Ask What, Ask When, Ask Why

Women go for doctor examination yearly. They undergo pap smears, mammography, and internal examination and if no pathology is found they are told all is fine and come back next year. However, often women want to ask about some “insignificant things” but do not, as they feel that there is no time, the concerns might be silly, insignificant and not worthy to discuss.  Often they do not know even what to ask or how to ask. It is true that often doctors are very busy as they are assigned many patients by the insurance companies per day and do not have time to talk about things that do not threaten a life. I,therefore, think that this blog and other blogs on women issues will serve to answer many concerns.  Some of the problems that women face is urinary frequency due to chemical irritation rather than a real infection. These problems can become chronic and terrible disconcerting. The frequency can lead to constant wiping and irritation causing hypertrophy of the labia which in turn cause problems in wearing clothes and hygiene. These issues then may lead to depression and irritability. These women often cannot go on hikes, or ride on a bus or spend time in places far from a toilet. Social life is very hard and coughing or sneezing embarrasing. This urinary frequency has to be investigated and indeed if it is not an infection, botox or other medications can be used to control it. Sometimes a band can be inserted surgically to control stress incontinence. The labia can then be trimmed to normal size and a normal life can be followed. Psychological and stress relief is a welcomed result of these treatments. I think women should talk with each other and find out about all the conditions that each may be worried about and then maybe they will learn how to treat them and whom to see. No one needs to be alone with their questions as someone out there knows the answers and may help if one asks.