Going to the doctor isn’t necessarily a treat, and when you have questions that you don’t really want to ask—whether you’re embarrassed about the topic or fear the possible answer—it doesn’t make the visit any easier.

But don’t think your concerns are unique. Chances are, your doctor has heard them before, and the answers aren’t complicated.  Fortunately for women in this area, local medical facilities have women’s health clinics that can help make bringing up those difficult topics a little easier.

Make yourself comfortable

Tiffany Gulinson, D.O., works in the Women’s Health Clinic of Mayo Clinic Health System in Onalaska and says the clinic provides a comfortable environment where women are willing to bring up topics they may not in a general practice setting. “There really isn’t much we haven’t heard before, and we aren’t here to judge; we are here to help,” she says.

Oftentimes, Dr. Gulinson says she can sense when something is on a patient’s mind and will bring up a delicate topic herself, such as incontinence or low sex drive.

“Vaginal discharge is one that comes up a lot. I’ll run tests to check for certain things, but for most women it’s normal,” Dr.  Gulinson says.

Another topic many patients are concerned about is vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse, an issue that can be uncomfortable to discuss, but which has solutions. Dr. Gulinson explains that women need to understand the physiological and anatomical changes that occur over time, and talking with your doctor about solutions is the best approach.

Most everyone these days deals with some level of depression or anxiety, and while many patients feel comfortable saying they are feeling depressed, they are less willing to confess to feeling anxious.

“Again, it’s another issue that has some fairly simple solutions that mainly include behavioral changes,” Dr. Gulinson says. “Many women feel these issues are things they just have to learn to live with, and I want them to know that is not true. They just need to be willing to take that first step—talk with their doctor—and they will find answers that can make a world of difference.”

Incontinence is another tricky topic, says Dr. Lisa Veglahn, Gundersen Lutheran Center for Women, but it doesn’t have to be something you have to learn to live with. While running, coughing or even laughing may cause some women to lose urine; others may feel a strong, sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine. Incontinence can range from annoying to debilitating and can make everyday life miserable and cause tremendous emotional distress.

Dr. Veglahn says menopause can be another topic women choose to avoid, but that being informed on how to deal with it, what changes the body goes through and what treatment options are available will all improve quality of life.

Health and appearance

Helping women deal with sensitive self-image issues is the goal of Stephanie Andresen-Stevens, aesthetician, certified wellness consultant and owner of Brilliant Bodywork Massage Therapy and Skin Care in Onalaska. Whether she’s offering weight loss olutions or hair removal, she strives to help her clients feel good in their own skin.  Weight loss is the biggest concern they have, one that wreaks havoc on self-esteem and well-being. “Our weight management program is medically supervised, and we discuss proper nutrition, mentorship and the lifestyle changes they will need to make,” Andresen-Stevens says. One of her clients lost 20 pounds and more than 34 inches in three weeks. “That client is no longer in the morbidly obese category and is now off all insulin. Given the proper tools, the body can heal itself.”

A free consultation is offered for all the services at Brilliant Bodywork, so if you are curious about a Brazilian wax (their most sought-after service), chemical peel or microderm abrasion, you can learn more about it and whether it’s right for you. “We take the time to explain the process, ask about skin sensitivities and overall try to make it a very comfortable experience for clients,” says Andresen-Stevens.

Kelly Sloan, aesthetician and electrologist with Forever Young Skincare, says hair removal is probably the issue that stands out as the most embarrassing for women to talk about. “Acne or wrinkles they will talk about with friends, but for a lot of women, unwanted hair growth is their deep, dark secret,” says Sloan.

Facial hair is the biggest concern, although the current trend is no hair anywhere. Methods of hair removal include waxing, laser removal and electrolysis, and which one is right for a person depends on her goals and budget. “Waxing is for clients who want the hair gone right now, but if the goal is permanent hair removal, then we use laser or electrolysis,” Sloan says.

Broken capillaries or age spots on the face or body are also treatable and not something you have to live with. “Redness is something we can treat very easily and can make a great difference in someone’s appearance,” Sloan says.

“A lot of problems people have can cause them real frustration, embarrassment and anger, and they don’t need to live with it.  There’s no need to fight that battle every day when we can fix it.”