Why your concerns matter: Creating a safe space for health conversations

Too many women have sat in a doctor's office feeling unheard, rushed or dismissed. Perhaps you've been told your symptoms are ‘normal’ when they don't feel normal to you.

Maybe you've felt embarrassed to bring up certain concerns, or worried that your questions might sound trivial.

As a medical and surgical gynecologist, I've learned that the most important part of my job isn't just diagnosing and treating conditions, it's creating an environment where women feel safe, respected and genuinely heard.

Your concerns matter, no matter how small they might seem to you.

Everyone’s experience is valid

Women's health has a long history of being misunderstood or minimised. For too long, women's pain has been dismissed as ‘normal’ or attributed to emotions rather than physical causes.

This has led many women to doubt their own experiences or hesitate to seek help when they need it.

In my practice, I start from a simple principle: you know your body better than anyone else. When you tell me something feels different, wrong or concerning, I believe you.

Your experience is the starting point for our conversation, not something that needs to be proven or justified.

Whether you're dealing with irregular periods, pelvic pain, changes in your body, or concerns about sexual health, your feelings about these experiences are just as important as the medical facts.

How symptoms affect your daily life, your relationships and your overall wellbeing matters deeply to your care.

Building trust through listening

Trust doesn't happen instantly. It's built through consistent, respectful interactions. In our consultations, I make sure there's enough time for you to share what's on your mind without feeling rushed. I listen not just to your symptoms, but to how they're affecting your life.

Sometimes the most important information comes out when a patient feels comfortable enough to say, "Oh, and there's one more thing..." Those "one more things" are often what we most need to address.

I also recognise that many women have had negative experiences with healthcare in the past.

If you've been dismissed, judged, or made to feel uncomfortable before, it's natural to feel guarded.

I'm committed to earning your trust by showing you, through my actions and attention, that your concerns are taken seriously here.

Creating physical and emotional comfort

A safe space isn't just about emotional comfort, it's also about physical comfort. Gynecological examinations can feel vulnerable and anxiety-provoking, which is completely understandable.

That's why I explain everything before I do it, go at your pace and regularly check in with how you're feeling.

You have the right to pause, ask questions, or stop an examination at any time. You can request a chaperone to be present, or ask that one not be present if you prefer.

These aren't inconveniences, they're important parts of ensuring you feel safe and in control.

I also understand that past trauma can make medical examinations particularly difficult. If you've experienced sexual trauma, medical trauma, or have anxiety around medical procedures, please let me know.

We can work together to make your care as comfortable as possible, which might include modified examination techniques, additional support, or referrals to counsellors who specialise in medical anxiety.

No question is too small

In my years of practice, I've noticed that patients often apologise for their questions or concerns. "I'm sorry, this might be silly, but..." is something I hear regularly. I want to be clear: there are no silly questions when it comes to your health.

Whether you're wondering about normal discharge, concerned about a new sensation, curious about sexual health, or worried about cancer risk, these questions deserve thoughtful answers.

Often, the concerns that feel most embarrassing to ask about are the ones that can most significantly impact your quality of life.

I'd rather spend time addressing ten ‘unnecessary’ concerns than miss one important issue because you felt too embarrassed to bring it up.

Your peace of mind is valuable, and getting clear, accurate information about your body is always worthwhile.

Understanding your whole story

Your gynecological health doesn't exist in isolation – it's connected to your overall physical health, your emotional well-being, your relationships, and your life circumstances. Stress, sleep, diet, exercise, work pressures, and relationship dynamics can all affect your reproductive health.

When we talk about your concerns, I'm interested in understanding the bigger picture. How are your symptoms affecting your work, your relationships, your sleep, your mood? Are there other life factors that might be contributing to what you're experiencing?

This holistic approach helps me provide better care, but it also helps you understand your own body and health in a more complete way. Sometimes the solution to a gynecological concern involves addressing other aspects of your life and wellbeing too.

Shared Decision Making

Healthcare works best when it's a partnership. While I bring medical expertise and experience, you bring essential knowledge about your own body, your preferences, your values, and your life circumstances.

When we're discussing treatment options, I want to make sure you understand not just what I recommend, but why. I'll explain the benefits and risks of different approaches, and help you think through how various options might fit with your lifestyle and goals.

Some decisions might be straightforward from a medical perspective, but I recognise that you might have concerns, preferences, or constraints that affect what feels right for you. These factors are important parts of the decision-making process.

Advocacy and support

Sometimes, creating a safe space means advocating for you beyond our consultation room. If you need referrals to other specialists, support navigating insurance issues, or help accessing certain treatments, I'm here to support you through that process.

I'm also committed to staying current with research and treatment options so I can offer you the most effective care available. Women's health research has been historically underfunded, but our understanding of conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, pelvic pain and menopause is constantly evolving. I make it a priority to incorporate new knowledge into my practice.

Your voice matters

Perhaps most importantly, I want you to know that your voice matters in your healthcare. You have the right to be heard, to have your concerns taken seriously, to ask questions, to seek second opinions, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

If something doesn't feel right, whether it's a physical symptom or how you're being treated, trust that instinct. You deserve healthcare providers who listen to you, respect your autonomy and work with you as a partner in your care.

Creating a truly safe space for women's health conversations is an ongoing commitment. It requires not just clinical expertise, but empathy, patience and a deep respect for each individual's experience and needs.

Your health matters. Your concerns matter. And you deserve to be heard, understood, and supported in every aspect of your care.

That's not just my professional commitment, it's a fundamental part of providing excellent healthcare.