Sexual Health Week 2017 is the perfect time to remind yourself of the emotional and physical aspects of sexual health, including online treatments for sexual health concerns

Sexual Health Week 2017 marks the 10th annual week dedicated to improving knowledge surrounding sexual health. It’s an event run by the FPA: the Family Planning Association. This is a UK registered sexual health charity dedicated to giving clear information and support on sexual health and relationships.

The theme of Sexual Health Week 2017 is: ‘Let’s Talk Porn’

Sexual Health Week 2017 will focus on the impact of pornography on people’s perception of sexual activity and sexual health. The FPA want to use the week to encourage open conversation about subjects related to pornography, such as consent, communication, safe sex, body image and the ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality.

Research has shown that young people are coming into contact with sexually explicit content at a much younger age, and more than half of 11 to 16 year old boys think that pornography is a realistic depiction of sex. The FPA want to use Sexual Health Week 2017 to promote open-minded, positive and non-judgemental discussion which addresses the fact that porn is made to look good, not feel good.

To achieve this, the FPA are offering useful information for young people, including quizzes to determine the differences between actual sexual intercourse and pornography. They’ll also be giving away top tips for parents, teachers and health professionals so that they can feel confident having the conversation about sexual health with young people.

So what can you do? You can get involved by shouting about Sexual Health Week 2017 on social media using the hashtag #SHW17, and by obtaining your free resource pack from the FPA site.

It’s important to be aware of the physical aspects of sexual health, as well as the emotional ones

The physical aspects of sexual health are just as important as the emotional or psychological aspects. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a huge concern for anyone practicing sexual intercourse without the proper safety measures in place. Conditions like chlamydia, genital warts and herpes are still common in the UK, with almost 500,000 cases of STIs being diagnosed each year in England alone.

There are other physical aspects of sexual health to consider however, such as unwanted pregnancy. This is a common concern for men and women practicing heterosexual sex without a condom. Other factors like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, which can both be signs of underlying health concerns.

Online treatments for sexual health

Maintaining your sexual health is hugely important, but many people find discussing their concerns with a GP nerve-wracking or even embarrassing. Part of the role of Sexual Health Week is to emphasise the importance of getting the right help and advice from professionals – remembering that sex is a part of life and should not be off limits in conversation.

For those who want to be able to ask questions in a discreet fashion and receive fast answers, why not utilise Express Pharmacy’s Live Chat tool? You can also find many online treatments for sexual health concerns on our website, which can be prescribed and despatched without needing to visit a doctor or pharmacy in person. These prescriptions include treatment for both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. We also offer online treatments for sexual health in the form of emergency contraception, and even medication such as Norethisterone which can be used for period delay. Sexual Health Week 2017 is the perfect time to seek out the online treatments for sexual health you need, so don’t delay.

Get in touch with Express Pharmacy for fast treatment and reliable guidance on sexual health concerns

Seeking help for these kinds of concerns can be daunting, which is why Express Pharmacy offer discreet online treatments for sexual health. Contact us today via our Live Chat service, or by calling 0208 123 0703.

A huge 1 in 7 people live with regular migraines, leading to over 190,000 migraine attacks a day in the UK alone. This makes migraines the third most common disease in the world. It’s more prevalent than asthma, epilepsy and diabetes combined, and more than three quarters of people who have migraines experience them at least once a month.

It’s figures like these which show just how important an event like Migraine Awareness Week 2017 is, as we’re all bound to know someone who suffers from this extreme pain. We’re here to tell you a little more about migraines, and explain how to treat migraines and what you can do to get involved in this fantastic awareness event.

The information you need about how to treat migraines

You’d be forgiven for thinking that migraines are nothing more than strong headaches, but the truth is they’re a lot more severe than that. A migraine is a complex neurological disorder which is recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the most disabling lifestyle conditions, as many people suffer from migraines for years and feel the impact on their work, family and social lives. In fact, 25 million days of work or school are missed due to migraines every year in the UK. This costs £2.25 billion.

Although there is no one cause for migraines, an attack is often brought on by a range of factors including noise, light, stress, insomnia, dehydration, general inactivity and overexposure to computers and other screens. Symptoms include blurred vision, light sensitivity, nausea and insomnia alongside the obvious pressure and pain in the head.

Self-care is key to understanding how to treat migraines and make them more manageable. This includes taking the time to keep active through gentle stretches and exercises, and even activities like yoga and pilates. Adjusting light levels can also be helpful, as can reducing your temperature with a cold flannel. Many GPs advise that sufferers get into the habit of staying hydrated, and sometimes it’s even recommended that you visit a chiropractor as head pain can sometimes be linked to a spinal issue.

However, there is no definitive answer for how to treat migraines, and for some people it becomes a lifelong affliction. Yet despite how severe and debilitating migraines can be, very little is known about the disorder and awareness is low. That’s where Migraine Awareness Week 2017 steps in.

How can you get involved in Migraine Awareness Week 2017?

Migraine Awareness Week 2017 is being organised by the Migraine Trust, who work tirelessly to increase migraine awareness. They encourage those wishing to get involved in the event to explore their resources, including their social media accounts and their online quizzes and fact sheets on how to treat migraines and how to spot them.

You can also talk to family and friends about migraines. How much do they know, and do any of them suffer from the condition? What’s their experience? You can let them know about the awareness week and any upcoming events taking place.

Speaking of events, why not host your own fundraising event or even do something as simple as printing out a poster to hang in your place of work to help people stay informed on the condition? The Migraine Trust is a charity organization, so you can also make a donation so that they can continue their work into increasing awareness, reducing stigmas and providing support for sufferers and researchers trying to understand how to treat migraines once and for all.

Express Pharmacy offer advice, diagnosis and treatment on how to treat migraines from the comfort of your own home

For more information about how to treat migraines, chat to us via our online Live Chat tool, or call us today on 0208 123 0703. We can prescribe the right migraine relief medication for your situation and also advise on any lifestyle factors which may be contributing to your problem.

In 2014, the overall number of online pharmacy orders rose nearly 25%, and this number has only continued to grow since.

Of course, there is no substitute for visiting a healthcare professional such as a GP or pharmacist in person for serious conditions. But for many common treatments the online pharmacy has become a popular alternative – particularly for those with limited free time and difficulty getting to a bricks and mortar pharmacy in person.

Fast treatment

Waiting times in doctors’ surgeries around the country have risen dramatically in recent times. It is well documented that GPs are overstretched and that people are being recommended to think carefully before booking appointments for mild conditions.

With this in mind online pharmacies have become a valuable alternative – saving doctors valuable time in prescribing lifestyle medications and more commonplace drugs. A series of simple questions can lead to an evaluation of your symptoms with just a few clicks.

Those reputable online pharmacists, Express Pharmacy included, also offer additional support to customers in the form of a dedicated phone number and Live Chat facility to provide advice and guidance for those with queries and concerns.

Convenience

The thing about online pharmacies that tends to really appeal to people is the convenience factor. Being able to order prescription medication and consult health professionals from the comfort of your home makes dealing with any health concerns feel like less of a chore. By taking the difficulty out of accessing important medications, online pharmacies are helping people to tackle problems that they may have otherwise tried to ignore.

By ordering through an online pharmacy, you save yourself time and effort on things like travelling to the GP, whilst still getting the information, products and services you need. This has proven particularly useful for individuals living in more remote areas, or who find getting up and out to the doctor’s office difficult.

Simple ordering and delivery process

One of the most convenient aspects of an online pharmacy is the ability to get vital medication sent right to your door. Once your items have been ordered, delivery is extremely fast, and getting through the ordering process is quick and hassle-free.

Payment options are flexible through most online pharmacies, and because prices are compared with elsewhere on the web you might actually end up paying less than you would by going through a GP to get a prescription. You can also read all about your suggested medication before fully deciding that it’s the right one for you.

Fully qualified

When online pharmacies first started to appear online, one of the main concerns people had about them was that they weren’t sure whether the advice they were getting was actually coming from experts. Now, however, more and more people are realising that fully regulated and registered online pharmacies are a valuable addition to the healthcare system.

Pharmacists are qualified to diagnose a condition, prescribe necessary medication and dispense this medication to you.

Discretion

Sometimes going to the doctor can be difficult because the condition you want to get treatment for is very personal or even embarrassing. Of course, it’s vital to remember that you should never feel ashamed to go to the doctor’s, but it’s difficult to avoid feeling nervous about sharing personal details with someone else.

Online pharmacies let you address more personal concerns like erectile dysfunction, hair loss and unwanted facial hair with discretion and privacy, which can make people more likely to address these concerns in the first place.

If you’re struggling to visit a GP or your local pharmacy in person, why not explore the option of an online pharmacy instead? Can’t find the right treatment on our website? Why not call 0208 123 0703 or use our discreet Live Chat service today?

Put simply, cystitis occurs when you suffer bladder inflammation – usually the result of a bladder infection. Cystitis is one of the more common kinds of urinary tract infection, or UTI, and it occurs a lot more often in women than in men.

Although generally quite a mild condition, with most cases righting themselves within a few days, it can require long term treatment if someone suffers from the condition regularly. There’s also a chance the condition could lead to kidney infection in more serious cases.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

As with most infections, there are symptoms to look out for. These include feeling the need to urinate more often than normal and producing urine which is darker, cloudier or stronger smelling than usual. You may also experience burning, pain and stinging when you urinate and pain in the lower part of your stomach. General nausea, achiness and lethargy are also common.

In young children, further symptoms sometimes present themselves. These include vomiting, lack of appetite, irritability and a temperature of over 38 degrees centigrade.

Although cases often get better on their own, it’s important to know when to seek medical guidance. If you’re not sure whether you have cystitis, you get it frequently, your symptoms are severe, your symptoms don’t improve after a few days or if you’re a man, child or pregnant woman with symptoms, you should turn to a professional for advice and treatment.

What causes cystitis?

The urethra is the tube which carries urine out of the body. Most cases of cystitis are caused when the bacteria that reside harmlessly in your bowel or on your skin manage to find their way into your bladder through the urethra. Although relatively benign in other parts of the body, these bacteria are more troublesome in the urinary tract.

This shift in bacteria can occur through several different means, and the true cause isn’t always completely clear. However, there are some common causes which have been identified in women. These include sexual intercourse, wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet, using a diaphragm as a form of contraception and the insertion of a tampon or urinary catheter.

One of the reasons that women suffer from cystitis more often than men is because the urethra is much shorter, meaning bacteria can access the bladder more easily.

How can you prevent cystitis?

There are some precautionary actions you can take to make you less likely to suffer from the infection.

These include opting for showers over baths, as this means your lower regions aren’t exposed to chemicals and bacteria in the water for as long. You can also stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoid perfumed bath and shower products, wear underwear made from cotton rather than synthetic material and avoid using a diaphragm as your chosen contraception.

You should also go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge, especially after sexual intercourse.

How do you treat cystitis?

If you visit your GP due to a case of cystitis, you’ll most likely be given antibiotics to treat the infection. If you’re treating the condition at home, you’re advised to take paracetamol or ibuprofen, stay hydrated, use a hot water bottle and avoid sexual intercourse until your symptoms clear.

Medication such as trimethoprim is effective for clearing cystitis and other UTIs, as it helps kill off the bacteria causing the infection. This is available from Express Pharmacy as a short course medication of twice a day for three days.

If you’re in need of medical guidance, contact Express Pharmacy today. You can use our discreet Live Chat service or call us on 0208 123 0703.

Everyone has heard those health ‘facts’ that are actually old wives’ tales. But how do you know which stories are false and which bits of medical trivia should actually be heeded. Let’s take a closer look.

Ensuring that your knowledge of healthcare is up-to-date and accurate is an important part of staying healthy. Yet many of us still succumb to the misinformation spread by rumours, fear-mongering and old wives’ tales. Despite being seen as funny, charming and harmless, some of the advice given by these tales can actually be harmful.

“Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis.”

According to research by Arthritis Research UK, there is no evidence to back up this classic claim.

That’s because when you crack your knuckles, the sound you hear isn’t actually your bones cracking, but rather tiny cavities of gas collapsing with a “pop”.

“We only use 10% of our brains.”

This is a myth perpetuated by fictional stories like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Lucy starring Scarlet Johansson, which explore the question of “what would we be capable of if we used 100% of our brains?” Well, the answer is about as much as we are now.

Every part of the brain has a specific role – even if it has nothing to do with intelligence or memory function. Brain scans have shown that no part of the brain actually goes completely unused as is often portrayed in fiction.

“Chewing gum stays in your system for 7 years.”

While it is true that chewing gum contains a synthetic resin that cannot be broken down by the digestive tract, it still gets moved along with the contents of your stomach and passed through just like everything else you eat. You’ll be rid of your chewing gum in a matter of days.

“Open cuts heal faster.”

Many people believe that open air helps wounds dry up and therefore heal faster, but research has found that the opposite is true.

Moist, closed conditions help cells surrounding the wound grow at a faster rate, encouraging the wound to heal cleanly. In contrast, dry air often leads to scabs which make it harder for new cells to grow.

Covering up a wound also reduces your risk of infection or suffering further injury.

“Muscle turns to fat when you don’t exercise.”

Muscle and fat are not interchangeable. They are two different kinds of tissue and cannot transform into each other.

This piece of misinformation gets spread because a lack of exercise causes you to store more fatty deposits and develop less muscle tissue. Without exercise, muscle mass deteriorates as a normal part of tissue turnover.

“Sugar causes hyperactivity in children.”

Despite numerous studies being carried out, there remains no evidence to suggest that sugary foods and drinks have a significant impact on children’s behaviour.

The confusion may stem from the fact that certain E numbers and additives have been found to cause hyperactivity in children, and these are found in many sugar-heavy food items.

It’s important to point out, however, that this is no excuse for overindulging in sugar. Significant spikes in blood sugar do impact on the body’s normal function in a number of ways and can place extra strain on organs of the body. Peaks and troughs in sugar intake will also impact on energy levels.

“Tip your head back to stop a nose bleed.”

Leaning back might stop the blood from dripping from your nose, but it also means more blood travels down the back of the throat where it could cause stomach irritation.

The best way to deal with a nose bleed is to pinch the soft area beneath the bridge and lean forwards whilst breathing through your mouth.

“Waking sleepwalkers can give them a heart attack.”

Although it’s true that you probably shouldn’t wake a sleepwalker abruptly and should instead gently guide them back to bed, this is merely to avoid disorientation and embarrassment. There is no evidence to suggest that waking someone up whilst their sleepwalking can do them any significant psychological damage.

For a clearer picture on healthcare, don’t hesitate to contact Express Pharmacy. You can use our discreet Live Chat tool or call us on 0208 123 0703.