When it comes to something like smears and internal examinations, I would definately prefer a woman nurse/doctor.
Something I did notice recently along the lines of this thread is when I was in hospital last month, whenever a male cinsultant needed to feel my baby bump, he had to have a chaperone. I can understand why but was still surprised as he wasnt seeing or touching anywhere else other than my tummy. Even when my partner was right there, they still had to be chaperoned.