Destigmatising Desire

The sexual wellness space Is riddled with taboos and negative connotations. Three women tell us how they're paving the way for more open and informed discussions about sex.

- Cheryl Lai-Lim

THE DOCTOR REVOLUTIONISING SEXUAL HEALTH IN SINGAPORE

Dr Jessherin Sidhu As the owner and medical director of Insync Medical, an inclusive clinic for intimate sexual healthcare, Dr Sidhu is driven by the mission to provide individuals with a dignified approach to sexual health.

Q: What sparked your interest in pursuing this career? Dr Jessherin Sidhu

(JS): When I first began my career in the private general practitioner (GP) setting nine years ago, I was working in a sexual health clinic, where my work was reduced to managing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and andrology (men’s health primarily dealing with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation). I thought to myself that this could not possibly be the full spectrum of what sexual health meant. What about women and their day to day concerns around overall sexual satisfaction? What about issues concerning sexual desire, lubrication, and pain, across different life stages of adolescence, pregnancy and menopause?

It was almost like a moment of epiphany for me, considering that I too had struggled with issues concerning my own sexual health and, at that time, had no trusted professional to turn to. I just powered through the pain I experienced. People need a self-respecting way to deal with their sexual health issues that go well beyond STIs. And that’s what piqued my curiosity in the field of sexual medicine.

Q: What steps did you take to acquire the necessary expertise and qualifications for this career path?