“I don’t care whether it’s one, ten or 65 percent who are affected, we are responsible not to continue the violence,” says doctor Colette Gras (left). Together with gynecologist Claudia Schumann-Doermer, she draws attention to invasive situations during gynecological examinations. © Freddie Seng; Private
What will be examined, what do I look like, will it hurt? Hardly any visit to the doctor makes people feel as exposed as when they go to a gynecologist. Quite a few patients are tense, feel uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. And not all doctors address this sufficiently, Claudia Schumann-Doermer and Colette Gras tell podcast hosts Melanie Büttner and Sven Stockrahm.
The two doctors are concerned with a new attitude among gynecologists so that in practice there is more reflection on the power imbalance between doctor and patient, the exceptional situation and the intimacy in the treatment room. Together they have developed a guide for professionals on gynecological examinations in order to make them more sensitive. For everyone and especially for people with special experiences and needs, whether people affected by violence, queer people or sex workers. Even small sentences can be offensive when patients sit half-naked in front of the doctor with their legs spread.
The entire episode can be heard at the top of this page.
More about our guests and further information
The gynecologist and psychotherapist Claudia Schumann-Doermer has run a practice for psychosomatic gynecology for more than 30 years. The doctor Colette Gras is committed, among other things, to safe, discrimination-sensitive practices, not only in gynecology. Together they have developed a guide for treating people to make the gynecological examination more pleasant, safer and trauma-sensitive. The current version of Claudia and Colette’s guide is available for download as a PDF file and is published by the German Society for Psychosomatic Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGPFG) and the Women’s Health Working Group. In this episode, Colette mentions the website www.gynformation.de, where activists provide information from the patient’s perspective for a more respectful and confidential approach in gynecological practice. On Queermed Germany there is, among other things, a directory of queer-friendly and sensitized medical professionals. The Red High Heeled Shoe project also offers contacts and information for sex workers and their health care.
More sex podcast episodes on the topic
Z+ (subscription content); Is that normal? – The Sex Podcast: “The pill is discussed far too often as having no alternative”
59 Min.
-59:26
0.5x
0.75x
1.0x
1.25x
1.5x
2.0x
Z+ (subscription content); Is that normal? – The Sex Podcast: “Pain during sex is a vicious circle”
1 Std. 12 Min.
-1:12:12
0.5x
0.75x
1.0x
1.25x
1.5x
2.0x
More about the sex podcast
You speak every two weeks on the podcast “Is this normal?” about sexuality, relationships and love: the doctor and sex therapist Melanie Büttner (left) and the head of the knowledge department at ZEIT ONLINE as well as editor Health and Digital, Sven Stockrahm. © Julia Bradley for ZEIT ONLINE Do you know our book? Is that normal? Let’s talk about sex the way you want it
Follow the sex podcast hosts, the doctor and sex therapist Melanie Büttner and the ZEIT-ONLINE knowledge department head, Sven Stockrahm, on Instagram at @dr.melanie.buettner and @svensonst. © ZEIT ONLINE
Newsletter
New: Finally Monday
By registering, you acknowledge the data protection declaration.
Thank you! We have sent you an email.
Check your mailbox and confirm your newsletter subscription.
If you have a question or suggestion, send us an email to [email protected]. Or ask your question as a voice message and also send the file to the email address.
What will be examined, what do I look like, will it hurt? Hardly any visit to the doctor makes people feel as exposed as when they go to a gynecologist. Quite a few patients are tense, feel uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. And not all doctors address this sufficiently, Claudia Schumann-Doermer and Colette Gras tell podcast hosts Melanie Büttner and Sven Stockrahm.
The two doctors are concerned with a new attitude among gynecologists so that in practice there is more reflection on the power imbalance between doctor and patient, the exceptional situation and the intimacy in the treatment room. Together they have developed a guide for professionals on gynecological examinations in order to make them more sensitive. For everyone and especially for people with special experiences and needs, whether people affected by violence, queer people or sex workers. Even small sentences can be offensive when patients sit half-naked in front of the doctor with their legs spread.