Ultimate guide to having your best sex EVER in middle-age: Top doctor's medically-backed advice for women on how to treat the hurdles stopping you having an incredible love life
Women aged 55 to 64 report the least sexual activity of any age group, a recent study from researchers at University College London found.
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Sky News
26 minutes ago
- Sky News
Child dies as measles cases surge at Liverpool hospital
A child with measles has died at a Liverpool hospital. The individual was being treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital after becoming ill with measles and other health problems. It comes as the NHS hospital said it is "concerned" about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting the highly contagious virus. It said it has treated 17 cases of the effects and complications of measles since June. "We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death," the hospital said in a statement to Sky News. In a separate open letter to parents and carers in Merseyside earlier this month, Alder Hey, along with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) and directors of Public Health for Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley, warned the increase in measles in the region could be down to fewer people getting vaccinated. The letter read: "We are seeing more cases of measles in our children and young people because fewer people are having the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles and two other viruses called mumps and rubella. "Children in hospital, who are very poorly for another reason, are at higher risk of catching the virus." What are the symptoms of measles? The first symptoms of measles include: • A high temperature • A runny or blocked nose • Sneezing • A cough • Red, sore or watery eyes Cold-like symptoms are followed a few days later by a rash, which starts on the face and behind the ears, before it spreads. The spots are usually raised and can join together to form blotchy patches which are not usually itchy. Some people may get small spots in their mouth too. What should you do if you think your child has measles? Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you think your child has measles. If your child has been vaccinated, it is very unlikely they have measles. You should not go to the doctor without calling ahead, as measles is very infectious. If your child is diagnosed with measles by a doctor, make sure they avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system. It comes after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined that uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled over the last decade and is, in many cases, declining. It said none of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the 95% coverage target since 2021, putting youngsters at risk of measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The MMR vaccine has been available through the NHS for years. Two doses give lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella. According to the latest NHS data, Liverpool was one of the cities outside London with the lowest uptake of the MMR vaccination in 2023-2024. By the time children were five years old, 86.5% had been given one dose, decreasing to 73.4% for a second dose. 'Lack of access' behind declining vaccine uptake Helen Bedford, a professor of children's health at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute, told Sky News a combination of things may be stopping parents from getting their children vaccinated. "It is mainly due to lack of access," Professor Bedford said. "People may not know when vaccines are due, how to make an appointment, then there's actually getting to the appointment. "For some parents who are suffering the impact of poverty, paying a bus fare to get your child to a GP surgery may be a step too far, even though they understand vaccination is very important." Professor Bedford added since the COVID pandemic, more parents are asking questions about vaccinations, which can lead to them searching the internet for answers. "We want parents to ask questions but unfortunately due to lack of personnel and health visitors, they can't always get answers or even an opportunity to have a discussion," she said. "That's when they turn to other sources of information, like social media or the internet, where we know there is a lot of disinformation." Professor Bedford said she was "very concerned" about the lack of vaccine uptake, but stressed the figures can be reversed. Similar concerns in US In the US, measles cases are at their highest in more than three decades. Cases reached 1,288 on Wednesday this week, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with 14 states battling active outbreaks. The largest outbreak started five months ago in communities in West Texas, where vaccination uptake is low. Since then, three people have died - including two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico - with dozens more in hospital.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Some gut microbes can absorb and help expel ‘forever chemicals' from the body, research shows
Certain kinds of gut microbes absorb toxic Pfas 'forever chemicals' and help expel them from the body via feces, new first-of-its-kind University of Cambridge research shows. The findings are welcome news as the only options that exist for reducing the level of dangerous Pfas compounds from the body are bloodletting and a cholesterol drug that induces unpleasant side effects. The microbes were found to remove up to 75% of some Pfas from the gut of mice. Several of the study's authors plan to develop probiotic dietary supplements that boost levels of helpful microbes in the human gut, which would likely reduce Pfas levels. 'If this could be used in humans to create probiotics that can help remove Pfas from the body then this would be a nicer solution in that it wouldn't have so many side effects,' said Anna Lindell, Cambridge doctoral student and a co-author of the study. Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease and a range of other serious health problems. They are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found no level of exposure to Pfos or Pfoa, two of the most common Pfas compounds, in drinking water is safe. They have a half-life in human blood of anywhere from two to five years, by most estimates. That means the body expels half the amount of the chemical that is in blood during that period. Depending on blood levels, it can take decades to fully expel Pfas naturally. Though the findings represent the first time gut microbes have been found to remove Pfas, they have been found to alleviate the impacts of other contaminants, such as microplastics. The researchers didn't set out to determine if the gut bacteria expelled Pfas specifically, but instead looked at a suite of 42 common food contaminants. No Pfas limits for food exist in the US, but there is broad consensus that it is among the main exposure routes. Some microbes performed well in expelling Pfas, so the study's authors zoomed in on those. The authors introduced nine of a family of bacterial species into the guts of mice to humanize the mouse microbiome – the bacteria rapidly accumulated to absorb Pfas eaten by the mice, and the chemicals were then excreted in feces. The bacteria seem to absorb the chemical, then use a 'pump' mechanism that pushes toxins from the cells and aids in excretion, the authors wrote. The mechanism by which the chemicals are pulled into the cell is not yet understood, Lindell said, but she suspects there may be a similar pump. These are developed by microbes to expel other contaminants, drugs or antibiotics, Lindell added. Sign up to Detox Your Kitchen A seven-week expert course to help you avoid chemicals in your food and groceries. after newsletter promotion The microbes largely addressed 'long-chain' Pfas, which are larger compounds and more dangerous than smaller 'short chains' because they stay in the body longer. The body more efficiently discharges short-chain Pfas through urine because the compounds are generally water-soluble. Among the most common and dangerous long chains are Pfoa and Pfna, which the microbes expelled at rates of up to 58% and 74%, respectively. Lindell and other study leaders have started a company, Cambiotics, that will develop a probiotic based on their findings. They are planning to follow up the research with a human study. However, Lindell stressed that the probiotic would not solve the broader Pfas crisis: 'This should not be used as an excuse to downplay other sustainable solutions or to not address the bigger Pfas problem.'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Women expect me to be a stallion in bed because I'm fit & sporty… but I've never lasted longer than a MINUTE during sex
AN ex of mine had an unusual tactic for helping him last longer in the sack. While at first I wasn't sure, I have to hand it to him - there was method to his madness. 5 Did he use the technique of edging? Did he douse his member in men's climax delay spray? While all those are great ways to last longer in the sack, the answer is no - he actually listened to classical music to hit my, ahem, high notes. In my new no holds barred series, I'll be answering YOUR biggest bedroom conundrums, sharing my wild real-life experiences and practical tips to help you fulfil your wildest dreams between the sheets. This week one reader opens up about how premature ejaculation (PE) is wrecking his sex life. Got a sex dilemma of your own? Pop your question in the form above and I'll answer it. Q. I'm a 23 year old man and I've never lasted longer than a minute in bed. As I'm sporty and fit, women always expect me to have tons of stamina and in reality I'm a total flop. I recently made the mistake of confiding in my mates and they now call me 'One Minute Dan'. I laugh it off in the pub but it's actually destroying every aspect of my life. Is there anything I can do to last longer between the sheets? It's ruined every relationship I've had. Georgie says: It's no surprise this is causing you huge distress, in and out of the bedroom. Georgie answers your sex questions - Tips for tiny Peckers You're fit, sporty, and women are expecting you to be a stallion between the sheets. The pressure can be immense. That "One Minute Dan" nickname? Not helpful. Banter aside, it's chipped away at your confidence, and that kind of stress can actually exacerbate the problem. Don't panic. PE is very common in younger men and often caused by psychological issues and performance anxiety. It doesn't define your worth or what you can offer in a relationship but I understand you want to last longer. Here are some steps you can take to tackle the issue... Rule out any medical issues If you're experiencing any problems in the bedroom then it's always a good idea to consult a GP first and just rule out any underlying medical issues. Sometimes erectile dysfunction can be caused by an underlying condition, or certain medication can wreak havoc down below, so be sure to speak to a GP first before you try alternative methods. Focus on foreplay I've said it before and I'll say it again: good sex isn't just about penetrative sex. We need to forget that outdated notion. If you ask most women what makes them orgasm, it isn't intercourse. Most women need clitoral stimulation to climax, so spend about 15 minutes on foreplay, as most women need about 14 minutes of sexual stimulation to orgasm. Sex toys aren't cheating Some men get a little offended when women bring sex toys into the bedroom - but it's time to ditch the ridiculous idea that toys equal a "cheating orgasm". They don't. What they do offer is a brilliant way to help women reach climax. Think of them as a helping hand during foreplay or sex - not a replacement, but a teammate. Ditch boozing It's no secret that too much booze can wreak havoc between the sheets - especially when it comes to lift off. Men who are dependent on alcohol have a 60 to 70 per cent chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction, with premature ejaculation and a low libido being the most common. To stay harder than a Sunday Times crossword, ditch drinking before getting busy in the bedroom. Edging This is a brilliant technique to help guys suffering from PE and help them last longer than a Bridgerton boxset. During masturbation or sex, stop stimulation just before ejaculation. Wait until the urge to climax fades, then start again. Repeat this three to four times before orgasm and it will help you last longer after time. Without the pressure to climax quickly, edging can remove performance anxiety, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable experience in the bedroom. Top tip: edging isn't just for men — women can seriously benefit from it, too. By getting close to orgasm, then backing off before going all the way, you can build up even more intense pleasure. Personally, if I'm after a longer, stronger climax, I'll use edging during sex as well. Use the squeezing technique 5 This technique is simple but seriously effective. When close to climax, gently squeeze the base of the penis for a few seconds. This can delay ejaculation by reducing arousal. It works better with a partner's cooperation, so don't be afraid to talk about what you're going to do beforehand to stop any awkward moments later. After all, communication is the key to great sex. Wear desensitising condoms Not only are condoms great for practising safe sex but if you're suffering from PE they're a great way to reduce sensation. Opt for thicker ones and ones with numbing agents (benzocaine or lidocaine) to help you last longer. Try Boots Ultra Endurance Condoms - a 12-pack costs £8.99. Try a delay spray These days there's a sex aid for just about everything in the bedroom - and I'm all for using them. One of my ex-lovers swore by delay spray and had zero shame about it. Around 10 minutes before sex he'd get me to spray him down, and we actually made it part of our foreplay routine, usually after a sensual massage. It became less of a performance tool and more of a turn-on for both of us. Try Lovehoney's Tauro Extra Strong Delay Spray for Men (£16.99). Make a sex playlist While music can't directly stop PE, it can help distract from performance anxiety. Listening to your favourite tunes can boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and potentially increase endurance. One of my exes - who could last for hours between the sheets - used to swear by a bit of Beethoven. He said it helped him last longer than one of his symphonies, and he didn't just help me hit the high notes - he composed a masterpiece. For more sex advice follow Georgie on Instagram @sunsexpert 5 Meet our sexpert In her eight years at The Sun, there's not much our Georgie hasn't seen - or done - and she's loved every outrageous minute. "People often ask how I became a sexpert," she says. "Well, I've been fascinated by sex and relationships for as long as I can remember. "As a teen, I devoured women's mags full of scandalous confessions and steamy tips - and I was obsessed with Sex and the City. "Maybe I was manifesting my inner Carrie Bradshaw from day one. "I'd always dreamed of working at The Sun - and when I finally landed the job, I found my niche fast: going to sex parties and oversharing about my frequently chaotic love life. "Over the years, I've built real trust within the kink and swinging community and I've interviewed hundreds of people about their sex lives. "Add to that my own, um, 'field research,' and let's just say I know what makes good sex great." Georgie says being a sexpert is about having life experience, curiosity, a sense of humour - and plenty of adventures along the way. "There's not much that shocks me these days," she continues. "Except maybe a man who doesn't believe in foreplay. "But nothing makes me happier than hearing a reader say my advice helped them feel more confident (and satisfied) in bed. "Now I'll be answering your burning sex questions - and dishing out practical advice to help get you back in the saddle."
