Private parts. Down there. You-know-where. As a medic, Dr Karan Rajan is used to hearing patients tripping over their own tongues in a bid to disguise what they’re actually talking about and says he wishes ‘we lived in a world that didn’t make it compulsory to be self-conscious’ about these conversations.
This mission has taken him to social media, where his frank approach to medical myth-busting has now earned him more than 11 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. Dr Rajan has also written a book, This Is Vital Information, which dives into the world of medical taboos and answers the questions many of us are too ashamed to ask the doctor (poo, sex, death and our genitals all rank up there, he says).
Here are his answers to some of the most common embarrassing queries.
How often should I poo?
Having seen thousands of patients over the years, I’ve learnt that normal is not an exact number but varies within a range I call the ‘Goldilocks zone’. This means if you empty your bowels between three times a day and three times a week, your range is ‘just right’.
Are there any quick fixes for constipation?
Try crossing one leg over the other when you’re sitting on the loo; it mimics the same internal physics of a squat and relaxes your pelvic floor to help you evacuate more easily. You can also find something to act as a footstool (a bin or rolled-up towel) when you’re on the toilet. Elevating your feet so your knees are slightly higher than your hips helps to straighten your rectum and reduce straining. An emergency fruit salad helps, too. Pears, prunes and plums act as natural laxatives.
Jim Dale and Barbara Windsor in Carry On Again Doctor, 1969
How can I deal with haemorrhoids at home?
Consider topping up your dietary fibre with supplements like psyllium husk. There’s evidence that this can reduce the risk of rectal bleeding caused by haemorrhoids by up to 50 per cent. If your haemorrhoids are painful, consider using wet wipes as these are far more gentle than abrasive toilet paper.
And try immersing your derrière in a warm, shallow bath for ten minutes – it can reduce inflammation and provide symptomatic relief.
Should I be worried about the odour of my vagina?
There is a mass social belief that vaginas are designed to be fresh and odourless and that women’s bodies need to be constantly fragrant. Feminine hygiene washes are a scam; a gentle cleanser is OK, but most will raise the pH and disrupt the natural acid mantle of the vagina’s skin. The fact is that none of us would be here without this extraordinary bit of equipment. Rather than peddling the myth that vaginas somehow ‘stink’, it’s high time we give them the respect they deserve. However, according to the NHS, if your vaginal discharge develops a strong fishy smell (particularly after sex) you should get checked for bacterial vaginosis.
Are my farts too smelly?
There’s not really a correlation between the smell of your farts and your health. You should only be concerned if there are other associated symptoms. So if you have ‘great’ smelling farts but also bloating and pain, then that’s a bad thing. However, you could have foul-smelling farts and otherwise be completely fine, which is OK.
My husband has erectile dysfunction. Should he see a doctor about it?
Erectile dysfunction is not just a sexual thing. It can be a marker of your heart health. The penile arteries are one to two millimetres in diameter, and the arteries that supply blood to the heart are three to five millimetres in diameter. So erectile dysfunction is like a canary in a coal mine – if you’re in danger of getting a heart issue, it’s going to block the penile arteries first before it hits the heart. It’s definitely a trigger to get checked out by your GP.
How do I get my husband to check his testicles?
Tell him that testicular cancer is the most curable solid tumour when caught early, but 35 per cent of men delay care because of shame. The best place to check is in the shower: warm water makes a lump feel like a pea in a water balloon, rather than a pea in a sock. Signs he needs to get checked by a doctor include a heavy-feeling scrotum, smooth or gritty lumps and a dull throb in the groin or lower back.
Why can’t I orgasm?
In Britain, only three in ten heterosexual women claim to experience orgasm every time they have sex, compared with three in five men. In men, the connection between the brain and the penis is fairly direct. In contrast, the female genital area communicates with the brain through multiple nerve pathways, including those activated by clitoral and vaginal stimulation. Experts advise that women who find it difficult to achieve orgasm via clitoral stimulation or penetration with their partner should experiment on their own until they find a way that works for them.
Will I seem lazy if I take weight-loss drugs?
Most people assume that obesity equals a lack of willpower, but the science behind obesity is far more complex than that. The mental component is one part, but there is biological appetite dysregulation, too. There are genetics, the microbiome, as well as early-life factors, environmental exposure and socioeconomic status. Many people take GLP-1s weight-loss injections secretly, because they don’t want to be shamed by people who think it’s cheating. They worry people will think ‘this person doesn’t want to exercise or reduce their food intake’, but it isn’t so simplistic. There is that stigma, but if someone needs these drugs they should be able to take them without fear of judgment.
This Is Vital Information by Dr Karan Rajan is published by Penguin, £20. To order a copy for £17 until 1 February, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over £25. ITV/rex
