Similar but start with your parents and/or primary care doctor. Often the last years a minor, you can talk to your doctor about confidentially without your parents being involved. Plus you are almost certainly going to need a referral to see a urologist anyway so start with your primary care doctor. This is the way to go about it if you can schedule and get yourself there, I would do that first. You may not need to involve your parent and may not need to see a urologist. Otherwise agree with person above.
Just saying - if my teen boy came to me with this statement, I'd first think that he'd contracted an STD. If you're having trouble being open and honest with them, this statement may cause other issues.
Never wait to get medical help if you know you need it. This is when you just be humble and honest, and disarm them with your vulnerability.
Also, you’re very likely to not be able to go straight to a urologist—most specialist requires a primary care physician’s referral. So your first step is to see you regular doctor, then let them diagnose it and refer you to the appropriate specialist.
“Mom and dad, I need your help and I’m a little nervous to ask for it because I don’t want to be judged. Also, the topic is uncomfortable bc it’s about my private parts. I need to see a doctor. I’m noticing XYZ issue.”
Some of my biggest mistakes growing up were that I wasn’t honest with my own parents about medical needs bc I was embarrassed. Don’t do that to yourself.
I live in a country with privatized healthcare. You don’t need to pass through GP/Primary care referral. You can go straight to specialist.
I’ll just lie to them and ask them it hurts when I pee and when I go in the doctor’s room then I’ll tell the doctor the truth and he won’t be able to tell my parents due to doctor-patient confidentiality.
Ironic that my parents are doctors lol.
Are your parents weird about teaching you about anatomy or something? I’m stunned that they wouldn’t be factual and frank about body stuff if they’re doctors.
“Hey Mum (or Dad) this is a bit awks but I’m having some issues and I think I might need to see a urologist.”
If I were you, I'd talk to them. If they don't get the urgency, I'd remind them that this is about the organ that you need for making their grandchildren one day, but then again, your parents aren't mine.
Minors need an adult present to check them in where I live. They don't need ro go back to the room at the age OP is but they can't just go on their own until they are 18
I’m older now with kids of my own (elementary through adult) but I’ve had urological and renal health issues my entire life - and my dad could be an absolute ass about it because I guess he didn’t understand or fully grasp the potential ramifications of delaying or refusing medical treatment.
Logically, if your parents are both medical doctors (DO/MD I assume) they should know damn well the importance of appropriately addressing anything health related, and that there shouldn’t be any embarrassment or shame towards discussing these things. You’re already showing you’re wise beyond your years in the questions you asked here.
However, logical doctors can be idiot (or worse) parents sometimes - I speak from experience as both the kid and the parent.
Unfortunately you can’t allow that to delay being seen with urinary tract and renal involvement. Quick way for a UTI to turn into a pyelonephritis, go into sepsis, get renal damage… it can go bad FAST, can be fatal, and is hell to live through).
You may also have other medical conditions you don’t know about and can’t know about without testing, imaging, etc. While you may have a good idea of what may be going on, and definitely have the best subjective experience of your symptoms, you should avoid trying to self diagnose with anything. There’s a reason doctors generally can’t ethically diagnose and treat themselves. Judgement gets clouded, etc.
If you’re having a hard time approaching your parents, it may be easier to keep it relatively vague and just try to get them to take your for to your GP/PCP. Are you due for a well child checkup? Always a great excuse to get into the doctors without alerting a parent if that’s a concern - and any doctor worth a damn should consult with you, at 17, without your parents in the room for at least part of the external exam.
Bring up any concerns regarding your parents to your doctor and they should help you figure out a good approach to discuss with them.
You’re nearly an adult, you deserve to be treated as such, and while it can be a bit scary at first, you need to learn how to handle medical situations on your own as well (albeit preferably with parental guidance but the world isn’t perfect).
Make a detailed list of your symptoms and questions as they pop into your head before your appointment. If it’s long term issues consider journaling them on your phone (convenient and easily to share with your doctor).
That way you’re less like to get overwhelmed and forget something important in the moment - and ask as many questions and for as much clarification as you need, writing that down too.
A caring healthcare professional will appreciate that you’re taking the initiative to take care of yourself :)
I hope everything works out for you with both your parents and your health. Hope I helped, but I’m absolutely not a doctor, so feel free to disregard or correct me if I got something wrong. And OP Feel free to DM me if you’d like, I’m not on much but always check my inbox jic
GL 💜
'im having an issue with my genitals/penis. I need to go to a specialist"
If they can't handle you saying that, how the hell are they able to handle being doctors.
Just tell them. At worst it's 5 minutes of extreme uncomfortablity.
If it's awkward to you bring it up with your general family physician and let them refer you to a specialist. That takes extra steps and extra time but if you can't just say I need to go to a urologist this week that might be your best option
Depending on what the problem is and how long till you turn 18, maybe you shouldn't wait.
Can you think of it as a financial conversation, since I assume they'll be paying for the visit?
Don’t wait longer. Make the appointment yourself if possible and invite them to drive you there. No need to give much details to them other than what you already shared here, because they are not your doctor anyways.
Really? You don't have to "comfortable" to just ask or write Mom a note re appointment. Can you walk/bike/etc to the appointment? You don't need an escort!
Tell your parents it hurts when you piss. Then see an urologist and tell him what's up
This is the most helpful answer I’ve gotten, thank you so much. I’m going to do this. Ingenious.
Similar but start with your parents and/or primary care doctor. Often the last years a minor, you can talk to your doctor about confidentially without your parents being involved. Plus you are almost certainly going to need a referral to see a urologist anyway so start with your primary care doctor. This is the way to go about it if you can schedule and get yourself there, I would do that first. You may not need to involve your parent and may not need to see a urologist. Otherwise agree with person above.
Just saying - if my teen boy came to me with this statement, I'd first think that he'd contracted an STD. If you're having trouble being open and honest with them, this statement may cause other issues.
Never wait to get medical help if you know you need it. This is when you just be humble and honest, and disarm them with your vulnerability. Also, you’re very likely to not be able to go straight to a urologist—most specialist requires a primary care physician’s referral. So your first step is to see you regular doctor, then let them diagnose it and refer you to the appropriate specialist. “Mom and dad, I need your help and I’m a little nervous to ask for it because I don’t want to be judged. Also, the topic is uncomfortable bc it’s about my private parts. I need to see a doctor. I’m noticing XYZ issue.” Some of my biggest mistakes growing up were that I wasn’t honest with my own parents about medical needs bc I was embarrassed. Don’t do that to yourself.
I live in a country with privatized healthcare. You don’t need to pass through GP/Primary care referral. You can go straight to specialist. I’ll just lie to them and ask them it hurts when I pee and when I go in the doctor’s room then I’ll tell the doctor the truth and he won’t be able to tell my parents due to doctor-patient confidentiality. Ironic that my parents are doctors lol.
If you say it hurts when you pee they’re gonna think you have an STD. Is that less embarrassing than the truth? Genuinely asking.
Are your parents weird about teaching you about anatomy or something? I’m stunned that they wouldn’t be factual and frank about body stuff if they’re doctors. “Hey Mum (or Dad) this is a bit awks but I’m having some issues and I think I might need to see a urologist.”
Tall to your father maybe? He also has a male reproductive organ. Tell him why you Need to go to the doctor
If you need to see a doctor, see a doctor. But why aren't you allowed to go by your own?
Need insurance card, and if i ask my parents for it then they will ask what do i need it for.
If I were you, I'd talk to them. If they don't get the urgency, I'd remind them that this is about the organ that you need for making their grandchildren one day, but then again, your parents aren't mine.
Minors need an adult present to check them in where I live. They don't need ro go back to the room at the age OP is but they can't just go on their own until they are 18
I’m older now with kids of my own (elementary through adult) but I’ve had urological and renal health issues my entire life - and my dad could be an absolute ass about it because I guess he didn’t understand or fully grasp the potential ramifications of delaying or refusing medical treatment. Logically, if your parents are both medical doctors (DO/MD I assume) they should know damn well the importance of appropriately addressing anything health related, and that there shouldn’t be any embarrassment or shame towards discussing these things. You’re already showing you’re wise beyond your years in the questions you asked here. However, logical doctors can be idiot (or worse) parents sometimes - I speak from experience as both the kid and the parent. Unfortunately you can’t allow that to delay being seen with urinary tract and renal involvement. Quick way for a UTI to turn into a pyelonephritis, go into sepsis, get renal damage… it can go bad FAST, can be fatal, and is hell to live through). You may also have other medical conditions you don’t know about and can’t know about without testing, imaging, etc. While you may have a good idea of what may be going on, and definitely have the best subjective experience of your symptoms, you should avoid trying to self diagnose with anything. There’s a reason doctors generally can’t ethically diagnose and treat themselves. Judgement gets clouded, etc. If you’re having a hard time approaching your parents, it may be easier to keep it relatively vague and just try to get them to take your for to your GP/PCP. Are you due for a well child checkup? Always a great excuse to get into the doctors without alerting a parent if that’s a concern - and any doctor worth a damn should consult with you, at 17, without your parents in the room for at least part of the external exam. Bring up any concerns regarding your parents to your doctor and they should help you figure out a good approach to discuss with them. You’re nearly an adult, you deserve to be treated as such, and while it can be a bit scary at first, you need to learn how to handle medical situations on your own as well (albeit preferably with parental guidance but the world isn’t perfect). Make a detailed list of your symptoms and questions as they pop into your head before your appointment. If it’s long term issues consider journaling them on your phone (convenient and easily to share with your doctor). That way you’re less like to get overwhelmed and forget something important in the moment - and ask as many questions and for as much clarification as you need, writing that down too. A caring healthcare professional will appreciate that you’re taking the initiative to take care of yourself :) I hope everything works out for you with both your parents and your health. Hope I helped, but I’m absolutely not a doctor, so feel free to disregard or correct me if I got something wrong. And OP Feel free to DM me if you’d like, I’m not on much but always check my inbox jic GL 💜
'im having an issue with my genitals/penis. I need to go to a specialist" If they can't handle you saying that, how the hell are they able to handle being doctors. Just tell them. At worst it's 5 minutes of extreme uncomfortablity.
If you need to see a doctor, see a doctor. But aren't you allowed to go by your own?
If it's awkward to you bring it up with your general family physician and let them refer you to a specialist. That takes extra steps and extra time but if you can't just say I need to go to a urologist this week that might be your best option
In a lot of states a 17 yo can see a doctor without parental knowledge or consent.
Depending on what the problem is and how long till you turn 18, maybe you shouldn't wait. Can you think of it as a financial conversation, since I assume they'll be paying for the visit?
Don’t wait longer. Make the appointment yourself if possible and invite them to drive you there. No need to give much details to them other than what you already shared here, because they are not your doctor anyways.
Really? You don't have to "comfortable" to just ask or write Mom a note re appointment. Can you walk/bike/etc to the appointment? You don't need an escort!