Hey @unknown I’m going to tell you where embarrassment about discussing these things with my doctors got me.
I will not compare your issues to mine, but in the hopes it can help you grow some confidence in yourself (at least enough to have a chat with your doctor) I will disclose what stopped me from having proper discussions with my doctors and from having my pap-smears for many years….
I had a fatty tumour growing on my labia. Not cancer, but a very large growth that I let get it way to big so that it got in the way of my clothing choices, my hygiene and my sex life with my very understanding and supportive partner.
I got caught out by the hospital nurses when I broke my ankle (because it was a horrendous break, and sponge baths were a thing for 4-5 days). Those nurses were worried, but very kind and totally understood why I was too embarrassed to tell anyone (they also understood that this was the reason they’d been unable to convince me not to wear underwear). Because I’d agreed to records sharing with my GP, the hospital records were able to start a conversation I didn’t know how to start with my GPs. I was then referred to a gyno and then a surgeon. That surgeon, while surprised at the size of the mass on someone so young, said it was something he’d treated quite regularly, and that often grew to larger than necessary sizes because women were taught to be ashamed of their bodies and using them.
All of my treating doctors and nurses were kind, caring, and didn’t have a judgemental thing to say (not even about my not speaking up sooner).
All embarrassment and not discussing it got me was a lot of extra stress and anxiety, it got me a lot of lost sleep (over a number of years), and ultimately I had to have the discussion anyway.
You’ve been really brave this week in opening up and asking questions here, when you’re ready take the next step and have a discussion with your doctor (then let us know how you went… we can be your own private cheering section).
