Medical advice: 10 Things we’re embarrassed to ask our doctor!

MF editorial team 02 Jun 2014 updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:59

1/10
I have bad breath
Very often, bad breath is due to a lack of saliva or a dry mouth related to medications you may be taking. In this case, all you have to do is drink a glass of water every two hours to minimize the effects. Sometimes, sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux or a wisdom tooth responsible for a non-painful chronic abscess with stagnation of pus may also result in a substantial alteration of breath. Ask your dentist to check if there is a medical cause for your problem. Take the opportunity to ask him to re-explain the basic recommendations to effectively brush your teeth. Consider including floss and brushing your tongue in your nightly routine, but avoid frequent rinsing with mouthwash as it destroys the oral flora, unless in the case of fungal infections and other diseases, or prescribed by your dentist.
2/10
I have no sex drive
Women tend to put both their problems with “wanting” and their difficulty in reaching orgasm under the umbrella of this one phrase. However, you can have an orgasm without wanting to make love (a disorder by far the most common), and vice versa. The questions to ask: is the lack of desire a result of a particular event? Previously, did you use to feel real sexual desire, or was it just a desire for maternity? Once you get your thoughts in order, talk to your gynaecologist. Libido is fragile and can drop in the months following childbirth, breastfeeding, the departure of children, the onset of menopause or even due to certain drugs. Explore all possibilities with your specialist.
3/10
I grind my teeth
This is a reflection of a state of stress. Anything that can help to relax is therefore good: yoga, meditation, sports... To fight against the inexorable tooth wear, and unsightly swelling of the jaw muscles, the cure, whose results have been scientifically proven, is an injection of botulinum toxin in the said muscles. Success is assured within one or two sessions (the younger you are, the more effective the first treatment is). Otherwise, the oral surgeon or maxillofacial dentist will renew the injection every one or two years to maintain the results.
4/10
I leak
This usually occurs during physical exertion, sneezing or laughing. Common after childbirth, the phenomenon is related to tissue relaxation and therefore increases with age. 5% of women suffer from chronic versions of it, often after menopause, and many others have occasional leaks. Do not wait before talking to your gynaecologist – he will check that you are not suffering from prolapse of the uterus. He will prescribe perennial rehabilitation with a physiotherapist or midwife. You will learn to work the perineum with each abdominal effort. In most cases, this simple treatment is sufficient. “But this pelvic muscle training is not necessarily definitive, it is necessary to maintain muscle tone on a regular basis,” warns Professor Francois Haab (urologist at Tenon Hospital, Paris). Practice with perennial training packs available at pharmacies (Ophrys pack).
5/10
Ouch! Haemorrhoids!
These problems related to a somewhat feeble venous drainage can occur at any age, though they are more frequent between the ages of 45 and 65. Premenstrual period, pregnancy and childbirth promote these attacks, as do constipation or certain sports (biking, horseback riding). To get rid of them and prevent their recurrence, eat enough fibre, limit the intake of strong spices and coffee, even in decaf form. Practice light washes with surgras soap. Ensure that you do not put on too much weight as well – being overweight increases pressure of the veins. During attacks, there are products which help to strengthen the veins (Titanoral, available in pharmacies without prescription). In most cases, haemorrhoids disappear by themselves. Nevertheless, consult a doctor if there is no improvement, if the pain becomes unbearable or if bleeding, even just a little, occurs.
6/10
My partner is impotent or ejaculates too quickly
Many women still think they are responsible for the “shortcomings” of their husbands. Impotence is highly publicized and solutions now exist (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra). Premature ejaculation, however, is still quite a taboo. However, in the absence of any abnormality, it is known that men happen to peak four times faster than woman. The solution is to therefore resynchronise to each other’s ways, and according to each other’s levels of pleasure. The psychological experience also plays a vital role. Rather than blaming the other or putting it all on yourself, it is better to consult a sexologist together. It will help the man acquire better ejaculatory reflexes with a series of exercises; and the woman to accelerate her pleasure. If everyone takes a step towards the other, the tempo becomes less frustrating and the waltz, much more enjoyable.
7/10
My feet smell bad
Good habits to adopt: walking barefoot as often as possible, washing each morning and evening with a surgras soap, wear natural materials such as leather or lightweight canvas – and take special care to avoid synthetic materials as it will result in maceration. Use special treatment against excessive sweating (eg: Pedi Relax range available in pharmacies). In the case of crippling hyperhidrosis, treatment by iontophoresis can be used to regulate the sweat glands. The feet are immersed in a tank filled with water, and electrodes send a gentle electric current through them. These sessions completely painless, and can be carried out at a dermatologist, physiologist or beauty centre. You can also purchase this equipment in a pharmacy for home treatment.
8/10
I snore
Moisten the air of your room, and in the evening, limit alcohol and tranquilizers. And lighten up! The fatter we are, the thicker the base of our tongues, and the harder it is for air to flow through our nasal passages. Basically, each pound lost represents one gram of tongue less. Sometimes it is also necessary to learn to breathe through your nose and unclog your clogged nostrils. Inhale drops of saline before sleeping. Buy nasal strips (often used by athletes to better oxygenate) or oil drops that improve the flow of air passage at the pharmacy. And if that is not enough, consult an audiologist. After diagnosis, the specialist will offer more radical remedies, adapted according to whether your snoring is associated with tonsils, a hypertrophic nose, or episodes of sleep apnoea.
9/10
I suffer from vaginal dryness
Real vaginal dryness (unlike lack of lubrication, which results from stimulation during sex) is atrophy of the vaginal mucosa insufficiently filled with female hormones. Like a dry sponge, the lining weakens and becomes irritable. Throughout the day (and even outside of sex), you feel discomfort resembling a slight burning sensation, sometimes pain during urination, permanent irritation in the area, as well as discomfort wearing underwear or tight pants. Before menopause, the doctor may advise moisturizing the area with intimate-care lubricants (eg: Monasens, Ophrys). Following which, he may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (in the absence of contra-indications) or local oestrogen in the form of eggs or a cream. There are also non-hormonal products that work (eg: Prevegyne) to possibly complement lubricants.
10/10
I sweat a lot
People who sweat too much (hyperhidrosis) actually have no more sweat glands than others, nor any anatomical abnormalities. It is thus sometimes caused by a family trait, the existence of diseases that increase perspiration (eg. hyperthyroidism), taking certain medications (eg. beta blockers) or a diet rich in spices, chocolate or coffee. The simplest solution: reduce risk factors whenever possible. Turn to an antiperspirant that regulates perspiration without blocking pores (of the Klorane range, for example – available in dry deodorant, deodorant cream deodorant or anti-perspirant balls, or Avene regulator deodorant treatment for sensitive skin). In the most severe cases, injections of botulinum toxin under the arms can regulate glandular secretion, to repeat regularly. Ultimately, it is possible to remove a portion of the glands in the underarms through surgery.

From bad breath to haemorrhoids, there are some evils that we prefer to keep quiet about, either out of shame or modesty. What should we do and when should we consult a doctor? Read on to find out.

We know that our doctors are there to listen to everything – that’s their job – but it is not as often that we feel we are able to tell them everything. In our collective unconscious, some problems are still considered shameful, especially when they are associated with a lack of hygiene. And yet, smelly feet, bad breath or excessive sweating are often the result of medical problems. You also do not want to talk about your haemorrhoids or vaginal dryness? We understand. But there is surely more for you to gain from it! We have listed some minor ailments that plague daily life, along with what you can do to treat it on your own, and failing which, when you should contact a specialist. Let’s get started!

Marie Dorval

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Medical advice: 10 Things we’re embarrassed to ask our doctor!

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