Doctors need to know
Will you screen me for STDs?
Part of having an active, healthy sex life includes regular screening for STDs and STIs. However embarrassing it may be to approach this topic with our doctors, it's essential that we ask to be screened. The Centers for Disease Control recommends, at a minimum, that sexually active teens and adults be screened at least once a year for HIV, and that sexually active women under 25 be screened annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Are my bowel movements normal?
Embarrassing or not, everyone poops and talking about our bowel movements can reveal important information about our health. The regularity of our stools and their color, size and consistency can cue doctors to a variety of ailments, including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, infections and more. Any patient with uncomfortable bowel movements, including watery loose stools or hard-to-pass pellets, needs to speak up.
Why do I bleed when I poop?
Speaking of poop, patients who see blood in their stool or on their toilet tissue need to ask their doctor what might be going on. While bloody stools can be a symptom of hemorrhoids, other ailments, including anal fissures, peptic ulcers, cancerous polyps and diverticulitis, can also cause bleeding in the GI tract and need to be examined. Your doctor will want to know the color of the blood (bright red indicates a lower-GI issue), amount and how often it's experienced.
Why am I so gassy?
Flatulence may be embarrassing, but it's not unique. Did you know that healthy individuals can fart upwards of 14 times per day? Since the average person has between .5 and 1.5 liters of gas in their digestive tract, burping and farting aren't uncommon. However, painful gas, or a sudden increase in gas production could indicate more serious medical conditions, like Crohn's Disease or even ovarian cancer.
Why do I have facial hair?
Ladies, having a little bit of facial hair is common. For those who have more than a little, you're not alone. Approximately five percent of women in the U.S. experience hirsutism, or excessive facial hair. While the condition can be embarrassing, it can also be indicative of a possible medical condition, including poly-cystic ovarian syndrome and adrenal gland disorders, meaning doctors need to know about your chin stubble.
What happened to my libido?
Whether you're completely uninterested in sex or have experienced a massive increase in your desire, you need to talk to your doctor. Low sex drive in women can be caused by medical conditions like depression, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, diabetes and even certain medications. A suddenly high sex drive could also be a symptom of increased testosterone, which a doctor can measure with blood tests.
