David Powers, MD

I was shocked to see the ratings that Dr. Powers received. DO NOT SEE THIS DOCTOR.
I had an appointment with him to discuss the various explanations for missing two period cycles. In my twenty minute appointment:
1) I did not receive a pregnancy test, despite not having my period for two months (unless you call him asking me if I «felt pregnant» a viable medical diagnosis)
2) was told the only other reason besides sustained birth control use and pregnancy that explains missing two cycles is if someone «surgically closed your cervix» (a second opinion from another doctor informed me there are at least 10 other reasons, including hypothyroidism, pituitary tumors, celiac disease, and renal failure)
3) When I inquired about the side effects of IUDs (that several of my friends and relatives have experienced, including perforated uterine walls) I was told that reading too much about this would «confuse me»
He stopped just short of calling me a hysterical female, solely for worrying that my cycle, which has been regular for 16 years, suddenly stopped. I stopped short of asking him how much money he is receiving from pharmaceutical companies for unnecessarily pushing their brand-​name and expensive products on his patients. I left the appointment feeling unsure of how much of what I was told was actually sound medical advice; I have learned from subsequent appointments with other doctors that the answer is zero.

Highly recommend. The entire practice does a great job. Look no further…

I love Dr Powers! It is nice to come across a doctor that is thorough, explains and shows you your test results and courses of action. I love it that he personally calls you and not the nurse. Not that there is anything wrong with the nurse but when you are waiting for test results and the Dr himself calls you to explain things it leaves little room for confusion and what to do next.
I first saw him at the Georgetown location and Audrey is friendly and nice. I had to see him for my follow-​up care in his Bethesda office and Rosemary ROCKS! She provided me a therma wrap for the cramping after a procedure which is thoughtful and nice.
I wish I could have a Dr Powers for internal medication, dermatology and everything else medical. He’s my gynie for life!

I’ve been with Dr. Powers since I moved to D.C. in 2009. I have only good things to say about him, to the point where I would continue to go to him even if he wasn’t covered by my insurance and just pay out of pocket. I recommend him relentlessly to my friends. They never go because for whatever reason they want a female OBGYN, but it’s their loss.
I could go on for hours, but a few of the things I like most:
1) His staff. They are all amazingly personable, kind, and competent. They make you feel welcome and they actually answer the phone. That’s right– you will never get an answering machine or a weird touch menu here. I called recently and someone actually answered and put me on hold, old school, without music, and explained to me why. You’d think this wouldn’t be a huge deal, but I think it is.
2) I’ve had experiences at this point with both he and Dr. Becker because it is a small practice and they cover for each other. Both of them are very calm and slightly old school (just, I guess, like their practice of picking up the phones). While they are 100% competent and always come up with the solution to my problem, run the appropriate tests, prescribe the appropriate medications, etc they are the opposite of alarmist. This is a refreshing change for me. The tend to first suggest remedies like taking some warm baths. When I had a UTI, they prescribed cipro. It worked like a charm and was way cheaper and more effective than the ‘new’ stuff I’ve had other doctors prescribe.
3) Everyone at this office is really kind and really listens to me. I feel like I am 100% taken seriously as a person and as a patient, and this is definitely a no judgment zone. All the 5 star reviews here are right on the money. Give him a try, you won’t be sorry.

So I was a little scared after my visit. I just moved to the area and decided it was time to find a new OB-​GYN.
Here’s my experience w/​Dr. Powers… No one called to confirm my appointment– which I typically like for the receptionist to do just so I know everything is good to go. (No biggie).
THEN in the actual appointment, I told the doctor that I had been having severe pain when I don’t have my period. and he just said that «it may be a number of things». and just left it at that. I thought he would do testing but NOTHING. I then asked him for information on birth control and he gave me a pamphlet and told me to look up the information online.
I didn’t hear anything back about my pap smear tests, which my past doctors offices were pretty good about especially given my family history with cancer.
While there, the receptionist apparently did not put any of my insurance information into the system, and she did not ask me for any kind of co-​pay. Long story short, I received a bill in the mail weeks later telling me I owed hundreds of dollars. And when I tried calling Dr Powers’ office, I wasn’t receiving any kind of response — it was almost as though the phone line didn’t exist any more. Finally called another number that I found online and got a hold of someone in the practice’s general billing department who told me that no one even put the claim through yet to the insurance company– and it is unusual that i’m receiving a bill. It almost made me feel like I went to a fake doctor’s office to begin with.
Anyway– this visit scared me a bit. Definitely not ok with going back… I just hope I didn’t go to a fake Dr…

Unilocal scores again! My experience with Dr. Powers has been the best. I had never considered seeing a male doctor before, but the reviews swayed me.
As other reviewers have said, the takes you into his office to meet with you and discuss your general health/​welfare. His examinations are as pleasant as possible and the lady who works the front desk is just the sweetest.
As long as he’s covered on my insurance, I’m gladly his patient.

He is amazing. He is really personable and takes the time to fully clarify questions and concerns. He realizes your time is valuable as is his which matters a lot to me. He’s thorough yet efficient at appts. Definetly recommend him. He’s my first male Gyn and I was slightly hesitant but he’s definitely put my mind at ease.

Dr. Powers has been nice enough, but I haven’t been completely happy with his service.
The first time I saw him, he was very dismissive of my concerns, but I left the office feeling content with the visit.
On my next visit for my annual, I didn’t realize they didn’t take my new insurance. The receptionist was great, and let me take my time to figure out what exactly my charges might be if I stayed for the appointment. At this point, Dr. Powers kindly forced me into his office to «talk» and pressured me into staying for the appointment. My insurance sent me a notice for the cost of the visit, none of which was covered, but I am still waiting on the bill from Dr. Powers (it’s been 3 months).
During the same visit, he insisted I start taking a non-​generic birth control he’s probably paid to promote with some discount card which would save me something like $ 3/​month. Within a month that discount card was canceled. I called in to explain the situation, and he called in a new prescription to my pharmacy. When I went to pick it up, it was a different pill than I had taken previously, forcing me to change birth control twice within 2 months when I had been taking the same one for 4 years before all this.
I have had a better experience with his office staff. They’re always able to get me appointments and call prescriptions in for me promptly.

Although I only have good things to say about Dr. Powers, I can’t say the same for his nurse, and otherwise any of his staff.
I came in for an appointment several months ago, and Dr. Powers told me to come back in 2 months, when I tried to schedule my next appointment, his nurse told me that she’ll call me to set up a time. This never happened. The same nurse, also over charged me for my co-​pay with my insurance, stating «I don’t know, and I don’t have time to figure it out for sure right now». Needless to say, I have been waiting for her to call me to set up my next appointment for nearly two months now, and even though I have deligintly been calling the office my self (six different times now), nobody picks up the phone. I have even tried his Bethesda office several times.
I am extremely frustrated with this. How can I come an see a great doctor, if NOBODY PICKS UP THE PHONE!!!

In short:
— VERY thorough. Dr. Powers pulled me aside in his office prior to the exam to discuss any concerns or questions that I might have.
— Very knowledgeable and willing to guide me with sound advice according to my future plans.
— Warm instruments. :) Hey, it makes a difference to me!
— Nursing staff were super kind and helpful too.
Now that said… please find a different doctor… I don’t want to share him.

Dr. Powers was wonderful! i was nervous about the first visit but Dr. Powers was wonderful. He was so nice and the talk before the exam definitely helped to calm my nerves. I would recommend him to everyone.

Dr. Powers is nasty, incompetent and dismissive. I can’t understand why he got all of these positive reviews. He seems to think antibiotics are to be taken like candy and that when they don’t work for three weeks, you might as well just take them for another three.

I was weary going off Unilocal reviews to a new gyno and straying from my female gyno but Dr. Powers was fantastic! He talked to me first and was very open to any questions. The best part was I never felt rushed and was in and out of there in 30 minutes! He’s kind, warm, not creepy and extremely good at his job. I am so happy that I found a great gyno in this area. I recommend him with 100% confidence.

As with the above reviews, I was hesitant to go to a male doctor. These Unilocal reviews helped to ease my mind, and I am extremely glad I saw Dr. Powers.
He is considerate, calm, thorough, attentive, and explains everything in detail as he goes through the medical history interview and the exam itself. When he asks if you have questions, he actually waits to hear them and answers them in great detail, with plenty of recommendations. He didn’t make me feel silly for being nervous, and took care to be gentle.
The exam rooms are clean and bright, staff is friendly, and the exam «tools» themselves are kept nice and toasty.
I have never had such a painless and relaxed exam. I recommend him most highly!

Dr. Powers deserves every one of these stars and maybe an extra bonus star as well. Let me detail the situation for you: my mail-​order prescription medicine service tells me that my BC prescription is expired. Physician renewal time. I call my old doctor’s office (whom I’ve only seen once) and they don’t know who I am! No Records! Nothing! I am just another face in the crowd to them. Since we all know how important scheduling is when you’re on these meds, this would be my time to panic, right?
Wrong. I turned to my bestie Unilocal and Unilocal told me that Dr. Powers is The Best. So I call up his office and guess what? He can see me! Today! In an Hour! I told the woman on the phone it was «semi-​urgent but not super seriously urgent» and she understood immediately.
Dr. Powers did indeed have a nice sit-​down chat with me beforehand, and his manner is extremely calm and reassuring. I’ve been to dude doctors before so his gender didn’t freak me out, but I’ve also seen a lot of jerk doctors so I was still on guard. Dr. Powers asked all the important questions, and even took some time to ask me about my background and interests. He wrote out my new prescrip’ as soon as I told him about my predicament, and one of the staff members faxed it to the mail order service.
When it came time for those fun stirrups and crackly paper gown, Dr. Powers kept talking to me about book recommendations (I’d mentioned earlier that I liked mysteries) and I was kept as at ease and as happy as possible. His staff is really sweet as well.
I can’t think of any drawbacks to list here for you, the Unilocaling public. If you have a problem or it’s just exam time, go visit Dr. Powers!

Jumping on the 5 star bandwagon, I’m really relieved I went with Dr. Powers. Going for your yearly lady check-​up is not an experience that women exactly relish. Dr. Powers makes it about as bearable as possible.
I never thought I would go to a male doctor but the reviews here sold me (and there were no female ones on my referral list). Dr. Powers was polite, friendly, very professional, and actually takes the time to sit down with you in his office so he can get to know you as a person first. He also gives out samples of products he recommends. His staff is wonderful and friendly, if amusingly excitable (on the day I came they kept saying ‘Ohmigod! What a morning! Craziness!’). Bonus points for the fact that they actually gave me a discount «for being sweet and polite.»
Oh and come on, his name is «Doctor Powers».

I agree wholeheartedly with Nadine and Laura. I had a list of doctors and decided to give Dr. Powers a try because of the reviews here and because he had availability. Given how incredible he is, I am flummoxed as to why he is so available. He is the first male gynecologist I’ve been to in decades, but again because of the glowing reviews, I tried him. He is compassionate, communicative, patient, knowledgeable, and comforting. I went to the D.C. office, which is small and peaceful. This is not assembly line medicine that begins in a warehouse of a waiting room with office staff numbed from the volume of patients. And yes, he talks to you in his office before your examination. That’s worth a lot of stars!!! More docs (men & women) should realize that, given the sensitive nature of these visits, it’s nice to meet them before you’re up in the stirrups. He even talked to me in his office after my exam, and HE TOOK NOTES to give me as reminders of his recommendations for self-​care. Can you believe this man? My appt. was the day it snowed and he had only one person on staff. She was a hoot! Overall, Dr. Powers was a pleasant surprise.

Somebody give this man a raise!
no joke… the idea of going to a male gynecologist freaked me out for years, but when I called the Bethesda Ave office hoping to get one of the female doctors, the soonest appointment they had was for Dr. Powers and I just decided to bite the bullet and try him out. I’m glad I did, because as far as gyn visits go, it was the best one I’ve had. He takes a good 10 – 15 minutes to talk to you in his office – yes, complete with chairs and a big wooden desk and no exam table whatsoever – about your medical history and address your questions before you ever go into an exam room. He takes the medical history and discusses questions/​concerns in a very professional manner that put me very much at ease, even when talking about personal stuff – a nice change from gynecologists who had me in a paper robe while rattling off a bunch of questions and staring at a computer screen typing in answers. The exam had to have been the least uncomfortable one i’ve ever had; it didn’t hurt and went by quick. I always heard that male obgyns actually tend to be more gentle than female ones and now I can attest that at least Dr. Powers lends credence to that idea. Overall, no awkward moments, and the staff was super nice to boot. I highly, highly recommend him. And for anyone who lives near Bethesda, he sees patients there too (conveniently located near Bethesda Bagels. another plus) – if you’re near the red line metro at all, both his offices are proximal to red line stops, and it was not difficult at all to get a new patient appointment… i got one for the day after I called though maybe this was a stroke of luck considering just how awesome Dr. Powers is!

This one’s for the ladies. A doctor in DC who does not answer personal phone calls while with a patient? Extraordinary!
My first (won’t be the last) visit with Dr. Powers and his staff went very pleasantly, as GYN visits go. He invited me into his office to discuss my history with him before going into the exam room. What can I say, I like a man who can offer some conversation before doing the deed. What I liked was that he took plenty of time to discuss my questions and didn’t rush me through. He’s very knowledgeable about BC options and won’t just tell you to «read the info packet and follow the directions» but will actually discuss your dosage/​schedule with you. I think this is especially useful for young women like myself who may not necessarily have any major problems, but still may need to discuss some things with a doc.
The staff as well reflect Dr. Powers’ approach. They are kind, helpful, and considerate — they all seemed to have a very good level of rapport and clear communication with each other, which I find on the patient’s end seems to lead to less overbooking or hassle. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a new doctor.