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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I'm 47, had two children feel like everything, incl pelvic floor is failing. Got checked by the Dr about 5 months ago and she said, when I asked was everything okay, for a woman who had had children. I suffer with constipation. I have a sore clitoris, very sore, cannot have sex or enter into any foreplay, making my husband's and my relationship strained, am worried about when I cough, laugh, sneeze, anything, as I leak urine. I feel so very unhappy about all this. I also have a lump which I think is a blocked gland on the outside of my vagina and also lots of little white lumps. Please help>?
Iam 57 years old and am incontinent after a radical prosatectomy for prostate cancer 2 years ago. I have been advised that an Artificial Urinary Aphincter (AUS) is a better procedure to have rather than a male sling. however on your program a patient was fitted with a sling and was very satisfied with the outcome. Iwas wondering if any of your viewers have comments to make regarding both the sling and the AUS. Thanks
im 39 and cant hold the toilet in im really embrresed im putting on the waight and im in and out hospital with abbceses in my back passage ive had six or seven oparations so far whitch its caused a tear and im unabble to control my bowl,s it just comes away without any worning what can i do its most embbarrasing for me to go out thanks audrey.
Hi, Im 22 female and have realised lately that I produce a lot of watery liquid when I'm having sex, and especially when I orgasim. I realise it is just probably excessive female ejaculation, but its such a large amount I normally have to put down towels and this is becoming rather embarrassing. Anything I can do to avoid this? Thanks
Saw your programme last night on incontinence and a prolapse. I have suffer from similar and want to get help. My GP just tells me to do pelvic floor exercise. I am 52 and also overweight.
when I was 15 I had severe chicken pox, some over-healed and became shiny and lumpy. I have 3 (smallest fingernail sized) lumps at the bottom of my neck (I am not bothered about the others over my body as I can cover them). It has been 6 years and they have not gone. The GP said I could get them removed, but wouldn't they be worse? could I get anything for it? I used Bio-oil for a year then gave up. many thanks, Amy
Hello, I am a 33 year old male and have had a bladder problem for a few years now, after i urinate about 2 to 3 mins later i get a trickle of urine let over. It also effects my sexual performance, i dont last a long as i should do. Im not sure if this incontenance is through stress or the loss of my mother a few years ago and its just a mental thing of bottling it all up inside. Im definatley more of an emotional person than i used to be. i have had tests for STI and STD's and im all clear there so im just left confused on what it could be.
i would like to know what the outcome was of the pelvic floor cones, trainer and exerciser was. Which one came out best. I really need to do something. I have had pysio assessment before but the exercises did not work for me. I can't go on like this anymore
Just read your comment. I just saw it on this site that the pelvic floor vaginal cones came out best and with a 60% improvement shown. Unfortunately, I didn't see the show. Good luck with your endeavours
my tongue has a thick yellowish white coating on it,I use a scraper to clean it,however it doesnt remove hardly any of it.I brush my teeth 3-4 times daily,I even garggle with peroxide.I'm so embrassed due to the smell of my tongue.It makes my day's terrible I around people everyday due to my job.I need help with this.I hate talking to people especially when they get close to me...What can I do?Please help me.Thank You...
im holly,13 i have the same problomm,i have been wondering forages about it but oo imbarrsed to talk to my mum about it
Is there an operation to tighten a streched sphincter muscle making me incontinant after an operation on my bowel.
Hi You could try reading up on sacral nerve stimulation - this website is very useful and may give you some guidance. http://oxfordpelvicfloor.co.uk/Treatments/TreatTSNS.aspx Good luck.
yes ther is go back to doc that agve you bowel op' if he is as good as mine he /she will help you with it. there is stimulation you can have although this means adding very thin wires in to back and bowel, not uncomfortable just strange. They worked for me. good luck
