The typical vaginal yeast infection thrush is vaginitis – an inflammation of your vagina. Both fungus and bacteria naturally live in your vagina, but when the fungus Candida albicans increases, it can cause thrush. Thrush affects around 75% of women at least once, while many women may suffer from recurrent thrush. If you've never had thrush before and think you may have it, visit your doctor. Once you recognise your symptoms and know they're not serious, we'll help you deal with thrush independently at home. Thrush doesn't take long to clear up once you've started treatment. Treating thrush can be very difficult to choose which treatment is best for you.

Vaginal dryness is a common problem that many women have at some point in their lives. It can affect women of all ages, but it is far more common in women who are post-menopausal. It affects around 2 in 10 women under the age of 50. The symptoms of vaginal dryness can cause you to feel sore or itchy in and around your vagina. You may also feel pain or discomfort during sex and may need to pee more often than usual. Many of the symptoms of vaginal dryness can also be mistaken for other common infections such as thrush and urinary tract infections. Vaginal dryness can also increase your risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs.

Hot flushes are the most common menopause symptom, with 3 out of every 4 women experiencing the sensation across their face, chest and body. It can cause some to feel uncomfortable, with sweating, dizziness and possibly palpitations. Hot flushes come on suddenly at any time, and can last a few seconds or several minutes. Their unpredictable and all-consuming nature means they carry a high cost in terms of self-confidence, as it can feel embarrassing at work or social events. Night sweats are a particular feature, sometimes leaving the bed linen drenched. They add to the insomnia many menopausal women feel during the transition.

The progestogen-only pill (POP) is a type of contraception. It contains a progestogen hormone. The hormone closely resembles the progesterone hormone produced by a woman’s ovaries. Older (traditional) POPs contain either levonorgestrel (Norgeston) or norethisterone (Noriday). Newer POPs contain desogestrel; brands include Cerazette, Cerelle, Feanolla, and Zelleta. The POP is also referred to as the mini pill and contains desogestrel.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclical worsening of mood and physical health due to hormones released during the menstrual cycle. 4 out of 10 women experience some symptoms of PMS and about 1 in 20 women will have severe symptoms. Women normally experience PMS for approximately two weeks, around half of their menstrual cycle. Doctors describe menstrual cycle lengths by calling day 1 the first day of your period, and for women with an average cycle length (around 28 days), PMS tends to start around day 15 which is around the time of egg release (ovulation). The symptoms can last until the end of your period. Often women experiencing an easing of their symptoms once their period begins. Premenstrual Syndrome includes a large range of both physical and psychological symptoms. These physical and psychological symptoms can be severe enough to affect daily activities. They may impair school performance, interfere with work, affect family life or relationships with others.

Period pain is common and for most women, it is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. The pain can be experienced as abdominal cramps that spread to the back and thighs, pain that comes as spasms, or a constant dull ache or pain around the pelvic region. Dizziness, bloating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can also accompany the pain.

Many women have a foreboding when they are expecting their period, as they anticipate that crampy feeling in the lower part of their tummy. Most women experience period cramps or pain for 2 to 3 days of their menstrual bleeding, but it may last longer, or start in the days leading up to a period. It particularly affects those in their teens or 20s. Thankfully for most, period pain is mild, but for some it can be debilitating, causing them to miss school, college or work, and becoming a feared monthly event in their calendar. When period pain causes significant distress or impact on your life, doctors call this dysmenorrhoea, and many women suffer in silence. But it’s not something you need to put up with, just as part of being a woman. There are things to help to avoid this ruling your life. Let’s take you through the causes of period pain, and suggest some useful tips and remedies to help relieve it.

Menopause is individual to every woman, and treatment should be tailored to her individual symptoms and concerns as she goes through the change in hormones from her late-40s onwards. Every woman goes through it, but everyone experiences different symptoms, and to varying degrees of severity. Previously women would book an appointment with their doctor to discuss symptoms and treatment options, but some women have done their research and already think that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is right for them. To make access easier, there’s a proposal underway to make HRT available without a prescription, so you no longer need an appointment with your GP. It’s not quite that black-and-white, so let’s talk you through the proposed change to getting hold of HRT.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure carried out to remove a woman’s uterus (womb). There are many reasons why people have a hysterectomy, and it is a common procedure. Once the uterus is removed, a woman will no longer have periods and will not be able to get pregnant.

Feminax Express tablets contain 342mg of ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller. The form of ibuprofen used (ibuprofen lysine) acts slightly faster in the body than regular ibuprofen. You can take it up to three times a day as required; ensure you leave at least 4-6 hours between doses, with a maximum of 6 tablets in 24 hours. It is important that it is taken with food as the medication alone can cause stomach irritation. It is suitable for children, adolescents, and adults over the age of 12 years.

Emergency contraception is given to those who have had unprotected sex, are not taking regular contraception and want to avoid pregnancy. It’s commonly known as the morning-after pill, but this isn’t accurate, as it's available for up to 5 days after any unprotected sex. But the sooner it’s taken, the more effective it will be at preventing pregnancy. It’s important to emphasise that this is not an abortion or termination of an embryo or foetus. The pill delays the release of a woman's egg, and the coil creates a hostile environment for sperm to fuse with a woman’s egg. It prevents a pregnancy, rather than ending a pregnancy. Your local sexual health clinic is best for all types of emergency contraception, but tablets are available on prescription from your GP, the emergency department and some pharmacies.

Cystopurin is a medication designed to alleviate the symptoms of cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder commonly caused by a bacterial infection. This condition often presents symptoms such as pain, a burning or stinging sensation during urination, increased urgency, and frequency of urination. While cystitis is more prevalent in women, men can also experience it, although less frequently. Cystopurin is available over the counter without a prescription and comes in a pack of six cranberry-flavored sachets.