Is this experience at my gynecologist normal? iin?

I'm 23 and have been seeing the same gynecologist since I turned 18. My mom's been seeing him for over 20 years and recommended him to me. Until now he's been a great doctor and always very professional. This time my appointment was at 4:45 which is nice because I don't have to take off work for it. I got there right on time and the office was pretty empty as you'd expect, being so late in the day. I waited a few minutes then my doctor came out and called me back. He took my weight, bp, and temp which I found a little unusual since the nurse usually does all that but I didn't say anything.

He then took me back to an exam room. Once we were in there, he explained that his nurse went home sick a couple hours ago. He said that I could reschedule if I wanted or we could go ahead with the appointment and that it didn't matter to him. It seemed a little odd he waited until now to tell me since if I wasn't going to go ahead with the appointment why bother takings my vitals? I thought a second and told him that I'd been seeing him for 5 years and my mom for 20 and that I was fine going ahead without the nurse there. I really didn't want to reschedule because it's hard to get late day appointments and any thing earlier I'd have to take off work. He said ok, told me to get undressed, and he'd be back in a few minutes. I looked around and didn't see a gown anywhere and asked for one. He said "Oh yeah, let me go get you one". He came back a minute later and said it looked like they were out of them. He then told me it was no big deal and it wasn't really necessary anyway. He then walked out before I could say anything.

This is where I started to get uncomfortable. To me the gown was necessary and was kind of a big deal. I know he's going to see everything anyway but the thought of just lying there in nothing but my socks with no cover or barrier of any sort seemed wrong. He also hadn't taken my history or asked any questions yet and I was wondering if he was going to do all that while I was lying there naked. I also didn't like the fact that the only other person I knew for sure was in the office was the receptionist, and she could home at 5:00 for all I know.

I sat there for a minute not knowing what to do. If I left now I was guaranteed to walk out of there unharmed. If I stayed and he started getting weird, then what? Run out of the office naked? Yell for the receptionist and hope she's still there and hears me? The more I thought about it the more uncomfortable I got. He came back in and look surprised to see me still dressed. He asked if anything was wrong. I didn't really feel like discussing it with him so I just said I forgot I had another commitment at 5:30 I couldn't miss and I'd have to leave now to make it. I apologized and said it was late and he'd probably wants to get home anyway. He said that was fine and I could reschedule with the receptionist on the way out.

I felt relieved and start thinking maybe I overreacted. He then said something that really bothered me. He said, and I quote "I understand, I'm sure a pretty girl like you has a busy schedule." That really bothered me. I mean if my dentist told me I was pretty I wouldn't think much of it but my gyno? Ewww. At that point I just put my head down walked straight out to my car. I didn't exactly freak out but I was walking pretty briskly. I was actually shaking a little by the time I got to my car.

So now what? Did I overreact? Should I reschedule and hope there's a nurse and some gowns there next time? Find a new doctor? Should I tell my mom about it? The state medical board? Help!

Voting Results
26% Normal
Based on 89 votes (23 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • Jeaneathean

    I think you need to go with what your gut instinct is telling you, and find a new doctor.

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    • Jeaneathean

      And, if you have a close enough relationship with her, share this with your mother.

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  • RoseIsabella

    It sounds like you dodged a bullet there. Go with you gut instincts! This might sound corny but even though I don't know you I'm still proud of you! I'm happy to be reading about a close call instead of an abuse incident.

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  • IsitUnique

    Omg, i'm so glad nothing bad happened to you there. I feel sympathy for women, men don't really get these bad vibes as often. Lucky us, but yeah that seemed sketchy, better safe than raped!

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  • Mersaphe

    I don't think a doctor would sexually assault you, that sounds extreme. He would get sued anyway and his professional career would be ruined.

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    • GoraIntoDesiGals

      This. She over-reacted.

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  • You are lucky. It would have been awkward if you had stayed. Just knowing his old ass had a boner while he was feeling around inside you would be terrible.

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  • BlueAlice

    Ask your mum first, report it to the Everyday Sexism project and get a new gyno!

    Well done, BTW - I'm really proud of you!

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  • DiamondGirl

    That Doctor sounds crazy. Get another Gyno. Try to see a woman doctor. I have one. And she's ok. Sounds like this guy was definatly up to something. I had that once when a Dentist put me under sedation, I think he touched me, but I'm not really sure.

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  • hail_satin_666

    Loads of doctors like this get away with sexual assault because no one hardly finds out. It's YOUR decisions. If you wanted a gown, you should have gotten one. Get a new doc. You really don't want to risk anything.

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  • RomeoDeMontague

    Yeah I don't see what the issue is here. He offered you the chance to reschedule and was not upset when you chose to leave. He said they ran out of gowns which depending on how they get the gowns they could have simply ran out.

    If he didn't do things exactly how he usually does it might have been due to the nurses absence. Doctors sometimes ask the nurses to do side work and I don't see why it would be suspicious to say she went home sick one day.

    I think you are overreacting but I get why you would be paranoid in a empty hospital. Everything you described sounds normal. I don't think he was trying to rape you. Though given the circumstances could see why it would bother you and you would want to reschedule.

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