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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Sweaty Feet

Because we normally wear shoes, the sweat from the foot cannot evaporate normally. This sweat rapidly becomes smelly because bacteria…

Sweaty Hands

Sweaty hands are annoying and embarrassing, particularly if you use a computer keyboard or your sweat smudges ink and wets…

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Syphilis is caused by infection with a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. There are…

Tattoos

Having a tattoo you hate used to be a real problem. Until lasers became widely accessible, it was very difficult…

It is a good idea to examine your testicles (testes) regularly, so that you become familiar with your own anatomy….

If your testicles feel itchy, it is probably the scrotum that is itching – the bag of skin that contains…

Often, the scrotum or testicle is not swollen, but there is a dull, throbbing pain or discomfort on one side…

The testicles (testes) are factories for making sperm, and the scrotum is like an air-cooled radiator that keeps the testicles…

It is important that all lumps within your scrotum, on or alongside your testicle are examined by a doctor. Even…

Some people have a testicle on only one side. On the other side, the testicle is completely missing or it…

An injection that contains a hormone to prevent pregnancy 94% effective Lasts for 13 weeks Can be given in a…

Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a single hormone There are different types of the hormone progestogen in different pills Older or…

Thinning of the Hair

If you think your hair is thinning, although you do not have any real baldness, it is important to check…

Thread Veins

Thread veins are tiny veins that appear most commonly on the cheeks, nose and legs. Small thread veins are red,…

Thickened, ugly nails are common – up to 10% of the population have infected toenails – but can be very…

Tongue Problems

In the olden days, doctors were very keen on asking patients to put out their tongue and made all sorts…

Too Much Saliva

You may be surprised to learn that we each produce about 2–3 pints (1.5 litres) of saliva a day. We…

Tooth Grinding

Grinding your teeth together when you are asleep is surprisingly common. Most teeth-grinders are unaware that they do it and…

Total Hair Loss

Hair loss is a side effect of some chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Although this is very distressing, at least the…

Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) TV is less common in the UK than other STIs It…

Twitching Eyes

Uncontrollable twitching of the muscles round the eyes is called blepharospasm or myokymia. Only the eyelid may be affected, or…

Incontinence is leakage of urine from the bladder. It can happen to anyone at any age but is more common…

Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence is the unwanted or accidental leakage of urine from the bladder. Many refer to it as ‘loss of bladder…

On average, about 1–2 litres (2–3.5 pints) of urine are produced by the kidneys every day. Most people do not…

Incontinence (leakage of urine) is not just a women’s problem. Plenty of men have difficulty controlling their urine. 5% of…

You may think that if you have leakage of urine then you just have to put up with the problem,…

Your doctor or continence adviser may suggest any of the following options: If your main problem is stress incontinence, in…

Urination Shyness

Some women and men find it difficult to urinate in the presence of other men. They cannot urinate in a…

Urine

Your urine is made by the kidneys and stored in the bladder. The kidneys act as a filter, draining the…

The vagina is a tube connecting the uterus (womb) to the outside. At the top is the cervix, which is…