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- $Unique_ID{BRK01481}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Embarrassed to Talk About Sexual Problems?}
- $Subject{sex problem doctors community social problems sexual embarrassed
- doctors physicians doctor behavior behaviors lifestyle lifestyles personal
- intimate sexually embarrassment physician}
- $Volume{Q-23,W-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Embarrassed to Talk About Sexual Problems?
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- QUESTION: Why don't you ever respond to people who write to you with their
- sexual problems? I am sure you must get loads of letters like that because
- most people like me are too ashamed to talk to their doctors. Or are you just
- like most the other doctors who clam up when the subject comes up, because
- they are embarrassed too, so just don't want to talk about it?
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- ANSWER: In defense of myself, I have no difficulty either talking to patients
- about their intimate problems, nor in writing about it in this column.
- Frankly, most of the letters are either too individualized or too intimate to
- be included in a newspaper column. When there are subjects of general
- interest, I do try to include them, for it is clear to me that there is a
- great deal of interest about the subject, and not a great deal of clear
- thinking or easy to understand explanations. Now in defense of my profession,
- I believe that most family physicians are skilled in discussing personal
- sexual matters, either because they have had special training in their
- residency programs or because their professional experience and study has
- provided a good deal of valuable insight. I realize that many patients have
- difficulty in opening up on this matter to their local doctor, but if they
- would only take the first step they would be well served. If their physician
- has the skills necessary, the problem may be easily solved at this stage of
- medical care. If not, than the opportunities for care can be obtained through
- referral to another doctor or agency that may possess the specialized
- knowledge needed to deal with the situation. Sometimes patients have
- difficulty in finding the right words, thinking that they need to be able to
- explain their condition in high faluting medical jargon. Nothing is further
- from the truth. A sincere story, honestly told, is all you need convey to
- your doctor, and there can be no shame where there is no guilt, and judging
- guilt certainly is not within the scope of my profession. Since I sense a
- certain urgency in your letter, I hope you will now seek out the help you
- need.
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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