Vagisil® Presents:
JULY 2006
THE HONESTY FACTOR:
WHY YOU NEED TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR EVERYTHING
By Adelaide G. Nardone, MD
Medical Advisor to the Vagisil Women’s Health CenterSM (VWHC)
As an OB/GYN, I am committed to providing the best possible care and counsel to my patients. I also stress to my patients the importance of being an active partner in this process. By providing me with an honest and complete health and lifestyle history, patients enhance my ability to access their clinical and emotional needs.
If you’re feeling a little guilty right now, you are not alone. A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive® for the Vagisil Women’s Health CenterSM (VWHC) revealed that almost one in four U.S. women aged 18 and older, who go to a gynecologist, indicate that they have not been completely honest with their health care provider. Younger women (aged 18-34) are more likely not to have been completely honest and single women were more likely to hide information from their gynecologist than married women (34 percent vs. 20 percent, respectively).
What do women tend to be dishonest about? The list is almost endless, but the survey showed the most popular responses include smoking (5 percent), exercise habits (5 percent), diet (4 percent), the actual number of sexual partners they have/had (4 percent) and the number of alcoholic drinks they have per week (4 percent).
Why lie? Many women may "alter" or "omit" information about their lifestyle or habits for fear of being judged. Many times women are hardest on themselves as they often are the ones to judge themselves NEGATIVELY. In the case of younger women, they may view the doctor as an authority figure, and wish to avoid a possible reprimand for something they’ve done. Many adolescents and minors are fearful that their parent or guardian will "find out" what they tell the doctor. Therefore, they deliberately withhold important information. They need to be informed that the privilege of "doctor-patient confidentiality" also applies to teens.
Omitting information can have some serious consequences. Below are some very important reasons to be honest with your doc:
- Smoking: negatively impacts birth control options, increases risks of multiple cancers including breast and cervical cancers, increases risks or respiratory and cardiac ailments, decreases fertility, negatively affects pregnancies, increases risk of osteoporosis and accelerates aging and menopause, just to mention a few.
- Exercise habits or the lack thereof: may affect weight, diet, cardiac risks, PMS, depression, osteoporosis and even sex drive. Exercise is the panacea to youth!
- Diet: We live in an era of "obesity". Obesity is resulting in an increase in high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. A healthy and proper diet can help protect against certain cancers such as colon cancer as well as weight gain. Keep in mind that indeed "we are what we eat".
- Sexual History: Honesty is important in order to obtain the tests and screenings that you need. With the new Pap smear and STD testing guidelines it is essential that women are TOTALLY honest regarding their first sexual experience as well as ongoing sexual activities. This information helps your health care provider determine when a Pap is necessary as well as STD screening including HIV and Hepatitis.
- Alcohol: Repeated alcohol use can result in a chemical dependency on this damaging substance. Alcohol abuse can result in liver disease, depression, poor nutrition, and poor judgment. Alcoholics often engage in high risk behaviors such as promiscuity, drunk driving and drug abuse. Alcohol can also interact with certain medications and hormones and render them less affective.
- Pregnant women should NOT drink as it can cause serious consequences to the fetus, including mental retardation.
