Episode Guide
Episode 1 - Pelvic Floor
Wednesday 15th April 2009, 8pm Channel 4
Dr Christian Jessen and Dr Pixie McKenna – the nation’s favourite doctors for those toes curling embarrassing conditions are back – and now they’re joined by A&E Doctor, Dr Priya Manickavasagar and leading cosmetic Dentist, Dr James Russell – between them they’ve got every orifice covered.
This week’s episode starts with a visit to the clinic for 21-year-old Rebecca. She’s always had noticeably asymmetric breasts (in common with many women in the UK) but pregnancy has accentuated this problem and left her with a severe imbalance. Dr Pixie sends Rebecca to a specialist to see if anything can be done to rectify the problem. The specialist performs a surgical procedure to give Rebecca more balanced and symmetrical breasts.
Next through the clinic doors is Mark, who’s firing on all cylinders – but unfortunately he’s firing blanks. As a long-term diabetic, Dr Christian suspects this might be connected with his erectile problems, but first sends him for a check-up on his prostate. Tests reveal that damage to nerves is causing a condition called retrograde ejaculation, where the semen is entering his bladder instead of leaving through the end of the penis.
In our truck stop Dr Christian sees a case of neuroma, an overgrowth of nerve tissue that is benign, but can be removed surgically if necessary, whilst Dr Pixie sees a patient who is suffering from keloid scars, which are sadly too far developed to be treated effectively. There’s also a case of a birthmark on the tongue, and an instance of melasma that has lead to an overgrowth of pigment on the patients face. Pixie recommends make-up to start with, before considering lazer treatment in the future.
Dr Christian next sees a young lady suffering from one of the most common conditions that Doctors see – warts. Luckily Christian is able to freeze the warts off in the surgery, and with some home treatments she should be able to keep them under control herself.
Our Dentist Dr James has a visit from a patient with an artistic streak, but her teeth are anything but picture perfect. Heavily decayed, her teeth need to be crowned and reshapen if she’s to recover her sparkle. After removing the decay and creating custom veneers, Dr James gives his patient a reason to smile again.
Next up is Brigitte who’s comes to see Dr Pixie with a big problem. She thinks that she has an excessively large vagina that has remained even though she has lost a substantial amount of weight. Dr Pixie examines Brigitte and diagnoses her with a vaginal prolapse and excess skin around the vagina. After a visit to a specialist, Brigitte is told that there is no quick surgical fix for her problems and further examinations must be done.
The doctors hit the streets of Birmingham to talk to locals about the perils of weak pelvic floor muscles and recommend exercises and remedies to regain control over these important muscle areas. The doctors persuade a group of 3 women to road test 3 different techniques for strengthening their Pelvic Floors – with some surprising results. The products tested included a Pelvic Toner, a Pelvic Floor Exerciser and Pelvic Cones.
Dr Priya meets her first patient, Peter, who’s suffering from urinary incontinence after the removal of his prostate due to cancer. He’s been wearing pads and taking medication to control the symptoms, but nothing seems to be effective. Dr Priya sends him to a specialist where the consultant inserts a pump to give Peter control of his bladder with the push of a button.
This week’s body check sees our guinea pig group checking their feet for early signs of an embarrassing illness, whilst Dr Pixie and Dr Priya talk to them about what they can do about athlete’s foot, corns and flat feet.
And finally, the doctors put their own bodies on the line to take the fear out of simple tests. This week, Dr Pixie undergoes the latest test for HIV that reveals results instantly.
The EB Team would like to thank:
Mr Mark Slack, Consultant Urogynaecologist, Addenbrooke Hospital
Ms Angelica Kavouni, Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Solutions
Mr Zaki Almallah, Consultant Urological Surgeon, University Hospital Birmingham
Mr Gordon Muir, Consultant Urologist, Kings College Hospital
Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company
The Arcadians
The Argosy
Solihull Operatic Society
Queensbridge Musical Theatre Society
Alexandra Theatre
Baker Street Medical Centre
Stress No More
Pelvic Toner
Mobilis Healthcare
Cleo
Film Birmingham
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Comments and Questions
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Hi Ladies, My name is Sharon, I am the Lucky lady that tested the Aquaflex cone for the programme, I would just like to say that this is a fantastic device, and get it if you can !!!!
hi could you give me the name of the pelvic weights please and where i can purchase them? Thank you.
after watching this episode with the vaginal prolapse i am paranoid about having this problem, i am sure that being only 21 and reasonably fit and healthy that i do not have this problem but i am now constantly feeling uncomfy and forever doing pelvic floor exercises. its making me feel physically sick thinking about it i cant imagin how that poor lady feels
This is for the lady on Roaccutane. I was prescribed this in 2000 and was on 80mg a day for 4 months. I had horrendous side effects - my face became covered in red blisters, my joints seized up, I could hardly walk by the end of my treatment. I also got quite depressed. All of the side effects disappeared once I came off the tablets - not instantly, but over a period of months. Within about 2 months the skin on my face had returned to almost normal (the area where the blisters were still got more red than the rest when very hot or cold but the blisters and redness had gone.) My eyes are dry and I can't wear contact lenses anymore and the skin on my body is dry, but the acne has more or less gone. From what I've read about Roaccutane, the majority of the side effects disappear once you've stopped taking it. One thing I would say is that you must make sure you use a high factor sun cream while taking it as it can make your skin more sensitve and more likely to burn. Could your skin discolouration be due to getting some sun on your face? The only reason I ask is that having been out in the sun when it shone the other week, I have brown patches on my forehead, and over my eyebrows where the sun has caught me! If you're worried about your skin, then talk to your dermatologist. If you're not happy with his response, ask to speak to another one. Like you said, it's your face and you need to know what's happening. I wish you lots of luck with your treatment. Sue xxx
Hi, Could you please send me the name of the surgeon and location who performed the procedure inserting the pump for Peter who had his prostate removed, we cannot remember the name and cannot find the details through the links above. Thanks in advance, Louise
I would also like to know the name and make of the pelvic weights and where to purchase them please
i always get a really spotty back n on my hair line why do i get this on my back is really bad and i can not find a nything to clear it up its gettin to summer now n i cant show my back as it is that bad i feel i have to hide in my clothes because it is horrible and looks descusting im only 17 and all the girls my age are wearing backless tops n showin off there cleavege bt i cant because ive got spots all over me
If you click on the pelvic cones in the text above, it comes up
hi could you give the name of the pelvic weights weights which was shown on your show on 15th april plus where can I buy them.
Hi there, I have just watched the show and have been in tears since. It was the bit about the woman that had facial pigmentation after the birth of her children that upset me. I am a 32 year old woman and since 2005, I have been telling my doctor that my skin is not right and I have been getting spots that have not disappeared. She ignored me and it was only at the latter part of last year her having realised that I had private medical insurance that she referred me to a dermatologist. There I was informed that I have new and old acne and facial scarring. This upset me but I was advised beacuse of my age and the nature of the marks that my only realy option was Roacctuane, even though I do not suffer from oily skin, this drug will cut off my sebum gland. A serious drug. I have now been on this for a month and have just had my medication increased to 60mg per day. Over the first month, I noticed a change in my skin colouring and have now got dark skin pigmentation over my eyebrows and on my forehead and it is now appearing over my chin area. I spoke to my dermatologist who did not reassure me that this would go away and after watching todays programme I now know that this realistically will not disappear and I feel that I am going to be scarred for life. When on Roacctucane you have to be on the pill and I am aware that the COMBINED PILL can cause this, due to medical reasons I am not allowed to take this and so I am on the MINI PILL, so, I have been crying ever since and was wondering if there was someone that was out there that could help me, advise me on what to do and most of all tell me that this is not permenant and can be treated. This is my face...... Please help... A very upset 32 year old woman. Thanks
