Emotional life, sexual health, relationship difficulties: at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, these topics now have their place in the care pathway. Two dedicated consultations offer patients and their loved ones a space for listening, prevention, and support on issues that are still too often left unspoken.
In public hospitals, health is not limited to examinations and treatments. To address needs that are often left unspoken, two specific consultations have been introduced within the gynecology clinics (Estaing), led by midwives in a confidential setting.
Couple and Family Counseling (CFC)
This consultation is intended for individuals, couples, and families facing relationship difficulties or sensitive life stages: desire for a child, the arrival of a baby, the postpartum period, tensions, separation, illness, or career disruptions. It helps prevent the long-term development of vulnerabilities and supports restoring dialogue within the family.
Sexual Health Consultation
This service welcomes anyone who has questions about their sexuality or is experiencing difficulties: pain, loss of desire, recent disorders, or concerns linked to life stages such as pregnancy, the postpartum period, perimenopause, or ageing. It provides an opportunity to take stock and, if necessary, be referred for appropriate care.
Led by specially trained midwives, these consultations offer a holistic approach that combines medical care, listening, and attention to patients’ lived experiences. Their development highlights a real need: having safe, non-judgmental spaces to talk about intimate matters in order to improve quality of life.
Chloé Desmartin, coordinating midwifeBy opening these spaces, the University Hospital (CHU) affirms that these issues are legitimate and fully integrated into the care pathways of our patients.
Practical information
Couple and family counseling and sexual health consultations are available upon medical referral or at the patient’s request.
Appointments can be made through the gynecology consultations office at Estaing Hospital (04 73 75 01 55).
