Dr. Niveditha Manokaran
Dermatologist and Venereologist | Clinician in Sexual & Reproductive Health & HIV Medicine
Why I do what I do?
Being born in a family of generations of well-renounced surgeons, why did I choose to become a Sexual health physician? Medicine was my option; choice and I did that with great pleasure. I was hoping to become a plastic surgeon like my dad or a surgical oncologist like my mom and had great interest in surgery. However due to my dual interest in skin and beauty, I choose Dermatology and was planning to pursue Cosmetic Dermatology as my career.
Venereology was a part of dermatology training in India and I was fascinated by that tabooed field, as to how many cases of STDs we saw and how little we dare to speak about it. The stigma associated and the need to break the stereotypical ideas on this field of medicine drew my interest more to it.
I get asked “Why Sexual Health”? and my answer to that is having done my training in a conservative country like India, more than a decade ago, We could not imagine asking any young, unmarried person who presents with a STI, whether he/she are sexually active without being judged or even crucified. I don’t think we ever did. We did test them and also provided the right treatment, but would never dare to ask the right questions, or take what we call a detailed sexual history. I am sure, it was the right opportunity to ask about sexual assault, safety and contraception and provide counselling, education and advice. I am sure there were patients who were hoping we’d ask, but unfortunately weren’t. It bothered me a lot as a young girl.
I am a Sexual Health clinician in Sydney. I am a trained clinician in contraception and women’s health from family planning Australia. The fascination to this field has drawn me towards working in this field for the last 11 years. I love what I do and take pride in helping people.
I work at a Sexual Health Clinic in Australia, where I see young and vulnerable group of patients, addressing their sexual health in detail, in a non-judgemental fashion, giving them the confidence to share and access the right information and resources, in a confidential setting. We have a team of doctors, nurses and counsellors helping young and vulnerable group of people with STI testing. We provide early diagnosis and treatment, prevention strategies and Contraceptive advice, screening for sexual assault and domestic violence and provide counselling and appropriate referrals.
I get immense pleasure in doing my job and knowing that I am helping people with something so personal, yet vital. I am blessed to be able to give to this community and guide them in this important and sensitive area. I am happy to be doing what I thought was important when I grew up and was unable to do as a young student.
I am hoping that one day I will be able to provide the same level of service to the country in which I was born, grew in and to make a difference there! I have started this journey, as a founder of the platforms/handle @dr_nive_untboos on Instagram and Untaboos on FB. I use these platforms to break the taboo and educate people on many tabooed topics. In association with many NGOs and sexual health educators, I am involved in education and spreading awareness about this most essential part of health. I am waiting for that day and opportunity where I am able to give more.