How to Start the Conversation
When you feel embarrassed, you might hesitate to bring up your symptoms and wait until the doctor is about to leave before mentioning what’s going on. But bringing up symptoms early in your appointment can give the doctor more time to gather information about what you’re experiencing.
To make it easier, here are a few phrases you can use to start the conversation:
“I have a concern I was hoping I could share with you.”
“There’s one thing in particular I need to talk to you about.”
“I have another symptom I was wondering if we could discuss.”
“Being direct and just open and honest about your symptoms is the best piece of advice I can give patients,” says Koo.
If you feel nervous about sharing your symptoms out loud, you can also write them down. “Oftentimes, there are opportunities for if you want to send a message to the practice beforehand regarding the reason for your visit,” says Koo. You can also note these symptoms on the forms you’ll fill out before your appointment or even list them on a piece of paper to hand to your doctor.
After you tell your doctor about your symptoms, they’ll probably start by asking some follow-up questions. It’s important to give your doctor as much information as possible, even if it feels embarrassing. “The more information they have, the better care they can provide for you,” says Koo. Your doctor may also perform a physical exam or prescribe other testing, such as blood work or imaging, to learn more about the cause of your symptoms.
“You know, doctors have heard it all,” says Koo. “There’s no judgment.” What matters most is that your doctor has the information needed to figure out what’s causing your symptoms before they progress. “That conversation needs to start,” says Koo.
At the end of the day, if a doctor makes you feel uncomfortable about your symptoms or diagnosis, seek out a second opinion and find someone who better understands your needs.
The Takeaway
- If you have symptoms that feel embarrassing, you may feel uncomfortable talking about them with your doctor.
- Being direct about symptoms and bringing them up earlier on makes it easier for doctors to treat them.
- Writing down symptoms ahead of time can help when you’re nervous about sharing them.
- Doctors are used to hearing about all kinds of symptoms, and their priority is figuring out how to help you feel better.
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