The section ‘Embarrassing Problems’ provides information on a range of personal health matters that some people may initially find hard to discuss. Our editors and physicians are combining their expertise to deliver relevant, reliable, and high-quality reads for those concerned with health problems. Embarrassing Problems provides guidance, and helps to take the next steps towards diagnosis and treatment. It will offer advice whether a visit to the pharmacy or a doctor’s appointment is necessary.
The information presented here is not intended to replace the face-to-face consultation that we believe to be necessary for the accurate diagnosis of a medical condition and its subsequent management.
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Most women’s nipples protrude (stick out) about 5–10 mm. They can become about 10 mm longer and 2–3 mm wider…
If you think you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not alone. More than 1 in 10 people are…
Snoring is not a disease. In fact, it is so common that one could argue that it is almost normal….
Itching is a distressing symptom. A survey of people with eczema showed that they minded more about the itching than…
If the simple measures given in itching: what you can do, do not control the itching, you should see your…
Is there anything to see? Maybe there is a rash that is red and/or scaly, or maybe there are itchy…
Break the scratching habit. You know you are doing it but cannot stop. This is quite a common problem. We…
If your nipples are itchy, scaly and cracked, you may have eczema. The itching can make this an embarrassing condition….
Jock itch is usually an itchy rash in the fold of skin in the groin. In men, the skin fold…
Disproportionately large breasts can worry some women. They can cause backache, and the pressure from bra straps may cause grooves…
‘Liver spots’ are like large freckles on the backs of the hands. They are sometimes also called ‘age spots’, but…
Even if your incontinence cannot be cured completely, it need not make your life a misery. There are lots of…
Many women have one breast bigger than the other – it is just as common as having one foot bigger…
Sometimes we look at our bodies in a new light, and notice things that we have never seen before, and…
The main lump in the vagina is the cervix (neck of the womb). This projects into the far end of…
Most men eventually lose hair at the sides of the forehead. This mainly occurs at or after middle age, but…
Menopause signifies the end of reproductive life, as a result of ovarian failure (ovaries have a predicted lifespan of approximately…
Molluscum contagiosum is a common poxvirus infection that causes spots on the skin of both children and adults. It is…
We all have mouth ulcers occasionally. The medical term for them is aphthous ulcers. They are round, painful sores inside…
Ridges and grooves in the nails – lengthways or crossways – may be unsightly but are nothing to worry about….
You can take comfort from the fact that a lot of people are struggling with this habit. After seeing close-ups…
There is a possibility of pregnancy when eggs, tubes and sperm are healthy In any one cycle, if all factors…
Nipple discharge is usually harmless and does not signify anything seriously wrong. In fact, most women can squeeze some discharge…
Almost all women have tender, painful breasts at some time during their life. If you suffer from regular pain, ask…
Any of the causes of vulval itching may cause actual pain if they are severe (see section on vulval itching)….
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Any or all of these parts…
Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection It can affect both men and women It is usually easily treated with…
An absolutely straight penis is unusual – most have a slight curve when erect. But this should not be more…
The hole at the end of the penis is the opening of the urethra (the tube for urine and semen…
It is quite common to notice an area of skin on the penis that looks different from the surrounding skin….