From husband’s low sex drive to hard finger lumps, Dr Jeff answers your health questions
DR JEFF FOSTER is The Sun on Sunday’s new resident doctor and is here to help YOU.
Dr Jeff, 43, splits his time between working as a GP in Leamington Spa, Warks, and running his clinic, H3 Health, which is the first of its kind in the UK to look at hormonal issues for both men and women.
See h3health.co.uk and email at drjeff@the-sun.co.uk.
Q: I HAVE a high libido but my husband has zero interest in me sexually any more. He says he’s attracted to me but he has gained weight and feels unattractive. His penis definitely works but he has no sex drive. I’ve suggested Viagra but the issue isn’t “mechanical” and he won’t go on a diet to lose the weight.
Natalia, Folkestone, Kent
A: Body image affects so many men these days as we are now more conscious of what we think we should look like, which imposes significant pressure on the average guy.
Weight gain has several negative impacts on our sex drive and libido.
If men feel less attractive, this can make intimacy embarrassing and being overweight increases oestrogen levels, increases insulin resistance and also directly reduces our testosterone production.
The second-largest cause of low testosterone in men is obesity, and without testosterone you lose your sex drive quickly.
I’d advise not pushing him towards sex so it takes the pressure off and allows him to feel less stressed about having to “perform.”
Then look at ways to help him tackle his weight.
In the majority of cases it can simply be reducing the calorie intake, for example, fasting, not eating after 6pm or other types of intermittent fasting.
But being supportive will be key to getting his mojo back.
Q: I HAVE a hard lump on my middle finger. It’s been there for years and hasn’t grown but hurts occasionally. What is it and could I have it removed?
Jordan Madeley Cambridge
LUMPS and bumps are an inevitability of ageing.
The causes of hard lumps are vast and vary from acute inflammatory or infective conditions such as abscesses or spots to very long-term hard bony growths such as those seen in osteoarthritis.
The key to deciding on what a lump on a finger might be is whether it comes and goes.
A classic example is a ganglion, a fluid-filled swelling that can occur along any tendon line.
Generally they are painless but can swell up and become tender.
They can last for years and, when acutely swollen, can feel solid because the tissue is so tense.
The treatment for a ganglion used to be hitting it with a Bible, but while that pops the sac and dissipates the fluid, it is likely to grow back with more scar tissue.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about a lump on a finger if it’s been there for years and doesn’t bother you.
But with so many potential causes, get your doctor to have a look.