Reading Time: 4 minutes First the Facts An intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped, plastic device with copper on the stem and sometimes also the arms Copper is toxic to sperm and Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts An intrauterine system (IUS) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that sits inside the womb Also known as the ‘hormonal coil’ Over 99% effective Prevents pregnancy by Read more
Reading Time: 5 minutes First the Facts There is a possibility of pregnancy when eggs, tubes and sperm are healthy In any one cycle, if all factors are optimal, there is about a 25% Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts Sterilisation can be performed on those with a penis (vasectomy) and those with a uterus and Fallopian tubes (tubal ligation). It works by stopping the egg and Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts An injection that contains a hormone to prevent pregnancy 94% effective Lasts for 13 weeks Can be given in a specialist clinic or by yourself at home Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a single hormone There are different types of the hormone progestogen in different pills Older or traditional POPs are used less frequently for Read more
Reading Time: 5 minutes First the Facts Vaginal diaphragms and cervical caps are both types of barrier contraception that fit inside the vagina. The physical barrier prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Anogenital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) They are small painless lumps/bumps that grow on the skin Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You cannot get BV if you have a penis. Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts Balanitis is a condition which can cause inflammation of the end of the penis The penis may appear red and feel sore It is usually caused by Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK There are often no symptoms of chlamydia infection; many people do not know they have Read more
Reading Time: 4 minutes First the Facts Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) Herpes can also affect the face and cause ‘cold sores’ Herpes is caused by ‘herpes simplex virus’ (HSV) Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) Cases of gonorrhoea are increasing in the UK and often co-exist with other STIs (such as chlamydia) It is Read more
Reading Time: 4 minutes First the Facts HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus which damages the immune system It is possible to have HIV and not to have any Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Molluscum contagiosum is a common poxvirus infection that causes spots on the skin of both children and adults. It is generally harmless and in most cases will Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Any or all of these parts may be affected. It may or may Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection It can affect both men and women It is usually easily treated with a short course of antifungal medication It Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Pubic lice are common in the UK. Anyone can get pubic lice; they have nothing to do with poor bodily hygiene and are not always spread through Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Syphilis is caused by infection with a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. There are different stages of infection, usually starting with Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) TV is less common in the UK than other STIs It is possible to have TV and not Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes First the Facts Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection It can affect both women and men Usually easily treated with a short course of antifungal medication It is not Read more
Reading Time: 6 minutes First the Facts Female urogenital problems are common in association with lack of the hormone estrogen. This is most commonly due to the menopause, but it can also occur postnatally Read more
Reading Time: 7 minutes First the Facts Menopause signifies the end of reproductive life, as a result of ovarian failure (ovaries have a predicted lifespan of approximately 50 years).This is usually a gradual process, Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes First the Facts Most women of reproductive age (with a hormone cycle) experience some degree of premenstrual irritability. 5–8% of women have a much more severe disorder, also related to Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Itching is a distressing symptom. A survey of people with eczema showed that they minded more about the itching than about the appearance of their skin. There are lots of Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr Paula Briggs is a Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health based at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. Paula qualified from the University of Glasgow in 1987. She trained as Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr Anna Cantlay BMBS BMEDSCI MRCGP DFSRH DRCOG DOCCMED is a London GP with a specialist interest in women health, care of the elderly and preventative health. In addition to Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Fiona Elliott (Nurse Consultant, EN, RGN, BSc (Hons), INP, Cert Ed) has worked in Dermatology for 30 years in a variety of roles. She works in primary care for the Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr Gush is a GP partner in South Wales, UK. She attended Oxford University and King’s College in London before completing her junior doctor in London and Surrey. She did Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes Dr Victoria Harmer is a Consultant nurse, breast care at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. She manages 9 nurse specialists and is heavily involved in service delivery and improvement for Read more
Reading Time: 6 minutes Cosmetic surgery is booming. Americans spent more than $12 billion on over 10 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures such as Botox in 2014 (data from the American Society for Read more
Reading Time: 6 minutes Before the Consultation Do a bit of research before you see your doctor. Websites like this one will help you realize that your problem is very common and nothing to Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Uncontrollable twitching of the muscles round the eyes is called blepharospasm or myokymia. Only the eyelid may be affected, or the sufferer may keep blinking and closing the eyes repeatedly, Read more
Reading Time: 4 minutes We all have mouth ulcers occasionally. The medical term for them is aphthous ulcers. They are round, painful sores inside the mouth, which interfere with eating and toothbrushing because of Read more
Reading Time: 6 minutes In the olden days, doctors were very keen on asking patients to put out their tongue and made all sorts of diagnoses from its appearance. It is true that some Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes You may be surprised to learn that we each produce about 2–3 pints (1.5 litres) of saliva a day. We are usually unaware of it because we swallow it without Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes Thread veins are tiny veins that appear most commonly on the cheeks, nose and legs. Small thread veins are red, but larger ones look purplish. They have many names, including: Read more
Reading Time: 5 minutes When Stammering Occurs Stammering (stuttering) usually starts in childhood – between the ages of 3 and 5 – but most children grow out of it without any special treatment. About Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Snoring is very common and is more likely the older you are. Snoring may be a sign of disturbed sleep, meaning you are less alert during the day. Lots of Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes Snoring is not a disease. In fact, it is so common that one could argue that it is almost normal. Sleep Apnoea Loud snoring, however, may be a sign that Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes When we are awake, the muscles of the throat hold the throat open, so that air passes in smoothly as we breathe. During sleep, these muscles relax and the throat Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes There is no shortage of ‘cures’, for snoring (over 300 anti-snoring devices have been registered at the USA patent office alone), but in many cases self-help is effective. Lose weight Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes Treatments Consult your doctor and dentist if you have tried the self-help approaches without success. You should also see your doctor if nostril dilators have relieved the problem, because it Read more
Reading Time: 3 minutes What Is Shaving Rash Shaving rash is a common problem for men, or for women who shave their bikini-line pubic hair. The medical term is ‘pseudofolliculitis barbae’ or ‘sycosis barbae’; Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes Some people just naturally have a reddish face. Of course, if you work in the open air, you may acquire a weathered, red, jolly-farmer face, especially if you are naturally Read more
Reading Time: 5 minutes One of the most common causes of a red face is a skin disorder called ‘rosacea’. Estimates of the prevalence of rosacea in fair-skinned populations range from 2 to 22%. Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes Grinding your teeth together when you are asleep is surprisingly common. Most teeth-grinders are unaware that they do it and find out only because their partner complains. When they wake Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes What Can Be Done in Tiny Babies In a lot of cases, sticking-out ears are evident at birth, so can be dealt with straight away. The gristle (cartilage) of a Read more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cold sores often begin with a tingling or burning sensation before tiny blisters start on or near the lips. A cold sore is usually gone within a week or two Read more
Reading Time: 2 minutes Keep out of wind as much as possible. If you ride a bike, wrap a scarf around the lower part of your face. Use sunblock if you find sunshine provokes Read more