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Q: Girls! What has been your experience with Chinese gynecological care?
I want to write a blog about gynecology in China versus the West. Personally, I've had terrible experiences here with it, and every other foreign woman I know has the same. Also, every foreign woman I know here has also needed gynecological care at some point during their stay in China. It will be anonymous, but I'd really like to know about your experiences--I believe this is a problem that many, if not most, of us expat women will face during our time here, and there is little to no information available anywhere. I know this is a sensitive topic, and a lot of idiots will probably respond to this question. You may PM me if you wish, I promise I will keep it completely anonymous if I use your experience in the blog post.
Thanks, ladies!
10 years 46 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
I'll be the first idiot to respond to your question openly.
Most Chinese women I've met have never even heard of a gynecologist, let alone visited one. And I am shocked today, despite my pleas, that my girlfriend does not have a trusted gyno to whom she goes whenever she has a female complaint or needs a standard female checkup. It really does boggle my mind.
Got any theories?
.tauney:
Lots of theories, but, sadly, no concrete evidence. It might have something to do with the horrible lack of privacy, or the cost, or the fact that sex is still a taboo subject and girls aren't properly educated about it at all. For that matter, neither are men, and they're the ones out messing around with mistresses and hookers with no protection. Even the gynecologists aren't well informed and often prescribe medicines and treatments that are absolutely contra-indicated in the west, and would, in fact, make the problem worse rather than better. Over all, it's a mess!
Red_Fox:
I failed to mention in my earlier post that my Chinese gf is educated, has travelled abroad, is in her 30s, speaks perfect English, watches a lot of American and British TV & films (cultural contexts lead to cultural understanding), and works for an American multinational company in SH. All those factors combined makes the issue more perplexing to me. She's clearly not a hick and yet she still can't get her head around the notion that a woman needs a trusted gynecologist, preferably a Western-trained gyno in an international hospital/clinic/surgery in SH. I really don't get it.
I'm waiting to hear Silva's experiences; Silva's done everything.
99Silva:
You are getting more annoying everyday Craig....worry about yourself!
Traveler:
I just think that would be very fitting that your doctor would be a gynecologist.
I've often thought about getting into gynecology or opening a bikini waxing salon. The salon has more appeal and it's seasonal work, winters off.
Red_Fox:
Don't think I could be a gynecologist. It would desensitize me in the more subtle, sublime and sensual experiences with the female anatomy. On the other hand, I like the bikini wax salon idea. Let me know when you open your fist, I mean first salon in China. I need a job. (Jeez. Apologies for the typo.)
TedDBayer:
If the salon idea caught on in China, I'd need a chain. There would never be a shortage of customers. I'm in favour of waxing, more fun.
I'm not a girl, but I'll contribute anyways. My ex-gf (Chinese) had a problem requiring a visit to an OB-GYN, and asked me to go with her. Visiting a gynecologist at a hospital is no different than visiting any other doctor in China. You first make the paperwork run from one end of the hospital to the other, and then you go wait your turn at the doctor's "office". While you are waiting, you get to hear everyone else's problems with their Va-jay-jays, and then when it's your turn, everyone else can contribute their own sage advice on how to remedy the problem. My ex-gf had to be examined by the doctor, so they stepped behind a makeshift curtain and did the deed with everyone else just on the other side waiting their turn. Aside from all that, the visit ended up being useless. The doctor told her she needed to have a minor surgery to correct the problem. I stalled my ex-gf from having the surgery long enough that the problem went away by itself. 
TIC
Traveler:
There is always surgery, so the hospital and doctor and make money. That is why abortion is the number one form of birth control in China - money.
tauney:
Thanks cooter. That is totally what happens in a Chinese gyn office. I was lucky enough that the doctor saw my discomfort and kicked the other girls out before telling me about my problem, but i saw exactly what you described--the women sitting and waiting and giving crap medical advice to each other while the doctor writes out scrips.
