Health Conditions Youre Too Embarrassed To See The Doctor About But Should
From erectile dysfunction to vaginal discharge, you’ve definitely used Dr Google for a solution.
From erectile dysfunction to vaginal discharge, you’ve definitely used Dr Google for a solution.
Weve all got things we’d rather not share in public – but there are some you definitely should be telling you doctor about.
A recent British study found one in 10 suffer from conditions we’re just too embarrassed to seek medical help for.
According to Pharmacy2U, erectile dysfunction, vaginal discharge, incontinence and depression were common conditions people reported being embarrassed about.
Thrush, fungal nail infections and acne were found to cause heightened self-consciousness during summer in particular.
Their research also revealed that 39 per cent of the studys participants have suffered from a condition for far longer than needed to avoid discomfort of talking about it.
Discussing reasons why people are often too shy to get help, behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings said: Medical embarrassment has two distinct factors self-consciousness at the condition and concern at being judged.
“Its important to understand that medical professionals will have seen all these stigma conditions many times before, and they are also trained to be completely impartial and totally confidential.”
“However, while many of these conditions are easily and swiftly treated, it can feel awkward both to visit your GP in the first instance and to collect prescriptions from your local pharmacy.
Sometimes Its Itchy Down There Should I Be Concerned
Like vaginal odors, the root causes of vaginal itching could be simple or serious.
Most vaginal itching isnt a cause for concern.
- Soaps, fabrics, and other irritants can cause itching
- Vaginal dryness might be to blame
In other cases, you could be dealing with
The best way to determine the root cause of your vaginal itching is to consult with an OB/GYN.
When To Go To Urgent Care For A Yeast Infection
You may want to seek medical attention for your yeast infection if:
- This is the first time youâve had yeast infection symptoms
- Youâre not sure whether you have a yeast infection
- Your symptoms arenât relieved after treating with over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories
- You develop other symptoms
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Signs Of A Sinus Infection
One of the most common sinus infection symptoms is feeling pain on your forehead, upper jaw, between your eyes, and your neck. Another sign of sinus infection is that you produce a thick, colored nasal secretion. Your secretion will either be yellowish, white, greenish or tinged with blood.
Your inflamed sinuses will also restrict how well you breathe. It will affect your sense of taste and smell. Not only that, but it will also affect how you talk, making you sound more stuffy.
You will experience a lot of irritation in your throat, making you cough more than normal. It could get worse when you lie down and when you wake up.
You should wait at least 7 to 10 days before going to your doctor. If most symptoms dont disappear for a week or two, its best you go to your doctor immediately. Note that OTC medications wont help in relieving the pain from sinus infections.
The Power Of Anesthesia
I had an intestine operation done sometime back. My sibling, an anesthetist was assisting the surgeon. I was under the effects of anesthesia post the surgery. I looked at my brother and said, I respect you a lot, you took a lot of care of me, youre like a brother I was bloody embarrassed after everyone told me what kind of absurd things I was blabbering. I was officially, medically high as sh-t .
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Can I See My Ob/gyn When Im On My Period Or Should I Wait
OB/GYNs are in near-universal agreement on this one. You absolutely should not cancel your appointment because youre on your period.
Insider interviewed a few doctors on this subject, and Dr. Jacoby, MD, speaks for all of us on this one:
Remember, Im an obstetrician I help women give birth. Ive seen a fair share of blood, she says. I prefer my patients keep their appointments.
When Should I See My Doctor
Some yeast infections can be treated at home without a doctor’s visit. But for others, a doctor’s visit is very important! Do you know when you should see your doctor?
It’s time for a visit to your doctor if:
- you have never had a yeast infection diagnosed by a doctor before or your symptoms are different from what you’ve experienced in the past
- this is your first yeast infection
- you’re having frequent or recurrent yeast infections
- the treatment you tried for your yeast infection didn’t work
- your last yeast infection was less than two months ago
- you think you might have a sexually transmitted infection
- you have fever, pelvic pain, or a coloured or unpleasant-smelling discharge
- you are under 12 years old
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you have diabetes or a health condition that weakens the immune system
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Diagnosis Of Vaginal Thrush
If you dont have any symptoms of thrush, it might be picked up by your GP or at a sexual health clinic in a test for something else. If you do have symptoms, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will usually be able to diagnose thrush just by asking about them. They may also ask you about your medical history and whether you’ve had thrush before.
A swab test is only usually necessary if:
- your thrush infection is very bad
- youre at risk of having a different infection
- your treatment hasnt worked
- your symptoms keep coming back
You might get the result immediately, but if the samples need to be sent to a laboratory to be tested youll usually get them back within a week.
How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
If youre a woman, youve got a pretty good chance of experiencing a yeast infection at some point in your lifetime. Vaginal yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a very common condition and can cause skin rashes, itchiness and irritation, and strange-looking discharges. It can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition to have, but luckily, its very treatable and typically goes away in just a few days with medications. Knowing the symptoms and what to look for are important to be able to diagnose and treat them quickly. Below are answers to some common questions about yeast infections.
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How Do You Know When A Yeast Infection Is Gone
Once your symptoms resolve and youve completed the duration of your treatment, your yeast infection has cleared. If your symptoms resolve before you complete the full course of treatment, keep using the medication until you have finished it as directed.
If your symptoms persist, or if youre worried about the yeast infection recurring, talk to your doctor.
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Men’s Health Matters: Genital Warts Are One Of The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases Writes Thomas Lynch
MEN’S HEALTH MATTERS:Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, writes THOMAS LYNCH.
Q I am 32 years old and have warts on my foreskin. I also have a little wart-like lesion just at the opening of my water passage. I had unprotected intercourse about four months ago and am too embarrassed to do anything about this problem. What is the treatment?
A It sounds as if you have developed genital warts. Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections seen in Sexually Transmitted Infection clinics.
They are caused by the human papilloma virus , which is common in young sexually active people.
Not everybody who comes in contact with HPV will develop warts. It may take up to nine months after initial sexual contact with a person with HPV for warts to develop. Genital warts are not harmful and do not increase the risk of cancer or reduce fertility.
If you have, as you say, developed genital warts after unprotected intercourse it is very important to have a sexual health screen as occasionally other infections can be present without any symptoms. Up to 50 per cent of men with Chlamydia trachomatis infection do not have any symptoms.
Treatment for genital warts is topical in that the treatment is applied directly to the warts. There are lots of different treatments available for genital warts and the choice of treatment is determined by many factors including the number, the appearance, the size and their position.
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Can Yeast Infections Go Away On Their Own
Theres a possibility that a yeast infection can go away on its own. The probability varies from person to person.
If you decide not to treat the infection, however, it might get worse. Theres also the possibility that youve misdiagnosed your condition, and what you thought was candidiasis was a more serious problem.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lifetime.
The Department of Health and Human Services indicates that about 5 percent of women will experience recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis . This is defined as four or more vaginal yeast infections in 1 year.
RVVC can occur in healthy women, but its more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems from conditions such as HIV.
Related Resources For Yeast Infections
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
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My First Yeast Infectionit Was No Big Deal
OMG, there it wasthe vaginal itchingthick, white, lumpy discharge sorenessirritation and burning. I was scared and afraid I may have had an STD. But after some initial research and a talk with my gyno, I found out I had the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection. It was my first yeast infection, and what I learned was that the symptoms of STDs and vaginal yeast infections are similar, but there are some differences to look out for, and that vaginal yeast infections are common, theyre treatable, theyre really no big deal. What a relief!
What Should I Do If I Get Repeat Yeast Infections
If you get four or more yeast infections in a year, talk to your doctor or nurse.
About 5% of women get four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis . RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems, such as with HIV, but it can also happen in otherwise healthy women.
Doctors most often treat RVVC with antifungal medicine for up to six months. Researchers also are studying the effects of a vaccine to help prevent RVVC.
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Common But Embarrassing Symptoms You Should Definitely Talk To Your Doctor About
In the world of personal health, there are certain ailments that are downright uncomfortable to talk about. Think things like body odor, bad breath, hair loss, sexually transmitted infections or other issues affecting your nether regions.
Dr. Nick Gilpin, an infectious disease specialist and the co-host of the Beaumont HouseCall Podcast, calls them the Oh, by the way moments – things patients often divulge when theyre visiting the office for something else.
He and fellow host Dr. Asha Shajahan, a family medicine physician at Beaumont, talked about common embarrassing symptoms on a HouseCall episode.
Theres no taboo topic for a doctor, Dr. Shajahan added. Weve seen a lot of crazy things over time.
Heres a rundown of five commonly searched, embarrassing health symptoms:
Complications Of Vaginal Thrush
Vaginal thrush doesnt usually cause any long-term problems. But some women get recurrent bouts of thrush. Fewer than five in every 100 women are thought to be affected by this. If your thrush keeps coming back, it can make you feel down or depressed, and it can affect your sex life too. See your GP to get some support if this happens to you. You can also read more about thrush coming back in our FAQ: Why do I keep getting thrush?
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Does My Sexual Partner Need To Be Treated If I Have A Vaginal Yeast Infection
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Yeast infections are a very common fungal infection that most women or people assigned female at birth will have in their lifetime. Its highly treatable with medication, some of which are available to purchase at your local drug store without a prescription. Even though you may know the signs of a vaginal yeast infection, its important to get examined by your healthcare provider. They can recommend the best treatment based on the type of yeast infection you have and its severity.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/02/2022.
References
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Things You Should Never Feel Embarrassed About At The Gyno
Own that paper gown.
Youre lying on the exam table with your feet are propped up in a pair of freakishly cold stirrups: What are you thinking about? The list of Qs you want to address with your gyno? Or what she thinks of the view? For most women, its probably the latter. But really, you have nothing to be ashamed ofyour doctor is a trained professional and is there to ensure you stay healthy, after all. Here, gynos share seven things you definitely shouldnt be embarrassed about the next time you go in for an appointment.
1. Your Sex LifeWhats your number? Do you always use condoms? Are you sleeping with someone on the side? Contrary to what you might think, when your gyno asks you these sorts of questions, theres no right or wrong answer. We dont want to judge you, we just want to help you, says Sherry Thomas, M.D., a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Theres not too much you can do or say to shock us. In 25 years of medicine, I think Ive heard everything.
2. Your Down-There Hair SituationForgot to shave your legs and havent gotten a bikini wax since the first season of Mad Men? Who cares? Definitely not your gyno. We are so focused on the patient, we are not concerned in the least if she has shaved or waxed, says Jessica Shepherd, M.D., assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Plus, we are doctors. We know hair grows there for a reason.
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Too Much Food For Yeast To Grow
- Menstruation: Changes in hormone levels during a normal menstrual cycle can result in occasional or recurrent yeast infections.
- Increased Estrogen Levels: Women who are taking birth control pills that have a high-dose of estrogen as well as those on estrogen hormone therapy are more susceptible to developing a yeast infection.
- Pregnancy: Increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy make women more susceptible to yeast infections.
- Diabetes: Whether controlled or uncontrolled, diabetes puts women at higher risk for developing a yeast infection because of the extra glucose thats not being properly metabolized.
Do I Have To Go To The Doctor If I Have Vaginitis
If you have symptoms of vaginitis, its a good idea to see your nurse, doctor, or local Planned Parenthood health center. Vaginitis isnt usually a major health problem, but if you dont get it treated it can become serious.
There are many different causes of vaginitis, and STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia can have symptoms that are really similar to vaginitis. Seeing a doctor is the best way to find out exactly whats going on, so you can get the right treatment.
To see whats causing your vaginitis, your doctor may do an exam, look at a sample of your vaginal discharge under a microscope, or do other tests, like a urine test.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with a vaginal yeast infections before and youre having the same symptoms, you can try an over-the-counter yeast infection medicine. But if youre not sure, see your doctor or go to a Planned Parenthood health center. And if you used an over-the-counter medicine but your symptoms dont go away, see a doctor.
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What Are Common Side Effects Of Yeast Infection Medications
Because all of the medications used to treat vaginitis are antifungals, they tend to have similar side effects. However, they will vary due to the different administration routes. Of course, these side effects will not be the same for everyone, and their presence or severity may vary. This is not a complete list and you should always consult your doctor or gynecologist regarding your potential risks when starting a new medication. Potential side effects of vaginal yeast infection medication can include:
- Missed menstrual period