It is always advisable to see your GP if you have any concerns regarding your health.
This means you can identify problems as quickly as possible and potentially catch more serious problems before they progress.
But some intimate health issues are a bit more awkward to talk about. You may be putting off your visit because you don't want to talk to your GP about this at all.
Health experts share how to best navigate situations that can quickly become awkward during consultations.
What are the things patients are most embarrassed to talk about?
According to Dr Nisa Aslam, GP and advisor to Effercitrate Tablets, which relieves cystitis symptoms, patients may feel embarrassed talking about intimate health issues.
“[This can include] Sexual and reproductive problems, including vaginal thrush and, in men, difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. However, from gut-related health issues such as constipation and diarrhea to urinary tract-related issues such as cystitis, these are areas of health that patients are embarrassed to talk about,” said Aslam.
How should patients ask their GPs embarrassing questions?
GPs do not have long consultation times, so it is important to approach the problem immediately to get the most out of your visit.
“If you don’t have the medical terminology to express yourself, don’t worry. Try saying things like, ‘I have pain when I urinate,’ ‘I have pain when I urinate,’ ‘I have pain when I have sex,’ or ‘I have pain when I have a bowel movement.’” Aslam.
Phil Day, pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, agrees, adding: “Write it down in advance. You're less likely to get a little embarrassed, go the other way, or start thinking more about your emotional response than your actual position.
“The worst thing that can happen is that you leave the consultation room and think, ‘Oh, I wish I had said that’ or ‘I forgot to say that.’”
How can GPs help with this?
To help a confused patient, Aslam starts with a simple question: 'How can I help you today?'
“When patients are seen [ill] Reassure them and remind them that everything they say will remain confidential. I see so many different health issues and I’ve probably encountered them before,” she said.
“Use simple language about shameful treatment. So, let's talk about the pain and frequency of watering in case of cystitis. Treatments are only effective when used appropriately, so patients must understand this, no matter how disconcerting it may be.
“So, if a woman needs to treat cystitis at an early stage and antibiotics are not appropriate, we recommend over-the-counter espercitrate tablets. I was told that they were tablets containing potassium citrate and citric acid, which should be dissolved in a glass of water.
“It is explained that the ingredients alkaline the urine and soothe the lining of the bladder and urinary tract (or water pipe), thereby improving pain and discomfort caused by cystitis.”
How can seeing the same GP help?
Communication skills are a key part of a GP's toolbox, so building long-term relationships, trust and rapport is important.
“I think the continuity of care aspect is also important,” Day said. “This allows us to better understand the patient’s history and needs. You can build relationships and trust more quickly and utilize limited consultation time more efficiently.
“If a long-term patient seems more anxious than usual or is having a bad mood or behavior, this can be recognized and help the GP's diagnosis.
“Pharmacists and doctors are quite insensitive because they do this every day. You may only have one embarrassing question a year, but they hear these things every day. We are experts at making you feel comfortable.”