This doctor is answering your reproductive health questions from an intersectional feminist lens
If you have a question about reproductive health, Dr. Aziza Sesay probably has answers for you. Through her health platform, Talks with Dr. Sesay, and her work as Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK, she shares evidence-based health information with a focus on women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health and health inequity. Dr. Sesay’s content is filling the gaps in public health education by helping those in underrepresented communities learn more about their health while breaking the stigma around “taboo” health care topics.
Dr. Aziza Sesay is a GP, GP educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Host, Speaker and a well-regarded health content creator. Dr. Sesay is particularly noted for her work in health education, awareness, advocacy, and empowerment through her platform, "Talks with Dr. Sesay." This platform shares evidence-based health information, with a focus on women's health, cancer awareness, mental health, and health inequity. Dr. Sesay is the Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK and serves as an Ambassador for multiple health charities, including The Eve Appeal, Wellbeing of Women and Keep it Fax. She has also been featured on various media platforms such as BBC News, The Guardian, and Women's Health UK with insightful contributions to public health discussions and has authored a number of health articles. Additionally, Dr. Sesay has collaborated with numerous organisations, including NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, Youtube Health and is a member of the WHO Fides group. She has played a pivotal role in several national public health campaigns. Her commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing health inequities has earned her recognition and respect including receiving a Point of Light Award.
What does feminism mean to you?
Feminism means equality, power, and strength. It represents possibility and beyond. It is indomitable resilience. Women are the beacon of society - when we thrive, our society thrives. Feminism, to me, is about recognizing, appreciating, and respecting our capabilities, and elevating them in a way that makes the world a better place.
I am one of five sisters, and we were raised to believe we could do and be anything we wanted—whatever boys could do, we could do too. We were fortunate to be given opportunities to reach our fullest potential, which was not very common within our community as we were growing up. There were many restrictions on women’s rights, and my parents were often mocked for "just having daughters and no sons”. To me, this is feminism at its finest: challenging the narrative, pushing past boundaries, and demonstrating that we are all equal and capable.
We love learning from you through ‘Talks with Dr. Sesay’! What inspired you to focus on women’s health and health inequity in your career as a GP and health educator?
Thank you so much. That really means a lot. I could write a whole book to explain why I focus on women’s health and health inequity – the two are very closely interlinked. (I want to highlight that inequity is the operative word here - not just equality).
The gender health gap is real and heartbreaking. As a GP/Family Medicine physician, I have witnessed this firsthand. I see it within my communities, among family and friends, and now through my social media interactions. Many are suffering in silence, dismissed, misdiagnosed, and often experience poorer outcomes. There are a multitude of preventable reasons for this—lack of health education is one. This is what gave birth to my platform, Talks with Dr. Sesay.
Health literacy is a determinant of health! A scarcity of it can mean the difference between life and death. One of my favourite quotes is, "You don’t know what you don’t know" - how can you seek medical attention if you don’t know which symptoms to look out for, what they might mean, or if you've never heard of certain conditions or treatment options? We desperately need better health education- both for the patient population and healthcare professionals - to help bridge the gender health gap and address the health inequities that exist.
In addition to this, when we speak specifically about women’s health, the hypersexualisation of our bodies, the shame and stigma associated with them, and the aggravating censorship we face do not help with current health disparities. We need to normalise these conversations, but not normalise the symptoms/conditions/ailments. We must change the narrative. And don’t even get me started on the lack of research into women’s health (depending on the source, only 1-2% of research [omitting cancer research] is on women’s health), which undoubtedly contributes to why so many conditions are still not well understood and why cures remain nonexistent—endometriosis, for example, which leads to debilitating symptoms and significantly limits quality of life. Things need to change—yesterday!
How do you see the intersection of race and gender affecting health outcomes for women, especially women of color, in the UK?
The intersection of race significantly widens the gender health gap. I have several posts where I highlight these realities - please check them out. For example, Black women are nearly four times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or the six weeks following childbirth compared to white women. Additionally, we are twice as likely to be diagnosed with late-stage womb cancer and twice as likely to die from it in the UK.
We tend to experience worse symptoms and often face poorer outcomes, even with conditions that are not as prevalent in our communities. These disparities affect many women of colour. They are devastating and should not happen—simply because of the colour of our skin? There are many factors contributing to this, including systemic racism and bias. We cannot continue to ‘admire’ these problems. It is crucial to highlight them, but now is the time for change and definitive, actionable solutions. Enough is enough!
A lot of your work focuses on providing health care education for vulnerable, underrepresented communities. What are the biggest challenges you face when advocating for equitable health care for women and marginalized communities?
I have been fortunate to receive a lot of positive responses and support for my advocacy. However, I have noticed that posts specifically targeting marginalised communities don’t seem to have as much reach as more general ones. Occasionally, I receive comments akin to the “All lives matter” rhetoric and have had remarks suggesting that my posts are exclusive when I highlight certain disparities and lived experiences of particular groups. Despite this, the positive feedback has always outweighed the negative, and it has not been discouraging.
The personal challenge for me lies in constantly learning, hearing and witnessing these statistics, seeing little change in the inequities, and knowing how they could (and do) directly affect me and my loved ones. It is both frightening and upsetting, but it also fuels my motivation to continue raising awareness, educating my community, and advocating for change. Like a ripple effect, the momentum builds, the forces magnify, and our voices grow louder. It is undoubtedly difficult, but it’s also one of the most rewarding tasks I have undertaken, especially knowing that one day, the outcomes will be better for the next generation.
Online, there is a lot of information out there about health care. Do you have any advice on how to differentiate between facts and misinformation?
The pandemic and lockdown saw a rise in health information and its consumption online, particularly from social media. It is certainly a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is incredible that health information can now be accessible to so many who otherwise would not have the privilege. It also builds community and addresses isolation. On the other hand, there are still few rules and regulations governing what information can be shared and its evidence base or scientific accuracy, especially from unregulated individuals/bodies.
Be careful about where and from whom you consume health information, and make sure it comes from reputable sources. Many of us, doctors and healthcare professionals, have gotten involved in social media health education due to the plethora of dangerous health misinformation and the exploitation of desperate people, especially women. Accurate, scientific, evidence-based information from trusted health professionals is vital.
Always check the credentials of the individual you are receiving information from and what their qualifications are. Do they have the proper training and expertise in the area they are discussing? It’s important not to take everything at face value. I always say, “Please do not get medical advice from social media.” If you see something that concerns you or are curious about starting a supplement, medication, or treatment that is being advertised online, please consult with your doctor first to determine whether it is the right (and safe) option for you.
Always remember, it is NEVER one-size-fits-all, and everyone will have their own personal experiences with certain treatments. Don’t believe everything you see and hear on social media, and keep in mind that most people share their negative experiences (which are true for them, but that does not automatically mean it will be the same for you). Positive experiences are less frequently discussed, and I’ve personally noticed that when they are, someone is often trying to sell you something—so please be careful.
What changes would you like to see in the healthcare system, and what can our community do to support these changes?
Where do I begin? Sticking to the theme of the question, I would like to see more equitable, accessible healthcare for all - without prejudice or bias. A healthcare system where women’s health is prioritised, adequate research is undertaken, and no woman is dismissed or silenced, with her symptoms being believed. Where there was more funding and resources into healthcare. Where everyone is given fair, equal, and equitable treatment, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and so on.
Some may say I am living in a dream world to have such hope, but I truly believe it could one day be possible. There are more voices for change and incredible individuals pushing for it. I look forward to a future where my daughter and son - and their daughters and sons - will never have to witness such disparities or suffer in silence. There is hope.
What are your top tips for women to take care of their sexual health?
· Know your normal – do your self checks including checking your breasts/chests/vulva, understand your discharge, your menstrual cycles, periods and so on; that way if anything changes, even if it is the slightest change, it is picked up early and can be managed earlier reducing potential complications in future
· Understand that nobody knows your body better than you so if you feel something is wrong and you are not being listened to, please seek a second or a third or a fourth opinion, please don’t give up
· Heavy, painful periods are not normal, please get this looked into and get the treatment and support you need and deserve. Please don’t normalise the abnormal, just because you’ve always had heavy or painful periods or it runs in the family, does not mean it is normal and you should endure it. That cycle must end with you, please!
· Empower yourself with knowledge so you know when and how to seek help and can better advocate for yourself and your loved ones (don’t forget to share the knowledge too)
· Always partake in your screening appointments including breast cancer screening and cervical screening/pap smear – they literally could save your life
· Get regular sexual health checks, be proactive about birth control options and STI prevention
The list could go on - please remember this: your body is your vessel – it’s beautiful, it’s magnificent, it’s yours - nurture it, nourish it, love it
