actor and musician Saba Azad Talked openly about women’s health, sexuality, menstruation and the stigma associated with visiting gynecologists. In his show Who’s Your Gynec? While promoting the second season of , Saba spoke at length about the embarrassment women face regarding their bodies and reproductive health.

‘There is a lot of shame about women’s bodies’

Talking about why many women hesitate to visit a gynecologist, Saba said during her appearance on the podcast Two Girls and Two Cups, “Women are talking very openly about therapists but yet we’re not talking openly about gynecology because there’s a lot of shame in it, man. There’s a lot of shame around sexuality, there’s a lot of shame around women’s bodies, a lot of misinformation about women’s bodies. Yes, people give you horror stories.“The conversation began when one of the hosts admitted that her first gynecologist visit was recent because she was “so scared about the experience.” Saba sympathized with the fear experienced by many women and said that people rarely discuss these things openly.She further described how women often feel judged during counselling. “When you go to a doctor you really want to feel safe and that you’re not going to be blamed and often it’s quite the opposite,” she said.

‘What does being married have to do with my body?’

During the discussion, the hosts also recalled how some doctors used to question women about whether they were sexually active or unmarried. Responding to this, Saba questioned the relevance of marital status in the medical form.“First of all, sometimes there is a question on the form – ‘Are you married?’ What does this have to do with my body? God damn it. I don’t need to get married,” she said.The actress also appreciated Who is your Gynecologist? Treats women’s health with sensitivity and humor. According to him, humor becomes an effective tool to talk about “important things and important things”, which the audience can absorb without any trouble.

‘Men should at least inform themselves’

Saba also talked about hormonal changes, PMS and lack of awareness among men about women’s health.“If you’re really interested in being an ally or even just a good friend or partner, you should know — this is the bare minimum. We’re battling some serious hormones and it’s hard, man,” she said.“And while I’m losing the plot, I want you to know why. It would be nice if people could inform themselves a little bit and not make it about how ‘temperamental’ women are.”She also highlighted the physical and emotional effects that periods can have on women. “Did you know that it would take men 150 years to go through the hormonal fluctuations that a woman goes through during her menstrual cycle?” He said.

‘I remove the black plastic bag’

Speaking about the stigma of menstruation in India, Saba recalled how sanitary napkins were often discreetly wrapped in newspapers and black plastic bags in pharmacies.“Do you know how you go to a chemist and they wrap it in newspaper and put it in a black plastic bag? I take it off,” she said, calling it “the best kind of rebellion.”He also stressed the importance of sex education And awareness. “You should know about periods. It’s a shame if you don’t know about it,” she said.

‘Gynecology should be a safe place’

Encouraging women to prioritize regular checkups, Saba said that understanding one’s body should never be considered shameful.“I think it’s a beautiful thing to know and understand your body. And the gynecologist should be a safe place,” she said.“It’s better to be informed than uninformed and it’s better to get your information from a professional rather than getting it from the interwebs or ChatGPT.”The actress said annual gynecologist visits are “essential” and women should prioritize Pap smears and mammograms for early detection and awareness.

Saba Azad ahead green signal in relationships

Apart from women’s health, Saba also shared what she looks for in a partner.“Someone who listens and understands, who is empathetic and willing to look inside… and willing to grow. The curiosity is there, too,” he said.Ending the conversation on a humorous note, Saba quipped, “If your body is making sounds during sex, that’s great. At least someone is communicating.”