A.G., mother of three, says that hesitating to do gynecological exams caused her to miscarry. She wasn’t married at that time and feared judgment, so after her pregnancy test came positive she hesitated to go to any gynecologist, be it a woman or a man.
Her second child was born healthy, after she got married and got support from her family. This time, she had regular gynecologist examinations. She chose a woman gynecologist and explains why.
“After my miscarriage I didn’t have a problem because I went for regular examinations. However, I did this at a woman gynecologist because I feel more comfortable and I believe she gets me since she is a woman herself,” says A.G.
She says that she was accompanied by her husband at every examination. She says he was always there to support her.
Dr. DritaKabashi, an obstetric gynecologist and oncologist, came back from Germany four years ago to make a contribution as a professional in Kosovo.
She says that she prefers to have both partners present during the examination because both sides feel safer.
“I prefer to have both partners there so they can better remember what was discussed and what I recommended. Then there are also cases when I need to deliver bad news to my patient and it is harder for her to confront it on her own,” says Kabashi.
According to Dr.Drita, gynecological examination is not an experience most women look forward to. The first check-up is the hardest for both the patient and the doctor. This is because there are a lot of fears and a lot of questions, and the doctor has to perform an intimate exam as part of her job.
“Getting undressed in front of a woman is less embarrassing and you get used to that feeling, this, however, doesn’t mean that you should hesitate to get checked up by a doctor of the other gender. A man does not know what it means to give birth or to have female concerns, and for that reason he might be more careful when examining a woman,” says Kabashi.
She also said that it is very important for doctors, male or female, to have a friendly relationship with the patient. This is because the way one behaves with the patients — the way doctors welcome them, the first conversation and creating a friendly relationship with them — all further help during the examination.
“This relationship is important because when the patient trusts you, she accepts your advice, she feels comfortable, and you can see results. I have had cases where women who had been married for years were afraid to have sexual intercourse, but after we established a friendly relationship and [I gave] a lot of advice, it was successful,” she said.
Anita Nikaj, a journalism student, believes that women, especially the ones who are young and not married, hesitate to go to the gynecologist, especially male ones. She mentions some of the reasons.
“It is information they lack because they didn’t get it from their parent or school programs, because visiting a gynecologist is still considered taboo. The only time they don’t hesitate to go is when their health is threatened and they have no other choice,” said Nikaj.
Leutrim Sahiti, a sociologist and political scientist, believes that hesitation around medical examinations based on gender, among others, can be caused by the patriarchal mentality that is still present in our society.
“The majority of women seeking examinations from women are the ones who practice Islamic religious rituals, as well as women who come from rural places, where the patriarchal mentality is still present. However, this is not necessarilycaused by the mentality since they can choose where to get examined. A request like this has now increased since there are more women gynecologists and clinics that offer services from women,” said Sahiti.
He emphasizes that this phenomenon has recently appeared. Before the war of 1999, when there were very few women gynecologist, women were forced have examinations by male doctors. In some cases, they gave birth at home, not wanting a male doctor to deliver their baby.
Suzana Ferati a 44 yearold who has been working as a midwife in Ferizaj for twenty years, says that she has witnessed different cases. She says that the vast majority of women don’t mind getting examined by male doctors when there is an urgent matter, but sometimes, there are women who won’t see a male doctor even if it’s urgent.
“During child birth in the delivery room I am accompanied by a gynecologist, a neonatologist and a pediatric nurse. Usually the majority of women, especially the ones who wear a Hijab according to their beliefs, hesitate to give birth in front of male doctors. However, there are also women that don’t mind giving birth with a male or female doctor,” says Ferati.
Gynecologist Afrim Aliu says that he can understand why women hesitate to get examined, but good communication and gaining the patient’s trust helps her get over fear and hesitation.
“It’s not only women who hesitate to get examined by male doctors. There are cases that my colleagues told me about when men hesitate to havetheir intimate parts examined by female doctors, but good communication and sufficient information helps get over these obstacles,” said Aliu.
According to the most recent statistics of the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, in all public hospitals in 2015, there were 22,804 births, including 6,218 caesarian sections, and16,589 natural births.
Doruntina Stojkaj
