Survey: British women trust Internet more than doctors
>> Monday, May 28, 2012
A quarter of U.K. women have misdiagnosed themselves because they feel more comfortable consulting Google than their doctor about embarrassing health issues.
That's the finding of a survey of 1,000 women commissioned by Balance Activ, a maker of feminine health products, in honor of National BV Day on 18 April.
That's the finding of a survey of 1,000 women commissioned by Balance Activ, a maker of feminine health products, in honor of National BV Day on 18 April.
BV, or
bacterial vaginosis, is a prevalent disease among British women that if misdiagnosed and left untreated can lead to miscarriage, premature births and infertility. BV can also cause a greater risk of contracting pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The survey found that women are twice as likely to check online about health issue before they go to the doctor or even talk with a friend or their mother.
However, misdiagnosing themselves and prescribing the wrong medicine has, for 10 percent of women, not only delayed getting the correct treatment but also caused unpleasant side effects. If they have diagnosed themselves online, 45 percent of women do not ever check with a pharmacist to see if the medicine they are buying is the correct treatment for the disorder they believe they have.
Women most commonly turn to the medical knowledge offered by the Internet when they are concerned about sleeping, anxiety, headaches, depression and cramps. They are most likely to misdiagnose themselves as having breast or other types of cancer, thrush, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, sexual health problems, diabetes or thyroid issues.
Women participating in the survey revealed two primary reasons for preferring the Internet to their doctor.
Three-quarters said they aren't comfortable talking about some health issues with even family and friends, and half said they would try to help themselves first if they were embarrassed about a health issue. Thirty percent also said that waiting times discouraged them from seeing the doctor.
The survey found that women are twice as likely to check online about health issue before they go to the doctor or even talk with a friend or their mother.
However, misdiagnosing themselves and prescribing the wrong medicine has, for 10 percent of women, not only delayed getting the correct treatment but also caused unpleasant side effects. If they have diagnosed themselves online, 45 percent of women do not ever check with a pharmacist to see if the medicine they are buying is the correct treatment for the disorder they believe they have.
Women most commonly turn to the medical knowledge offered by the Internet when they are concerned about sleeping, anxiety, headaches, depression and cramps. They are most likely to misdiagnose themselves as having breast or other types of cancer, thrush, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, sexual health problems, diabetes or thyroid issues.
Women participating in the survey revealed two primary reasons for preferring the Internet to their doctor.
Three-quarters said they aren't comfortable talking about some health issues with even family and friends, and half said they would try to help themselves first if they were embarrassed about a health issue. Thirty percent also said that waiting times discouraged them from seeing the doctor.
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