So, shall we talk?

Hello readers!

Happy Woman’s Day!!!

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated since March 8th, 1857. It has been a focal point in the women's rights movement, for issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. It was in New York then, that female textile workers marched in protest and called for a shorter workday and decent wages. We surely have come a long way.

Most women, in my life, are very levelheaded and know how to prioritize things in life. They know what they want and surely speak and demand for it when need be.

This reminds me of my internship days. I used to house post in one of the renowned hospitals in Pune, specialized in Urology but also saw a huge influx of patients with andrology issues. Until then, I always thought that men usually do not seek medical help, unless they feel it was life-threatening. Interestingly, it is then that I realized that men put high priority to their reproductive health. I was naïve, I guess!

So, every man who came in this hospital, young or old, married, or unmarried, with a real sign or just even a scare of it, with an acute infection or a chronic “equipment” dysfunction- whatever the problem he came with, he was treated. He was looked upon “as a patient” and was assured a treatment or a solution. Fantastic, isn’t it?

The flip side is, not for once, I saw anyone being dismissed here with words like- “ oh, it’s part of aging”, “just wait and it will pass away”, “unfortunately we don’t have any surgery for that, you just need to live with it” or better still “why don’t you try Yoga and Meditation?”. Resonates anything?

No?

Women get to hear these words repeatedly when they face PMS, PID, POI, menopause, and perimenopause. Women go through menses every month, then they either get pregnant or may face fertility issues, go through childbirth, and then face Perimenopause and Menopause. They see a doctor or a specialist for their reproductive and sexual health only if it was concerning fertility or their capability to bear a child. Menopause is still a topic of taboo. Fifty percent of global population goes through it, and almost 80% face mild to moderate symptoms, but we have been conditioned to dismiss them as NORMAL and move on with life. We take random supplements; we try small hacks from our girl squad. But it is not fair to not pay attention when our body calls for help. We need to be our own advocates and speak up and highlight how prevalent the problem is. The whole purpose of me writing this, is to start a discussion, have a conversation and be well informed about what is coming and what we can do about it.

So, on this International Women’s Day, let us remind ourselves that it is important to prioritize health. If we prioritize, our near and dear ones would also know what you are going through and may know what you need of them in this phase. They surely are willing to help, provided they know how to deal with what is coming. So why not gather all your loved ones and start the dialogue. Invite them over to your place, let them sit around you and then initiate “Shall we talk?”

Do share your thoughts and comments about how your conversation was.

About the blogger: 

Dr. Tabassum Inamdar is a dynamic Homeopath, a passionate artist, and an adventurer in life. She writes a series of blogs related to health and wellness. A sketch artist since childhood, she loves authoring stories and poetry. She continues life’s adventure by trekking, Sky diving, or Marshalling at Formula 1 tracks. You may stalk her @doctabu (IG) or say hello @tabu.inamdar (FB)