The Embarrassing Health Problems No One Talks About

No blushing here: We tell it like it is for six surprisingly common conditions, so you can get rid of them once and for all.

Anne Marie O'Connor

Complaining about cramps and kvetching about cravings are always part of the conversation when you're out with friends. But some problems- like bad breath or body odor- 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 six health woes women hide.

1. You have morning breath-all day
   It's normal to be self-conscious after munching on a garlic bagel. But for the more than 40 million people with halitosis, bad breath is a chronic, not an occasional, issue, says Richard Price, D.M.D., a spokesperson for the American Dental Association.
   The culprits are usually bacteria that live in the back of the mouth and produce sulfuric compounds. Because these bacteria breed in cavities and bleeding gums, even those in the earliest stages of gum disease and tooth decay are at a greater risk. Another common trigger: sinusitis and postnasal drip. Bacteria in your mouth feed on the proteins found in mucus, making everything in your mouth reek. If your breath smells sour and your mouth is dry, however, take a look at the over-the-counter and prescription drugs you're taking. Some, like allergy medications and insulin, can alter your body chemistry or inhibit the production of saliva. A rotten-fruit odor, on the other hand, is a sure sign of a buildup of ketones, a by-product of fat digestion, which plagues diabetics and those following high-protein diets.
   Get Relief
   First, cut back on odor causing food like garlic and onions. Then adjust your dental routine: Brush and floss twice daily, and use a tongue scraper in the morning and before bed. "Like a squeegee, this device gets rid of mucus in the back of the mouth, where the smell-generating bacteria congregate," says Price. Drinking plenty of water can also help wash away the water-soluble halitosis bacteria.
   Just as important: twice-yearly visits to your dentist. She can examine your mouth and, if necessary, irrigate it with an antimicrobial rinse or prescribe an extra-strong mouthwash. If your dentist can't pinpoint the underlying cause, consult your doctor to make sure you don't have a more serious issue like a chronic sinus problem. She may need to swap your medication or prescribe a treatment for dry mouth or sinusitis.

2. It hurts to sit down
   About half the population will suffer from hemorrhoids by age 50, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This painful condition is caused when the blood vessels inside or on the surface of the rectum and anus become inflamed and sometimes start bleeding. "The discomfort can make it difficult to work or engage in exercise or sexual activity," says Philip Jaffe, M.D., an associate professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
   Prolonged sitting, straining when going to the bathroom, pregnancy (which exerts extra pressure on the pelvis), and childbirth are common causes of hemorrhoids, says Jaffe. Anxiety can also trigger flare-ups, as you're more likely to get constipated when you're under stress.
   Get Relief
   If your hemorrhoids are caused or irritated by constipation, Jaffe suggests increasing your liquid and fiber intake by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily and getting at least 25 grams of fiber a day. Look for a combination of insoluble fiber (found in veggies, wheat bran, and whole-grain cereals) and soluble fiber (in oats, beans, and psyllium-fiber supplements).
   To relieve the itching and burning, soak in a tub or sitz bath (a pan that fits over the toilet) full of warm water. Over-the-counter creams and suppositories can also help; many contain steroids that shrink the hemorrhoids' swollen tissue. If you don't get relief within 10 days of using the product, or you have rectal bleeding or severe pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor ASAP. "Your physician will want to rule out serious diseases, like colorectal cancer," explains Jaffe.
   Gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons use a variety of techniques to eliminate hemorrhoids, such as rubber-band ligation, in which a hemorrhoid is tied off with a rubber band at its base, cutting off its blood supply. (Research shows this remedy is 80 percent effective.) For more difficultto- treat cases that don't respond to these treatments, your doctor may recommend a hemorrhoidectomy (surgically removing the hemorrhoid) or stapled hemorrhoidopexy (stapling the hemorrhoid to block blood flow).