MY wife has no sex drive at all, which is causing me quite a lot of stress.

When I try to talk to her about it she puts up a brick wall and refuses to see a doctor. What should I do?

l There are many reasons why some of us lose our sex drives - some physical and some psychological.

Certain medications can cause loss of libido as can stress, depression, anxiety and other underlying medical or hormonal issues.

It would be good to know whether your wife has any other symptoms that she may be either ignoring or "just living with".

It is clear that this is causing a problem between you. It is important that you share your feelings and concerns with her in as supportive a way as you can. It is not that uncommon a problem and is important for you to know that your family doctor is used to seeing people in similar circumstances and is skilled in finding out what if anything is behind the problem.

You may wish to suggest you go together to the doctor or she may wish to see the practice nurse who runs the well women clinic at the surgery if she would find that easier.

IS it safe to allow children to go out in the sun without suncream for a short period of time, or should cream be applied earlier? I had heard that suncream could be applied a little later so Vitamin D from the sun could get through?

l Sunscreen should be applied around 15 minutes before going out into the sun, and reapplied every two hours. If you are planning to spend time in the water, you should use a waterproof sunscreen.

You do not need vitamin D in your diet every day. This is because any of the vitamin your body does not need immediately is stored for future use.

Most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need by eating a healthy balanced diet and by getting some sun.

WHAT ARE... FLAT FEET?

MOST people's feet have a gap where the inner part of their foot (the arch) is raised off the ground when they stand.

Some people's feet, however, have a low arch or no arch at all, which is referred to as flat feet or fallen arches.

Some people with flat feet never have any trouble or pain. Others may suffer from aching feet, or find that it puts a strain on the connecting ligaments and muscles, which causes pain in the leg joints when walking.

Treatment

Wearing supportive well-fitted shoes can relieve any aching caused by flat feet.

If your feet roll or over-pronate, then a specially fitted insole or orthotic can take pressure and pain away. A flat foot caused by a ruptured tendon or arthritis can often be treated with painkillers.