A doctor, one person to be honest with

Okay maybe the next person after yourself to be honest with should be your doctor. One, I would like to commend the New Times for getting the doctor to respond to questions about their bodies that most women may be shy to look into. I love seeing our society slowly opening up to embarrassing health issues. Like, where do the funky smells come from once in a while? Or what are the causes of the random pains? Personally, I am very open with doctors because I feel that they should have all the information on hand to be able to treat me.However, I know that some women omit certain embarrassing details when it comes to the information they tell their doctors. In an article I read in Clutch magazine online, the author talks about lying to her doctor about how many sexual partners she has had. I understand the stigma that goes with women who have had a certain number of partners, but I like how she concludes by stating that she should not be embarrassed of her past, but instead embrace them as life lessons and see them as human beings who were part of her life at one point.I have talked to a couple of medical practitioners that claim Rwandan women avoid using birth control! This is because they are not comfortable approaching doctors because if you ask for birth control it means you are engaging in sexual acts. I understand that in our society, it is very hard to know your dad’s long lost best friend or you might meet your old gossiping neighbour at the pharmacy, but let’s get this straight, these are our bodies and we should protect and make the right decisions no matter what the lady at the pharmacy with the glaring eyes tells you.I have told lies in the past because I have had the same doctor since I was born. Actually even before I was born he knew my parents. Obviously, it was weird when he asked if I was sexually active or if I consumed alcohol or drugs. I may have told little fibs about the alcohol consumption, and I would always feel bad afterwards. So only recently judgemental I began to be completely honest. Doctors are trained to keep their personal opinions to themselves and not judge you by your lifestyle choices.So women, how about something to add on your to-do list this year. Be a little more honest with the gynaecologist and for those who have never visited one due to being afraid to sit next to your aunt at your next visit, see it as empowering yourself and having control over your body and what is going on with it.