what makes you decide on your doctor ?

just a quick question

When you have to see a doctor for women health related issues eg contraception pap smears, pregnancy fertility issues what makes you decide who the best doctor is
do you prefer a female doctor ? why? i have been doing some research on this and wow it is interesting i just wanted to get your take on it

me i have always prefered a female doctor but i really am unsure why ? embarassment i guess cause it certainly isn't anything thing to do with dignity cause i feel i have none either way.

I have a more calculated approach... I attend a medical centre for my GP related appointments... over the years I have narrowed it down to two - my reasons for them both are that they have done some training with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) - they haven't done the full training to be an Ob&Gyn but have completed training with them.

I had a pap smear done with a female doctor - it was so much more uncomfortable than with male doctors.

A recommendation is always good. I asked on here for a doc for my sis (she asked me to), and then I ended up using one of the recommendations for my pap smear, and it was great!

And of course, it matters that I feel comfortable and listened to with the doctor.

My current doc is a bloke, I like him cause he's one of these types who look at the whole person, not just the complaint you come in with. He'll be doing my Pap next week. He makes the time to listen to me, if I run into him in the shops he doesn't ignore me. My hubby went in with a cold and came out with a full physical and cholesterol tests!

Previously I've had a lady doctor and found them less gentle then blokes!