Just 9% of male urologists routinely conduct pelvic examinations on women with lower urinary tract symptoms compared with 86% of female urologists, an Australian study suggests.

Of 74 urologists and trainees studied, including 46 men, fear of being sued or upsetting patients was cited as a reason to not perform the exams.

Others were fear of missing pathology, lack of chaperones or preferring to delay vaginal exams to later appointments.

“In my private rooms where I don’t have access to a chaperone, it’s definitely a minority [of females that get a pelvic exam],” one male urologist said.