The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

Is it true that obesity makes it harder to become pregnant? I’m overweight, but want a baby.

Obesity can affect how likely you are to get pregnant, especially if you are having less regular ovulation and so have irregular periods.

There is a link with polycystic ovary, which can upset the hormone balance.

During pregnancy, being obese increases various risks.

These include thrombosis in the lungs or legs, gestational diabetes and increased risk of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

But it also slightly increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Obesity can also lead to potential complications in labour: pre-term birth or a longer birth, the baby’s shoulder becoming stuck, the need for an emergency Caesarean section and increased risk of wound infections and bleeding after the birth.

Obesity can affect the accuracy of ultrasound scans and can also make it more difficult to have an epidural.

The higher your Body Mass Index (BMI), the greater the risk, so it is worth losing weight, particularly if you have a BMI over 40.

It’s best to lose weight before becoming pregnant. Crash diets in pregnancy are not advisable.

It is better to lose weight through a healthy change to diet combined with exercise.

My teenage son has developed “man boobs” and is very embarrassed. What should we do?

This is known as gynecomastia and is fairly common.

It is usually caused by hormone changes and most often occurs usually around the age of 14.

It can affect just one side and cause tenderness but it usually resolves itself and disappears within a year or two.

You can reassure your son that this is nothing to worry about.

Can I take paracetamol if I’m on antibiotics?

Yes, you can.

The antibiotic does not give pain relief in itself, so you may need a painkiller initially.

But as the antibiotic takes effect you should find you have less need for pain relief.