Blog

Our health guides help readers better understand treatments, medicines, and how online healthcare processes work. Each article is written as independent guidance to support safer comparison of licensed and trustworthy providers.

Menopause and HRT: when is the right time to start? Modern HRT is safer and more effective than its reputation suggests.

Dr Claire Phipps explains when to start, which preparation to choose, and how to stay on it well.

Iron deficiency anaemia: how to treat it and feel better Iron deficiency anaemia is common and eminently treatable.

Dr Claire Phipps covers UK diagnosis thresholds, oral iron that you can actually tolerate, and when to switch to IV. IBS: what diet and medication actually help?

IBS responds best to a sequenced plan: diagnosis, diet, then medication. Dr Claire Phipps explains low FODMAP, antispasmodics, loperamide, and when to try a neuromodulator.

Buying medicines without a prescription: what UK law says Prescription-only medicines (POMs) cannot be bought without a prescription in the UK — restricted under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, regulation 214.

Via an online consultation with a GMC- or EU-registered doctor you can lawfully obtain a valid prescription. Constipation: what helps when nothing seems to work?

Chronic constipation rarely resists a properly structured plan. Dr Claire Phipps walks through UK-approved laxative steps, rescue options, and red flags that change management.

Thyroid problems: symptoms of an over or underactive thyroid A British GP guide to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism: which symptoms matter, how TSH and free T4 are interpreted, and how levothyroxine and other UK-licensed treatments work.

How to treat acne and actually get clearer skin As a GP, I see the emotional toll of acne daily.

Here is my honest, evidence-based guide to navigating treatments, from vital skincare tweaks to prescription options like Aknemycin. Acid reflux: when do you actually need medication?

Struggling with heartburn? As a GP, I explain exactly when acid reflux needs medication, how to spot hidden triggers, and my top clinical tips for lasting relief.

Choosing contraception: how to pick the right method for you Overwhelmed by contraceptive choices? Dr.

Claire Phipps shares her clinical insights on finding the right method, managing side effects, and the medical myths you need to stop believing.

Quitting smoking: which aids actually work? Struggling to quit smoking? Dr.

Claire Phipps shares her clinical insights on why 'cold turkey' rarely works, which cessation aids are most effective, and how to finally break the cycle.

STI testing and treatment: what to expect In my years as a GP, I've seen how anxiety around STI testing stops people from getting help.

Here is my honest, practical guide to testing, treatments like Aciclovir, and protecting your health. Safe weight loss medication: what actually works? Struggling to lose weight?

As a GP, I explain why it is not a moral failing and how medications like Alli actually work to support lasting, safe weight loss.

Male hair loss: when should you start treatment? As a GP, I see countless men worrying about hair loss.

Here is my honest, medical advice on when to start treatment, what actually works, and the clinical secrets you need to know.

Erectile dysfunction: causes, treatments and when to seek help As a GP, I see men struggling with erectile dysfunction every week.

Here is my honest, evidence-based guide to understanding the causes, comparing treatments, and getting your confidence back.

Rosacea: how to treat persistent facial redness A British GP guide to rosacea: how to tell it apart from acne and menopausal flushing, which creams and tablets actually work, and when laser or referral to a dermatologist is right.

Buying ED pills without a prescription: the real risks Why buying erectile dysfunction pills without a prescription is risky, what fake medication really contains, and how to get safe ED treatment through a legitimate online consultation.

Vitamin D deficiency: symptoms and when to supplement A British GP guide to vitamin D deficiency: which symptoms suggest low levels, when to supplement, what dose to take, and which licensed UK products deliver reliable results.

Urinary tract infection: when do you really need an antibiotic?

A practical British GP guide to urinary tract infections: which symptoms warrant a dipstick or culture, when self-care is enough, and which antibiotics NICE actually recommends in 2026.

Haemorrhoids: home treatment and medication that help Piles are common and rarely dangerous, but they can make daily life a misery.

Here is a UK GP guide to haemorrhoids, with home treatment, medication choices and signs to seek help.

How to order medicine online safely in the UK Everything you need to know about safely ordering prescription medicines online.

From recognising trustworthy providers to the ordering process step by step.

Osteoarthritis: how to relieve joint pain day to day Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis in the UK. Here is a practical Dr.

Claire Phipps guide to relieving joint pain day to day, with exercise, weight and medication choices. Sciatica: what helps with pain shooting down your leg?

Sciatica is the sharp, shooting pain that runs from the low back down the leg.

Here is a UK GP guide to what genuinely helps, what to try first and when to seek urgent help.

How to ease neck pain and torticollis at home Waking with a locked, painful neck is one of the most common reasons people ring the surgery.

Here is how to ease neck pain and torticollis safely at home, and when to seek help.

Lower back pain: what helps, from medication to physio A British GP guide to lower back pain in the UK: which NSAIDs and painkillers to try first, when physiotherapy helps most, and the red flags that mean you need to see a doctor urgently.

Migraine: how to prevent and treat attacks A British GP guide to migraine: how triptans work, when to start prevention with propranolol or newer CGRP drugs, and the lifestyle changes that reduce attack frequency.

High blood pressure: treatment and lifestyle changes that work A British GP guide to high blood pressure: which medicines lower your risk most, what lifestyle changes actually work, and how NHS cardiovascular checks fit together.

Hay fever and allergies: what actually eases symptoms?

A British GP guide to hay fever and allergic rhinitis: which antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops work best, and when you should see your doctor for something stronger.

How does online doctor consultation and repeat prescription work?

A practical GP guide to booking an online doctor consultation in the UK, getting a legal private prescription, and setting up repeat prescriptions for long-term medicines safely.