From constant erections to lumps down there – 9 embarrassing signs you need to see a doctor now
FEW of us can say we enjoy a trip to the doctor, so when your concern is about something embarrassing the thought of going is made even more terrifying.
But if there’s anyone who is unlikely to be shocked or shy about the situation it’ll be your doctor.
Remember, they’ve seen it all before – and they have probably seen a lot worse.
Whether you’ve had an intimate injury or a weird sex complaint, it’s really important to get any health concerns checked out.
It could be something serious and ignoring problems to save your blushes could lead to more issues further down the line.
Here are 10 sensitive concerns you shouldn’t be afraid to speak to your GP about…
1. An object stuck somewhere intimate
Having something stuck in a bodily orifice is never anyone’s proudest moment.
But medics routinely deal with sex toys or household objects the end up lodged somewhere where they probably shouldn’t.
Kate Patrizzi, a clinical nurse specialist in emergency services, told US News: “A lot of the objects are inserted into the rectum and get lost there.
“Other objects – a dildo, an ice cream scooper – are really inserted for the intention of pleasure but [patients] can’t get it back out once they’ve put it in.”
If this happens to you, don’t be shy – head straight to your nearest medical centre so docs can carry out scans and find out how far it has gone.
They may be able to pull it out there and then, but in some cases it may require surgery.
2. Sweating too much
Most people sweat when they exercise or the weather is hot.
But some people sweat far more than is otherwise considered “normal”.
It’s a condition known as hyperhidrosis and it can prevent sufferers from carrying out everyday tasks.
But if you have it, it’s important to speak up because a number of treatments are available including strong antiperspirants to oral medication and even Botox.
3. Smelly breath
Bad breath, known as halitosis, is unsurprisingly common and we can all feel affected at times.
It’s usually caused by eating or drinking strong-smelling foods, smoking or crash dieting.
But it can sometimes be a sign of gum disease or infection.
The best way to make sure you don’t cause offence every time you speak is to keep your teeth, tongue and mouth clean.
But if you’re still suffering after trying to treat it yourself, or you experience any pain, bleeding or swelling, make sure you see a dentist.
4. Blood when you go to the toilet
A small amount of one-off blood when you poo isn’t usually a cause for concern.
But if it’s something you’ve noticed is happening persistently or there have been other changes in your bowel habits then it may be more serious.
It can sometimes be a sign of bowel cancer, which is easier to treat if it’s caught early so it’s important to see your doctor.
You may also need to see a medical professional if you’ve noticed blood in your urine, as that may also be a cancer sign.
Blood in urine may be bright pink, red or dark brown and it could come from anywhere in the urinary tract – the bladder, kidneys or urethra.
Other causes could be a urinary tract infection, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate – so best to get it seen to.
5. Rash down below
An itchy, red rash anywhere can cause embarrassment and discomfort.
But rashes that pop up in the genital region can make matters worse.
It could be a fungal or yeast infection, or a skin condition like psoriasis but it might also be caused by lice.
Another worrying cause could be a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and ignoring these could not only spread it with other sexual partners but if left untreated it could cause serious problems.
6. Sore penis
Pain or discomfort down below is definitely not to be ignored, no matter how embarrassed it may make you feel.
For blokes, a sore penis could be a number of different conditions – some a little more serious than others.
If the pain also comes with a whitish, lumpy discharge it might be balantitis, which can be treated with antifungal creams.
It could also be a penile fracture, usually caused by being too vigorous in the bedroom.
But more worringly, it could be penile cancer – a rare disease which, if left untreated, can spread to the urethra, the tube in the middle of the penis that carries urine and semen, or the prostate, the gland between the testicles and anus.
7. Can’t ‘get it up’
Erectile dysfunction is considered a tragic experience for any man and renders what may have once been your pride and joy a lifeless, floppy waste of space.
The condition is sometimes referred to as impotence and is characterised by the inability to get or maintain an erection.
Psychological impotence refers to when a man can’t get it up because of thoughts or feelings that are holding him back.
When impotence is caused by underlying physical health problems it tends to be longer-lasting and treatment is needed.
Health specialists will often treat impotence by targeting an underlying health condition which is causing it such as heart disease or diabetes.
Lifestyle changes are also recommended such as losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, exercising more, and reducing stress.
Viagra, a medication to help erectile dysfunction, is now available over the counter in the UK.
8. Farting too much
Breaking wind can be seen as funny or vile but the fact is we all trump.
The average person lets off around a pint of intestinal gas a day generally puffed out in around 14 toots.
But if you start noticing frequent episodes, or gas and bloating that comes with pain or other symptoms like diarrhoea or constipation, it’s worth seeing your GP, says Dr Patricia Raymond, a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology.
Frequent and foul smelling farts could be symptoms of chronic conditions such as IBS and coeliac disease (severe gluten intolerance).
9. Feeling lonely
Sometimes, it’s not a physical condition that people can feel embarrassed to chat to the GP about.
Often it’s the emotional stuff that’s hardest to broach – but know you’re not alone.
According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 4 people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. That’s one-quarter of the world’s population.
The Sun's You're Not Alone campaign aims to help prevent deaths from suicide
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost – to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You’re Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there’s nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
We share the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans – and tips from mental health experts.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.
You’re Not Alone.
For a list of support organisations, see box below.
MORE ON HEALTH
If you’ve noticed changes in the way you are thinking or feeling over the past few weeks or months that concern you and cause you distress, you should consider going to see your GP.
It can be daunting to speak to someone that you may not know well about your mental health, but most people find that speaking to their doctor and the help and support they receive from them, can make all the difference to their lives.
The Mental Health Foundation offers advice on preparing for your appointment, what to expect and the steps afterwards.
Where to get help
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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