Will low blood pressure stop me getting pregnant?

Q My partner and I are trying for a baby, so I went to my GP for a general health check recently. He said I had really low blood pressure. In fact, it was so low he double-checked it to make sure he hadn't made a mistake. Will this have any impact on my chances of getting pregnant? Sarah, 30

A Low blood pressure is generally regarded as very healthy provided you're not experiencing symptoms such as feeling faint or light-headed. The lowest blood pressures are often seen in slim young women and levels of 90/50 are not unusual, whereas the normal level is around 130/90. By contrast, high blood pressure is potentially harmful, which is why thousands of people take medication to prevent heart disease and strokes. You can elevate your blood pressure by exercising and drinking more fluids, and stress always puts it up because of the release of adrenaline-like hormones. But you don't need to do this if you're generally fit and well. Healthy low blood pressure will not affect your fertility whatsoever - if anything I would say it enhances it.

Q I'm a slim size 10, but in hot weather my inner thighs rub together and sweat. This has caused little blisters to start appearing on my skin, which is really embarrassing when I wear short skirts. What can I do? Rachel, 36

A Sweating and chafing can produce these little blisters. You can either use Vaseline to protect the skin, as athletes do, or apply talcum powder to keep the skin dry. Wearing materials that transfer moisture to the outside and away from the skin - like Lycra - will help. You could also work on toning your inner thighs. Try jogging or exercises to work those particular muscles, such as lunges or wide-stance squats.

HEALTH HERO
The F word
No need to mind your language next time you stub your toe - in fact effing and blinding could actually help relieve the agony. A new study by Keele University's School Of Psychology found people's pain threshold (in this case having their hands plunged into freezing cold water) was 50 per cent greater when they shouted out expletives. The researchers believe swearing triggers the body's fight or flight mechanism, releasing endorphins and making pain more bearable. So, if you hurt yourself, release your inner Gordon Ramsay and you should feel better!

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FACT vs FICTION
Cotton buds make you go deaf: FICTION
It's not cleaning your ears using a cotton bud that makes you 'go deaf', it's the pushing of hard wax further into your ear canal that causes the problem. Either that or leaving part of the cotton bud inside the ear, which then causes an infection. It is possible to perforate your eardrum if you're over-vigorous with the cotton bud, but if you're quite gentle then you should be fine. You could also use a few drops of olive oil in each ear once a day to soften and loosen the wax.

Email your health questions to drhilary@fabulousmag.co.uk

COMPILED BY: JO UPCRAFT, BETH GIBBONS PHOTOGRAPHY: FOLIO ID, PHOTOLIBRARY.COM

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