You might have seen the TV show, you know, the one where people go to the doctor about their severely embarrassing issue that they have been in denial about forever.

But it’s no laughing matter.  Sometimes people put off going to the doctor and let a problem get worse and worse because they are so terribly embarrassed or ashamed about their condition.  Which is a shame, because some conditions become very difficult to treat if left for too long.  Examples include fungal nail infections, anal warts, haemorrhoids, anal itch, in fact just about anything affecting the anal region, weird growths, severe weight gain, bad breath, facial blemishes or acne, sores on the penis or anywhere on the genitals, trouble getting an erection, trouble remembering things, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Don’t get fooled into thinking that whatever is troubling you, you can sort it out by consulting the internet.  This can lead to wrong diagnoses and also a great deal of unnecessary anxiety - for example the guy who had googled groin lumps and thought he had cancer, when in fact he just had a harmless cyst.  The reverse is also possible - thinking your symptoms are harmless when in fact they are a sign of something serious.  Nothing beats a proper consultation and examination by a doctor to sort out your medical problem.

So if you’re feeling a bit awkward about your particular issue, remind yourself that whatever you have come to the doctor about, they have probably seen it or something similar many times before.  Your doctor is not there to judge you, and you should always feel comfortable discussing anything with them.