When conversations around intimate healthcare arise, people often shy away. When the subject concerns women’s intimate health, the silence becomes even more pronounced. Recently, Petals Health Kolkata organised an awareness programme in an effort to address this hesitation and encourage informed dialogue. They arranged a panel discussion to bring an often-misunderstood subject to open – cosmetic gynaecology.
The esteemed panelists included Chief Guest Priyadarshini Hakim, social activist and politician; Guest of Honour, actor Richa Sharma; Rakesh Julka, Managing Partner & CEO at Petals Aesthetics; Dr Smita Gutgutia; and Dr Souvik Kumar Mondal, Consulting Cosmetic Gynaecologist & Aesthetician and Clinical Head of the institute.
Experts at the session highlighted that many people assume that cosmetic gynaecology is solely about aesthetic enhancement, whereas it is largely functional in nature. The panel further emphasised the intimate health concerns that significantly affect a woman’s quality of life. Issues such as urinary leakage, recurrent infections, menopausal discomfort, burning sensations, and sexual health issues were discussed.
Speaking to The Statesman, Dr Mondal described the term ‘cosmetic’ as somewhat misleading. “The term cosmetic gynaecology is kind of a misnomer to me. It is more of a functional gynaecology that we are dealing with. Many women suffer from urinary problems, recurrent discharge, and burning sensation, particularly during perimenopause and post-menopause,” he said, adding, “For years, they have relied only on repeated medications. When the symptoms persist, they begin to believe that suffering is normal.”
According to him, this acceptance of discomfort stems primarily from the deep-rooted social stigma. “In our society, people, especially women, often hesitate to speak about intimate concerns. Sometimes even to doctors, friends or family. Our mothers and grandmothers lived with these issues silently. Today, we want to create a space where these concerns are heard patiently and treated with customised plans.” Dr Mondal claimed.
Rakesh Julka said the initiative aimed at breaking myths and encouraging women not to suffer in silence. “The first and foremost thing is to feel confident about yourself before looking for others. This is the whole objective of today’s event. The idea is to bring the best options for the patients. They can choose and decide what is important to them.”
Cosmetic procedures for aesthetic enhancements form only one segment of the speciality. The doctors reiterated that the greater demand arises from middle and lower-middle class women dealing with persistent urinary tract infections, post-pregnancy changes, menopausal symptoms and other functional concerns. Limited treatment options often lead to a cycle of changing doctors and medications without lasting relief.
Richa Sharma stressed the importance of safe spaces in a conversation with The Statesman. “A lot of women face these problems, but don’t speak up because there is no space to talk freely. I believe that awareness is very much required, where people are not going to judge.” She further reflected on her life, “I got married when I was young. There was nobody with whom I could share these experiences. That is why I always tell my daughter to be vocal about it. Workshops like these are essential as they help women to freely talk about their intimate concerns. This is what is called empowerment.”
Beyond medical intervention, experts pointed to the psychological dimension of intimate wellness. They clarified that persistent discomfort can reduce confidence and impact mental health. For this reason, it must be approached through the lens of overall well-being rather than vanity. The panel also addressed the influence of social media on body image. Doctors underlined their responsibility to guide patients ethically and ensure that any intervention is medically appropriate and aligned with individual comfort.
As the discussion concluded, experts came together with a simple message: intimate health concerns are real, common and treatable.