How To Advocate For Yourself in Intimate Medical Exams

Your Body, Your Boundaries

An empowering, practical workshop for women and people with vulvas on how to prepare for and powerfully advocate for yourself in intimate medical procedures– such as gynecological exams, smear tests, IUD fittings, pre-natal appointments, and more—especially if you have past trauma or feel anxious in medical settings. Hosted by Dr. Angela Wright, GP, Menopause Specialist and Clinical Sexologist, and Lucy Rowett, Certified Sex Coach and Sexologist.

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Going for a smear test, an IUD fitting, or other intimate medical procedure can feel daunting—especially if you have a history of se//ual or medical trauma, being gaslit or treated badly by doctors before, or if you simply freeze up in medical settings 😲

Even for people without trauma, taking your undies off in front of a relative stranger and being poked and prodded is never something pleasant.

Not to mention the unchecked power dynamics, ignoring pain, if your doctor is in a rush, or if they don’t seem to remember that you are a human being.

Even the speculum design hasn’t been properly updated since the 1800s!

It shouldn’t have to be this way.

This workshop will give you practical, compassionate tools to advocate for yourself now, because pushing for systematic changes in healthcare will take a long time.

Hosted by Dr. Angela Wright, trauma-informed GP, menopause specialist, and Clinical Sexologist, and Lucy Rowett, Certified Sex Coach and Sexologist, this event is designed to give you the tools and understanding so you can better advocate for yourself and your needs in medical settings.

What We’ll Cover 👇🏻

▶️ Why Self-Advocacy Matters:

If you have past trauma, advocating for yourself can feel impossible, but we will give you gentle, practical steps to help you reclaim your agency—without apology.

▶️ Your Rights:

What you can ask for, including pain relief, smaller speculums, and clear explanations.

▶️Tools & Phrases:

Simple, direct language to use with your provider (“Can you pause for a moment?”) and a printable script to hand to your doctor.

▶️Understanding Your Body’s Responses:

Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn reactions in medical settings, and why these happen.

▶️Preparation & Aftercare:

* Journaling and brainstorming your needs beforehand

* Visualization, somatic tools, comfort items

* What to do if you dissociate during your appointment

*Aftercare practices for your body and mind

▶️A Q&A to close

This workshop will be recorded, but we will not record the Q&A or reveal anybody’s identities.

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025

🕰️ Time: 18:30-20:30

📍 Where: On Zoom

💰 Cost: Cost: £16 (approx. €18 or $22)

Come as you are. Bring your questions, a notebook, and whatever you need to feel supported during this conversation. You deserve care that honours your humanity, and we are here to help you move toward it.

▶️ Limited seating available, so reserve your space now!