How to Talk to Doctors in Mackay About Embarrassing Ailments

We've all been there. A weird twitch, itch, sound, mark or smell that makes you wonder if you should see your doctor or put it off and hope that it miraculously goes away on its own. We think we're brave in the big world until we need to talk to someone about weird things that go on in our bodies, and then suddenly we're a mumbling mess of mortification.

Those embarrassing little problems that you want to go away, most likely won't go away on their own and could even be big warning signs of something seriously dangerous that could be easily prevented with early intervention.

In a statement by The Australian Medical Association (AMA), doctors are concerned that people are ignoring their everyday health during the COVID 19 period.

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that fear and concern over COVID 19 should not make people ignore their everyday health. "People need to continue seeing their doctor, in person or via telehealth, for existing conditions and regular health maintenance," Dr Bartone said.

The trust barrier for both men and women are often fuelled by embarrassment because of too little face to face time with your doctor and not building a relationship with your doctor so you can feel more confident to be honest.

That's why it's so important to be completely honest with your local Mackay doctor about any embarrassing ailments. Shakespeare Medical specialists Dr John Goldston, Dr Graeme Cumming and Dr Htike Aung have a combined experience of 70 years practising medicine in the Mackay region.

They have seen it all and regard all complaints, symptoms and diseases from a rational and scientific point of view and will make you feel completely at ease and comfortable during your visit.

Here is a list of some of the most common health problems people are embarrassed about:

  • Haemorrhoids

  • Unsightly rashes

  • Excessive sweating

  • Bad breath

  • Itching in groin areas

  • Constipation

  • Flatulence

  • Foot Odour

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Sexual disfunction

  • STD's

Here's a couple of tips on how to talk to your doctor to ease some of the embarrassment.

  1. Before your appointment, write down your list of concerns on paper so you can stay focused and don't forget what you want to talk about. You may want to make another reason up like a headache, or something more common, but remind yourself not to leave until your doctor has addressed all your problems, including the embarrassing ones you went there for in the first place.

  2. If your doctor asks what he can help you with, start with what bothers you most. Your doctor will then ask all relevant questions surrounding that problem. Your doctor may then ask if anything else is the matter. If not, insist on telling them anyway.

  3. Don't be embarrassed to use genital words like penis and vagina. Remember – your doctor has been using these words in their practice and research for many years, using the correct anatomical terms will not embarrass them.

  4. If you need a genital examination, your doctor will offer that a nurse is present during the examination. This is to make you feel more comfortable. You can also bring along someone you trust for the appointment.

  5. Don't jump around between doctors with embarrassing problems. Thinking it might be easier to visit a GP you've never seen before for an embarrassing problem often creates a bigger problem. Remember, your regular GP knows your medical history and is in the best position to make an accurate diagnosis.

At Shakespeare Medical Centre, our mission is to offer up to date, quality care in a fully accredited general practice, ensuring at all times to respect age, cultural, religious, sexual and financial status without discrimination.

We welcome new patients, contact us or call 07 4953 0233 to book your next appointment.

Karen Blanchfield