Overcoming Healthcare Embarrasment: How To Get Treatment for Sensitive Health Issues
Health embarrassment, a common and real condition, can often be a significant barrier to seeking necessary medical care for sensitive health issues. It’s not a gender-specific issue, as a TENA survey revealed that 1 in 5 men over 40 experience health embarrassment, and approximately 36% of men overall avoid seeking medical help due to embarrassment. In women, the figure is around 50%, often related to undergoing a smear test. The truth is that anyone can experience health embarrassment, hindering them from seeking help for their symptoms.
If you’re experiencing health embarrassment, there’s very little anyone can say to help you overcome your issues. However, there are some tips and tricks you can employ yourself to help you get the treatment you need without feeling shame or embarrassment.
Book Private Services
If it’s your own doctor you’re embarrassed about seeing, why not book via a private provider? There are many resources available online that can help you get medical treatment without visiting your GP, and digital services for doctors’ appointments or health portals can assist you with getting a diagnosis, further tests or treatments as you need.
Write Things Down
If you’re too embarrassed to say out loud what you’re struggling with, writing it down might be an easier and less intrusive way to share your ongoing health woes. Maybe you’re struggling with bladder issues; prostate issues affect around half of men aged 60 and over, and bladder weakness can impact women too, with urinary incontinence affecting more people over 60, but 1 in 5 women post childbirth. It doesn’t matter what it is; write it down, whether it’s about erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, or any other sensitive health issue, and your doctor can take things from there.
Tell Your Doctor
If your doctor doesn’t know you’re embarrassed to share, they won’t press you or make accommodations, meaning you’ll likely walk out, not even mentioning it at all. Tell them you’re ashamed to discuss what is going on. It doesn’t matter the reason for your embarrassment, be it needing to get a mole checked by a skin cancer dermatologist in a rather sensitive area, contracting an STD, having a private health issue such as erectile dysfunction, changes in your bodily smells, blood in your stools, etc. Tell them you have something you are embarrassed to talk about, and any good doctor will help support you in sharing.
Ask For A Specific Doctor
Do you have a doctor that you feel more comfortable with during your surgery? Do you prefer being seen by older male doctors? Female doctors? Or you just don’t want young doctors treating you? If you feel more comfortable with a specific doctor treating you, this can help you feel more relaxed and more open to discussing sensitive topics. It’s important to remember that you have the right to choose a doctor who makes you feel comfortable and respected. Bear in mind that with most GP surgeries experiencing high demand, you might have to wait longer for an appointment with a specific doctor; if it is between waiting longer or not going at all, then it’s worth holding out.
It’s All Confidential
Remember that everything discussed at your doctor’s appointment is confidential. You only have to tell others if you want to, and no one else needs to know. You likely already know this, and so too does your doctor, but it’s worth remembering that it doesn’t matter how embarrassed you feel. Nothing will leave the confines of the consulting room unless you share your end.
Your Doctor Won’t Judge
And if they do, perhaps they’re not the right doctor for you. Your doctor has likely seen most of the things you can present to them. They’ve been trained for this and probably go to work each day expecting a wide range of health issues in their schedule. They probably won’t be shocked, absolutely not disgusted and should not be judgemental. They are there to help advice and support, and understanding this can help you get the treatment you need. Whether they’re making a further referral for treatment, writing a prescription or giving you advice for additional help, such as finding Natural Remedies for BPH, they are there to help.
Visiting the doctor isn’t fun. You typically only see themes when you’re not at your best, which can make the medical embarrassment you feel so much worse. Remember, your doctor is there to help; a short period of embarrassment for you will pave the way to a resolution to your health issues. If you are really struggling, talk to someone who can help you move past it.
