Although usually scheduled as an “examination”, this first encounter with the gynecologist is often just a conversation. It is about building a trusting relationship and discussing issues that interest a girl or a young woman.

Be it about sexuality, contraception, vaccination or physical changes in the puberty, this first conversation is often an unplanned journey of discovery. If this first meeting is successful, it helps to build a positive attitude towards all gynecological examinations that come up in the future.

Many years ago, when a woman was pregnant she didn’t know anything about what her child would be like. Only when the child was born, it became obvious whether the child was healthy or not. Nowadays it is possible to carry out various diagnostic tests early in the pregnancy and find out about medical conditions before the child is born. This possibility confronts pregnant women with several questions: Do I want to know everything about my child in advance? Are these tests necessary? What do I do if the test indicates a disease?

As the doctor in charge, I consider it my responsibility to talk about prenatal diagnostics in such a way that every pregnant woman understands the principles of the test and has exactly those tests done that she - or the couple - wants. Good information about prenatal diagnostics and the autonomy of the pregnant woman are the basis for all decisions.

Many years ago, when a woman was pregnant she didn’t know anything about what her child would be like. Only when the child was born, it became obvious whether the child was healthy or not. Nowadays it is possible to carry out various diagnostic tests early in the pregnancy and find out about medical conditions before the child is born. This possibility confronts pregnant women with several questions: Do I want to know everything about my child in advance? Are these tests necessary? What do I do if the test indicates a disease?

As the doctor in charge, I consider it my responsibility to talk about prenatal diagnostics in such a way that every pregnant woman understands the principles of the test and has exactly those tests done that she - or the couple - wants. Good information about prenatal diagnostics and the autonomy of the pregnant woman are the basis for all decisions.

By definition, menopause is the last naturally-controlled menstrual bleeding in a woman's life. In colloquial language, the word "menopause" is used as an umbrella term for the months before, during and after the end of menstrual bleeding. Due to hormonal instability, various physical and psychological changes become noticeable.

What is happening in my body? What will happen to me in the upcoming years? When will this phase be over? These are only some of the many questions that women ask themselves. Often there is a strong need to clear insecurities concerning the use of hormone replacement therapy. Am I allowed to, or do I have to take hormones? What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy? What are the risks?

There are no generally right answers to these questions. In extensive discussion evaluating advantages and disadvantages of all possibilities, the needs and preferences of each individual woman can be met.

Although, strictly speaking, it should be defined as "skin" (since there are no glandular exits), the term vaginal "mucosa" has become established because of its moisture, elasticity and sensitivity. The surface of healthy, normal mucosa in the vagina is colonized by numerous bacteria, usually called "vaginal flora" or "vaginal milieu". These bacteria largely responsible for the health and functioning of the vagina. A disturbed balance among different types of microorganisms leads to bacterial vaginosis, vaginal fungal disease or even inflammation in the vagina. Complaints such as itching, discharge, odor or pain are the most common reason for emergency visits to gynecological practices worldwide.

What can cause a disturbance in bacterial colonization? Stress, excessive washing, use of aggressive hygiene products, to name but a few. Gynecological examination and focused history-taking often reveal the cause of the complaints and can be used to work out a strategy for long-term vaginal health. Healthy, well-functioning vaginal mucosa is very important for overall gynecological health and a major contributing factor to satisfaction in sexual life.

In recent years, there has been increasing discussion around the application of laser energy in the genital area. When delivered vaginally, laser energy stimulates the vaginal mucosa to self-renew and heal. This means, for example, that laser treatment can eliminate post-menopause vaginal discomfort (dryness, itching, lack of elasticity, pain during sex). Laser treatment can also help to eliminate minor urge- and stress-incontinence and the feeling of having a "dilated vagina" after a difficult birth (Also addressed as “vaginal laxity”). Painful scars after perineal tears, episiotomy and cesarean section can be successfully treated by laser.

When applied in the early phase of the wound closure, the laser application improves healing and reduces scarring. Laser therapy is both painless and efficient, and is performed on an outpatient basis during consultation hours.

The doctor-patient conversation is an essential part of the physician´s daily work and the corner-stone of every doctor-patient relationship. All diagnostic procedures and therapies are driven by the information acquired during the doctor-patient dialogue. Unfortunately, in the present system of the re-imbursement of medical services, TARMED, the doctor-patient conversation is devaluated and timely restricted. Through this constellation, doctors are forced to perform examinations to be able to justify their time spent with a patient. TARMED forces doctors “to do” something and not “to chat”.

Working against these unsatisfactory conditions, I am offering you a free, patient-centered conversation which you can pay directly and not via insurance (300 CHF for 50 minutes, and 200 CHF for 30 Minutes). During this time, we can focus on your questions, worries and doubts without pressure of medical examinations. Depending on the information gathered in our conversation, I can advise you what examinations and procedures you would need, and whether you need the examinations at all.

Body hair has been removed differently through the centuries in different civilizations. The desire to reduce and modulate body hair is still current today. Different methods are used, These methods are not harmless and may cause severe side-effects such as burns or suffusions (hot and cold waxing), allergic reaction (chemical epilation) or local infection and bruising (shaving). All the above mentioned methods have in common that the body hair is not removed permanently but grows again, so that the desired hair-free condition cannot be achieved.

With Laser epilation, permanent hair removal can be achieved. It works on the principle of “thermokinetic selectivity”. During laser hair removal, the laser emits light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy converts to heat, which damages the hair follicles. This damage inhibits future hair growth. White, light blonde and light red hair is unsuitable for treatment due to the lack of existing melanin. In our practice, laser epilation is carried out with the medical diode laser MedioStar. We treat armpits, legs and genital area.

The energy of the laser can only destroy hairs that are in the growth phase (about 20% of the total hair). Therefore, the treatment must be repeated several times. Avoid epilation, waxing and sun exposure before the treatment. We can provide counseling.

A perineal tear or an episiotomy can occur during any vaginal delivery. After surgical closure, this injury will heal with a scar. Due to the anatomic position of perineal scars, sexual intercourse causes pressure and traction of the scar region and this is how the pain occurs. Numerous studies showed that women with a 2nd-degree tear – which is considered to be a moderate obstetrical injury- have painful intercourse up to 6 Months after delivery and women with severe obstetrical injuries even longer.

This severe problem is neither openly addressed in the public, nor given medical attention. This neglection of the perineal pain comes partly from the fact that men and male doctors have been deciding over centuries what is “normal” and when a woman should just “grin and bear it”, and partly because the suffering women are ashamed to speak up about their condition.

Painful perineal scars can be well treated with fractional CO₂ laser so that the intercourse pain can be significantly reduced in all cases. The treatment of perineal scars happens in 3 - 5 sessions in a time interval of 6 weeks. The costs of the whole treatment (between 1´000 and 2´000 CHF) are not covered by the insurance. The costs of counselling and examination prior to the treatment will be charged over insurance as any other gynecological consultation.