Solo ovary
About eight years ago I had my right ovary and tube removed due to a stomach growth. I’m now 26 and starting to think about having children. My periods are regular, but I’m worried. Will I be able to have children?
Charlie, Kirkaldy
The loss of an ovary and tube may reduce your chances of getting pregnant, but this is not always the case. In many women, the remaining ovary ‘takes over’ and produces an egg every month. In this situation, there is no reduction in fertility. If your remaining ovary doesn’t respond in this way, you will then ovulate every other month, which will reduce your chances to conceive by half. You could ask your doctor for a blood test, taken in the second half of the cycle, to show whether you have ovulated that month. If you did that each month for four months, you would know where you stand, and this might help you to decide when to start trying.
Tired of thyroid
I’ve been diagnosed with underactive thyroid, and have been given thyroxine 50. How long will it be before I start to feel more energetic? I’m desperate to start losing some of the weight I’ve gained as well.
Tina, Burnley
The first thing is to find the right replacement dose for you, to put you back to where you were before your thyroid gland became underactive. When treatment is first started, it’s important to check blood thyroxine levels fairly frequently. The first test is usually done 6 -12 weeks after starting. Often, it’s necessary to increase the dose and check again. Once the right dose is found, yearly tests are usually enough to keep an eye on things. Your current dose is fairly small, but is a common ‘start-up’ dose.
It’s enough for some patients, but too low for others. Once you’re on the right dose for you, you should start to see some benefit within about 3 months.
Sex is sore
Since I had my baby 11 months ago, I haven’t been able to have sex with my partner because it’s so painful. My GP says to relax, and to rub Vaseline into my episiotomy scar. It’s no better. What can I do?
Caitlin, Southampton
Go back to your doctor. This situation is miserable, and could put a strain on your marriage if it isn’t dealt with. Some pain from an episiotomy is common in the first few months, because the new scar isn’t stretchy. Your GP probably thought this was the problem, so advised Vaseline to soften the scar tissue. If you are still in lots of pain 11 months down the line, something else needs to be done. Ask your GP to refer you back to the consultant whose care you were under for your delivery. He may be able to offer you an operation to remove the scar tissue and re-stitch the wound.
Like Pick Me Up? Subscribe to the magazine for the latest content.
