Gedeon Richter has been reminding for years how important health prevention is, including intimate health. However, according to the report prepared as part of the “In women’s interests. No exceptions” campaign, as many as 20 percent young Polish women (18–29 years old)1has never been to a gynecologist before. Young women refrain from visiting this specialist due to fear of pain or judgment, and also feel uncertainty due to lack of knowledge about what the examination looks like.
The study also took into account the needs of neuroatypical women – as many as 4 out of 10 of them avoid, postpone or delay visits to the gynecologist due to the discomfort they experience. It is from their perspective that it is easiest to see how many elements of the office influence the sense of security and comfort.
– When it comes to neuroatypical women, sensitivity to various types of stimuli is key – both sensory and those related to sound, light and touch. These are women who simply have increased sensitivity, so they perceive things as unpleasant more quickly, they simply “feel more strongly”. – explains Zofia Małkowicz, social researcher and facilitator. – Designing a practice with such patients in mind is, in fact, designing with all women in mind – adds the expert.
Soothing for the senses
A gynecological examination itself can be stressful, and with excess stimuli – even more stressful. Already 8 percent of surveyed Polish women pay attention to uncomfortable lighting or sounds, and among neuroatypical women this percentage doubles and amounts to 16%.
Many facilities are still dominated by cold fluorescent lamps and harsh light that bring to mind hospital corridors. Meanwhile, as the expert notes, light may be the first signal that we are in a place that does not judge us, but supports us.
– We often have unpleasant light in offices that blinks or has a cold color temperature. This creates an atmosphere of “being in the limelight”. Therefore, it is good for the light in the office to be pleasant and warm, but of course such that it allows the examination to be performed – explains Zofia Małkowicz. – At my gynecologist, the light is dim, spotty, and there are no fluorescent lamps. It’s immediately obvious that someone thought about creating a friendly atmosphere – explains the expert.
Acoustics are equally important. Conversations coming from the corridor can take away the feeling of intimacy, so necessary during a visit.
– It is very important to make the office quiet so that you can talk freely. A sense of intimacy is important for every woman, and for neuroatypical patients it may even be crucial – emphasizes the researcher. – A good solution is also gentle, quiet music that drowns out the sounds from the corridor and unpleasant sounds of equipment. – he suggests.
Comfortable space and good attitude
However, appropriate well-being during a visit to the gynecologist depends not only on the intensity of light or sound, but also on the appearance of the office. Here, according to Zofia Małkowicz, a space where we can change clothes may be crucial. Taking off clothes in the corner of the room, in the presence of a doctor, causes additional stress and reduces the sense of security.
– A separate place where a woman can prepare for the examination, change her clothes, wash herself and take a break is a small thing, but it greatly affects the comfort and sense of intimacy. – explains the expert. Additionally, it emphasizes how important the doctor’s approach is, his voice timbre, way of speaking and whether he can pay enough attention to us. The report shows that as many as 18 percent respondents are afraid of being judged regarding their appearance or lifestyle.
– The way a doctor speaks makes a huge difference. His tone of voice, pace, whether he asks questions with concern or just ticks off points. A calm conversation, asking about your well-being and whether everything is understandable builds trust between the gynecologist and the patient – explains the expert. – A visit to the gynecologist itself is stressful for most women, so in such a situation it is more difficult to concentrate, remember what the doctor says and ask for details. Therefore, it is worth having the doctor write down the most important information, draw something on a piece of paper, and allow the patient to calmly return to this data at home. – suggests Zofia Małkowicz.
Creating the perfect gynecology office is not only about beautiful space design, but also about understanding the doctor. His attentiveness and empathy are of great importance and influence the care of intimate health. For example, Dr. Agnieszka Nalewczyńska, a gynecologist present at the inauguration of the “In women’s interest. Without exception” campaign, talked about how she warms the ultrasound head in her hands. This small gesture can already influence the patient’s feelings and her future experiences, which is why it is so important to find a friendly place for us.
– Thanks to this, a woman, regardless of whether she is neurotypical or neuroatypical, can feel truly safe and cared for. – sums up Zofia Małkowicz.
However, it should be remembered that the patient’s comfort in the office depends not only on how it is prepared, but also on how the patient prepares for the visit and what approach she brings to the doctor. If she tells the doctor about her needs before the examination, including sensory ones, e.g. related to the examination, the stay in the office will take place in a friendly atmosphere, and the woman has a chance to get much more from such a visit.
As part of this year’s campaign, a mobile gynecological office was launched in Poland, also adapted to people with disabilities. Hundreds of women were examined in seven cities. The initiative is supported by a nationwide network of diagnostic laboratories – ALAB. After consulting a doctor, women could undergo free liquid cytology and an HPV test. After conducting a medical interview with the patient, the doctors also performed a gynecological ultrasound and a breast palpation.
More information and the full report are available at:
Campaign partners
Kulawa Warsaw Foundation, Avalon Foundation, Polish Association of the Blind, Polish Association of the Deaf, Institute of Patient Rights and Health Education, National Organization “Kwiat Kobiecości”, Association of Women with Oncological and Gynecological Problems “Magnolia”, Creatively for Health Foundation, Watch Health Care, Pokonać Endometriosis Foundation, Różowa Skrzyneczka Foundation, Nasz Bocian Association. The patron supporting the campaign is the “Zdrowa Ona” portal.
More information: , .
Sources:
[1] Research method: CAWI – online survey – carried out on the reactopinii.pl research panel belonging to the Pollster Research Institute. Research sample: representative group of women aged 18-29 (in accordance with the population structure provided by the Central Statistical Office as part of the general census). Sample structure: controlled for age, education, size of place of residence and region. As part of the study, 659 surveys were conducted in August 2025.
