SPFPP Episode 118: Self-Health Care

At STD Engage, a conference of public health professionals hosted by the National Coalition of STD Directors, two of the hosts, Samantha and Rebecca shared the stage with an NCSD member sharing their experiences with health care providers in relation to sexual health. Rob, another host, shared their sexual healthcare horror story via video because they were unable to attend in person. Collectively, hearing these three experiences was enough for me to KNOW these had to be shared more for the sake of creating change in the healthcare space. Hearing the stories of Akua, Rebecca, Sam and Rob during the recording was powerful. Collectively, the pattern I noticed was that their experiences mirrored a lot of what I hear from other #WNAB stories from discomfort from the providers around sex, lack of bedside manner, bias from the provider, a couple of isms from the providers, providers not being up to date on STI testing protocol and the need for a way to identify sex positive, empathetic and queer friendly health care providers. One thing that stood out that I hadn’t heard much beforehand, is how much work they, as patients had to do on their end from discussing birth control options, getting throat swabs for chlamydia, accessibility and the lack of accountability for providers essentially knowing their shit.