There are many reasons that women don’t go to the doctor.  I frequently hear, “I was just too embarrassed about my symptoms to come earlier.”  While you might want to avoid the doctor’s office, is being embarrassed a good reason to stay away from the doctor?

Let’s break this down a little.

embarrassed about symptoms

Usually if you are too embarrassed to go to the doctor, it is because you are your symptoms embarrass you.  And if your symptoms embarrass you this much, you are really bothered by them.  And this degree of bother is all the more reason why you should come in.

worried about shocking the doctor

If you are embarrassed, you may think you will surprise the doctor with your symptoms.  I can tell you that this is unlikely.  I talk to women all day long about their bladders and pelvic symptoms.  We talk about leaking in the grocery store, leaking during sex, and leaking at yoga.  We talk about products and treatments but we also talk about feelings and how your leaking is impacting your life.  No one comes to see me when things are working well.  I have heard it before.  And probably seen worse.  Your leaking does not have to define you.

embarrassed about leaking in the office

If leaking urine is one of your symptoms, you may worry about leaking in the office.  This absolutely may happen.  But for me, it is all in a day’s work.  It happens frequently.  We have strategies to manage it.  Don’t worry.  It just shows me how easily you leak and that you need help.

worried about being shamed

If you are embarrassed about your leaking, you may worry about being shamed for your symptoms.  That too is unlikely.  Women don’t want to leak.  They don’t choose to leak.  I won’t make you feel badly about it.  I know you don’t want to leak.  And I also know that you wish you didn’t have to talk about it.

Leaking urine is a relatively small issue from a medical perspective (it isn’t a cancer or heart disease) but it can dramatically impact your quality of life.  Your leaking may mean that you aren’t living your best life.  And embarrassment is not a good reason to avoid the doctor’s office.  I want you living your very best life.  It may also help you if you know what to expect before a urogynecology office visit.  Check out my blog on that topic here.