Ask The GloHealth Doctor – Your Health Questions Answered

Hi and thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you have been suffering like this over the past year. There are several possible reasons for this. If you are using condoms you may have a latex allergy. This can usually be solved by using latex-free condoms which are widely available. Using lubricant may also ease the uncomfortable sensation, particularly if you feel your vaginal area is quite dry.

The uncomfortable sensation you are having and the itch could be caused by thrush, and it is possible that your boyfriend has thrush but has no symptoms.  It would be important that both of you are treated if this is the case otherwise one will just reinfect the other. 

I do think at this stage that it would be a good idea to talk to your GP, as these symptoms have been present for over a year. Although it is unlikely with your symptoms to have an STI (sexually transmitted infection), it would be a possibility. A more detailed history, examination and possibly some tests may be required. I understand that you may feel embarrassed by your symptoms, but I can assure you that it is a very common symptom that GP's encounter regularly. 

I hope this information helps.  

Hi Doctor, I have been losing weight steadily since July and it really needed to be done! I am 5 foot 6 and I was 15 stone. I have lost two stone since and have been doing it myself just by cutting out the rubbish I was eating and trying to get out for a walk with the dog every evening. I would love to get down to maybe ten stone, I know by the BMI calculator that this would be an average weight for my height. However, I feel I’ve plateaued in the past month or so and haven’t actually seen a difference in the scales. Do I need to do something more at this stage or do you think this is just the weight I’m meant to be? Thank you.