New guide helps beat life's little health irritations

As if we're not busy enough juggling work, home and family life, there are also times when our bodies feel beset by 'little irritations' that we'd rather not encounter! A recent survey¹ commissioned by Canesten revealed 54 per cent of people consider health to be one of life's most important factors. However, sometimes taking care of our own needs falls down the priority list.

A newly launched guide, 'Beating Life's Little Irritations: Your Health Inside Out', written by Dr Dawn Harper and supported by Canesten, is urging us to get to know our bodies and nip any intimate health issues in the bud.

Within the guide, Dr Harper – a practising GP and presenter of Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies – provides up-to-date advice surrounding common 'irritations' including intimate itching, thrush, cystitis, vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis, period pain and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). She also helps to expel many common myths along the way.

Available to download via www.canesten.co.uk – the website of the well-known brand Canesten that has been helping to look after women's health for over 40 years – the guide aims to equip women with the confidence to identify and deal with a variety of intimate health problems as quickly as possible.

Dr Harper says: 'It's easy to see why some minor health irritations get ignored by women – our daily diaries are so full that our own health concerns get pushed to the bottom of the list. So, booking a GP appointment or visiting the pharmacist just becomes another chore. However, even though problems like thrush, cystitis and intimate itching certainly aren't life-threatening, they can make you feel miserable. These conditions are often easily managed but can get worse if left untreated.'

The guide is based on the most common and intimate health problems that Dr Harper sees in her surgery on a regular basis. Such issues frequently remain 'off limits' for many women who are simply too embarrassed to talk about them. Indeed, Canesten's survey also revealed how 44 per cent of 25-34 year olds are more likely to confide in their partner about an intimate health problem rather then their GP.

Dr Harper adds: 'In my 'day job' and through my work on the Embarrassing Illnesses show, I've seen it all in terms of intimate irritations. So, I know these problems do plague lots of women. I also know that despite the fact that many women suffer, people are still embarrassed to talk about it. And they shouldn't be! Any initial embarrassment you may feel at talking to the GP or pharmacist, will be far outweighed by the relief you will feel at finding a treatment to solve the problem. And once you've dealt with that minor irritation, you can get back to feeling fabulous and enjoying life.'

The guide also acts as a 'refresher' for all women, no matter what life stage they're at, by providing an expert overview of the following:

• Understanding your body – with a practical guide on how the female body works, including descriptions of the vital 'bits' e.g. uterus, cervix and ovaries
• Understanding your menstrual cycle – including advice on how to cope with heavy or painful periods
• What's normal? – so, when you should see the pharmacist or the GP

Millions of women will suffer because of life's little irritations at some point in their lives, but by following the advice in this guide you can help ensure they do not stand in the way of your everyday life.

¹ ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,107 adults aged 18+ online between 22nd – 24th Feb 2008