Visiting a doctor for regular wellness checks is essential, but not always enjoyable. It can be downright uncomfortable for women seeking help for feminine health concerns because many doctors simply don’t talk with patients about feminine issues.

Perhaps it’s because the topics are awkward. Or maybe it is because doctors believe traditional treatments for common problems are well known. Whatever the reason, many women don’t even have the opportunity to talk about some of their more significant health concerns.

Of course, doctors aren’t always to blame. WebMD reports even outspoken women often avoid talking about some very common issues because they feel isolated, ashamed and are in denial.

So, what are these common feminine health issues that aren’t being addressed adequately with your doctor? Here are four topics that generally aren’t discussed and some possible ways to help you.

Dryness

As people age, skin and other organs lose moisture. Dryness is a common issue for women. Low estrogen is a potential cause and can result from birth control, breastfeeding, menopause, hormonal imbalance, medications, cancer treatments and even certain soaps.

Dryness can also lead to a loss of sensation, discomfort or even pain.

Although talking about your personal life with your doctor can be uncomfortable, having a conversation with the right doctor can offer easy solutions. The traditional dryness treatments are lotions and lubricants, but most women have tried these with limited success before seeking help from a doctor.

Fortunately, specialized women’s clinics can deliver an in-office, nonsurgical care procedure to alleviate dryness and irritation and restore the body’s ability to create natural moisture, reduce discomfort and improve sensation.

Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects about 25 million U.S. adults, according to the National Association for Continence. While it impacts millions of people, women are embarrassed to talk about their bladder problems and simply think it is part of aging.

While incontinence is more common in older women, it isn’t an inevitable problem and there are solutions to fix the condition. Traditional solutions include wearing panty liners and protective underclothes and performing Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles.

A newer, better option is Thermiva, a nonsurgical, noninvasive intimate care procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to rejuvenate tissues with no pain, anesthesia or downtime.

Low libido

Nearly one-third of women experience issues related to low libido, according to WebMD. The condition can be caused or influenced by everything from hormone levels, to stress, to prescribed medications. In many cases, the cause can be a combination of factors.

Resolving the problem could begin by checking your hormone levels. The first step in this process is as simple as getting lab work done and having an evaluation completed by a medical provider who specializes in bio-identical hormones. As a bonus, having optimized hormone levels provides other health benefits besides improved libido.

Mental wellness

While men and women experience mental health problems at similar rates, certain types of problems strike women more frequently. For example, women experience depression nearly twice as much as men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Other issues affecting women include anxiety, stress, sexual trauma and more. The institute notes mental health concerns can lead to physical symptoms like headaches, cramps and digestive problems.

Many doctors simply aren’t trained to deal with mental health issues, so they don’t bring it up with patients. A women’s clinic with trained counselors and therapists can help resolve mental issues that can accentuate physical ailments.

Women are timid when it comes to talking about intimate and private health issues. While it may be awkward to discuss these issues with your doctor, you aren’t alone and these issues affect millions of women. If you don’t talk about it, you won’t be able to fix it.

There are multiple solutions to each of these female health concerns that can greatly improve the quality of your health and overall life.

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