Recommend Your NYC Gynecologist

February 26, 2020 6:18 AM

I am 38 and have not been to the gynecologist in a long time for reasons. do you have a gentle and kind doctor you can recommend in the NYC area who will not judge or shame me?

(I would be grateful if people could refrain from posting anything shaming or hypochondria-inducing in the comments.)

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Hi anon, I don't have any specific recommendations in NYC (except that providers at Planned Parenthood tend to be exceptionally patient, kind, and understanding). I am a GYN, though, and want to reassure you that many people are in the same shoes as you. You don't deserve any shaming or judgement.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 6:49 AM on February 26, 2020 [5 favorites]

I have an absolutely excellent one (kind, gentle, non-judgemental), and if you want to message me I'll send along her info.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 7:05 AM on February 26, 2020

I'm in NYC and have one located in the financial district. I'd call her matter-of-fact rather than affirmatively gentle, but I think she's great and would expect her to be non-judging/shaming. Message if you want her contacts.
posted by LizardBreath at 7:30 AM on February 26, 2020

I found the experience at the Institute for Family Health on W 17th St very gentle and affirming. They give you the option of doing your own pap swab in privacy, if that is a concern. Their front office staff is not the best (they seem overworked and stressed out), but their providers are excellent.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:24 AM on February 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

I found Dr Peter Guirguis after I needed a colposcopy and had been paying out of pocket to stay at Downtown Women after an insurance change, but given the biopsy and potential other procedures (luckily there weren’t any), I switched to him for in-network. He is the kindest doctor and very generous with his time. I became very emotional on one visit talking about a personal issue and he couldn’t have been more supportive. He always has a nurse in the exam room with him, although I’m more comfortable talking one on one with him once the exam is over. He has offices in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Happy to discuss anything further over memail.
posted by icaicaer at 9:07 AM on February 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Everyone I have seen at Downtown Women has been incredibly kind and gentle. For the last few years I've been seeing Jessica Safier, who I have recommended to many friends and they all agree that she's wonderful.
posted by Fuego at 9:11 AM on February 26, 2020 [2 favorites]

(As a side note, if it makes you feel any better, a GYN is not like a dentist. If you're not having problems or pregnant (or trying to be) and your PCP or their NP handles routine exams [which btw really only need to be done every three years, not annually--that's the way they do it in Europe]/birth control, there's no reason for you to see a GYN at all. I don't think I saw one for a decade or more, because I didn't need to.)
posted by praemunire at 9:12 AM on February 26, 2020 [3 favorites]

My PCP does my paps and she's very kind and never judges or shames.
posted by Mavri at 9:29 AM on February 26, 2020

dr zoe rodriguez at mt sinai/beth israel is amazing. it's also not a big deal to go only every 3 years if your only concern is paps.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:43 AM on February 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Dr. Susan Khalil is the first doctor I ever had in my life that said to me, “so, what would you like to talk about?” in a manner that truly meant she had lots of time to talk about whatever my concerns were, and not rush me out the door.
posted by knownassociate at 12:44 PM on February 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Have a great one in a great practice but the wait to get an appointment may be a bit long. Message me if you want info.
posted by ch1x0r at 6:57 PM on February 26, 2020

Seconding Downtown Women. I've seen most of the doctors in the practice because they also did my OB care (and they rotate), and never had a bad experience. I especially think Dr. Whitehead, Alexandra Weigel (NP), and Emory Ship (NP/nurse midwife) are fantastic. You might find it less intimidating to have your exam with a nurse practitioner than an OB, but they are all very good and nonjudgmental.
posted by MeadowlarkMaude at 7:10 PM on February 26, 2020