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Talking to a health professional

If you have questions about your sex life or relationship, of if you have a problem, you can talk to different health professionals. You always go to your general practitioner first. If necessary, the health professional can refer you to a specialist, for example gynaecologist, midwife, (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:

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 erection.”
  • 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.

Privacy

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

Subjects

Professionals

How to talk about sexual and sexual health with clients? How can Zanzu help with prevention, education, help and counseling? Find the answers here.

Help?

Need help? Find a healthcare provider.

About Zanzu

Zanzu was developed by Sensoa and BZgA. Rutgers, the Dutch expertise centre for sexual health and rights, has adapted Zanzu for use in the Netherlands.