Much of the communication between doctor and patient is personal. To have a good partnership with your doctor, it is important to talk about sensitive subjects, like sex or memory problems , even if you are embarrassed or uncomfortable. Most doctors are used to talking about personal matters and will try to ease your discomfort. Keep in mind that these topics concern many older people. You can use booklets and other materials from NIA or the organizations listed at the end of the article to help you bring up sensitive subjects when talking with your doctor. It is important to understand that problems with memory, depression, sexual function, and incontinence are not necessarily normal parts of aging.

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Taking a sexual history is a vital part of identifying sexual problems and concerns in many practices, but a survey found that fewer than two-thirds of doctors ask their patients about sexual activity and history. Only 40 percent inquire about sexual problems, and just 29 percent ask about sexual satisfaction. Some studies have shown that between 16 and 43 percent of women and 9 and 29 percent of men have a distressing sexual problem to report, and the majority of them would prefer to talk about these issues with their doctors if given the opportunity. However, while most experts agree that doctors should take the lead on initiating these conversations, patients also bear a part of the responsibility to kick things off and fill their doctors in in order to get the quickest and most appropriate treatment or care. But, because those conversations are rarely easy, we created a step-by-step guide to help you navigate them in safe and comfortable way. You should never have to feel like that with your doctor, which is why it helps to research them a bit before you see them. Need help finding one? Here are a few resources:. The Open List. Kink-Aware Professionals.
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Simon asked her to lunch because he needed a shoulder to cry on. His girlfriend, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour some time ago, had recently died. During lunch, she told Simon that she had just ended a relationship and joined a dating service. Quit the dating agency, Simon told her, and go out with me instead. She was taken aback — gobsmacked, really.
And when it does, patients need to take some moral responsibility for their actions. Any doctor caught ignoring this rule is likely to face professional sanction — including being struck off. And it may not end there.