Cool as a cucumber—refreshing my Spanish on the job

A word to the squeamish or vaginally offended, this post is really about gynecology

I came to Texas for residency because I love taking care of Spanish speaking women.  For good reason, I’ve discovered.  There couldn’t be a more caring, kind, respectful and fun group of people to take care of than the Mexican and Central American patients that we take care of in clinic and on the wards.   Although I have spent multiple months perfecting conversational and party Spanish all over Latin America, my gynecologic castellano wasn’t quite all there when I started residency.  

It’s kind of funny to try and communicate clearly but still be professional and culturally sensitive when talking about private parts in another language.   Whereas in English I might just come straight out and ask patients about sexual activity, in Spanish, I seem to have better reception and communication if I ask about “relaciones”.    While I could literally translate the questions I ask in my history the same way I normally would, I have noticed that in Spanish, phrasing is more modest and more nuanced.   So, here below I have a list of common words and phrases used in OB/GYN that I have picked up over the past few weeks. 

Basic gynecologic Spanish, patient friendly edition:

Pain—dolor

Blood—sangre

To examine—examinar

My vagina—mi parte (or mi vagina)

Cervix—cuello de matrix (literally neck of the uterus)

Itching—comezón

Discharge—flujo

Pads—toallas

Contractions—contracciones

Cramps—cólicos

Pap smear—Papanicolaou

Speculum—especulo

IUD—dispositivo

Clots—coágulos

D+C—legrado (pretty awesome that there is one short word instead of dilatation and curettage)

Vaginal delivery—parto natural

You probably don’t want to eat after that, but hey, I do it everyday.   Even though my patients might be modest about their private lives, they certainly eat some very bold food.   The other amazing part about living in Texas besides fantastic patients is the fantastic food, and the large Hispanic grocery stores.  Limes are 20 for a dollar and the produce is fresh, diverse and abundant. 

One of my favorite Mexican inspired treats couldn’t be easier.  It’s a simple dressing put on all fruits, including cucumbers consisting of chile powder, salt and lime.  Just makes anything taste better.  Keeps me cool as a cucumber!

Mexican cukes

1 cucumber

chili powder

sprinkle salt

juice of 2 limes

Combine and enjoy