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A study came out suggesting that female doctors might be better than male ones…definitely a controversial statement and one to which I won’t speak in terms of statistical or factual validity. That being said, from just a personal perspective, I—as a female patient—have preferred my female doctors over the male ones I’ve had throughout my life. It’s not a personality issue, and it certainly had nothing to do with how qualified or accomplished they were. I’ve had, objectively speaking, very impressive male doctors. But I’ve always found my interactions with my female doctors to just be easier and more pleasant…for me as a woman. That might be because, when it comes to the experience of being a female in this world, that’s something no man can ever possibly understand as well as a woman can. And perhaps I need those shared experiences with my physician. Here is why you may want a female doctor, if you’re a woman.

 

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They’ve experienced hormonal issues

A male doctor may be able to tell you that a certain medication could cause hormonal issues, but a female doctor truly understands how a hormonal imbalance can feel. So she might be more hesitant to prescribe any medication that could cause hormonal imbalances, or at least take more care to advise you on how to manage those. Because she’s been there, and she knows hormonal issues suck.

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They understand birth control side effects, first hand

Your female doctor has probably been on birth control herself, so she really knows—firsthand—how the various options feel, and affect your body. I mean, a male doctor just can’t tell you what it’s like to have sex wearing an IUD. He just can’t.

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They might recognize disordered eating quicker

Women tend to be more in tune with weight concerns and, more specifically, disordered eating. I have, in fact, had several male doctors completely miss the fact that I once had an eating disorder. I don’t have one now but, it took a female doctor to notice some of my habits and behaviors may be linked to an emotional issue, and advise me to see a therapist.

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They’ve experienced odd discharge/burning down there

Your female doctor—let’s just say it—has a vagina! So she has experienced, firsthand, odd looking and smelling discharge, certain burning and itching sensations down there, and more. She may be able to more quickly identify what’s going on with your body, just by hearing about your symptoms, than a man can.