How migraines, palpitations and anxiety are signs your hormones aren't working properly. It took doctors years to diagnose Corinna - even though finding the cause early is key. Now she reveals signs every woman should know
Normally this is something you see on women in their 40s or 50s to manage symptoms of the menopause: Corinna wore a hormone replacement patch from around the age of 25 for a different condition.
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The Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Sun
I put three cleansers that also remove your make-up to the test
MY skincare routine is very low maintenance and I don't buy into double cleansing. With the right formula, you can remove your make-up and clean your face in just one step. It's faster and saves space and money. This week, I test out three. Budget Curél Hydrating Make-up Cleanser, £16.50, 200ml, Boots: 4 I never thought I'd like a cleanser you didn't have to use in tandem with a flannel and warm water – but this clever product has changed that completely. Thanks to the hydrating formula, you can go rinse-free and your skin won't end up dry or rough, which is a revelation. I've been using it for a couple of weeks, and the convenience of being able to sit in bed while removing my make-up with a cotton pad is unrivalled. It also means any excuses of being too tired/drunk/lazy to cleanse my face are redundant. Mid-range Designed to be truly universal, it's suitable for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone and sensitive skin – which is no mean feat. It's the only cleanser I've been loyal to for the last few years, going back to it frequently as I know my skin will appreciate it. True to its name, it has a milky consistency that lightly foams but doesn't dry skin out, removing every last scrap of make-up and grime in less than a minute. With every day use, a tube lasts me a good few months, so I don't mind paying slightly more as I know it works and will last. It's a pair of safe hands. We tried six lipsticks we'd never normally go for - here's what worked & what didn't Luxury 4 This was the only cleanser I used for five years when I had severe cystic acne, so I needed a face wash that would clean my skin without too much rubbing – as touching my skin caused more inflammation. I recently rediscovered the thick-gel formula, and it's just as good as I remember. On contact with skin, it quickly turns into a rich foam that dissolves grime and sloughs away dead skin cells thanks to the exfoliating acid ingredient. It's best for oily skin or when you're wearing lots of make-up. Pick of the week RoC Lip Volumizer, £29.99, 10ml, I keep a wide berth from any lip products labelled as 'plumping'. I have chronically dry lips and a very low spice tolerance, so they're usually more hassle than they're worth – but I've just found one that works, and doesn't cause me pain. This product contains peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and a plumping complex that delivers a noticeable difference in three minutes.
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
My secret married lover is being treated for cancer – and I'm heartbroken that I can't visit him
DEAR DEIDRE: MY secret lover is being treated for cancer and I'm heartbroken that I can't visit him. This is not your usual seedy affair. We met through work ten years ago and this man has been the love of my life, my soulmate, ever since. I'm 45 and he's 56. During our decade together, he has married his wife, with whom he has three children. But we speak or see each other every day. It's not just physical, even though the intimate side of our relationship is electric. After sex, we often lie in each other's arms for hours, softly laughing and kissing, until he has to leave. We love each other. But I was the person who told him to see the doctor. I was kissing his shoulder and I noticed a mole looked red and raised. He said he hadn't been aware of it but I don't know why his wife hadn't noticed it. Following tests, he made a brief phone call to me, saying he'd been admitted to hospital with stage-three skin cancer. Since then, I've heard nothing. I'm in pieces — I don't know how to get news on how he is. I can't visit him in case I bump into his wife and kids. I can't ask our HR team for too many updates without them suspecting we're more than just colleagues — workplace relationships aren't allowed. I'm in limbo. My friends aren't sympathetic because they say he has strung me along for years. But I know he loves me. Spotting the signs your partner is cheating My worst fear is that he will die, and I won't know until it's too late to go to his funeral. What can I do? Sadly, skin-cancer rates are rising in the UK. And melanoma, the dead-liest form of it, is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Over the past decade, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have increased by 32 per cent. You might very well have saved his life. Now for the bad news. It doesn't seem like he wants to spend that life with you. While you waited for your next snatched moment together, he married and had three children with someone else. You believe he's your soulmate – but would he agree? Life-threatening illnesses often cause people to take stock. I suggest you do the same. It's time to look for a new partner, one who will want you by their side every moment of their life, good and bad. Please read my support pack, Your Lover Not Free? to help you see things more clearly. I'VE LISTED ALL OF HER SEXCUSES We're both 28 and have been dating for two years. Six months ago we moved in together. Since then, we've only had sex on 12 occasions. The rest of the time, she makes excuses. I've started keeping a list. She has not wanted sex for the following reasons: Headache, backache, bloating, tiredness, alcohol, a sore knee, constipation, work stress, mosquitoes, bread and wanting to watch Clarkson's Farm. Early on, our sex life was spectacular. My girlfriend used to be adventurous and would often surprise me with a new technique or position. She was the most exciting woman I'd ever met and would do daring things like treat me to oral in the cinema, or fondle me while I drove. I expected the sex to get even wilder when we shared a home. My girlfriend is a high-earner so our new apartment has a balcony and a Jacuzzi bath. I had high hopes for the spicy action we would enjoy in both those locations, but sadly the only sex has been a rushed missionary session in bed. I've tried to show my affection by helping her with housework, or suggesting we order in a takeaway, but she seems permanently grumpy. It's making me feel rejected and resentful. It's like she pretended to be someone else for the first part of our relationship. DEIDRE SAYS: Destroy that list. She is not a malfunctioning sex bot. She's a real person with real feelings, and I suspect your entitlement might be the real turn-off here. When I look at her reasons for not wanting sex, I see an exhausted, overwhelmed person who is eating big dinners (like your takeaways) and probably doesn't feel relaxed and playful. You say you 'help' with house-work. Instead of helping, why not do at least half of it? She's more likely to see the erotic potential of a Jacuzzi bath when she's not the only one scrubbing it. I understand that your desire for sex goes beyond a physical urge. You want to feel close, connected and loved. But so does she. Unlike men, women often need to feel those emotions before they head to bed, and not afterwards. You see she's grumpy so ask why. Clean the house, book a date night, talk and turn off the TV. Become a warm, loving partner and your adventurous girlfriend will return. FAMILY FORUM DEAR DEIDRE: I WANT to move in with my boyfriend, but I'm scared my son's behaviour will drive us apart. My son is nine and I'm 34. My boyfriend is 37 and lives with his teenage daughter. Even though he can be funny and loving, my son has always been a handful. When he was a toddler, I would get calls from his childminder to say he'd been fighting or shouting at other kids. He would never sit still and easily lost his temper. My son was six when I split up from his dad and became a single mum. I've struggled to cope. I find myself giving in to whatever my son wants, just for an easier life. Now, he calls me names, insults me, and helps himself to anything he wants from the kitchen or my handbag. When he's happy, he's great company. But then a switch will flip and he'll be spiteful or break something. His dad has a new family now and rarely sees him. My new boyfriend and I met a year ago through a dating app for single parents. I immediately liked how hands-on he was as a parent, having his daughter three or four nights every week. My boyfriend wants me and my son to move in. I'd love to, but I have hidden the worst of my son's behaviour from him. When my boyfriend sees what my son can be like, I'm scared he'll lose interest in both of us. I don't know what to do. DEIDRE SAYS: The more positive role models your son has in his life, the better. Long-term, your boyfriend could be an excellent influence. In the short term, I'd focus on getting your son more support, rather than any more change. Has his school ever suggested an assessment for ADHD or autism? Some of his behaviour could suggest he's neurodivergent, so that might be a sensible first step. Find a club he might be interested in, such as martial arts or Cubs, to give him the opportunity to make friends outside of his school classroom. At home, set boundaries and a routine that you can both stick to. Reward him for good behaviour. HAUNTED BY OVERDOSING FEARS DEAR DEIDRE: THE only way to find peace from my drug-addict boyfriend was to leave him, move away and switch off my phone. Now I'm haunted by fears of him overdosing. I'm 23, he's 27 and we were great together for three years. But his recreational drug use crept up until he was doing very hard drugs. I tried to get him help, but he would skip hospital or counselling appointments to hang out with his dealer. Finally, I snapped. I moved away, leaving him and everyone I knew behind. I switched off my phone to stop him calling. I know I made the right move, but who will ensure he is safe now? DEIDRE SAYS: It was his choice to ignore your help. I understand your fears but his health isn't your responsibility. Talking about your worries can help a lot. – 0808 802 6666 – provides a free listening ear for family and relationship problems. You could also contact for people affected by a partner's drug abuse. Can I sue hospital? DEAR DEIDRE: I GOT laughed out of A&E for a 'superficial cut' – then had my arm amputated for gangrene. Can I sue the hospital? I sliced my little finger on a veg knife. The cut didn't heal, and after a few days I couldn't sleep because it was throbbing so badly. Panicking, I drove myself to A&E. After a long wait, I got laughed at by a doctor, who told me: 'Try a plaster.' When I insisted something was wrong, he called security to escort me out. The cut got worse and I ended up developing gan-grene. I had to have the arm amputated above the elbow. I'm still in pain, I've lost my job and my mental health has really suffered. Can I take legal action? DEIDRE SAYS: That is a tragic tale. You might have grounds to sue. The first step would be to contact The Patients Association ( where you can speak to a trained adviser. You can also get useful information on how to make a complaint, through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, PALS, via
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I tried ‘dangerous' Buzzballz cocktails loved by Gen Z – just a couple would leave me on the floor
IN a kaleidoscope of colours and fruity flavours, BuzzBallz are fast becoming the alcoholic tipple of choice among Gen Z this summer. But experts warn the Instagram -worthy orbs are misleadingly boozy, with staggeringly high sugar and carb contents. The snazzy cans are small enough to fit into a handbag and available for as little as £2.99. However, nutritionist Rachael Gray warned the premixed beverages were 'the worst' drinks for your health that she had ever come across. She told the Sun on Sunday: 'Drinks like these affect the body in all kinds of ways. 'They cause inflammation and dehydration and over time will damage the liver and eyesight. 'They look so appealing. 'You can see how they would appeal to children, which is really worrying. 'The carb and sugar content of these drinks is extremely high. 'For such a small drink, they are very alcoholic. 'That's dangerous as, if you are young, you might not think to look at the volume. 'They don't even look particularly like they're alcoholic. Brits reveal their most underrated parts of a night out with pals 'They could easily be mistaken for an energy drink.' BuzzBallz contain up to 288 calories and 26g of sugar per 200ml drink, making them among the least healthy on the market. They are also a boozy 13.5 per cent proof — as strong as wine. The sugar content, however, means it is much easier to knock them back. There are seven flavours, including Tequila 'Rita, Chili Mango and Pornstar Martini, and their unique packaging makes them stand out on the supermarket shelves. The cans are available at mainstream shops such as Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda, but are cheapest at Aldi, where they cost £2.99. In the past year, sales have tripled due to their affordability and social media presence. TikTok is full of 'before and after' videos demonstrating their effects. One woman, who sank just two of the sugary blends, revealed: 'I have never had a hangover like that in my life. 'I was paralytic.' Another claimed: 'I felt like I'd just drank gasoline.' And a third said: 'I actually don't think those are fit for human consumption.' Snow globe Teacher Merrilee Kick, from Texas, came up with the idea for BuzzBallz while marking papers by the pool in the mid-2000s. It was a baking hot day and the 62-year-old fancied a cocktail in a plastic container rather than a fragile glass. Her inspirations for the eye-catching cans were the spherical shape of a snow globe and some tennis balls. Merrilee, who has two adult sons, got a loan to finance her business and enlisted the help of her family to launch it. BuzzBallz are now sold across the world and, in April 2024, the company was sold for around $500million. Here, we taste test some of the flavours and hear from two women with very different opinions on the tipple. Tequila 'Rita (18g sugar, 219 cals) 'This citrusy cocktail tastes like a toxic Sprite. It's refreshing, but gulp it too fast and it's in danger of taking the skin off the roof of your mouth.' Strawberry 'Rita (18g sugar, 220 cals) 'I could easily neck the entire drink in less than a minute. It's sweet, potent and delicious. A few more of these and I will be on the floor' Choc Tease (26g sugar, 279 cals) 'This tastes like a slightly low-rent Baileys. It's creamy, sweet and incredibly boozy. I just want to pour it into an ice-filled tumbler.' 'PERFECT FOR BEACH AND FESTIVALS' COLLEGE student Izzy Lopez, 19, reckons BuzzBallz are the perfect boozy refresher on long, hot days. Izzy, who lives in Ealing, London, and is studying IT, said: 'BuzzBallz are the must-have drink for Gen Z this summer, especially at festivals and on beach holidays, and they're easy to carry and drink. 6 'The containers and colours are cool and you can pop them in your bag and enjoy one when you're out. 'I like the sweet taste and in some shops they're less than £3. 'It's a cool cost-of-living-beating cocktail for Gen Z. 'All my friends are talking about them. 'They evoke a sense of fun, they're great as a party starter and you can keep the balls afterwards for candle holders. 'They don't taste like alcohol but still give you a fun party buzz. 'My mum loves them too. 'We have a giggle because we're not really drinking we're 'buzzing'.' 'JUST TWO DRINKS KNOCKED ME OUT' MUM-OF-TWO Cindy Powell knows all too well just how dangerous the drinks can be. The 22-year-old said she was 'knocked out' by just a couple of cans at a family party. 6 She explained: 'Just two hit me hard almost immediately. 'I was knocked out and slept for hours. 'What stunned me was how fast I felt the effect – I hadn't even been tired. 'I'm not a big drinker, but two small drinks having such a dramatic impact was scary. 'I woke up feeling dizzy and disoriented. 'Don't be fooled by fun names like Strawberry 'Rita or one looking like chocolate milk. 'Just because they look like toys, you still need to be safe. 'When I found out they had over 13 per cent alcohol, I was shocked.'
