(BPT) - Secret bottles in the medicine cabinet? Frequent trips to the bathroom? Moodiness, fatigue or changes in social behavior?

Everyone has secrets – that’s no surprise. But whether little or big, secrets can make a real difference in quality of life. When it comes to women keeping their health issues to themselves, the effects can be unnecessary, turning something potentially treatable into a misery to live with. By speaking up about those secret health issues, women can make their lives much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Health is a highly personal subject by nature, but there are experiences that almost all women share. Discussing what you’re going through, or even what you don’t understand, with friends, family and, most importantly, your doctor can lead to greater understanding and better treatment solutions. Within families, it’s particularly important for women to talk about their health, as many issues are genetic and carry over from generation to generation.