I'M pregnant and my dentist says I can't have an x-ray – but I'm not sure I understand why.

X-rays during pregnancy carry a very small risk of exposing the unborn baby to radiation, which could cause cancer to develop during his or her childhood. Your healthcare professional will assess whether your treatment can wait until you’ve had your baby. For example, they will assess whether the benefits of treatment outweigh the low risk of having an X-ray.

If you need a dental X-ray, your dentist will usually wait until you've had the baby, even though most dental X-rays don’t affect the abdomen or pelvic area.

X-rays during pregnancy do not increase the risk of miscarriage or cause problems in the unborn baby such as birth defects, physical or mental development problems. However, repeated exposure to radiation can damage the body's cells, which can increase the risk of cancer developing. This is why the dose of radiation used in an X-ray is always as low as possible.

During dental X-rays, lead aprons are no longer routinely used to protect the abdomen or pelvis because most dental X-rays do not affect this area. Also, the dose of radiation in dental X-rays is so low that there is virtually no risk to the unborn baby.

However, very rarely, the angle of the X-ray beam needed to take a dental X-ray may affect the pelvic area. If you need a dental X-ray like this that can’t wait until you’ve had your baby, your dentist may advise covering your abdomen with a lead apron while the X-ray is done.

MY doctor says my 14-year-old son has gynaecomastia, what has caused this?

Gynaecomastia is a common condition in teenage boys where firm, tender breast tissue grows under the nipples. It is usually caused by an imbalance of hormones during puberty and usually disappears without treatment within a couple of years.

In rare cases, it could be due to taking anabolic steroids, taking certain medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) or using cannabis. Very occasionally, gynaecomastia is due to a tumour or disease.

Some men and boys have fat on their chests that makes it look like they have breasts. This is 'false gynecomastia' and is helped by losing weight.

WHAT is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which small pieces of womb lining are found outside the womb. This could be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, bowel, vagina or rectum. It is relatively common, affecting around two million women in the UK. Most of them are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.

Endometriosis commonly causes pain in the tummy, pelvis or lower back. It may also lead to fertility problems however; some women have few or no symptoms.

The cause of endometriosis is not yet fully understood. There is no known cure for endometriosis.

It is a long-term condition that can cause pain, lack of energy, and fertility problems.

However, symptoms can be managed and fertility improved with pain medication, hormone treatment or surgery, so that the condition does not interfere with daily life.