Everything you’ve wanted to ask a gynaecologist

We’re excited to share our conversation with Dr Belinda Holmes (she/her), a gynaecologist and obstetrician passionate about providing evidence-based, inclusive and compassionate care.

In this interview, Dr Holmes shares insights into reproductive and gynaecological health, including when to see a gynaecologist, common health concerns, navigating the healthcare system, and what inclusive care looks like for LGBTQIA+ communities.

What does your work entail and why does it matter?

I’m an obstetrician and gynaecologist, so I care for people through pregnancy and birth, as well as a wide range of gynaecological concerns throughout their lives. That might mean helping someone start a family, treating heavy periods or endometriosis, performing surgery, or supporting someone through menopause.

What I love about my job is that it’s about much more than medicine. These are often deeply personal parts of people’s lives, and being able to provide evidence-based care while helping someone feel heard and supported can make an enormous difference.

How does it impact people’s lives?

Good healthcare should help people feel informed and empowered, not overwhelmed.

Whether someone is preparing for birth, deciding on surgery, navigating fertility, managing chronic pain or simply wanting reassurance that something is normal, my aim is to help them understand their options so they can make decisions that are right for them.

Often people tell me that having someone explain things clearly and without judgement is just as valuable as the treatment itself.

What kind of support, care, or information can people expect from you?

I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, even the ones they think they “should” already know the answer to.

I believe in evidence-based medicine, but I also recognise that every person’s priorities, values and circumstances are different. My role is to explain the evidence, discuss the benefits and risks of different options, and help people choose the path that best fits them.

Who should consider seeing you, and what can they come to you for?

Anyone with concerns about their reproductive or gynaecological health.

That includes pregnancy care, fertility concerns, menstrual problems, pelvic pain, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, contraception, abnormal cervical screening results, abnormal bleeding, or simply getting a second opinion.

I also have a particular interest in providing inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ patients and ensuring everyone feels welcome in the healthcare system.

For me, inclusive care starts with not making assumptions about someone based on their gender, sexuality, relationships or reproductive goals. It means using the name, pronouns and language that a person is comfortable with, asking rather than assuming what is important to them, and making sure they are involved in decisions about their care. 
 
This is particularly important in obstetrics and gynaecology, where examinations and conversations can be very personal, and where not everyone who needs pregnancy and gynaecological care identifies as a woman. I try to explain what I’m asking or doing and why, obviously obtain consent throughout, and give people the opportunity to tell me what would make them feel more comfortable. 
 
For LGBTQIA+ people looking for a healthcare provider, it can be helpful to look for practices that explicitly welcome LGBTQIA+ patients, use inclusive language and don’t make assumptions about partners, bodies or reproductive goals. But ultimately, inclusivity is reflected in the consultation itself: being listened to, treated respectfully, and feeling comfortable asking questions or correcting your healthcare provider. 
 
These are also things any healthcare professional can do. You don’t need to be an expert in every aspect of LGBTQIA+ health to provide respectful care. Being willing to listen, use appropriate language, acknowledge when you don’t know something, and seek further information when needed goes a long way.

What motivated you to specialise in endocrinology?

I’ve always enjoyed the combination of medicine and surgery, but what really drew me to obstetrics and gynaecology is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients.
It’s a specialty where you can genuinely improve someone’s quality of life, whether that’s helping them achieve a healthy pregnancy, relieving symptoms they’ve struggled with for years, or simply helping them better understand their own body.

What does an appointment with you look like?

Mostly, it’s a conversation.

We’ll spend time talking about what’s brought you in, your medical history, your goals and any questions you have. If an examination is needed, I’ll explain why, what it involves, and make sure you’re comfortable proceeding. Nothing happens without your understanding and consent.

By the end of the appointment, I want people to leave with a clear understanding of what’s going on and what the next steps are.

What are some common conditions or issues people come to see you for?

Some of the most common reasons include heavy or painful periods, endometriosis, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, ovarian cysts, fertility concerns, pregnancy care, contraception, menopause, fibroids, polyps, and abnormal cervical screening results.

Sometimes people come because they know something doesn’t feel right but they’re not sure what the problem is. That’s a perfectly good reason to see a gynaecologist too.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about endocrinology?

You don’t have to wait until something becomes severe before asking for help.

Many people put up with heavy bleeding, painful periods, painful sex or bladder symptoms because they’ve been told it’s “normal.” While these problems are common, they aren’t necessarily something you just have to live with. There are often effective treatments available.

What’s one myth about your practice?

That there’s always one “right” answer.

In reality, many decisions in gynaecology involve weighing up different benefits, risks and personal priorities. Good care isn’t about telling someone what they should do, it’s about helping them make an informed decision that’s right for them.

Health Care Navigation

How can someone access your services?

Most people are referred by their GP, but referrals can also come from other specialists or healthcare providers.

If you’re unsure whether you need to see a gynaecologist, your GP is usually the best place to start. They can help determine whether specialist care would be beneficial and guide you through the referral process.

What kind of costs can they expect? And what are some alternatives?

Costs vary depending on whether you’re seeing someone in the public or private system and the type of care you need.

In private practice, there are consultation fees, with Medicare providing rebates for eligible services. Surgery and pregnancy care can involve additional costs with a rebate coming from your health insurance generally.

For people where cost is a barrier, discussing public hospital options with your GP is worthwhile. Australia has an excellent public healthcare system, although waiting times can sometimes be longer depending on the condition, and I work in both settings.

What are some challenges you think our community faces when accessing care?

I think one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to start.

People are often overwhelmed by conflicting information online, or they delay seeking help because they think their symptoms aren’t serious enough. Cost and waiting times can also make access difficult.

For LGBTQIA+ people, another challenge can simply be finding healthcare providers where they feel safe, respected and understood. Nobody should have to worry about whether they’ll be treated with dignity when seeking healthcare.

How do you approach building trust with patients and providing a space that is safe and non-judgmental?

I think trust starts with listening.

Every patient brings different experiences, identities, priorities and goals. Rather than making assumptions, I try to understand what’s important to the person sitting in front of me.

I also think healthcare works best when it’s collaborative. My role isn’t to make decisions for people, it’s to provide clear, evidence-based information, answer questions honestly and support them in making decisions that align with their own values.