Talking to a health professional
If you have questions about your sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more life or relationshipRelationshipWhen 2 people are in a relationship, they have a bond with each…Read more, of if you have a problem, you can talk to different healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more professionals. You always go to your general practitioner first. If necessary, the health professional can refer you to a specialist, for example gynaecologistGynaecologistDoctor specializing in health care during pregnancy, contraception and women's diseases. A gynaecologist…Read more, midwifeMidwifeA trained person who helps a pregnant woman before, during and after delivery.…Read more, (sexual) therapist or psychologist.
A psychologist/psychotherapist can help you if you are dealing with depression, living with HIV or have relationship problems.
A woman talking with a doctor
What to talk about with a health professional?
You can talk to a health professional about almost every intimate issue. For example:
- pregnancy;
- family planning and contraception;
- sexually transmitted infections (STISTISTI means sexually transmitted infection: an infection that is usually only transmitted by…Read more);
- partner violence;
- relationship problems;
- sexual problems.
How to talk with a health professional
If you want to talk with a health professional, these tips may be handy:
- Think about the problem or question you want to discuss.
- Think about what you want from the health professional. For instance: do you want advice, an STI test or a referral to a specialist?
- Make it clear if the topic is difficult for you to talk about.
- Describe your problem or question as specifically as possible. For example: “I am not able to get an erectionErectionA hard penis. A man gets an erection when he is sexually aroused…Read more.”
- Think about the words you will use. The glossary on this website can help.
- You can take someone you trust with you, so that they can help you.
It often seems difficult to talk about intimate topics with a health professional, but this is part of their job.
Man talking with a health professional.
PrivacyPrivacyRight to give information to someone without this person passing on this information…Read more
Your privacy is respected when you talk to a health professional. Professionals cannot share the information you tell them.
A health professional cannot share the information you tell him/her