DOCTOR'S ADVICE - Do I have haemorrhoids?

• Do I have haemorrhoids?

Q: Doc, I have developed some bumps around my rectum. I did some research on the Internet, and it looks like I have some sort of prolapse. I have attached a photo. Can you please tell me what is happening to me?

A: From the looks of it, it seems to be a really severe case of piles, also called 'haemorrhoids'. They are quite bad and will not respond to non-surgical treatment. Therefore, you will need to take an operation as soon as possible. I urge you to see a surgeon within the next few weeks and he will be able to help you. I wish you well.

• Too much bleeding

Q: Doc, I have been bleeding on and off for four years.  My gyno refers to it as 'spotting'. It started out heavy, but over the years, has become very light. It seems to come around the time I'm ovulating, and then continues until I see my menses, which is about the 35th day of my cycle.  I took a pelvic ultrasound and the doctor says he doesn't see anything wrong. My gyno has recommended that I try birth control. Will that help?

A: Sorry to hear that this blood loss problem has been dragging on for so long. The word 'spotting' just means 'slight bleeding from the womb, occurring at intervals'. If a woman gets that symptom, she should always see a doctor, so you did the right thing in seeking medical advice.

There are many possible causes of spotting. In your case, it sounds as though you may just have a slight hormone abnormality, which makes you 'spot' from about the time you ovulate each month.

Now you say that your gyno wants you to try 'birth control'. I assume you mean the contraceptive Pill. If so, that is a good idea, because it will 'iron out' the unevenness in your hormones. There is a high chance that a well-chosen brand of Pill will abolish this 'spotting', and give you a regular 28-day cycle.  I cannot absolutely guarantee that the Pill will work, but if the first brand which you try does not 'do the trick', then your doctor can easily switch you to another one. Good luck.

• To circumcise, or not?

Q: I recently got divorced and when I have sex with my new girlfriend, I find that my foreskin is very tight, and this inhibits me. Should I take a circumcision operation?

A: That may help you, but what you need is to be assessed by a urologist.  Obviously, he cannot examine you when you have an erection. But these days, it is quite easy for a man to take a photo of his erect penis on a mobile phone and then show it to the doctor. I am sure he will give you some good advice.

• Is it cancer?

Q: I am 40 years old and the mother of two children. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a one-centimetre fibroid in the womb.  Now, I have found a hard bump underneath my right breast that itches. Is this a sign of cancer, or am I jumping the gun? I am really scared.

A: Please don't be scared. I am sure all will turn out well. The first thing to know is that this has nothing to do with the fibroid in your womb. In any case, a one centimetre fibroid is so small that it is not likely to cause any problems.  As it relates to the hard lump near your breasts: I'd like to stress that if a woman finds an unexplained lump anywhere on her body, she must have it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.  From what you say, this 'bump' is not actually in your breast, but just near it. Even so, you should ask a doctor to examine it right away. Good luck.

• Slim G

Q: You recently published a letter from a man who was diabetic and worried about 'losing his nature'. I understand this man's suffering.  So I would like to draw your attention to a natural product called Slim G that I have learned about. It has helped with matters as severe as that which he is suffers from.

A: Thank you for your interest. Slim G is a widely advertised product which claims to help people lose weight. And it is certainly true that if an overweight diabetic man can lose 20 or 30 pounds, his diabetic 'control' will usually become much better. Weight loss may even improve his sexual potency.

As it relates to Slim G, that is a proprietary product which contains a lot of fibre, plus some vitamins and other ingredients. It is claimed that if you take it 10-15 minutes before your largest meal, that will stabilise your blood sugar levels.  I regard it as harmless, but the claims which are made for it have not been evaluated by the American Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

• Genital warts

Q: I am a woman, and I have noticed some warts around my anal area. Now, I have found one near my vagina. This hurts slightly during sex.  Are these warts something life-threatening? Can they be removed without a surgical operation?

A: Assuming that these really are just warts, then they are not life-threatening. So no need to worry.  Anal and vaginal warts are caused from a virus which is transmitted during sex. A woman can get warts around the anus even if she has not had any rectal form of sex.

Generally, it is possible to get rid of genital warts by applying a special (prescription-only) anti-wart paint. But the first thing to do is to see a doctor, who will look at these 'warts' and confirm the diagnosis. Then she will probably prescribe some of the paint for you. It would be best if you did not have sex until you have been cured.

• Recurring yeast infection

Q: Most times after having sex, I get a yeast infection or else bacterial vaginosis.  What could be causing this? Is something wrong with me?

A: I doubt if there is anything physically wrong with you, though any woman who suffers from recurrent 'yeast' infections should get herself checked for diabetes. Recurrent vaginal infection is a very irritating problem for the patient. When the infection is caused from 'yeast' (medically known as 'candida'), it is often good to treat the woman's sexual partner with an anti-candida cream for a week or two. Also, recent research has shown that it can be worthwhile for the woman to go on an oral anti-fungus agent called fluconazole (Diflucan) for 21 days without a break. I hope that will help you.

Send questions to deardoc@gleanerjm.com.