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News24

16 hours ago

General
News24

Joburg's housing traps families in illegally sold hijacked buildings

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I get a very severe pain at the bottom of my spine every time I have sex, I'm 76 – help!

The Sun

a day ago

Health
The Sun

I get a very severe pain at the bottom of my spine every time I have sex, I'm 76 – help!

SCHOOLS are out and the summer holidays are upon us. If you're lucky enough to be escaping for a break abroad, there are important precautions to take to stay healthy and enjoy your trip without any hiccups. 2 As well as being aware of sun safety and staying hydrated, do also note other travel risks. Make sure you are up to date with any vaccinations you might need, and check any restrictions on bringing prescription medication, including weight- loss injections, into your destination country. Take steps to avoid insect bites and animal scratches, and stock up on mozzie spray and remedies to relieve pain from bites. To avoid traveller's diarrhoea and food-borne illnesses, opt for well cooked, hot food and be cautious of raw fruits and vegetables. Get travel insurance covering you for medical care and any planned activities while away. With all those bases covered, have a wonderful time. Meanwhile, here's what readers asked this week . . . Worry pains straight after sex Q: I DAREN'T see a doctor, but after sex and ejaculation, I get a severe pain at the bottom of my spine which lasts for a minute or so. I have had it for a couple of years now. I am 76 and quite healthy. A: Thank you for sharing – it's understandable to feel hesitant, but you're not alone in having unusual or concerning symptoms like this, especially later in life. I'm a sexual health expert and here's the 5 reasons sex can be painful (and when to see your doctor) What you're describing deserves to be taken seriously, and you should consider seeing a doctor, even if it's a bit uncomfortable to bring up. At 76, even with generally good health, several conditions could cause pain in that area after ejaculation. Top of the list would be prostatitis or other prostate issues. The prostate gland plays a big role in ejaculation, so if there is inflammation or enlargement of the gland (which is very common in older men), this could cause referred pain to the lower back or perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus). The pelvic floor muscles also contract during orgasm, and they attach to the lower spine and tailbone, so tightness or dysfunction of these muscles could cause sharp pain associated with ejaculation. A spinal disc issue such as mild degeneration or a herniated disc could be irritated by it, too. I also want to mention coccygodynia – the medical term for tailbone pain. People who have this often report it being made worse by sitting, bowel movements or activities that involve pelvic pressure, such as ejaculation. Less commonly, things such as bladder issues, bowel problems or referred pain from vascular issues could be triggered by ejaculation. You should not ignore this pain, even if everything else seems fine. It might be nothing serious, but some possible causes, like prostate disease, should be investigated further. So please do book to see your GP. Ask for a male doctor or nurse if it helps – and remember that this is a normal topic for healthcare professionals. SKIN SORES WON'T HEAL Q: I'M a 58-year-old lady with sores under both breasts. I have been given fungal and bacterial antibiotics, plus a cream, to no avail. I can't get a GP's appointment. I have been to a walk-in clinic and was advised I need to see a dermatologist. It looks like I have been burned and it smells, too. I rarely wear a bra these days, but really need to as I am a 38H. My self-esteem is on the floor. I would be grateful for any advice. A: It sounds like a skin condition called intertrigo, which tends to affect the flexures of the body where there is skin in contact with another area of skin – under the breasts, armpits, groin and below the tummy if the skin hangs. Intertrigo is characterised by a rash that looks wet, soft and glistening, with scaling on the edges. It can itch, burn and sting. Diabetes, smoking and excessive alcohol may all make it more likely, and it can be made worse by hot and humid weather. In your case, due to the smell, it sounds like it may be complicated by secondary infection – bacterial and/or fungal – and there may be some skin breakdown due to friction, moisture and warmth. Daktacort cream is recommended as a first-line treatment because it can treat the most common fungal infection, candida, and help reduce inflammation as it contains a mild steroid. It's available over the counter, no prescription. Short-term use of Trimovate cream can also be considered. Oral antibiotics or oral antifungal therapy may be needed and should be guided by results of skin swabs. If you can send an e-consult to your GP, you can easily do the swabs yourself – then your practice can send them off to the lab. Meanwhile, gently clean the folds once or twice a day with lukewarm water and a very mild soap, then pat dry – do not rub – and consider using a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry the area. Use a zinc oxide-based cream such as Sudocrem, Metanium or Bepanthen to create a barrier over raw areas and reduce friction. Even though bras feel uncomfy, not wearing one can cause further friction and sagging, worsening the condition. If you can, try a cotton, wireless, breathable support bra or even a sleep bra just to lift the skin off itself gently. If that's not possible, use a soft, cotton cloth or medical-grade intertrigo pads between the fold to keep skin separated and dry. Some people use cotton bra liners or folded gauze. SWOLLEN ANKLES AFTER STROKE Q: MY mum had a stroke in June last year. Her ankles are swollen and she is taking medication for her blood pressure. She walks to work and back home. What can she do to reduce her BP? Could it be the medication that is making her legs swell? 2 A: I'm really sorry to hear about your mum's stroke. You're doing the right thing by paying close attention to her health and asking questions. Swollen ankles (also called peripheral oedema) can be caused by many factors, especially after a stroke. Firstly, what medication does she take? Some common blood pressure drugs called calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine or nifedipine) are a well-known cause of ankle swelling. Other medications, like beta-blockers or diuretics, can also cause fluid shifts or retention. After a stroke, blood and lymph flow in the legs can be impaired if there has been a period of reduced activity. You say that she is walking now, which is fantastic and really helpful. But is she walking as far and as fast as before? More is better. It's also good to have regular breaks and elevate the legs if possible, and consider using compression stockings. These measures can help with venous insufficiency, where blood pools in the lower legs because the valves in the veins don't work at pumping blood back up to the heart. This is common in older adults and those who sit or stand a lot during the day, and it tends to be better first thing in the morning after being laid flat all night. It's the most common cause of peripheral oedema, but it's also important for the less common causes to be considered. If either leg is red, swollen and tender, then a deep vein thrombosis has to be ruled out urgently. Any signs of infection should be assessed. And, finally, it's important for your mum to have her heart checked for heart failure. If the heart's pumping ability is reduced, this can also cause swelling. Her GP can do a simple blood test called a pro-BNP and, if necessary, an ECG, too. She may have already had these in recent months if she's been seen by her hospital team.