm just concerned about you and your health and want to know you're all right. less

Still nothing definite. I'm hoping I'm not pregnant... I need to go back in for another blood test Wednesday, and probably for another ultrasound in about two weeks. Anyone who believes in praying, I could use some prayers that I'm not pregnant and that I'm ok/healthy - if I'm not pregnant there could be some other serious medical reasons for the higher HCG levels. less

So you've seen the doctor then I take it. It sounds like it's going to take some time to get to the bottom of this. Two weeks is a long time to wait when you have something like this hanging over your head. Yes, I will pray for you. Thank you for updating. I hope you don't have a serious medical issue. Let us know what the findings are once you're done with all the tests. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll be okay. less

Thank you. I'm hoping whatever it is 1) isn't that I'm pregnant, and 2) isn't serious. Yes I was to the OBGYN yesterday. He ran a few test, the results are inconclusive, so he wants me to go in for more blood work tomorrow and by the looks of the notes in my test results (my hospital has a website you can log into to view your results) I'll end up needing another ultrasound. There was a note saying that another ultrasound should be done in 1-2 weeks. He seems to be moving pretty quick though so I'm hoping he lets me do the ultrasound either Friday or Saturday so I can hopefully know what's going on by Easter, but we'll see. less