Have you ever had a health problem that made you feel embarrassed when explaining it to a doctor? Well, it’s important to know that every healthcare professional is accustomed to receiving all types of patients every day. So, there’s no need to feel self-conscious.
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Furthermore, you might not even realize that many of these cases are quite common. Below, we’ve listed 6 common health issues.
1 – Common Health Issues: Excessive Body and Facial Hair
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
This issue is known as hirsutism, and about 10% of women of reproductive age have this symptom (hair growth in places like the upper lip, chin, buttocks, lower back, abdomen, and so on). The primary cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with one of the most common manifestations being the absence or irregularity of menstruation, which can be accompanied by acne or abdominal weight gain. This issue is treatable, but there’s also idiopathic hirsutism, which is not a syndrome but rather an inherent characteristic of women who are more sensitive to male hormones.
What to Do Now
According to Helena Proni Fonseca, an assistant physician in the Gynecological Endocrinology, Menopause, and Contraception department at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa in São Paulo, the most recommended treatment for PCOS is weight loss through a more balanced diet or the use of birth control pills to regulate hormones. In the case of idiopathic hirsutism, laser hair removal may be a solution. Note: this is not recommended when the condition is caused by PCOS, as hormonal fluctuations can cause the hair to regrow, leading to wasted expenses.
2 – Common Health Issues: Warts
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
These protuberances, scientifically called papilloma, are almost always benign. They can appear anywhere on the body, but they usually occur around the eyes, neck, and other areas where the skin is often rubbed, such as the inner arms, thighs, or armpits. “Papillomas can occur at any age, but the peak incidence is between 12 and 16 years,” says Stella Ramos e Silva, a dermatologist from Rio de Janeiro. A particular case is when a wart appears on the cervix, as it may be a consequence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, remain calm until tests determine the virus because there are more than 70 subtypes, and the minority of them poses a cancer risk.
What to Do Now
Nothing, unless they bother you. In that case, they should be evaluated in consultation with a dermatologist or gynecologist. The goal is the destruction and removal of warts, which should never be done at home without medical supervision, emphasizes Stella. Treatment options include cryotherapy (treatment with liquid nitrogen that freezes warts until they fall off on their own), chemical cauterization (which burns the affected area), or creams.
3 – Common Health Issues: Intense Body Odor
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
Your body has two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, located all over your body, produce and release an odorless fluid to cool your body, while apocrine glands, concentrated in areas like your armpits, genitals, and nipples, release sweat that acquires the characteristic odor we all know when it comes into contact with skin bacteria. The main cause of the excessive odor? According to Amanda Athayde, a physician from Rio de Janeiro and a member of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, it’s hormonal changes or the predominance of male hormones over female hormones. But it can also be caused by certain foods. Spices like curry and garlic, as well as vegetables like onions and asparagus, can deposit sulfur in your body, resulting in a malodorous sweat about 12 hours after consumption.
What to Do Now
You don’t need to remove these ingredients from your diet, but prefer antiseptic soaps and antiperspirants on those days. If the odor is constant and not occasional, it’s advisable to consult a specialized hormone doctor for a correct diagnosis and follow the appropriate treatment recommendations for your situation.
4 – Common Health Issues: Unexplained Bruises
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
When they don’t result from a hard blow or significant impact, they may indicate vascular issues (such as purpura, when small blood vessels converge or leak under the skin) or suggest that you’re eating something different or not eating something. “A deficiency of certain nutrients in your diet, such as vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, facilitates the appearance of bruises after trauma, just as the use of aspirin and anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications makes the blood thinner and more prone to bruising with light blows,” explains Stella.
What to Do Now
Add more citrus fruits to your diet, and if the bruises disappear within a week, you don’t need to worry. Stella recommends therapeutic options that expedite the healing process, such as arnica gel or ointment, which has anti-inflammatory action and helps improve local blood circulation. If the bruises persist for a long time or are accompanied by other symptoms like nosebleeds or gum bleeding, darkened urine, or persistent joint pain, seek a doctor to discover the cause.
5 – Common Health Issues: Tonsil Stones
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
The so-called tonsil stones are small white or yellowish lumps with an unpleasant odor that can come out of your mouth when coughing, sneezing, or even talking. They form because the tonsils have small pores where bacteria and dead cells accumulate and can clump together. People who frequently experience tonsillitis are more prone to developing tonsil stones.
What to Do Now
They usually do not represent significant health risks—you can simply spit them out if you feel them in your throat. But if they are accompanied by symptoms like pain, fever, and general discomfort, it’s advisable to consult a doctor. According to Marcel Menon Miyake, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at the Menon Clinic and Santa Casa in São Paulo, measures such as drinking plenty of water, maintaining good oral hygiene, and gargling with water or non-alcoholic mouthwashes can help prevent their formation.
6 – Common Health Issues: Vulvar Cyst
Why You Don’t Need to Worry
Cysts are fluid-filled lesions. The primary ones are Bartholin’s gland cyst (located at the entrance of the vagina, on the inner part of the labia majora), Skene’s duct cysts (laterally to the urethra), and epidermal inclusion cysts (any location on the vulva). The usual cause is gland blockage, leading to secretion accumulation. They usually do not cause problems and are not an STD unless they are red or itchy. Depending on their size, they can, however, interfere with sexual intercourse and cause pain.
What to Do Now
They usually disappear on their own within a few weeks but can remain unchanged for years without causing significant problems. “The need for urgent care arises when there are signs of infection, meaning when they start producing pus, which requires treatment with antibiotics and possibly drainage of the content,” explains Helena.
