Beware What You Wear
It may be catwalk envy that has you hoisting up the droopy bits and strapping back the flab, or you may just want to show off last year’s skinny-fits one more time. But if gaffer tape, tweezers and twine are part of your morning preening ritual, stop to think about what trussing yourself up like a plucked bird ripe for roasting is doing to your body. There could be plenty more embarrassing things than a stray bit of flab lurking round the corner if you keep it up – and a lot more foul-smelling.
Burning Loins
Love it when your loins burn after a night on the tiles? Those skin-tight trousers might catch you more than a lusty bedfellow. You may have heard of cystitis, an irritating bladder infection caused by intestinal bacteria. If you’ve been unlucky enough to suffer from it, the very word might remind you of that unstoppable urge to wee, and the nasty burning sensation when you do. Tight jeans and panties can be one step towards picking it up, especially synthetic ones that build up entirely the wrong kind of heat around the crotch.
However, it could be a lot more long-term than a couple of days squealing on the loo, whilst gulping down a carton of cranberry juice. Super-tight clothing can force the cells lining the womb back towards the ovaries, causing crippling pain and even infertility in a condition known as endometriosis, which affects some 2 million women in the UK alone.
Volatile Gases
Working upwards, take that high-fashion belt down a notch to avoid trapping all manner of volatile gases and bubbling potions where they shouldn’t be – a condition known as acid reflux results when stomach contents are forced upwards, leading to painful heartburn, while at the other end a stifling build-up of bowel gases that your body would normally release as nature intended, but will instead double you up with cramps and have you hobbling like a granny.
Everyone knows that if you squeeze a ball of putty tightly in your hand, it’ll bulge out somewhere else. But comic as it sounds there are much more serious consequences for those sporting waistband muffin-tops. Meralgia paresthetica is its much more fearsome-sounding technical name: too much pressure on your peripheral nerve, which leads from your thigh to your spinal column, can cause bee sting-like tingling across your thighs, groin or buttocks. Buy bigger trousers if you don’t want people assuming you have ant-infested pants.
Crown Jewels
Men: if you’re reading this and chuckling, don’t think you’re getting away so lightly. If fatherhood’s in the pipeline you may want to consider going commando: keeping the crown jewels locked away too tightly can dramatically reduce your chances by virtually shutting down the sperm-producing cells in your testicles. There’s a reason why they’re dangling down below – you need to keep them cool.
Back to the ladies: you’ve loosened your belt and been a bit more honest about your jeans size. You no-doubt know that tight bras can lead to pain in the neck, arms and shoulders, especially if you’re somewhat heavier in the bust. But did you know that they can also damage the nerves to your hands and fingers, causing tingling and numbness that will have you twitching and fidgeting like a thing possessed?
Contorting your tootsies
Sore soles after a night on the dance-floor might seem an evil worth paying for jazzing up those party feet – and you might think injuring your pride doing a Naomi Campbell is the worst you should fear when tottering towards town. But sharpening those toes to a point in over-tight shoes can cause everything from corns to spinal problems. And yes, even Victoria Beckham has bunions.
Contorting your tootsies into unnatural poses is one thing, but if you don’t keep them fresh and aired then trapped sweat can cause all manner of nasty fungal infections, from athlete’s foot to infected toenails. Unfortunately, flat shoes aren’t much better as they can also cause plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation known as policeman’s heel that gives an apt warning to Bobbies pounding the beat.
Even flip-flops and backless mules can crush your toes as you push forward on them, so maybe barefoot is best – but watch your step, as over 100,000 people injure themselves like that each year too.
So there you have it: next time you fish out the glad rags, besides fashion have a little think about infertility, farts and feet.
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
im 16 and ive gone through puberty already, but im really flat chested, i litterally have nothing there, what should i do ? :S
Vanessa, I have them too!
I thought I was the only one.
Is it like, they are really painful when wearing underwear?
And then loads of pus comes out and then bleeds but theres loads of puss left.
Yeah, I dont know what to do about it. Im FAR too awkward to go to a doctor. But I dont think its sexual related. I've never had sex and its been happening for 4 years or so. And im 16 now =S
hi i am 14 years old
over the past 12 months i have started to notice that i seem to bruise extreemly easily. even the slightest nock anywere on my body results in massive bruising. recently it has sterted to effect my life because my friends have started to notice and think i am doing it on perpose. please help …..
sorry to put a damper on u but no one on this website will respond to personal questions!
Maybe i can offer some advice for you instead, im not a doctor or anything like that, so its just my personal opinion!
Tummy hair – I personally do have hair on my tummy, in a line leading to my belly button and slightly above it. I wax this hair away.
Marks from chicken pox – bio oil works wonders to reduce marks scars and stretch marks.
Kerry – You should go to your local Gum clinic, or family planning to have an sti test. It doesnt hurt, its just slightly uncomfortable, but they can tell u exactly what, if anything, is wrong. I would advise u to take a friend for moral support, as it can be scary to go alone. The staff are friendly and do not judge so you have nothing to worry about.
Two others mentioned problems with their vaginal areas, i would also say to yourselves, go to your doctor, gum clinic or family planning.
Em – Sorry to hear the problems u have been having, have you been back to your dentist about the filling?? With regards to lips going blue etc i wouldnt know what that is from, I know its hard to get a doctor to listen, for the past four years I have had trouble getting my problem heard, but keep trying, i found a new doctor who has refferred me to a specialist. You could contact the show, maybe they could help??
Good luck to you all, and please remember i am not a doctor, just an average person giving my opinions, you do not have to follow or listen to my advice!!
Toni
xxx
hi
im 14 and whenever i get spots they always turn to scabs and it makes me itch so the scabs get bigger .. this is very embarrassing and im scared to go out. I am also a red head so people are more likely to stare and notice
Thanks
i have Psoriasis, and ive just booked a holiday but my psoriasis looks like chicken pox or somethinbk really really horrible and im very worried how it will react in the pool and sun shine and that its obvious in my bikinie and people might think the can catch it, obv. i cant explane what it is to random people . my doctors wont listen to me and are complety usless, what can i do or use- i already have somethink steriod based. but it doesnt help my scars.
Hello,
I am 18years old and I have very huge lumps on my vagina area. it keeps coming and going and whenever i touch it is pains so bad and it also burst by itself with pouse coming out and bleeding which leads to pain. I have never had unprotected sex and I cleanse myslef very gently. I cannot take it anymore. I already been to my GP no good answers or solution. It been happening to me from I was around the age of 13y and now i really need your help to stop it once and for all.
hi i have quite a few worries, i have been to 3 doctors and after 6months and alot of different tablets later 2 said they cant find nothing wrong with me and the other said it must be in my head and theres nothing wrong with me, and at that point i walked out and have not been back since.
for a few years now my lips and hands go a blue colour, weather im sitting or walking around.
i keep getting a sharp stabbing pain in the left side of my head .
if i talk to someone who im not close to (or relaxed around) my eyes fill up with tears as if im going to cry and my face goes bright red and sometimes feels hot and itchy
i sweat loads from my armpits and the lower part of my back.
i had burst eardrums when i was 14 and since then my hearing changes all the time from good to bad and no matter how much i clean my ears they fill up with wax quite quickly, i dont use ear drops as it was that which caused my ear drums to burst.
i used to suffer from nose bleeds as i was growing up but since theyve stopped my nose always feels as tho its blocked and a bit tight near the top.
i am overweight but no matter how healthly i eat or the amount i walk i cant seem to lose weight, i just seem to put more on.
because of these problems i dont go out to pubs or clubs because im too embarraced and scared, i always make up excuses not to go out with what friends i have left. if i do go out its normally with my mum, sister, little brother or my friend who i grew up with. which is now getting me down. i didnt really get to make alot of friend when i was between the ages of 16 and 20 as i used to stay at my grandads to look after him and now i dont feel i can go out and make friends at pubs and things due to my embarracement.
i have also been to the dentist for a few fillings but since i had them one of my teeth keep producing a horrible smelling white substance which my dentist said would stop but after a year it is still the same and my front tooth with a filling keeps stinging but the dentist said the tooth is fine. hope you can suggest someting that might help even one of these problems thank you
i am 16 and have stretch marks on my stomach and on the side of my hips. they are really bugging as i am very embarrassed by them. i hate putting a bikini on in the summer because of them. they are'nt very noticable, they are quite pale, but i know they are there.
is there any oils or creams i can use that are'nt very expensive?
thanks.
Hey im a girl and i have hair on my tummy and im sure thats not normal
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
