(ARA) – A new year is here and for many baby boomer women, thatmeans getting back on track with their health and wellness – eatingright, exercising and scheduling those overdue doctor’sappointments. However, a new survey reveals that boomer women maynot be so quick to dial their doctor when it comes to issues withtheir personal health.

Only 16 percent of baby boomer women are likely to discuss ataboo topic with a physician. Additionally, more than two-thirdsare less likely to seek out a physician if they consider theircondition to be a “normal part of aging,” according to the TENABoomer Women’s Health Survey, conducted by TENA, the leader inincontinence products and services.

In 2011, the first of the 77 million baby boomers will turn 65years old. More than half of them are women, who as they age, mayfind themselves experiencing new and sometimes uncomfortableconditions which they consider to be a “normal part of aging.” Manyof the personal health conditions that baby boomer women mayexperience however, such as bladder weakness and low sex drive, arenot symptoms of aging and most can be managed with the help of aphysician.

Once boomer women are in the doctor’s office, the stigma doesn’tcease. the survey also found that over one quarter of women feltuncomfortable, embarrassed or judged when they discussed a personalhealth issue with their physician. furthermore, although bladderweakness and low sex drive ranked as the top two most embarrassingconditions to discuss with doctors, the same two conditions alsoranked as the issues that were brought up the least byphysicians.

“If doctors aren’t asking and patients aren’t speaking up, thenwomen may needlessly suffer for years with what may in fact be amanageable condition,” says Dr. Cynthia Hall, MD, FACOG, Founderand Director of the Center for Women’s Continence and Pelvic Healthat Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “I often have to coax informationout of my patients to identify problems they may be experiencing,so I know that it is especially important that doctors spark theconversation because their patients may be embarrassed or reluctantto.”

Nervous about talking to your doctor about your symptoms at yournext check up? Here are some tips from TENA on communicating openlyand honestly with your doctor:

Don’t be timid, be tenacious: Talking about taboo healthconditions, such as bladder weakness, can be hard, but you deserveto live your life free from symptoms that hold you back. Speakingup about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing will help yourdoctor help you to manage your condition. Not ready to talk to yourdoctor yet? Work your way up by confiding in a friend or familymember.

Do your homework: doing some research before your appointmentcould go a long way in helping you identify your condition andmanagement options that you can ask your doctor about. Not surewhere to start? Check out betenacious.net for information onthe causes and symptoms of some common conditions that womenexperience, such as bladder weakness.

Take notes: Keep track of your symptoms and the times when theyare most prevalent and bring those notes with you when you visityour doctor. If you get nervous, having notes there will help youstay on topic and remember the little details. Also, having notesto share with your doctor will provide more background on thecondition – they may notice patterns that could indicate triggersor causes of your condition.

For more information about and results from the TENA BoomerWomen’s Health Survey, visit betenacious.net.