[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 17 Dec 2002 14:44:57: Candidal Balano-posthitis.
As an answer to: Re: Candidal Balantis. written by Jim at 17 Dec 2002 03:53:15:
> Paul, shouldn't the dermatologist have known there would be side-effects like this?
True enough, but medical prescribing is in many cases, and for many doctors, a "suck it and see" matter.
> With the commonness of the complication in women, why aren't they suggesting therapy to combat the candida overgrowth which almost always occurs?
Specialists in particular, may certainly have some tendency to trivialise such things - indeed, this is to some extent an extension of the "denial" extended to matters sexual. "Sure, women get thrush!", but that's just the sort of things that happen to women, like periods, isn't it? Tough luck, as it were.
And I surely need not observe that if foreskins are already uncommon in a given area, this presentation will in itself be uncommon.
Perhaps the dermatologist considers acne, and the odd case of Candidiasis referred to him when it appears unresponsive to treatment, as two entirely different presentations, unconnected. And perhaps if he does not ask, or as I might do, invite people to come back and report any problems, then they do not - even reporting such things to their family doctor instead - who just as likely gives the treatment and fixes the problem, possibly without the patient or him(her)self realising the cause.
Given that if you tell people what the problems might be, you generally will cause more of them to notice the side effects, you can make some case for not explaining them all. If as I say, you cover it with the blanket statement "there may indeed be side effects, but most are quite minor and temporary, so if you are particularly worried about something you feel is a side effect, come and discuss it with me.", then that is probably a reasonable disclaimer.