Actor and musician Saba Azad She was candid about women’s health, sexuality, periods and the stigma surrounding gynecologist visits. Who’s Your Gynecologist? while promoting the show’s second season, Saba talked about the shame women continue to face around their bodies and reproductive health.
“There is a lot of shame around women’s bodies”
Speaking on the question of why so many women go to the gynecologist, Saba said in an appearance on the Two Girls & Two Cups podcast: “Women are talking very openly about therapists, but we’re still not talking openly about gyn because there’s so much shame, man. There’s so much shame around sexuality, there’s so much misinformation about women’s bodies. Give me horror stories.“When one of the interview hosts admitted that her first visit to the gynecologist happened recently because she was “so scared of the experience.” Saba empathized with the fear many women face and said people rarely discuss these things openly.She also noted how women often feel judged during consultations. “Honestly, you want to feel safe when you go to the doctor and you haven’t been judged, and it’s often quite the opposite,” he said.
‘What does being married have to do with my body?’
During the discussion, the hosts also recalled how some doctors ask women about being sexually active or celibate. In response, Saba questioned the importance of marital status in medical forms.“First of all, sometimes there’s a question on the forms: ‘Are you married?’ What does this have to do with my body? Gosh I don’t have to be married,” he said.The actress also appreciated how Who’s Your Gynec? she approaches women’s health with sensitivity and humor. According to him, humor becomes an effective tool to talk about “weighty things and important things” in a way that the audience can absorb without discomfort.
“Men should at least inform themselves”
Saba also talked about hormonal changes, PMS and men’s lack of awareness of women’s health.“If you’re really interested in being an ally or being a good enough friend or partner, you should know that’s the bare minimum. We’re fighting some serious hormones and it’s hard, man,” he said.“And when I’m losing the plot, I want to know why. It would be nice if people would educate themselves a little and not make a thing about women being ‘temperamental’.”He also highlighted the physical and emotional periods that women can endure. “Did you know that it will take men 150 years to go through the kind of hormonal fluctuations that a woman goes through during her menstrual cycle?” he said
“I remove the black plastic bag”
Speaking about the stigma at the time in India, Saba recalled how sanitary napkins are discreetly packed in newspapers and black plastic bags in pharmacies.“You know how you go to a drug store and they wrap it in newspaper and put it in a black plastic bag? I take it off,” he said, calling it “the best kind of rebellion.”He also emphasized the importance sex education and awareness “You should know about periods. If you don’t, shame on you,” she added.
“A gym should be a safe space”
Encouraging women to make regular checkups a priority, Saba said understanding one’s body should never be seen as shameful.“I think knowing and understanding your body is a beautiful thing. And a gynecologist should be a safe space,” she said.“It’s better to be informed than not informed and it’s better to get your information from a professional than from the interwebs or ChatGPT.”The actress added that annual visits to the gynecologist are “essential” and that women should prioritize Pap smears and mammograms for detection and awareness.
On Saba Azad Contact green flags
In addition to women’s health, Saba also shared what she considers a green flag in a partner.“Someone who listens and understands, who is empathetic and who is willing to look inside … and who is willing to grow. The curiosity is also there,” he said.Ending the conversation with some humor, Saba said, “If your body makes sounds during sex, great. At least someone is communicating.”
