I'M going through the menopause and my period returned briefly. Is this normal?

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.

Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether.

Sometimes they can stop suddenly.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline.

In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.

Postmenopausal bleeding is vaginal bleeding that happens at least 12 months after your periods have stopped. Although it's a common problem, it's not normal to bleed at this time – even if it's just spotting – so don't ignore it. Make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.

I'M a 46 year old man who is going bald. Can I have a hair transplant on the NHS?

A hair transplant is a procedure to move hair from an area unaffected by hair loss to an area of thinning or baldness.

It is suitable for people with androgenetic alopecia (male- and female-pattern baldness) or scarring resulting from injury or burns.

It is not usually appropriate for other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.

A hair transplant isn't normally available on the NHS, as it is regarded as cosmetic surgery.

It is a major decision – a permanent alteration to your appearance – so weigh it up carefully and don't rush into anything.

A hair transplant can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £30,000, depending on the extent of hair loss, the type of procedure you have, and the quality of the clinic.

WHAT is a Phobia?

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder which develops when a person begins to organise their life around avoiding something they are afraid of, whether it’s an animal, object, place or situation. A phobia is a more than a simple fear.

There are a range of both physical and mental symptoms associated with phobias.

Physical symptoms include panic attacks, sweating, trembling, nausea and chest tightness.

Psychological symptoms include fear of losing control, fear of fainting and feelings of dread.

Most of those living with a phobia are usually fully aware that they have one.

Many people live with a phobia without having it formally diagnosed and take great care to avoid the thing they are afraid of.

However, if you have a phobia, getting help from your GP and/or a behavourial therapy specialist can be extremely beneficial.

Although many people are able to avoid the source of their phobia, avoidance might not be possible or practical for everyone. Most phobias are curable, but no single treatment is guaranteed to work for all phobias, the main forms of phobia treatment are counselling, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, other behavioural therapy such as desensitisation and medication such as beta-blockers.

In most cases, a combination of treatment types seems to have the highest success rate.