You'll often hear from doctors and sexual health practitioners that there's 'nothing they haven't seen' – but somehow that doesn't make it any less embarrassing to talk about.
There's no doubt you should go to your GP with any serious worries you have, but there are clearly some things we go straight to 'Dr Google ' for.
Recently, it's become increasingly hard to get a GP appointment, so it's understandable that make look for answers on their own.
Megan Boyle, head of content marketing digital marketing agency The Audit Lab, has looked at the most commonly asked 'embarrassing' health questions on Google over the past year.
In the UK, thousands of people are asking these questions every month, so we spoke to several health experts to answer your most asked questions.
We spoke to Dr Suhail Hussain, a private home visiting GP in Herts and Greater London, Amanda Sheehan, Dental Therapist for leading oral hygiene brand TePe, Dr Kathryn Basford, who works at Asda Online Doctor and Dr Naveen Puri, Associate Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics.
Here are 10 of the most Googled 'embarrassing health questions, answered by doctors and sexual health experts.
Why do I keep getting thrush?
If you have thrush symptoms, such as itchiness or soreness in the vagina or vulva alongside thick, white, vaginal discharge and get treatment, it usually clears up within 7 to 14 days, explains Dr Puri.
He added: "However, it's possible to get recurring thrush – considered when you get four or more episodes of thrush in one year.
"It's not always clear why some people suffer from recurring thrush. However, it's thought that your vagina's individual bacteria levels and body's overall immune system may contribute to a higher chance of developing recurring thrush.
"Other factors that may lead to recurring thrush include not completing your full course of treatment, your treatment course not fully clearing your infection, using soaps or body washes that are perfumed, having diabetes, or being pregnant. "
Dr Puri recommends swapping out perfumed soaps and shower gels for water and emollient-based washes, using breathable cotton underwear and make sure the infection has cleared up before having sex.
Why does my pee smell?
Dr Basford said: "If you find your pee starts to smell different, or more strongly, it's likely a result of your diet. Particular types of food and drink such as asparagus and garlic contain a strong-smelling chemical that can pass into your urine.
"Other foods that can affect the smell of urine include dried fruits, fennel, alcohol and coffee. Similarly, it can be a sign you are not drinking enough fluids and are dehydrated.
"While often harmless, smelly wee can also be a sign of a longer-term health condition, such as diabetes, kidney stones or liver failure, however these will usually be accompanied by other more severe symptoms.
"If you're concerned, have been experiencing long-term changes to your wee, or it's accompanied by other symptoms like burning pain, or blood, then speak to a doctor."
Why are my nipples itchy?
According to Dr Hussain, there are a number of reasons your nipples could be itchy, although a fungal skin infection is most likely.
He explained: "Other possible skin conditions – e.g. eczema. Or it could caused by tight or ill-fitting clothes.
"One worrying cause (for women) is Paget's disease of the breast, which is linked to breast cancer."
In this case, the person should go to a GP to check for "associated redness, flaking or crusting of the skin".
Dr Basford added: "Most commonly itchy nipples are caused by itchy skin including sensitivity to certain products, cold weather, or perhaps a condition such as eczema or dermatitis. Sometimes hormonal changes may be behind itchy nipples, such as pregnancy or menopause, or a side effect of mastitis, a tissue infection in breastfeeding women."
Why am I sweating so much?
Dr Hussain has shared several causes to why you are sweating excessively, without an apparent cause.
He explained: "You could be sweating due to over exercise, increased body habitus [because of physique or body build]."
Another reason could be Hyperhidrosis, which can affect any part of body but commonly under arms, hands or feet, explains Dr Hussain. "This is due to over activation of sympathetic nervous system".
He added: "Other causes can include other endocrine disorders such as thyroid dysfunction (hypo) an underactive thyroid."
Dr Basford continued: "Sweating may also be a physical response to a medical condition, it can be from anxiety or stress to reactions to certain foods or allergens that your body doesn't agree with."
How to stop wetting the bed
Wetting the bed is normally a childhood problem, affecting 10% of five year olds and 5% of 10 year olds, explains Dr Hussain.
He suggested: "Use behavioural techniques first – no late night fluids, go to the toilet before sleeping, wake the child up in the middle of the night to pee. Do not chastise bed wetting. Use star reward system for dry nights."
If bed-wetting has continued into adulthood, Dr Hussain suggests a bed-wetting alarm, which is a moisture sensitive blanket that buzzes if it detects wetness.
Why do I have bad breath?
According to Amanda Sheehan, 80-90% of halitosis (the clinical name for bad breath) originates in the oral cavity.
She explained: "Your mouth contains bacteria which break down proteins from food debris, saliva, and plaque. This breakdown process generates bad-smelling gases.
"Depending on the cause of your bad breath the treatment can vary, however, maintaining a good daily oral hygiene is usually the most efficient way to prevent bad breath."
In order to improve your breath, Amanda recommends brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, as well as interdental flossing daily.
She also suggests using a tongue cleaner to remove plaque build-up from the surface of your tongue.
Your toothbrush should be changed once every three months, and you should also make sure you have regular visits to the dentist.
Why do I keep farting?
Dr Hussain said: "Passing gas is a natural phenomenon. When digested, food is broken down and waste products expelled – via stool, letting of gas is a related mechanism.
"Maybe it was a heavy meal that is difficult to digest. Maybe you have IBS (other symptoms include bloating and burping) or you are consuming too much air whilst eating."
Although there is no "normal" level of flatulence, Dr Hussain recommends seeking medical attention if you're experiencing other worrying symptoms – such as diarrhoea, bloody stool or weight loss.
Dr Basford added: "If you've made no notable dietary or lifestyle changes that may be the cause of your gas, it may be caused by a digestive problem such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or coeliac disease."
Why does my penis smell?
Dr Puri explained: "A penis that smells is usually a sign of poor hygiene, a fungal infection like thrush, or another common skin condition, such as psoriasis or eczema as two examples."
However, some STIs can also cause the penis to become sore and smell, such as gonorrhoea, which can cause an unusual white, yellow, or green discharge which can cause pain and burning when passing urine, said Dr Puri.
He continued: "A penis that smells can also be caused by a UTI. The smell will often be accompanied by a regular need to urinate and burning when going. Fungal infections can also create a foul smelling penis.
"If you're suffering with a penis that smells, make sure you see a doctor who will be able to advise on the best course of treatment."
What does a normal vagina look like?
Dr Puri said: "There is no such thing as a normal looking vagina. Each one is different and unique to each person but they all have the same parts. These differences are normal just like differences in hair colour or differences in height."
Dr Basford added: "It is very normal to be concerned of what a normal vagina may look like, but it is important to know that this can vary from person to person.
"The labia, which are the inner and outer lips, can look different to someone else's as they can be thin or thick or a different colour. Sometimes the inner lips may protrude past the outer lips, and the size of your vaginal opening could be smaller or larger, the same for the clitoris."
Why does it hurt when I have sex?
According to Dr Puri, both men and women can experience pain during or after sex which could be caused by various infections.
He added: "For women, the menopause can make the vagina dry, which tends to lead to painful sex. Other conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and even cancer can contribute to painful sex and it could be a serious health problem, so I would recommend you get checked as soon as possible if you're experiencing pain during or after sex."
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