Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
DAWN HARPER
MY KNEE IS SO PAINFUL
Q For the past couple of months I’ve found walking downhill increasingly painful. I usually walk about five miles a day, but last week, my knee buckled under me and I fell. Thankfully, the ground was soft and I didn’t do any serious damage, but it rattled me. How can I make sure this doesn’t happen again?
A Pain on inclines and a knee giving way can be associated with arthritis in the knee or ligament damage. Your GP will want to see you to examine your knee and will probably arrange an X-ray or scan. In the meantime, it’s worth investing in a good-quality knee brace to support the knee, while you’re walking.
CAN I TAKE NATURAL HRT?
Q My night sweats and hot flushes are becoming more difficult to manage. I’m interested in taking bioidentical HRT as I’ve been told it’s a more natural way of managing menopausal symptoms than taking conventional HRT, but my GP says this isn’t available on the NHS. Is this true?
A The term bioidentical HRT, or compounded bioidentical HRT, refers to custom-made products that use combination doses or preparations that aren’t available on the NHS. They’re not recommended because they aren’t regulated in the same way as standard HRT, so it’s not known how safe or effective they are.
Body identical HRT brands, such as Evorel, Sandrena, Oestrogel, Estradot and Elleste Solo, are available on the NHS. If you still have your womb then you will need to take a progestogen as well.
Afraid to ask?MEDS ARE MAKING MY BREATH SMELL
Q Last week, my doctor prescribed oxybutynin to help with bladder leaks. Since starting this my mouth is very dry and I think my
