Embarrassing! With these symptoms we prefer to go to Google rather than to the doctor

It itches, it stings, and it hurts. Unfortunately in places we don't really like to talk about. Neither with friends nor with doctors. It is better to google than to talk about these symptoms.

There are symptoms such as a headache or a sore throat that are not problematic. With that you go to the doctor. Other symptoms, on the other hand, are of a rather unpleasant nature – especially those that cause discomfort below the navel. Because this downstairs is still an absolute taboo subject. Although it should be just as natural to see a doctor for vaginal thrush as it should with migraine attacks, we feel ashamed and somehow dirty. Most of the problems that women have with our vagina or vulva have more to do with too much than too little hygiene. But there are other areas of the body and topics that we prefer to Dr. Asking Google only to end up diagnosing cancer, aneurysms and other incurable diseases in a panic, instead of just jumping over the shadows and asking a real doctor, as a new study shows.

And? Are you there too?

Lenstore's study analyzed over 100 common health ailments and filtered out the symptoms that are most googled.

The most popular complaints among Germans include:

  • constipation
  • Hair loss
  • Flatulence
  • Bad breath
  • Weight gain
  • Excessive sweating
  • Anal itching and vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal itching
  • Vaginal dryness

None of this is nice.

What else stands out:

  • diarrhea is most sought after worldwide, but also Panic attacks are right at the top of the ranking
  • In Germany the most common googles Fever, closely followed diarrhea and Sore throat
  • 82% of Germans google their symptoms before they see their doctor, 11% of the diseases remain undiagnosed
  • Almost 1/3 of Germans admit that they googled a health symptom in the past Self diagnosis has led that was worse than the actual diagnosis by the doctor

No, vaginal itching and the like are not a funny thing

But let's be honest, some diagnoses that we have made ourselves over the Internet are a bit strange. At least in retrospect. And of course we are also very good at first looking online to see what kind of eventualities we could face instead of going straight to the doctor and clarifying it. Basically we're looking for the all-clear and reassurance – it won't be that bad. Unfortunately, we usually get exactly the opposite, so that we end up sitting in the treatment chair. And every time we decide: No, fingers off the keyboard. It would of course be much easier if not only the shame, but also the long waiting times for an appointment, prevented us from going to the doctor. Just to make an appointment, you need a day off. And while you're in the various queues, you have a lot of time to google.