Dr Martin Edwards is a family GP whose advice you can trust
I’m scared I’ll drop baby
Q I’m getting wrist pain and I’m terrified I’ll drop my new baby. My GP calls it De Quervain’s, what’s that?
A It’s short for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis which means inflammation around those long tendons on the side of your wrist, which you can see leading to the back of your thumb. It’s most common in women and is especially common if you have a new baby, particularly if you are breastfeeding.
This could be because of the effect of pregnancy and breastfeeding hormones, or just wrist strain from repeatedly lifting the baby – no one’s sure. Lifting your thumb becomes painful and the tendon is tender to touch. Symptoms usually disappear by the time you stop breastfeeding.
Treatment might mean avoiding painful movements, taking painkillers, gentle exercises or a steroid injection around the painful area. In very rare cases of De Quervain’s surgery may be necessary.
Is his semen normal?
Q Sometimes my partner’s semen looks pink. Should we be worried? He refuses to tell his doctor!
A Pink or red semen usually means blood, which isn’t entirely normal but is usually harmless. Some guys simply leak blood into their semen when a small fragile blood vessel bursts, and it’s no more significant than a slight nosebleed.
Bloodstained semen is also common temporarily, after an op to take a sample of his prostate gland for testing or to insert a camera tube into his penis. Other, more serious, causes can be raised blood pressure, infection of his prostate gland, and, rarely, prostate cancer.
Guys are sometimes reluctant to ask their doctor but your partner should check with his GP – you can reassure him that chances are, he’ll be given the all-clear!
Help! It burns after sex
Q With my new partner I always get cystitis after sex. It’s never happened before, could they have an STI?
A This sounds like so-cal
