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I've been posting on here for yonks, although not recently, and have both a query and a request. First, the query. Is it really true that more men than women suffer from AP? Second, the request. I wish that men (for it is usually the men) wouldn't post this fact (assuming it is one) into women's posts. New women find this message board, find the courage to post about their problem but in getting an answer are often hearing that it is more common in men...this could make some women feel that they are even more feakish than they already might be feeling. So, my request is...please don't mention that it might be more unusual in women (assuming it is) as it really has nothing to do with the women's issues as I see it. OK, rant over, and I'm sorry if I upset anyone. Just had to get it off my chest.
ps: Andrew, I don't think I've ever seen you do this in a post....
Are there more men than women with this condition?
Posted by Andrew on 7/1/2011, 1:39 pm, in reply to "A query & a request" Message modified by board administrator 7/1/2011, 1:42 pm
Hi Lusy and others
I explain it like this.
I categorise people roughly into severe, moderate and mild cases. Note this is in terms of where they can go, NOT in terms of its effect on their self-esteem etc.
Severe cases can go only at home, and even then can be inhibited by the presence of others. I repeat: they cannot use public toilets and normally cannot manage others' houses, except perhaps for the house of one friend or a family member.
Moderate cases can go in domestic situations most of the time, but struggle in public cubicles.
Mild cases can go in public cubicles most of the time, but struggle to use urinals.
From this I hope it is obvious that women can fall only into the moderate and severe categories. That suggests that there would be fewer women, because you would not have the equivalent of the mild male cases.
Having said that, it is much more common for womens' cubicles to have queues compared to male cubicles; such queues being an added pressure and a common trigger for inhibition. So that would increase the number of women by an unknown amount.
Two things fall out of this.
1. For a mild male case to say that women have it easier because they can use cubicles may be OK from his point of view, but try telling that to a moderate male case, who struggles to use a cubicle.
2. As you all know, the impact of this condition is twofold: the physical discomfort when not able to relieve oneself, and the mental anguish that follows from this and burdens you 24/7. This mental anguish is the same whatever category you are in and whatever gender you are.
So thank you Lusy for raising this point.
cheers
Andrew
Re: Are there more men than women with this condition?
(this posting has been moved here from another thread on behalf of Jane - Andrew)
The Urology nurse at the hospital told me that this problem is very much more common in men. Given that men have less privacy in public toilets than women this doesn't seem surprising. I feel that fact that there seem to be fewer known female sufferers, and therefore fewer female posters on this board, is better acknowledged.
I will try to check the board more often as I'm aware it can be discouraging if someone doesn't get any response, especially if it is their first contact. Whether men or women, we all share much the same feelings and problems so it is great to have this forum - thank you Andrew and all concerned.
Jane
Re: A query & a request
Posted by Margaret on 11/1/2011, 11:45 am, in reply to "A query & a request"
Hi Lusy, It's a long time since I spoke to you. Nice to hear you are still going strong.It doesn't hurt anybody to have a rant! I think there are plenty of women with this problem but perhaps because we have an enclosed toilet to use, men think it is not as difficult for us. However, Andrew and co are very helpful and I am sure they have helped many women since I last saw them. When I first met Andrew I was the only woman present and he did wonders at making me feel at ease. So, to any woman thinking of going to a workshop, take the chance , you will feel loads better about yourself.