Why I Made It My Mission to Make Women’s Health Conversations Easier
Lady problems? Trust me, I know they’re hard to talk about. I’m am a retired OBGYN (Obstetrician and Gynecologist) that cared for patients of all ages, from all walks of life, for over 20 years in private practice. I learned early on in my career that even though women quite literally do it all, we sometimes have trouble being completely open about our health issues. We can feel overwhelming shame about our circumstances, even when they’re outside of our control. We feel embarrassed about bodily functions, and question what is and isn’t “normal.” We sometimes don’t have the time or mental energy to convey the full scope of our pain. On top of it all, we have limited time to speak with our healthcare providers in a regular office visit, and we don’t always have the opportunity to cover everything. Unfortunately, this lack of transparency can lead to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment.
“I learned early on in my career that even though women quite literally do it all, we sometimes have trouble being completely open about our health issues.”
I understand what you’re going through. By the time I turned 30, I developed stress urinary incontinence. This was before I became a physician and understood that it is a common complication women experience after having children. I suffered in silence for years because I was simply too embarrassed to discuss it with my doctor. How could I possibly say out loud “I’m peeing my pants every time I laugh, cough, jump, sneeze or change positions.” So, I just carried an extra-large purse with me everywhere I went, equipped with a change of clothes and plastic bags, just in case I needed to make a quick-change in a public place and then hide the evidence. Years later when I became a doctor myself, I made it my mission to make patients feel comfortable enough to talk to me about anything, no matter how uncomfortable, tragic, or embarrassing.
Now that I’m retired and am no longer helping patients in an office setting, I want to give you the tools you need to get relevant information to your health care provider without the embarrassment and anxiety of talking about it. These easy-to-use worksheets can be completed in the privacy of your own home and simply passed to your health care provider during your next office visit. Then, your health care provider can lead the discussion to get to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
My Experience
Bachelors Degree: Kent State University
Doctor of Medicine: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM)
Residency: Summa Health Care System, Akron Ohio
Practice: Cairns Monday and Shipman OBGYN
