What to Expect at Your First Women’s Health Consultation at Juno: with Dr Emily Rubinstein
A First Visit Rooted in Respect and Support
Your first women’s health consultation can bring up a range of feelings—from curiosity to nerves. But for Dr Emily Rubinstein, a Women’s Health GP with a deeply patient-centred philosophy, it’s an opportunity to establish trust, understanding, and a personalised plan for care.
“As a Women’s Health GP, I am dedicated to understanding and addressing the diverse and evolving healthcare needs of women, through every life stage, from menstruation and matrescence to menopause and beyond,” says Dr Rubinstein. “My mission is to bridge the longstanding gaps in medical practice that have too often left women feeling unheard, misunderstood, or underserved.”
At Juno, the first consultation is designed to be spacious and open, giving women the time they need to be heard, without feeling rushed.
Opening the Conversation
Dr Rubinstein begins each consultation with a warm, in-depth conversation about a patient’s health history, especially their menstrual cycle. “We typically start by asking when your periods began, how regular they’ve been, and whether they’ve been painful or heavy,” she explains. “It helps us understand not just your reproductive history, but also how your symptoms might be affecting your life.”
It’s not uncommon for women to present with:
Irregular or absent periods
Heavy or painful bleeding
Pelvic pain
Symptoms of PCOS
Perimenopausal or menopausal changes
“These are very real, very disruptive issues,” she says. “And women deserve to have them taken seriously.”
What to Expect During the Consultation
The appointment is comprehensive but never clinical in tone. Dr Emily’s goal is to create a calm, respectful environment where patients feel safe to share their concerns.
“I believe in creating a healthcare experience rooted in respect, autonomy, and empathy—where each woman is seen, her story matters, and her care is personalised,” she says.
Depending on your needs, the consultation may involve screening tests like iron studies, hormonal panels, STI screening, or blood pressure checks. For those planning pregnancy, the conversation often includes preconception planning, reviewing medical and family history, and checking overall baseline health.
Applying a Gender-Specific Lens to Care
A key part of Dr Rubinstein’s practice is addressing the systemic biases in medicine that have historically excluded women’s bodies from clinical research.
“I am committed to applying a sex- and gender-specific lens to healthcare,” she says. “Women’s bodies and experiences are often underrepresented in research. I help patients make sense of medical information that has traditionally centred on male physiology, and advocate for care that reflects the unique biological, hormonal, and psychosocial realities of women’s health.”
Integrated Team Care
Patients may also be referred to pelvic floor physiotherapists, psychologists, or acupuncturists, depending on their individual needs. Dr Rubinstein believes that effective women’s health care often requires an interdisciplinary approach.
“It’s important to spend the time trying to understand what someone’s concerns are, what their life story is, and what they actually need and want,” she says. “That’s what makes care truly individualised.”
FAQs
Can heavy periods cause iron deficiency?
Yes. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency in women, and it’s one of the most frequent issues Dr Rubinstein addresses in her clinic. “If you’re experiencing periods that are heavy enough to affect your energy levels or daily life, it’s worth checking your iron,” she says. “There are effective ways to investigate and manage it.”
What are common causes of irregular periods?
The causes vary by age. In younger women, conditions like PCOS are common; in women approaching their 40s, it’s often related to perimenopausal changes. “We look at your full history to understand what’s happening hormonally and what supports you need,” says Dr Rubinstein.
What questions might I be asked during a menstrual health consultation?
Dr Rubinstein starts with foundational but insightful questions: When did your periods begin? How long do they last? Are they painful or irregular? Do they impact your day-to-day life? “These questions help us build a clear and compassionate understanding of your experience,” she says.
A Healthcare Experience That Listens and Responds
At the heart of Dr Rubinstein’s work is a simple but powerful belief: “Women are worthy of care. Their concerns are valid. Their wellbeing matters. And they deserve healthcare that listens, responds, and respects them; fully and without compromise.”
Your first women’s health visit with Dr Rubinstein is more than just a medical appointment, it’s the beginning of a respectful, empowering relationship that supports your health across every chapter of life.
