Unexpected, embarrassing public situations (erection, gas, period, vomiting)

[Tasaio]

I haven't suffered all the above situations (I'm male, so a period is definately out). However, I think most people have suffered some of the above.

I made a thread about dealing with gas which got some very helpful responses. Most of them dealt preemptive solutions, though--not for dealing with sudden bouts of unexpected gas like when, say, writing a uni. exam. Someone suggested Ovol, which I'll try.

For those of us who are male, an erection is a problem that crops up at the most inoppurtune times. Such as, when you're about to give a speech in front of a televised audience... Pinching yourself into submission can help, but it's not exactly inconspicuous. And erections usually seem reluctant to go away quickly. I think they can be a natural reaction to nervousness.

I'm not female, so I can't comment on what to do when confronted with a period unexpectedly. In public school we watched a video, which suggested that you rush up and tell the teacher your problem () and be completely forthcoming with the problem. I'm not sure if most women would agree.

Then there are embarassing reactions to illness--coughing uncontrollably and unable to stop (very embarassing if in a uni. lecture!), sneezing all over your date, or vomiting in public--such as at an expensive restaurant, or on the Japanese Prime Minister.

I would like to hear how other people deal with these notorious, but sometimes unavoidable, situations. My general strategy has been to became less uptight, less stressed, and more educated on how the body works. What I keep telling myself is "Eveyone has suffered these problems, from the most intelligent scientist to the most regal queen. You aren't alone."

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Tasaio

I think they can be a natural reaction to nervousness.

You are .... a little strange.

[Jennihul]

I'm not sure I have ever met anyone who worried or cared about this stuff.

Jennifer

[freedomclub]

Well let's see

1.) Farts - it happens. If I lean over in class or something and I fart I just say absolutely nothing and time keeps on moving.

2.) Erections - unless I'm in a bathing suit or sweat pants I'm not normally too concerned. Haven't been in a pool in a while. Don't stare at tits on the beach I guess...why go to the beach then?

3.) Vomiting? - you're too nervous if that's a problem

[Kaspian]

I once vomited in the pit orchestra while playing for a musical. As the nausea increased, I kept trying to convince myself that I'd be okay and that walking out in the middle of the show was not. As it was, I had to walk out anyway, and the distraction made the conductor miss her cue to start the love song. Since then, I have become much more willing to leave if I'm not feeling well. At the time, I think I simply chose not to be embarrassed.

[bf1983]

What an odd post!

Would be interested to hear of somebody who experienced all these ailments simultaneously..

Brian

[WealthyAndContent]

Sounds like a great e book...

[SunnKali]

Never had to worry about the erection thing. Nor gas problems that I can remember.

I've had a few embarassments with unexpected periods, but never stressed over it. Going up to your male boss and explaining to him why you need to go home to change isn't fun though. I just will never purchase white/really light colored pants or skirts until I'm through menopause.

He forgot about one -- leaky chests when breastfeeding. Especially leaking while at work. When pads weren't enough, I got these plastic things that collected the leaks. I sorta felt like wonder woman when I wore those. Having a spare bra and top at work also helped.

On another board I visit, a girl is having a real problem with fairly frequent vomiting (couple times a week and can be at home, or while out) and she can't seem to resolve it or find out what the underlying issue is. It is affecting her life in a bad way.

[bf1983]

I'm just grateful I don't have any of these issues to worry about.

I know it's easy to make light of them but in all seriousness I know they can have a dramatic impact on people's lives.

I'm no doctor (go figure) but I think diet and exercise have to be the root cause of a lot of these things or at least a contributing factor.

Brian

[Rick Abelson]

Does anyone have the problem where you feel a slight internal scratching around your sternum area that gets stronger and stronger and stronger until this..this..this. I don't know what it is pokes his bloody, ugly head out of your chest? That is soooo embarassing!! Don't you just hate that?

[Alison Jenkins]

You know lots of people have major fears over things like these happening - so much so that it curtails their lives. I work with many people who can not handle normal bodily functions and feel so much shame and humiliation when they occur. These are very real problems if you feel these feelings over them and certainly not trivial.

I've seen a man have an erection at the pool in speedos and let's just say they didn't cover him. I know women who have experienced suddenly flooding out in public, incontinence issues and someone even got fired for her wind problem! As for vomiting you only need to ask a women who has had severe morning sickness to know how unexpected that can be.

The fear tends to arise in people who worry about what other people think about them.

Great post and thanks for bringing some of these issues out as there will be people reading these posts who suffer and need to know they are not alone

Alison

[Jennihul]

Originally Posted by Alison Jenkins

You know lots of people have major fears over things like these happening - so much so that it curtails their lives. I work with many people who can not handle normal bodily functions and feel so much shame and humiliation when they occur. These are very real problems if you feel these feelings over them and certainly not trivial.

Like the woman who rooted herself to her toilet seat because of her phobias?

Woman sits on boyfriend's toilet for 2 years - More health news - MSNBC.com

Whatever it takes, get over it. Seriously. Life is fun. It's too short to worry about humiliation in any form.

Jennifer

[bf1983]

It's okay to say "get over it" but some of these problems are more than just phobias - they are deep-seated medical conditions that often bely serious conditions.

[Lauxa]

The main thing to remember is if your bodily fluids get on other people's stuff, you have to let them know about it and offer to help clean it up or possibly replace it. It is way worse to try to conceal it because of embarrassment. Trust me.

I also like reading about others' experiences with this kind of stuff, they are usually so hilarious, sometimes I can even catch a wee glimpse of humor when it happens to me...

[Natsu]

I have never had such huge problems, but when I've had, I have just acted naturally.

As for the periods, they are something natural. I've never had a "flashy" one, but if I had, I wouldn't be afraid of admitting it. However, I always have reserves of sanitary towels, and the pill controls the timing quite precisely, so there's no problem about it.

About farting, the vast majority of that problem vanished when I stopped eating legumes. Not drinking soda or gas-filled beverages also helps. But we're human, and still the odd one will appear. Something that works is breathing heavily. Smell your own smell. Somehow, it filters the air and and people rarely notice. Unless you are suffering from a chain-reaction, in which case you ought to run to the toilet. Unless you are in an exam or some really nasty situation, in which case there's the last chance of acting like if you hadn't notice. In public, no one can know who did.

If you are with just one person, just admit it and apologize. Your honesty will be praised, and after all, the other one already knows it was you, so apologize and that's all.

About the pukes... They've been so uncommon since my puberty that I don't give them much importance, however they can be really nasty, so it must be bad to have such a problem. I think it's more disgusting than everything else.

Erections. Oh, well, tolerant people will just look aside, as long as the victim wasn't looking at 5-year-olds

Weird thread, by the way.

[Vasilisa]

Should it be the problem? Unexpected erection -well, you are a man, is there anything to be embarassed about? I mean, when a person can't get one then it becomes a problem, not vise versa.
Period - again it's just a part of being a woman.
Gas and vomiting though can be the sign of some kind of gastroenterological dysfunction. It's better to check it.
But if vomiting is caused by morning sicknesses - it' s natural again. I don't see a reason to be embarassed about it.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Tasaio

I haven't suffered all the above situations (I'm male, so a period is definately out). However, I think most people have suffered some of the above.

I made a thread about dealing with gas which got some very helpful responses. Most of them dealt preemptive solutions, though--not for dealing with sudden bouts of unexpected gas like when, say, writing a uni. exam. Someone suggested Ovol, which I'll try.

For those of us who are male, an erection is a problem that crops up at the most inoppurtune times. Such as, when you're about to give a speech in front of a televised audience... Pinching yourself into submission can help, but it's not exactly inconspicuous. And erections usually seem reluctant to go away quickly. I think they can be a natural reaction to nervousness.

I'm not female, so I can't comment on what to do when confronted with a period unexpectedly. In public school we watched a video, which suggested that you rush up and tell the teacher your problem () and be completely forthcoming with the problem. I'm not sure if most women would agree.

Then there are embarassing reactions to illness--coughing uncontrollably and unable to stop (very embarassing if in a uni. lecture!), sneezing all over your date, or vomiting in public--such as at an expensive restaurant, or on the Japanese Prime Minister.

I would like to hear how other people deal with these notorious, but sometimes unavoidable, situations. My general strategy has been to became less uptight, less stressed, and more educated on how the body works. What I keep telling myself is "Eveyone has suffered these problems, from the most intelligent scientist to the most regal queen. You aren't alone."

Interesting, maybe.

Wrong sub-forum, definitely.