Reproductive Health & You
4 Common Conditions Women Hide
Complaining about cramps and kvetching about cravings are always part of the conversation when you're out with friends. But some problems are often just too embarrassing to share, even among your closest confidantes. "Many women avoid talking to anyone, including their doctor, about symptoms they're ashamed of," says Susan L. Ivey, M.D., an associate professor at the UCB/UCSF joint medical program at the University of California, Berkeley.
"But it's important to come clean, because it may indicate a more serious issue," she says. In fact, one survey found that more than two-thirds of physicians say it's difficult to properly treat patients who won't fess up. In many cases a simple prescription or even an over-the-counter drug can remedy the situation. That's why we turned to the experts for the straight talk on four health woes women hide.
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