Modesty and naturism for women in health care situations

[Agde]

I've been participating in an online discussion about modesty and health care. Most of the participants are very concerned that doctors, nurses and techs don't respect their feelings about modesty, especially with intimate care. I've been kind of the lone naturist voice and a female participant asked a specific question for me to ask naturist women.

She's been in a situation where nurses had to help her express breast milk for her new baby. She felt that it was very intimate and any woman would have thought it perverse for a male nurse to have been involved. What do you think? Would a competent male nurse be a problem for a naturist woman in this case? Would your attitude in this case differ from other situations of opposite-gender health care?

[Lavandermist]

Not having any kids of my own I can't comment specifically on the breast milk incident; however, I did have a PAP test done by a male doctor. If you're talking about intimate, this was preeetty intimate. Although I knew he was a professional doctor it did make me more nervous than I already was about the procedure. I think that when it comes to intimate procedures, like the breast milk expressing tutorial, the mother should have at least been notified that there would be a male nurse attending and asked whether she felt comfortable with his presence/assistance.

[Boreas]

I also do not have children so cannot comment on expressing milk. I have recently been forced to change doctors because my doctor left town. He was a man who I trusted. He was replaced by a man and I was okay with that, even though I did not want to change doctors. This new doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant and tried to tell me it was an anti-inflammatory. Even when I called back to say the pharmacist had said it was a muscle relaxant, he still maintained it was an anti-inflammatory. I decided that I did not trust him for more important, or more intimate procedures. I have switched, coincidentally, to a female doctor. I didn't think it mattered whether my doctor is male or female as long as they have the professional boundaries. I still think I feel that way, though it is nice to have a doctor who is female. There is something different. Perhaps it is just her personality.

I suspect that I would feel more comfortable with a female nurse for the expressing milk issue. Never-the-less, I have met male nurses who could probably do this with kindness and suitable boundaries. If the health professional respects my modesty and boundaries, it does not matter to me if the person is male or female. The bottom line is that I have to feel respected and that the professional is concerned about my modesty and dignity.

[Nakednurse]

Maybe as a male nurse I can shed some light from my prospective. As a healthcare professional you must always be aware of what is most therapeutic for your patient. In that situation a qualfied female nurse would most likely be best. It is important to keep the patient at the center of all of your actions. I have found in some situations a patient responds more positively to a male caregiver without reguard to what care is being given intimate or not. I have also found that the most therapeutic thing may not be what the patient is comfortable with and a professional matter a fact attitude is important. Nudity in a healthcare setting also is not the same as nudity in a home setting for example. Once I became a nurse even my own extended family members allow me to care for them in intimate situations as a nursing professional, something that would not have been considered before that. I feel many things enter in when considering this topic.

[walter05]

As a healthcare professional you must always be aware of what is most therapeutic for your patient. In that situation a qualfied female nurse would most likely be best. It is important to keep the patient at the center of all of your actions.

I think that is what sums it up. The important thing is to keep the patient at the center of goals.

As a father of 6 breast fed kids, including two twins, I have a perspective on this. I have seen my wife breast feed, but I still don't really understand it.

Each time my wife gave birth, lactation specialists were provided. The lactation specialists were always female nurses who breast fed their own kids. They were always very helpful.

As a result, I believe that whenever possible, only female nurses who have actually breast fed their own kid(s) are the best ones to help breast feeding women. If those women need to express some of the milk, they are the best help.

Walter

[mmacdonaldca]

I am obviously not a female and could not comment on this issues as it pertains to breast feeding. However, from purely a health services matter, my main concern is not whether the health care professional is a male or female, but whether they are a professional! I have recently changed doctors...again. My last doctor was not very attentive. My new doctor has already sent me for two rounds of blood tests and is keeping me on his appointment list for ever few months until he is satisified he knows everything about my health. In the past I have had doctors of both genders (individually I mean haha) and as long as they have treated me professional, I feel very comfortable.

[HabaneroSting]

Nudists have a higher comfort level with themselves than non-nudists in most cases. However, nudists are not exhibitionists and typically only practice nudism around people they feel comfortable with and trust. The same goes for health care professionals. No matter who you are you should go to a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with no matter what gender. When people go to a nudist event, beyond the occasional friendly hug or handshake, they are not touching each other. Medical care can be very invasive and it is normal not to allow everyone access to your intimate areas, and you have the right to chose what care is provided to you and by whom. However, I am a firm believer that "modesty" should not interfere with receiving required or urgent medical care. It should not be a gender issue with doctors, but a comfort and trust issue.

[Agde]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful comments! I will relay them to the person who asked about this.

[Pumpkinpie]

Maybe as a male nurse I can shed some light from my prospective. As a healthcare professional you must always be aware of what is most therapeutic for your patient. In that situation a qualfied female nurse would most likely be best. It is important to keep the patient at the center of all of your actions. I have found in some situations a patient responds more positively to a male caregiver without reguard to what care is being given intimate or not. I have also found that the most therapeutic thing may not be what the patient is comfortable with and a professional matter a fact attitude is important. Nudity in a healthcare setting also is not the same as nudity in a home setting for example. Once I became a nurse even my own extended family members allow me to care for them in intimate situations as a nursing professional, something that would not have been considered before that. I feel many things enter in when considering this topic.

Words well written so true.

[blackrebel]

I really do not think that gender is an issue here. Both men and women will come into contact with healthcare professionals of the opposite gender in situations where as a patient you will be completely or partially undressed.

As a male with over several months of hospital stays over the past 10 or 12 years, I have had many incidents where I was undressed around a nurse male or female, and while it did not bother me, as professionals they have rules and regulations to live by. Pretty much, if you're patient is of the opposite gender the health care professional should not be around that person alone.

During my last hospital stay two years ago, in fact today, when I was brought back to my hospital room from the intensive care the nurse assistant was helping me to get situated in my room. When she had to sponge bathe me under my gown, I reassured her that it was more important to complete the task and not be concerned about having to call a male assistant.

During another examination I was brought back to the exam room by one of the nurses who knew me, took a back to the room and started her work. When I had to put on the gallon I proceeded to undress while answering her questions for the doctor. A few days later she did make a comment about how I did a strip for her in the exam room. But I later told her that as a nurse I took her as a professional in that it did not matter to me and I assume that as a nurse that it did not matter to her.

So I think that men and women both cross this line not intentionally, but as a natural course of action into our everyday lives.

[Pumpkinpie]

You still have to respect the patients wishes I had few patients requested the opposite sex sometimes the male ask for female or the female ask for male and some didn't really matter as long as they being taken care off, I ask the opposite sexes about there choice of nurses cause I thought it was me, their responds back to me was they had went through bad childhoods that effects them to this day and I can relate to that so its all about the patients who they feel comfortable and secure with.:)

[Stu2630]

I would struggle to be intimately examined by any medic, regardless of sex. If I had to be, it would have to be male. When I was in hospital just before Christmas, a patient opposite me had just had a major hernia operation and the female nurses would come and change his urinary catheter and such like and just the thought of that made me squirm.

As an aside, when I was a child, I really hated medics of any description and especially if they wore some sort of uniform (e.g. nurses, radiographers etc). To help me overcome that, when I was about eight years old, our next-door neighbour, a close family friend and a seamstress, made me a "nurse's outfit". It was an exact copy of the one worn by the nursing staff at our local hospital. It had the hat, the dress, the cape and even the belt with an authentic nurse's buckle. I never wore it - I was terrified of the outfit itself! She was very disappointed because she had put a lot of work into it to get it exactly right. I think I associated the nurses with hypodermic needles and other painful procedures.

Stu

[Agde]

I would struggle to be intimately examined by any medic, regardless of sex. If I had to be, it would have to be male...

Stu, you would feel right at home over at the health care modesty forum (http://bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com/2009/04/patient-modesty-volume-14.html#comments). I found the forum interesting for two reasons, among others.

The first was to hear "textiles" among themselves struggling to define "modesty" -- alas without much success. It ultimately always came back to interpersonal respect, personal dignity and relative power -- much bigger social and philosophical issues.

The second was hearing "modesty advocates" use many of the same arguments we use here in support of nudity to argue the opposite -- eg. we argue that the right to sovereignty over one's body no matter what others or the majority of people feel means that we should not have to ask permission to be naturally nude, whilst they argue that the right to sovereignty over one's body no matter what others or the majority of people feel means that they need fulltime cover and in particular to never be "exposed" to the opposite gender during health care. They think the patient's individual outlook trumps medical staff comfort with patient nudity, and we feel the same about individual choice in sunbathing attire.

Given that we agree on basic principles, the trick would seem to be one final agreement -- to focus on the principles and support each other's particular implementation of personal sovereignty. We are afterall both "minorities" facing an insensible "system" concocted by some "majority".

My weird brain kept imagining a joint rally, a march on Parliament, all of us wearing those awful open-back hospital gowns, them demanding the death of "undignified exposure" and us the birth of "dignified exposure." :)

[Stu2630]

Agde

Thanks for the link. It looks interesting and I will contribute.

You can't rationally compare the nudist view of "the right to sovereignty over one's body" with the right to modesty in a doctor's surgery or hospital, for several reasons. The main one is that a medical service is a personal service, paid for by (or on behalf of) the patient, and the practitioners are thereby servants. The duty of care of those patients extends to their comfort and mental well being. Another concerns the location where care takes place. A hospital or clinic is not a public place in the sense that a street or park is a public place. A hospital or clinic admits people on the basis of them being patients in need of treatment and so admission is conditional, whereas entry to a street or park or beach is largely unconditional. Thirdly, medics have a duty of care to respect the privacy of their patients, and many patients believe that duty extends beyond merely the privacy of their medical records, but also of other factors about themselves which they do not wish to reveal outside of a very specific circle of people chosen by them to be directly involved in their care. I suspect many nudists would be uncomfortable having, for example, a rectal examination in full view of other patients, their visitors and the cleaning lady!

Stu

[RalphVa]

I have no problems with either a male or female doing whatever needs to be done to me medically. Apparently neither does my non-naturist wife.

I've had nurses pour liquid down a funnel into a catheter in my penis. (They were putting it in before taking the catheter out to make sure I could pee it back out when the catheter came out.) I've also had a female doctor dobbing blood from my penis after she poked 12 holes in my prostate in checking to see if there was any cancer there. I was bleeding a fair bit after.

I've undergone on colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscope once as well, where devices are placed up the anus. Never had a problem with whomever did these, as long as they didn't hurt me.

A female doctor is my primary physician and does a physical on me every year. I'd rather have a female rather than a male doctor. My wife has had both male and female primary doctors, too, and no problems with accepting treatment from either.

The only problem doctor I've ever had was a urologist who seemed to poke his finger in to check on your prostate and crook his finger to actually hurt. I switched to another urologist.

[Eternity]

When I was still a student I did some work as a gynecological model at med school. I was a demonstration person for lessons in pelvic examination. Compared to that work any visit to a doctor since has felt like the easiest thing in the world. Nothing is worse than being examined by a (student) gynecologist who has no idea what he/she is doing.

[jon71]

I would imagine it would be a personal decision. If one woman (naturist or not) is comfortable with a male nurse/doctor that's fine and if the next woman isn't comfortable that's fine too. The medical establishment should realize there won't be a universal answer and respect that.

[Smiley]

I've been fighting bladder cancer for years now (I'm in remission at this time) and my urologist is male, his nurse is female. When she comes in to prep me I have no problem dropping my pants but I think my casual way is somewhat embarrassing to her although she's never said a word. I've had several stays in hospitals due to the cancer, some with a catheter involved and some not. Once several students were in the room when the catheter was changed. Nudity either full or partial doesn't bother me in medical situations. Why should it? They're trying to fix what's wrong and how could they do that if I were to be clothed? My wife feels the same way.

About the only comments I've heard were from doctors, both male and female and nurses again both male and female commenting on my all over tan. My reply had always been to "get outside in a private spot, get naked and enjoy the sun".

[Stu2630]

Smiley

I've been fighting bladder cancer for years now...

Just curious, but what are the symptoms? I was in hospital just before Christmas with a suspected kidney stone as they found blood in my urine. No stone emerged and they asked me to take a "flexible cystoscopy", which I declined as it's too embarrassing. Eventually, I paid privately and had a "virtual cystoscopy", which did not involve any embarrassing procedures. I'm due for a second of these exams later this month.

I'm asking because I have had some discomfort in my bladder since then - it's a bit painful when I pass water and my urine has been extremely dark, sometimes almost purple.

Stu

[Boreas]

Stu, it sounds like you need to get over your fears and get the exam. I know it is a very difficult procedure for you to consider. Never-the-less, clearly something is going on and you need to find out what is happening.

Which is more important, your modesty or your health?

[Sanslines]

Smiley



Just curious, but what are the symptoms? I was in hospital just before Christmas with a suspected kidney stone as they found blood in my urine. No stone emerged and they asked me to take a "flexible cystoscopy", which I declined as it's too embarrassing. Eventually, I paid privately and had a "virtual cystoscopy", which did not involve any embarrassing procedures. I'm due for a second of these exams later this month.

I'm asking because I have had some discomfort in my bladder since then - it's a bit painful when I pass water and my urine has been extremely dark, sometimes almost purple.

Stu

Purple Urine

A 76-year-old male nursing home resident with dementia and end-stage renal disease who was undergoing hemodialysis was admitted to the hospital after a syncopal episode that occurred during dialysis. Torsades de pointes was noted on telemetry monitoring. When a urinary catheter was placed, purple urine was drained. The patient had no fever, lower urinary tract symptoms, or leukocytosis. The urinalysis showed a pH of 9.0 and bacteriuria but no hematuria or pyuria. The urine culture showed 105 colony-forming units or more per milliliter for both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterococcus species. Over the next 3 days, the urine gradually became yellow and clear, in the absence of antibiotic treatment. Purple discoloration can occur in alkaline urine as a result of the degradation of indoxyl sulfate (indican), a metabolite of dietary tryptophan, into indigo (which is blue) and indirubin (which is red) by bacteria such as Providencia stuartii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and enterococcus species. The clinical course is benign, and the urine typically clears with resolution of the bacteriuria and acidification of the urine. This patient had no further episodes of torsades de pointes and returned to the nursing home in stable condition.

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/13/e14?ssource=imagefeed

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565078

[jon71]

Stu, please get to a doctor. You've only got one body and one life. If you're in pain or something isn't working right check it out. It's possible you won't need to "drop trou" but if you do I'd call it a good price to pay for good health. I had my kidneys checked out last fall (short version, false alarm) and they collected urine samples and gave me an ultrasound which only required removing my shirt, nothing else. Obviously I can't promise that will be the case with you but health matters and transcends other things.

[Stu2630]

Thanks, everyone. You've convinced me. I'll see the doc tomorrow, and I'll take a 'sample' along.

From what Sanslines says, it sounds like a bladder infection, which I'm prone to partly because of my somewhat unusual "plumbing", but I'll see what he says.

Stu

[jennan32za]

You've convinced me.

It hurts when you pee, which as you know is quite normal and the pee is sometimes a completely normal shade of deep purple, and you still need convincing to see a doctor?

The mind boggles.

I certainly hope you're more sensible when it comes to items not related to your waterworks. I mean, I'd like to believe that if you accidentally chopped your foot off with a chainsaw you'd call an ambulance instead of looking for a box of plasters and some Germolene, but I'm really not convinced that you would.

-d-

[jon71]

I hope all is well with you Stu. Please let us know.

[Stu2630]

I went to see the doc this morning with a sample. She says there is still blood in my urine, but I also have a slight urinary tract infection. I have a 5-day course of antibiotics and I have to go in again next Tuesday with a fresh sample.

She said that if either the infection has not cleared by then, or there is still blood in my urine, then I will be referred to the Urology Department, presumably for more tests.

So it all looks fine. Thanks for your concern, everyone.

Stu

[Smiley]

Stu. .The symptoms I had were blood in the urine. Traces had been reported for several years but was told not to worry. At the time I was a deputy sheriff and was in scuffles nearly every shift, plus running heavy equipment on my days off. The doctor didn't seem worried as otherwise I was in good health, good shape and quite active.

Several years later my urine would be bloody occasionally. .but I still wasn't worried. Then when every time I would urinate it was blood colored, I finally did become concerned. No pain at any time, nor any irritation. After a quick urinalysis at a local hospital, then several tests it was decided that I should see a urologist for a cystoscopy.

The results were several growths in the bladder, probably cancerous according to the urologist. They were removed and found to be cancer, type 3 IV. Several surgeries later (again via a catheter) plus chemo with BCG (can't remember the whole name but it was instilled via a catheter) and I was free.

It's been nearly 9 years now since the first diagnosis and I'm still free of the stuff. Stu, a cystoscopy might be embarrassing but if it saves your life, so what? Trust me, the doctors have seen it all so you may not be as unique as you seem to think. I have known several men who have died as a result of bladder cancer not bein caught early enough. I was extremely lucky, not all are. The men I've known died doped to the gills due to the extreme constant pain. Once the cancer gets through the bladder and into other organs, it's all over.

So overcome your reluctance, blush all you want, cry if you have to but get it checked out. None of this "virtual" stuff. .they can miss something by not being able to actually see what's going on.

So, that having been said you have no more excuses for "modesty". Do it or die is the way I feel. Yes, that's harsh. .but the problem could be serious, as in DEAD serious.

[Stu2630]

Smiley

Thanks for sharing that: scary stuff! It's amazing that they let you go on for several years with blood in your urine without properly investigating it.

I'm glad you're clear now and I hope that's all history for you now. I'm back at the doc's next week and I'll report what's happening.

Stu

[walter05]

Please do one of two things:

1) Preferably have the doctor and/or nurse check you out. Your modesty may be killing you.

2) If you don't love your wife and daughter enough to get over your modesty, please start planning for and pre-paying for your funeral. When you die too young, they will have to face that you did not love them enough to get over your fear. At that point, planning a funeral will be too much.

[Sanslines]

Stu will do or not do whatever he so choses to do and does not need to be further nagged by any of us. He is old enough to make his own decisions and reap or pay the price for those decisions.

Can a medical doctor really make anyone quit smoking who does not want to quit? No.

Can anyone get an alcoholic to quit drinking unless the alcoholic really wants to do so? No.

So, why would anyone here honestly believe that Stu will do anything that anyone suggests if he is suffering from a phobia that prevents him from doing so. Stu knows by now what he really should do and if so choses to not do so, then that is his decision to make.

[Stu2630]

Folks...I saw the doc this week. I'm seeing the doc next week. I'm doing what the doc tells me to do.

What more can I do? :shrug:

Stu

[Boreas]

Folks...I saw the doc this week. I'm seeing the doc next week. I'm doing what the doc tells me to do.

What more can I do? :shrug:

Stu

Will you get the cystocopy if he tells you it is needed? :sneaky:

[Stu2630]

Boreas

Will you get the cystocopy if he tells you it is needed?

:eek:

:confused: Erm....hmmm...

:o ... let's cross that bridge when we come to it, eh?

Stu

[Boreas]

LOL. What will we do with you????? :rolleyes:

[walter05]

We will read his obituary and think what a pity since he died young and could have prevented it.

We will feel sorry for his wife and daughter.

[Maurice Bernstein, M.D.]

As a physician, reading through the posts, I think that Stu got the word. I have found that badgering a patient doesn't work, education works much better. It would seem that Stu is now educated. I am also chair of a hospital ethics committee and there has been a change in recent decades from physician paternalism to patient autonomy. That is, the physician is less dictatorial and the patient is expected to be more involved in their own decision making with less pressure from the physician. Education of the patient about the pros and cons of symptoms, disease and management is the duty of the doctor and the decision or consent comes from the patient.

Doctors do find patients "non-compliant" with advice and prescriptions by their physicians, but there are many reasons both social and psychologic which lead to this reaction. In Stu's case, one can't tell in brief on-line comments what is the basis for any resistance to recommendations but certainly Stu should be encouraged to at least communicate his concerns and uncertainties with his physician and look for a constructive response.

It is this same need for patients who have concern about their modesty issues vs gender selection of healthcare providers to communicate their concerns and desires to their doctors. Based on the comments by my visitors to my patient modesty thread http://bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com/2009/05/patient-modesty-volume-17.html#comments this has not been generally happening and some visitors seem surprised that the doctors are ignorant of their desires.

My advise is: communicate with your doctor. Hopefully, your doctor will have time to listen and respond. ..Maurice.

[Sanslines]

My advise is: communicate with your doctor. Hopefully, your doctor will have time to listen and respond. ..Maurice.

The patient MUST be certain to properly prepare and to time their discussions for physicians are ONLY allocated 10 or 15 minutes per patient. Physicians do not have time to just sit and listen to patients ramble on about ailments. 10 or 15 minutes is hardly enough time to resolve many problems and hence physicians are almost forced to prescribe even more medication for problems that can be resolved without medication given enough time.

[Maurice Bernstein, M.D.]

A suggestion: Before the scheduled visit, write your concerns in the form of a letter or e-mail to your doctor. The doctor, then, may be prepared to provide you with an answer at the beginning of the limited time visit. Has anyone tried that? ..Maurice.

[Boreas]

A suggestion: Before the scheduled visit, write your concerns in the form of a letter or e-mail to your doctor. The doctor, then, may be prepared to provide you with an answer at the beginning of the limited time visit. Has anyone tried that? ..Maurice.

I believe I have tried that. I have certainly suggested to my clients that they do it. I have done that for my clients as well. I will write a letter to the doctor (with the client's consent) and tell the doctor that the person will be going see him/her on this date to talk about this, that and the other thing. It seems to work well.

I did do that for myself when I was referred to an allergist. I did not think he had read it, but his report contained some of the information I had written. I am of the belief that my time is as important as the doc's and so I want to be given full attention when I am there. I have zero tolerance for being patronized. In fact, when my doctor left town, and his replacement treated me like a stupid old lady (I am neither).....he tried to convince me that Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) was an anti-inflammatory.....even when I called him back to ask about it, after I'd had it filled. :mad: I ended up switching to another doc in the same clinic. This was a MUCH better choice.

[Boreas]

The patient MUST be certain to properly prepare and to time their discussions for physicians are ONLY allocated 10 or 15 minutes per patient. Physicians do not have time to just sit and listen to patients ramble on about ailments. 10 or 15 minutes is hardly enough time to resolve many problems and hence physicians are almost forced to prescribe even more medication for problems that can be resolved without medication given enough time.

You can also asked to be given two appointments in a row, so that gives the doctor 20-30 minutes with you.

[daviszr1]

patronized. In fact, when my doctor left town, and his replacement treated me like a stupid old lady (I am neither).....he tried to convince me that Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) was a muscle relaxant.....even when I called him back to ask about it, after I'd had it filled. :mad: I ended up switching to another doc in the same clinic. This was a MUCH better choice.

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant though! :confused:

[Boreas]

Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant though! :confused:

Oops. I meant to say he tried to convince me it is an anti-inflammatory. :o

[Smiley]

One last thought on this. .I spent a number of years as a First Responder (read crash course EMT) and one of the first things we were taught was to respect the patient's modesty as best you can under the circumstances. Never mind that you yourself may be embarrassed, the patient/victim's welfare and condition comes first.

[BiNaturist]

Maybe as a male nurse I can shed some light from my prospective. As a healthcare professional you must always be aware of what is most therapeutic for your patient...It is important to keep the patient at the center of all of your actions...Nudity in a healthcare setting also is not the same as nudity in a home setting...

I highly agree with the point of this post! While not specifically in the medical field, I am a Massage Therapist. From time to time, new female clients will ask to what degree should they get undressed for their session. In discussions on ethics, we are informed to consider the sensitivity of the client in this type of intimate setting. Different people have varying levels of how they feel being totaly or partialy nude, even in front of a professional. Speaking for myself, when I'm asked that question, I tell them that for the first 2 or 3 sessions they can wear they're panties on, and if they feel comfortble, in future sessions they may lay nude on the table, and I try to communicate that in a way that I earn their trust. Even during the massage, they are draped on the tabel for reasons of 'warmth and modesty' as stated in AMT professional protocol, so they are not totally exposed.
Speaking for myself as a Massage Therapist that is also a naturist, I have no problem with clients, either male or female, that are comfortable enough to be nude on the massage table. Let me state that I do legitimate theraputic massage, not erotic massage - I didn't need to go to school to learn how to do that. My point is that as a professional, I must take into account the clients needs and their level of sensitivity when they come to me for stress reduction and relaxation. Feel free to comment on this. I'm open to others' point of view.

[jon71]

I highly agree with the point of this post! While not specifically in the medical field, I am a Massage Therapist. From time to time, new female clients will ask to what degree should they get undressed. In discussions on ethics, we are informed to consider the sensitivity of the client in this type of intimate setting. Different people have varying levels of how they feel being totaly or partialy nude, even in front of a professional. Speaking for myself, when I'm asked that question, I tell them that for the first 2 or 3 sessions they can wear they're panties on, and if they feel comfortble, in future sessions they may lay nude on the table, and I try to communicate that in a way that I earn their trust. Even during the massage, they are draped on the tabel for reasons of 'warmth and modesty' as stated in AMT professional protocol, so they are not totally exposed.
Speaking for myself as a Massage Therapist that is also a naturist, I have no problem with clients, either male or female, that are comfortable enough to be nude on the massage table. Let me state that I do legitimate theraputic massage, not erotic massage - I didn't need to go to school to learn how to do that. My point is that as a professional, I must take into account the clients needs and their level of sensitivity when they come to me for stress reduction and relaxation. Feel free to comment on this. I'm open to others' point of view.

That is so cool. Back in college I had a few professional massages. A friend of a friend did them. I was always nude but a towel always covered the genitals and I'm covered my butt either the entire time or very close to it. I even paid for one session as a graduation gift to a female friend. I stayed outside for that. I really liked it but it was too expensive for something that was just a personal luxury and haven't been able to since then.

[Boreas]

That is so cool. Back in college I had a few professional massages. A friend of a friend did them. I was always nude but a towel always covered the genitals and I'm covered my butt either the entire time or very close to it. I even paid for one session as a graduation gift to a female friend. I stayed outside for that. I really liked it but it was too expensive for something that was just a personal luxury and haven't been able to since then.

Hi Jon, massage is more than a personal luxury. It helps me keep my neck tuned up, and therefore, helps me be productive. I get a massage tonight. Yippee.

On the topic of modesty for women in health care situations, I had an ecg last week to prepare for foot surgery that I will be having tomorrow. The tech said she would keep me as covered as possible. I told her I wasn't worried, though keeping covered for warmth was welcome. I do appreciate that she respected my dignity. While I do not mind being uncovered, I do like to be respected and asked what I would like.

[atalanta]

Boreas, hi
I hope your foot surgery goes as well as you could wish. I know we share some bothersome joint problems. At least mine go away sometimes but I am still quite unable to get to the bottom of what causes them, despite numerous consultations with a variety of doctors and specialists. I need to be very attentive for the first signs of trouble and take anti-inflammatories before it gets out of control. Good luck.

[Boreas]

Thanks atalanta. I head out in about an hour. Surgery is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. I have to be there about two hours ahead of time. I have a good book. :)

[Yogi Bare]

I went to see the doc this morning with a sample. She says there is still blood in my urine, but I also have a slight urinary tract infection. I have a 5-day course of antibiotics and I have to go in again next Tuesday with a fresh sample.

She said that if either the infection has not cleared by then, or there is still blood in my urine, then I will be referred to the Urology Department, presumably for more tests.

So it all looks fine. Thanks for your concern, everyone.

Stu

Last year, I all of a sudden started seeing blood in my urine. It started out pinkish in color and got to the point that it looked like I was peeing pure blood. Went to the doctor, and after some testing, I found out that I was inadvertently overmedicating on my coumadin (a blood thinner). It was quite easy to correct, and the problem disappeared.

By the way, Stu, I don't see any further posts from you on what you found out about your issue. How did things turn out for you? I hope everything is fine.

[David77]

Last year, I all of a sudden started seeing blood in my urine. It started out pinkish in color and got to the point that it looked like I was peeing pure blood. Went to the doctor, and after some testing, I found out that I was inadvertently overmedicating on my coumadin (a blood thinner). It was quite easy to correct, and the problem disappeared.


Same thing happened to me, so I was taken off coumadin completely, "and the problem disappeared".

[Yogi Bare]

Same thing happened to me, so I was taken off coumadin completely, "and the problem disappeared".

Good for you! Unfortunately, I have had two blood clots in my lower left leg, so now I am stuck with being on the coumadin for the rest of my life.

[lifelong]

A health care professional in any specialty must respect the patient's wishes and feelings about "exposure". I have never been concerned about any examination or procedure, whether with a male or female professional, as long as I knew that my comfort was a priority with them.