Gynaecologist and sexual health educator Dr Tanaya Narendra on the need to destigmatise sex

“As a doctor with a passion for education, I have completely dismissed feeling shame around our bodies. And I help my patients and followers to do the same. By doing so, I am forging my own path—I don’t know the rules, to be honest. I am driven by my passion for medicine, research, and better public health. And sexual, menstrual, and reproductive literacy are the main topics I cover in my work on the Internet. 

Being an outspoken woman on the Internet tends to bring with it a lot of hate, especially if you talk about sex. It took me some time, but I have developed a thick skin. The trolling can be especially dramatic when you talk about bodies—unsolicited d*ck pics, questions on morality, and personal attacks are all part of the game, and frankly, none of it bothers me anymore. 

There is also a lot of censoring from the online platforms that host sex education content. But I am grateful to be able to do what I love, connect with so many people, especially women, and help destigmatise sex, one day at a time. 

Having been brought up by sexpositive doctor parents, conversations about our bodies were the norm. So, it was almost as if I was born with this passion. In my real, offline life, I am studying to be a gynaecologist with a specialisation in sexual medicine. I am also a soon-to-be-published author with Penguin Random House India, launching India’s first, pathbreaking book on body literacy and fertility education.

 Along with educating millions about their bodies, my biggest achievements include getting thousands of vulva owners vaccinated against HPV+, a common virus that can lead to cervical cancer—the second most common cancer amongst urban Indian women—and helping women convert to the menstrual cup, or ‘cupverts’ as we fondly call them.