Dear friend of Jean Hailes

Do you find it difficult to discuss some of those ‘uncomfortable’ health issues?

I often find myself avoiding the things I’m most uncomfortable about. It’s not always easy to admit to yourself or others that something is not quite right. Even harder to take the next step and do something about it. I speak from personal experience; it took me a long time to bite the bullet and make an appointment with the Foundation’s wonderful continence physiotherapist, Janetta Webb (because every time I played tennis, I wet my pants!). Once I’d discussed it with her and started on a treatment plan, I felt incredible relief and it gave me the confidence to tackle some other niggling issues.

In this edition, we focus on some hidden health issues that can be difficult to talk about or worse, are avoided by women or their health practitioners. They may be embarrassing, complicated or just hard to bring up. Some topics are sensitive and personal, like your sex life or emotional wellbeing. Other times you might worry about offending your doctor.

One of the things that I have learnt in our travels around Australia, as part of our National Seminar Program, is the many similarities between women and their stories. No one wants to ask a ‘dumb’ question and look foolish but often once the conversation gets going many women find talking about their health experiences is not as awkward as they expected, and more importantly, they are not alone. When you’re dealing with an uncomfortable health issue, it can be very reassuring to know that there are other people who are in the same boat as you and who understand what you are going through.

From our National Seminar Program, we’ve had comments like:

“Wow, so I’m normal after all?”
“It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”
“ I thought I was going nuts, it’s such a relief to know that it’s not all in my head.”

I think it’s fantastic that women are starting to talk about issues that our parents’ generation kept silent about and I hope this edition of the Jean Hailes national magazine inspires more women to talk about these issues.

If you feel like something is not right with your health, trust your instincts and make an appointment with your health practitioner. Chances are nothing you say will shock them. It’s quite possible that your niggling, embarrassing health concern has a very simple solution and you’ll wonder why you didn’t seek help sooner. I know I am just so glad I did something. I can now look forward to a hit of tennis and a bit of a giggle!

Janet Michelmore, AO 
CEO

Janet can be contacted on 1800 151 441. 

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Content Updated May 2010