Embarrassing Illness

LegacyUser

So I'm a guy in his late twenties. Recently I was out of work and out of touch with friends because something happened to my genitalia so to speak. It was serious but also kind of embarrassing and only family know what really happened.

I am back in work this week and will see people I know and friends but don't know what I should say. People usually ask what was wrong when you're out sick but I dont think telling them what really happened is appropriate.

In a way I want to tell them so they know that I wasnt just out with the flu but also dont want to tell them because of the shame. I probably should lie to co workers and such but what about close friends? I dont feel right about lying to friends.

Put simply, would you, as a guy, tell another guy friend that you had an embarrassing illness associated with your genitalia?

iceman777

No way, I'd keep my mouth firmly shut.

It doesn't matter that it is to do with your genitalia, never tell co-workers or so-called friends (you said you're out of touch with them) those sorts of personal details, maybe trustworthy friends only.

All it takes is one person to say something and you have to deal with Chinese whispers and next thing you know it turns into something it is not.

And also, if it is genitalia related, any prospects of future partners that hear an inaccurate "story" are going to stay clear of you like the plague.

Neyite

Us girlies have to get things checked out from time to time so i know how you feel.

at the moment, im getting seen by a fertility doc, and there is no way that i want anyone at work to know, so I had a chat with my referring GP about certs/absences.

she basically said that medical info can be kept confidential - you doc can just put 'Medical Issue' on a cert, and if they pay you sick pay, then they do not necessarily need to know what is wrong - they can refer you to a company doctor, who in turn is only obliged to tell them that there is a genuine medical reason, but is under no obligation to disclose what it is without your permission, or unless you have signed a form with HR.

if a colleague asks you why you were out, I would either say politely 'its personal and I'd prefer not to discuss it' or you could pass it off as something like a groin injury from sports (but do your homework on that- if you are open to discuss it, then you need to be prepared for inevitable comparison stories) me, i would just say its personal.

tinkerbell

It's absolutely none of their business. If they ask, just say you were ill for a while but you are better now so all is good. And then ask what's been happening since you were off. You could just make up something if they keep asking if you don't feel comfortable saying "mind your own business". Why don't you just say you had chest infection / sinus infection / kidney infection? All of those illnesses it's perfectly believable that you were out for some time.

JonathanAnon

Did you not have to bring in a sick cert from the doctor?

cafecolour

You mean like an STD? I'd probably tell a few (very) close friends, and that'd be about it. Though, I'd tell my close friends before I told my family I caught an STD!

Or do you mean like testicular cancer (in which case I certainly would have no problem telling anyone)?

LegacyUser

I got a sick cert from the doctor but co workers are bound to ask "oh what was wrong".

Its not an STD by the way. If I did say something like "oh I just pulled my groin muscle" I wouldnt want people to think I took time off work for something so minor as what I had was relatively serious.