Actor and musician Saba Azad recently spoke candidly about women's health, sexuality, periods, and the stigma surrounding visits to gynecologists. While promoting the second season of her show Who's Your Gynac?, Saba addressed the shame many women continue to face regarding their bodies and reproductive health.
'There's So Much Shame Around Women's Bodies'
During her appearance on the podcast Two Girls & Two Cups, Saba discussed why many women hesitate to see a gynecologist. She said, 'Women are talking about therapists very openly but still we are not talking about gynacs openly because there's so much shame, man. There's so much shame around sexuality, there's so much shame around women's bodies, there's so much misinformation about women's bodies. People give you horror stories.' The conversation began when one host admitted her first gynecologist visit happened only recently due to fear. Saba empathized, noting that such topics are rarely discussed openly.
She also pointed out that women often feel judged during consultations. 'You actually want to feel safe when you go to a doctor and not be judged and it's quite the opposite very often,' she added.
'What Does Being Married Have to Do with My Body?'
The hosts recalled how some doctors question women about being sexually active or unmarried. Reacting, Saba questioned the relevance of marital status on medical forms. 'Firstly, this sometimes on forms there's a question — 'Are you married?' What does that have to do with my body? God damn it. I don't have to be married,' she asserted.
Saba praised how Who's Your Gynac? approaches women's health with sensitivity and humor, calling humor an effective tool for discussing 'weighted things and important things' in a way audiences can absorb without discomfort.
'Men Should at Least Inform Themselves'
Saba also spoke about hormonal changes, PMS, and the lack of awareness among men about women's health. 'If you're truly interested in being an ally or even just a good enough friend or partner, you should know — that's the bare minimum. We're jostling against some serious hormones and it's hard, man,' she said. 'And when I'm losing the plot, I want you to know why. It would be nice if people could just inform themselves a little bit and not make it a thing about how women are 'temperamental.''
She highlighted the physical and emotional toll of periods: 'Do you know it'll take men 150 years to go through the kind of hormonal fluctuation a woman goes through in the span of one period cycle?'
'I Remove the Black Plastic Bag'
Addressing period stigma in India, Saba recalled how sanitary napkins are often wrapped in newspapers and black plastic bags at pharmacies. 'You know how you go to a chemist and they wrap it up in newspaper and put it in a black plastic bag? I remove it,' she said, calling it 'the best kind of rebellion.' She stressed the importance of sex education: 'You should know about periods. If you don't know about it, shame on you.'
'A Gynac Should Be a Safe Space'
Encouraging women to prioritize regular checkups, Saba said understanding one's body should never be shameful. 'I think to know and understand your body is a beautiful thing. And a gynac should be a safe space,' she said. 'It's better to be informed than not informed and it's better to get your information from a professional as opposed to getting it from the interwebs or ChatGPT.' She added that yearly gynecologist visits are 'essential' and women should prioritize pap smears and mammograms for early detection.
Saba Azad on Green Flags in Relationships
Beyond health, Saba shared what she considers a green flag in a partner: 'Somebody who listens and understands, who's empathetic and willing to look inward... and willing to grow. Curiosity is up there too.' Ending humorously, she quipped, 'If your body's making sounds during sex, great. At least someone is communicating.'
