Gynaecological care for impaired women: A new service at Zollikerberg Hospital
Dr. med. Karin Lindauer
February 28, 2025
5 min
Impaired women often have no access to specialised gynaecological care. This leads to unwanted pregnancies, pain and suffering. Dr Karin Lindauer, gynaecologist at Zollikerberg Hospital, has therefore set up a special consultation for women with cognitive and physical impairments. This service is the first of its kind in Switzerland.
A unique offer
Dr Lindauer introduced the consultation at the end of last year. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for equal access to sexual and reproductive health services for all people. Regular gynaecological check-ups can also protect women with disabilities from abuse and exploitation. One real-life example is Susi, a 37-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who suffered from severe menstrual pain for years. Her only way of dealing with the pain was to self-harm. It was only when she met Dr Lindauer that she found the help she needed. Dr Lindauer prescribed her the pill, which she takes continuously so that she no longer has periods. This treatment has significantly improved Susi's quality of life and alleviated her suffering.
Challenges and solutions
Dr Lindauer's consultations are pragmatic and focused on the individual needs of patients. The aim is often to improve women's quality of life and reduce suffering. This requires time and the ability to listen to the patients, who often find it difficult to communicate. Another example is Selina, who also has Rett syndrome. She cannot speak or gesticulate and only communicates through her eyes and facial expressions. During her menstruation, there is a risk of high blood loss due to a blood clotting disorder. Dr Lindauer is working on finding a suitable hormonal solution for Selina.
Our specialist for patients with cognitive / physical impairments
Dr. med. Karin Lindauer
Senior physician, Gynaecological clinic
Spital Zollikerberg
Frauenklinik
Trichtenhauserstrasse 20
8125 Zollikerberg
A concern for society as a whole
Around 1.8 million people with disabilities live in Switzerland, including almost 100,000 with cognitive impairments. It is important that they also receive the same professional support as everyone else. Women with disabilities should be able to make their own decisions about their bodies and their sexuality. However, sexuality in particular is often taboo for women with impairments.
Dr Lindauer is planning to offer gynaecological consultations in care homes in the future. This would relieve the burden on families and carers and build up a relationship of trust with the patients. Dr Lindauer's work shows how important it is to respond to the special needs of women with disabilities and offer them the support they need. Her consultation hours at Zollikerberg Hospital are an important step in this direction.
Read the full story from the SonntagsZeitung here:
Story from the SonntagsZeitung
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Our services during consultation hours
In the best hands
We are committed to the gynaecological health of women with cognitive and/or physical disabilities. We have created ideal conditions in this consultation hour to do justice to the sometimes complex life situations: Our care is personalised and holistic and takes place in a calm environment.
