Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Charis Chambers.
Dr. Charis Chambers launched her social media platform, The Period Doctor, in the summer of 2019, after recognizing an unmet need for medically accurate women’s health information and minority physician representation in social media outlets. As an OB/GYN with fellowship training in Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, her mission is to educate young women and girls on topics related to their reproductive health. This is in an effort to promote greater self-awareness (in everyday life), greater self-esteem (in relational encounters), and greater self-advocacy (specifically in interactions with medical providers). Her only bias is that women should have access to information that allows them to understand their bodies, protect their bodies, plan or manage their periods or pregnancies, and do all of this free of judgment, coercion, or marginalization. It’s time to “change the cycle”.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a struggle trying to balance the demands of daily work life (research, exams, call shifts) with building a consistent and relatable social media presence. Social media never sleeps, so there can be a desire to always be on and available. I had to learn that uninterrupted engagement is neither feasible nor healthy.
As a physician, we get little training in how to run a business. I love being invited to guest speaking engagements, but the business aspect of these events can be challenging as well.
Additionally, I struggle almost daily to impress upon my followers that social media is an avenue for educating, not for diagnosing and treating. Many of the concerns that they ask me about are best addressed by their qualified health provider.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Period Doctor – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The period doctor platform specializes in decoding poorly understood women’s health topics and debunking myths and misperceptions. I am most proud of the moments when people message me saying that they finally understand a topic that they struggled to grasp or that they feel reassured with their decision to pursue a specific treatment avoid a specific product or anything else that protects their body, health, or peace of mind.
What sets me apart from others is my relatability. I’m honest, curious, and sometimes insecure, just like my followers. I want to do what’s best for my body and genuinely ask some of the very same questions about disorders, medications, and symptoms management. I’m essentially the gynecologist-friend that every woman wants and needs. I’m on your team and in your corner. Your growth and understanding of your body is my mission and I grow in the process.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans in the future are for continued growth not only on social media platforms but hopefully on television and stages and auditoriums around the world. Within the next year, I’m planning to launch my website and finish my Pediatric Gynecology fellowship, with likely relocation to practice in the Georgia area. My long-term goals are to write a book, improve access to pediatric gynecology with the use of telemedicine, and continue to advocate for the rights and freedoms of all menstruators.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@theperioddoctor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theperioddoctor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePeriodDoctor
Image Credit:
Images by Travis X of OMX Productions
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