Varicose veins are widened and twisted veins that usually develop in the legs. The leg veins contain regular one-way valves that help the blood return to the heart against gravity. If these valves leak, then the increased pressure prevents the blood from draining properly, and varicose veins develop. These come on with advancing age and are often no great inconvenience apart from being unsightly.

Vaginal thrush is a common condition caused by a yeast infection in the vagina and surrounding area. This infection is usually Candida albicans, and is also known as candida or vulvovaginal candidiasis. Candida lives harmlessly on the skin, in the mouth, gut and vagina and is normally kept under control but if conditions change then the yeast increases rapidly, causing symptoms of discharge and irritation. This is more common in women than men, and affects the labia (the outer and inner lips to the vagina), but can spread to the groin, and can cause itching and irritation to the inside of the vagina. You may also experience vaginal discharge, which is typically thick, white, and doesn't have any particular smell. In men, this can also affect the penis, causing candidal balanitis, and may cause some pain on passing urine. Who gets thrush? Most women get thrush at some point in their life, but it is most common in women in their thirties and forties, and in those who are pregnant. It is not clear why some women are more prone to thrush than others. Diabetes and medical conditions that cause problems with the body's immune system increase the likelihood of it occurring. Other potential triggers include wearing tight clothing that prevents natural ventilation, taking antibiotics (about 1 in 4 women will have thrush because of this), using products that irritate the vagina, such as vaginal douches or feminine hygiene products, and having chemotherapy%2C-,chemotherapy,-\(strong%20medication%20is). There is little evidence that using sanitary towels or tampons is a risk factor for developing thrush. Although not usually thought of as a sexually transmitted disease, thrush can sometimes be passed on to your partner after vaginal, oral or anal sex, during foreplay or by sharing sex toys.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is characterised by burning on passing urine, the urge to pass urine frequently and pain. Such infections occur when the normally sterile urine becomes infected with bacteria or other microorganisms. The most common bacteria causing a UTI is called E.coli, though other conditions such as Staphylococcus and Chlamydia can also cause infection. Such bacteria or organisms enter the urethra – the tiny tube that links from the vulva to the bladder – and cause irritation (urethritis). The infection can then spread back to the bladder causing cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). If a UTI is left untreated the infection can track even further back to the kidneys, via two small tubes called the ureters (one connects between each kidney and the bladder). This kidney infection is called pyelonephritis and can be a serious health problem. With correct treatment, a urinary tract infection can be cleared quickly – in just one or two days. Even if symptoms are quickly alleviated, always finish any antibiotic course ordered by the doctor to ensure bacteria do not recur in a stronger or different form. UTIs are much more common in women, than men because their urethra is very close to the vagina and anus so bacteria can spread easily. Women also have a shorter urethra than men which means bacteria can travel to the bladder quicker. Sexual intercourse can also irritate the urethra in a woman and increase the incidence of a UTI, and after the menopause UTIs can also become more common in women because of changes in the urethra, bladder and vagina due to hormonal fluctuations. In men, UTIs can be indicative of prostrate problems, kidney stones or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and in the elderly UTIs can cause confusion and falls.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder which is believed to affect around 1 in 10 women in the UK although this may be an underestimate. Symptoms typically begin in the late teens or early 20s and it is a condition where at least two (and often all three) of the following occur: Multiple tiny cysts (follicles) in the ovaries. An altered balance of body hormones so your ovaries make more male hormone testosterone than normal. A lack of ovulation each month causing irregular or absent periods There may also be other symptoms such as acne, unwanted body hair, weight gain, depression or low mood and thinning of the hair on the scalp. In later life it can be linked with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels in a collection of conditions making up metabolic syndrome. The cause of PCOS is unknown but early diagnosis and treatment is needed to help manage the symptoms.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on one or both of the ovaries. It's very common, they don't usually cause problems and most disappear without treatment. Many women have simple cysts without ever knowing about them. Ovarian cysts become problematic when they burst or if their size affects the blood supply to the ovaries. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and you might feel a pain in the tummy or pelvic area, worsening pain during your period, or pain during sex. Some people feel bloated and feel full quickly after eating. Ovarian cysts can also be linked to changes in your periods such as becoming heavier or lighter, and in some cases more irregular. Very large ovarian cysts may affect your ability to open your bowels or may cause you to urinate often - although there are many more common causes of these symptoms. Cysts often develop when you are menstruating and go away by themselves without you knowing. Cysts are seen on an ultrasound scan, and these will be measured and analysed to indicate if they correspond to symptoms or are of concern. In a very small number of cases, these may be concerning, especially for women who are post-menopausal.

The ovaries are two small organs in the pelvis whose main function is to store and release eggs in the monthly cycle that can cause pregnancy to occur in women of child-bearing age. Because of this they have little use after the menopause. Cancer can develop in an ovary and this type of cancer particularly affects women over 50 years old. Sadly, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, which means it carries a higher chance of death than some other cancers. It is the sixth most common cancer in women in the UK, affecting around 7,000 women each year, and around half of these are over the age of 65. There are a number of types of ovarian cancer, distinguished from each other by the type of cell the cancer occurs in. These include epithelial ovarian cancer (that causes around 90% of cases), germ cell cancer that arises from the egg-making cells and stromal ovarian cancer which is rare.

The menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing eggs and is said to have occurred if you have not had a period for 12 months. It can vary in how it occurs with some people experiencing gradually changing periods, or missed periods, and others finding a sudden end to their periods. Once you have had one year without a period it can be confirmed that you have gone through the menopause. Natural menopause is due to increasing age, where over time your ovaries producing less of the hormone oestrogen which in turn means your ovaries don’t release an egg (so you can no longer conceive naturally) and your periods subsequently stop. It happens to all women, however, when exactly menopause occurs, and the symptoms people experience during this time vastly differ. In the UK, the average age of menopause is 51 and is said to be early if it occurs before the age of 45. Around 1% of will go through premature ovarian insufficiency, which is defined as the menopause occurring before the age of 40. You may also experience menopause due to having had surgery to remove your ovaries, having radiotherapy around the area of your ovaries, some chemotherapy treatment, or certain medical conditions.

You might notice the area feels tight or itchy. It may be painful when passing urine, having sex or – for men – getting an erection. If it's around the anus, you may find it sore to pass a stool. At first, there may be nothing to see on the skin. Skin can become fragile and bleed if rubbed or scratched, and then feel very sore if it breaks down. It may form blood blisters or thickened areas with constant scratching. Later in the process, you may notice shiny white patches where it feels sore or itchy.

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. This can easily pass from person to person via unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex, or sharing sex toys. Condoms help to prevent catching gonorrhoea. This may cause no noticeable symptoms, or it can cause a yellow/green watery or pus-like discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum (back passage). It may cause pain on peeing, for women pain during sex, bleeding after sex or bleeding between periods, and for men, pain in the testicles. It can cause joint inflammation (reactive arthritis, eye symptoms (conjunctivitis and, if left untreated, can cause infertility. Given the high stakes and the fact that you may have no symptoms at all, it’s important to get tested regularly. This is especially important if you are aged 16 to 25, as this is the highest-risk age group. Get an STI test at the change of any partner (use condoms until you both get the all-clear) and at least once a year.

Warts are small fleshy growths or bumps with a hardened dry top, most often flesh-coloured, but can appear red if irritated. Several can appear in a cluster. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and spread by vaginal, anal, digital and oral sex or sharing sex toys. They are not harmful, and can disappear by themselves within a few months, but they become irritated and sore if they rub or catch on clothing, and some people are bothered by the appearance. You also put your partner or partners at risk of catching them if they are left untreated. They may not cause you any bother, or you may be bothered by the appearance, and this can take its toll on your confidence and, inevitably, intimate relationships. Depending on their size or location, they may catch on clothes, or feel a bit sore, and they can sometimes itch or bleed.

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs as a consequence of women drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. It covers a wide range of symptoms and affects each baby differently. Examples include facial changes and learning disabilities, trouble with coordination or attention and hyperactivity. It can also affect the kidneys, bones, and the heart, and cause growth problems. The term foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is often used interchangeably, but more specifically describes certain collections of symptoms related to damage by alcohol during pregnancy, of which FAS is the most severe end of the spectrum. Symptoms may be subtle and there may be no physical signs, but it’s thought to be underdiagnosed, and numbers have risen in recent years along with alcohol abuse.

Breast engorgement happens when your breasts become too full up of milk. This causes them to feel tight and painful and hard and can be very uncomfortable for a mum. Engorgement can also affect the nipple, becoming stretched or flat and painful. This can be unsettling for babies as it becomes difficult for them to attach to the breast properly.  Breast engorgement happens when the supply and demand of milk are out of sync. Commonly it occurs in the early days when both mother and baby are getting used to each other's needs. But it can also happen later when the baby is older and begins reducing the amount or the frequency of their feeds, for example when transitioning to solids, cow’s milk, or formula milk, or if mum is away from home for longer than usual.