All articles

On how we work, and on getting the most from UK healthcare. Written by our clinical team.

Health | Care | Convenience

Man in his late forties walking along a leafy residential London street on a sunny weekday morning.

Every article we have published, grouped by topic. Browse by theme below, or head to a service page for the full picture.

Weight management

For the full picture, see our Weight management service.

Understanding GLP-1 treatment

A relaxed woman sitting by a window with a warm drink in natural morning light How GLP-1 medications work Two adults talking over coffee at an outdoor café in soft daylight Mounjaro vs Wegovy A man in his 50s on a relaxed daytime walk in a park, ordinary and dignified Who benefits from weight-loss medication

Practicalities

Adult walking briskly through London on a weekday morning. NHS vs private weight-loss medication A woman in her 30s journalling progress at a kitchen table in morning light, hopeful What to expect in your first month Two adults walking along a coastal hillside path at sunset Keeping the weight off after stopping A man in his fifties packing a suitcase beside an open UK passport and travel essentials. Food, alcohol and travel on GLP-1 medication

Taking medication

Woman walking outdoors by a river in activewear on a bright day. Titration on Mounjaro Adult cooking a simple dinner in a home kitchen. Titration on Wegovy Man walking along a leafy London street. Injecting safely Adult preparing a simple meal in a modern home kitchen. Microdosing GLP-1 medicines: an honest picture

Safety

A woman resting beside a lake with a water bottle after exercise Side effects and when to contact us Adult out and about in London. Gallbladder, pancreatitis and other risks Adult walking briskly through London. Stopping GLP-1 medication safely Woman walking home along a London street. GLP-1 medication, pregnancy and fertility

Other options and lifestyle

Man preparing a simple meal at home, chopping vegetables. Saxenda (liraglutide) Orlistat (Xenical) Orlistat (Xenical) Adult preparing a simple meal in a modern home kitchen. Ultra-processed food and why it matters for weight

Looking ahead

A man looking across hills and water at sunset while hiking Retatrutide: the next-generation weight loss medication When will retatrutide be available in the UK When will retatrutide be available in the UK A woman writing in a notebook at a kitchen table in natural daylight Mounjaro, Wegovy or the Wegovy pill: injection or daily tablet

Menopause

For the full picture, see our Menopause service.

Understanding menopause

Midlife Asian woman outdoors by a lake, looking peaceful and reflective. Perimenopause and menopause: what is actually happening South Asian woman in her 40s looking thoughtfully out of a window in a bright kitchen, holding a mug. The symptoms of menopause, and the ones people miss Woman looking thoughtfully out of a window with a warm drink in a cosy home setting. Why menopause is so often under-treated Woman walking on a beach in fresh sea air, positive and energised. Early menopause and POI: when it comes before 40

Practicalities

A woman walking along a leafy West London street in daylight NHS or private menopause care: an honest guide Woman preparing a healthy meal in her kitchen with fresh vegetables on the counter. What happens in a menopause assessment, and the Greene Climacteric Scale Woman in her 40s or 50s enjoying a coffee at an outdoor cafe while travelling. Staying with your NHS GP: shared care and the HRT prepayment certificate A folder marked Results on a sunlit kitchen table with a coffee mug and reading glasses. Blood tests at the three-month review

HRT and treatment

Older white woman with short grey hair and glasses, working at a desk with a laptop and notes. Body-identical HRT explained: estradiol and progesterone an older woman wearing glasses sitting on a bench Vaginal oestrogen for dryness and urinary symptoms Black woman in her 40s outdoors in a park, holding a yoga mat after exercise, looking happy and energised. Lifestyle and non-hormonal options for menopause symptoms Woman in her fifties at home in a calm kitchen, making tea in the morning light. Choosing your HRT regimen: cyclical or continuous Interim menopause lifestyle image. Bioidentical hormones: what the word really means Woman in her fifties walking along a West London street. Testosterone for women An older woman walking along a quiet residential London street When vaginal oestrogen is not enough Woman in her fifties walking through a leafy West London street on a bright morning. Newer non-hormonal medicines for hot flushes

Safety

A woman walking past brick townhouses on a sunny London street HRT and breast cancer risk, in proportion Mature Black woman doing a yoga pose at home, focused and strong. Who should not take HRT Confident older woman hiking in the mountains, active and thriving. Coming off HRT: what to expect Woman walking confidently along a London street. Higher doses and off-label HRT Hormone implants and pellets: the honest picture Hormone implants and pellets: the honest picture

Testosterone

For the full picture, see our Testosterone service.

Understanding testosterone

A white British man in his late 40s looking a little tired at the end of the day, sitting by a window, honest and undramatic What low testosterone really looks like An East Asian British man in his 50s reading a results summary on a tablet at home, focused Testosterone numbers and what they mean An elderly man working with wood in a bright home workshop Not every low-T symptom is testosterone Men's health beyond testosterone Men's health beyond testosterone

Practicalities

NHS vs private TRT NHS vs private TRT Man in his fifties walking through a London park. Bloods you need before TRT A mixed-heritage couple in their late 30s talking warmly together at home, hopeful about starting a family TRT and fertility Man reviewing blood test results on a tablet at home. Shared care with your NHS GP: how it actually works

Taking medication

Man in his late forties walking across a wooden footbridge in a London park on a clear morning. Injections vs gels vs pellets vs patches A man sitting by the coast with a coffee in soft evening light Your first 12 weeks on TRT Man in his late forties walking across a wooden footbridge in a London park. Dose adjustment and monitoring An elderly man watering plants in a sunny garden AI, HCG and adjunct therapies on TRT

Safety

A Middle Eastern man in his 40s checking how he feels at home, hand resting thoughtfully, soft daylight Side effects and red flags A folder marked Results on a sunlit kitchen table with a coffee mug and reading glasses. Prostate health and PSA monitoring A man reviewing information on a laptop at home in natural daylight Cardiovascular safety on TRT Man in his fifties at a desk in a converted East London warehouse office. Haematocrit, DVT risk and blood donation on TRT

ADHD

For the full picture, see our ADHD service.

Understanding ADHD

Black woman at home, focused on a notebook in natural daylight. What adult ADHD really looks like Man at a home table with a laptop and notebook. Why so many adults are diagnosed late Young adult working at a kitchen table with a laptop. ADHD and autism overlap Adult at a kitchen table with a laptop and notebook, organising the day. Who can diagnose ADHD in the UK

Practicalities

A young woman sitting outside a clinic looking at her phone with a coffee NHS, Right to Choose, or private South Asian adult at home, focused on a notebook in natural daylight. Online or in person? Student packing labelled medication beside a passport and travel documents. Visiting the UK on ADHD medication South Asian adult at home, focused on a notebook in natural daylight. Your ADHD assessment and medication, start to finish Shared care with your GP, and what if they refuse Shared care with your GP, and what if they refuse

Taking medication

Two women talking over coffee and notes in a relaxed café Lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate: how we choose A young man writing notes while working on a laptop in a calm home office The first 12 weeks of titration Non-stimulant ADHD medication: atomoxetine and guanfacine Non-stimulant ADHD medication: atomoxetine and guanfacine

Safety and monitoring

A woman sitting in a parked car looking at her phone Driving and the DVLA Side effects and when to contact us Side effects and when to contact us An East Asian woman packing a suitcase beside an open UK passport and travel essentials. Controlled drugs: storage, travel, lost scripts A woman checking her phone while walking beside a river with a water bottle ADHD medication and your heart, sleep and weight

Sleep

For the full picture, see our Sleep service.

Understanding sleep

A woman in her 40s waking refreshed and stretching by a bright bedroom window Why good sleep really matters A man reading on a sofa in a calm evening living room Sleep apnoea: how to tell if you have it A woman in her 40s awake and calm in a dim bedroom at night, reading softly, not distressed Beyond apnoea: insomnia, circadian, RLS A woman opening bedroom curtains in soft morning light Sleep in men and women, age by age A couple in their 50s in bed in the morning, one waking gently, warm and undramatic Snoring and upper-airway health A man drinking coffee in a bright kitchen with a cafetière on the table Caffeine, alcohol and sleep

Practicalities

A man in his 40s comparing care options on a laptop in a bright living room, relaxed NHS vs private sleep apnoea pathway A man in his 50s preparing for bed at home wearing a small wrist sleep monitor, calm bedside lamp light What happens in a WatchPAT One test CPAP vs MAD vs surgery CPAP vs MAD vs surgery A woman checking her smartwatch with activity rings by a sunny window, holding a mug Using your wearable to improve your sleep A woman relaxing on her bed at night with an aromatherapy diffuser and candle Meditation, music and sleep apps: the honest evidence A home sleep test kit on a bedside table with a glass of water and a phone A sleep study without the sleep lab An older man sitting on the edge of his bed in the morning light Making sense of your sleep study results

Taking medication

A man walking beside water in soft morning light Melatonin: when it helps A man speaking with a pharmacist in a bright pharmacy UK insomnia medications honestly A woman making her bed in a bright bedroom in the morning CBT-I: first line for chronic insomnia

Safety

Black man in his fifties sitting on the edge of a bed in a calm London bedroom in the morning. Sleep apnoea and the DVLA Adult sitting on the edge of a bed in a calm London bedroom in the morning. Z-drugs and benzos: what to know A South Asian man in his 50s walking outdoors for his heart health, fitness tracker on wrist, bright daylight Cardiovascular and metabolic risks of untreated apnoea

The Sinclair Method

For the full picture, see our The Sinclair Method service.

Understanding the method

A woman in her 40s walking outdoors looking calm and hopeful, soft daylight What is the Sinclair Method? Sinclair Method vs Antabuse Sinclair Method vs Antabuse A young adult in their late 20s enjoying a social evening with a soft drink in hand, relaxed not isolated Does TSM work for binge drinkers?

Practicalities

South Asian couple at a small London cafe by a window. The Sinclair Method on the NHS South Asian couple at a small London cafe by a window. How much does naltrexone cost? A middle-aged woman sitting quietly at home with a mug looking out of a window TSM and AA together Mixed-heritage couple at a small London cafe by a window. How to get naltrexone prescribed in the UK

Taking the medication

A middle-aged man walking along a coastal path in soft evening light How long does TSM take? A South Asian woman sitting at a kitchen table reading treatment information Your first 14 days on TSM A South Asian man sitting quietly at home looking out of a window Naltrexone vs nalmefene

Safety and monitoring

A middle-aged man sitting at a train station looking at his phone Common side effects Mixed-heritage couple at a small London cafe by a window. Missing a dose Couple at a small London cafe in the morning. Liver function tests on TSM

Erectile dysfunction

For the full picture, see our Erectile dysfunction service.

Understanding ED

A middle-aged man standing beside a river in daylight Erectile dysfunction: what causes it Couple in their fifties having breakfast together on a London balcony. When ED is a warning sign for your heart An Asian man speaking with a doctor in a calm consultation room ED and low testosterone: how they overlap

Treatments

A middle-aged man talking with a woman at a kitchen table Sildenafil, tadalafil and avanafil compared A man speaking with a pharmacist in a bright pharmacy On-demand vs daily tadalafil: which suits you What to do when the first ED treatment does not work What to do when the first ED treatment does not work

Safety

Couple in their fifties having breakfast together on a London balcony. ED medication and nitrates: the one combination to avoid Couple in their fifties having breakfast together on a London balcony. ED medication side effects and how to manage them An older man resting with a water bottle after exercise in a sunny park ED, alcohol and recreational drugs

Contraception

For the full picture, see our Contraception service.

Choosing your method

A young woman looking at her phone outside a pharmacy on a city street Choosing a pill: combined or progestogen-only Patch, ring or pill: choosing a combined method Patch, ring or pill: choosing A young European woman walking along a sunny city street Switching or restarting the pill Woman in her twenties or thirties at home in natural daylight. Contraception after pregnancy and breastfeeding The coil explained: IUD and IUS The coil explained: IUD and IUS

The pill, and how to use it

A woman outdoors The seven-day rule explained A woman at home with her pill pack Skipping your period A couple together outdoors Missed a pill? Where it falls matters A woman today, with a 1960s scene of men examining a pill pack behind her Why you bleed at all: a short history

The methods

A young Black woman standing in a bright kitchen holding a glass of water Combined pills: who they suit A young woman reading health information in a comfortable chair at home Progestogen-only pills and the 24-hour window The contraceptive patch (Evra), explained The contraceptive patch (Evra) The vaginal ring (NuvaRing), explained The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) The diaphragm: a hormone-free option The diaphragm, a hormone-free option A woman at home reading and making notes The contraceptive injection A South Asian woman sitting at home looking at her phone Emergency contraception: levonorgestrel vs ulipristal A couple walking together outdoors Condoms, honestly

The coil

The coil explained: IUD and IUS The coil explained: IUD and IUS The Mirena coil: more than contraception The Mirena: more than contraception What having a coil fitted is actually like What a coil fitting is like Copper coil or hormonal coil: how to choose Copper or hormonal coil: how to choose

Safety and side effects

A woman at home Is the pill safe? An honest look Two women in conversation, one listening and taking notes Side effects: skin, mood, libido, weight Woman in her twenties or thirties at home in natural daylight. The pill and blood-clot risk, in proportion A young South Asian woman walking through a park in daylight Migraine and the pill Woman in her twenties or thirties at home in natural daylight. How we decide what is safe for you

Planning a pregnancy

A couple sitting together, talking Coming off the pill to get pregnant

Hair loss

For the full picture, see our Hair loss service.

Understanding hair loss

A man checking his hairline in a bathroom mirror Male and female pattern hair loss: what is happening A woman unpacking leafy greens in a bright kitchen Reversible causes of hair loss worth ruling out A man with mild hair thinning standing outdoors in soft daylight What to realistically expect from hair-loss treatment

Treatments

A man checking early hair thinning in a bathroom mirror Finasteride and dutasteride for hair loss A woman applying hair serum to her scalp in a bathroom mirror Minoxidil, and the early shedding phase Woman in her fifties walking through a leafy West London street on a bright morning. Combination treatment, and treatment for women Woman checking her hairline in the mirror in natural daylight. Oral minoxidil for hair loss

Safety

A man with early hair thinning discussing treatment with a clinician Finasteride side effects and post-finasteride syndrome, honestly Man in his forties at home in natural morning light. Finasteride and pregnancy: why it matters A young couple preparing food together in a bright kitchen Hair transplants and medical treatment: how they fit together

STI testing

For the full picture, see our STI testing service.

When to test

A man checking his phone on a train platform at dusk. When to test for STIs, and the window periods that matter A woman pausing during a morning run on a bridge. Testing without symptoms: why it is normal A person filling in a form on a tablet in a bright waiting area. Which STIs to test for, and how each is sampled

Testing and results

A plain test kit box on a kitchen table by a window. At-home self-sampling vs testing at the clinic A man on a phone call at home, relaxed, in evening lamplight. What happens if an STI result is positive Two people talking on a park bench in autumn. Telling a partner: how partner notification works

Treatment and safety

Hands passing a small paper bag across a pharmacy counter. STI treatment, and what is included A woman cycling through a leafy city street in afternoon light. How often should you test for STIs A person climbing the steps of a public health building. STIs we refer on: HIV, hepatitis, and where PrEP and PEP come from

The infections and your results

Two young friends laughing in a shared kitchen. Chlamydia, explained A macro image of a laboratory agar plate under cool light. Gonorrhoea, and antibiotic resistance A figure with an umbrella on a rain-slicked city street at dusk. Syphilis, and why it is rising A person reading in bed on a calm morning. Genital herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) A young woman with a coffee on a bright market street. Genital warts and HPV A diverse group chatting over street food at a market. Trichomonas A person weighing a decision at a home desk by a window. Mycoplasma genitalium, and what we do not screen for A woman reading calmly from her phone at an evening kitchen table. Understanding your STI results A relaxed couple chatting on a city rooftop at golden hour. STIs from oral and anal sex: why throat and rectal swabs matter

Know your health

Plain answers on health checks, scans and early detection.

General health

What an online health check involves What an online health check involves Your blood panels, explained: Basic, Comprehensive and Heart Your blood panels, explained: Basic, Comprehensive and Heart The NHS health check, and where a private one fits The NHS health check, and where a private one fits

Heart

The coronary calcium score, explained The coronary calcium score, explained CT angiogram or calcium score: which and when CT angiogram or calcium score: which and when Your wearable heart data: VO2max, HRV and resting heart rate Your wearable heart data: VO2max, HRV and resting heart rate QRISK3 and your 10-year heart risk, explained QRISK3 and your 10-year heart risk, explained

Hormones

Which hormones are worth testing Which hormones are worth testing A test is not a prescription: hormones, HRT and testosterone A test is not a prescription: hormones, HRT and testosterone

Prostate

PSA without the finger: the modern prostate pathway PSA without the finger: the modern prostate pathway A raised PSA: what it does and does not mean A raised PSA: what it does and does not mean Prostate MRI before biopsy, explained Prostate MRI before biopsy, explained

Early detection

Early detection: what testing can and cannot find Early detection: what testing can and cannot find Whole-body MRI and the incidentaloma problem Whole-body MRI and the incidentaloma problem Galleri and what the NHS-Galleri trial showed Galleri and what the NHS-Galleri trial showed Tumour markers: monitoring tests, not screening tests Tumour markers: monitoring tests, not screening tests Bowel: FIT and colonoscopy, who needs what Bowel: FIT and colonoscopy, who needs what Breast: mammogram, ultrasound or MRI Breast: mammogram, ultrasound or MRI Low-dose CT lung screening: who it is for Low-dose CT lung screening: who it is for

Scans and imaging

Which scan answers which question Which scan answers which question DEXA: bone density and body composition DEXA: bone density and body composition The radiation question: CT, X-ray and the doses involved The radiation question: CT, X-ray and the doses involved Why a scan needs a referring doctor Why a scan needs a referring doctor

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Mixed-heritage couple at a small London cafe by a window. Begin your Sinclair Method consultation Two Londoners walking past a clinic frontage inside Westfield London on a bright weekday morning. Begin your ADHD consultation Two Londoners walking past a clinic frontage inside Westfield London on a bright weekday morning. Explore all our services

Understanding UK healthcare

A series on how the NHS and private healthcare in the UK actually work, and how to navigate them. Written by Dr Seth Rankin.

How UK healthcare works

Structure of the NHS Structure of the NHS A Black British woman in her fifties at home, reading a paper letter and holding a smartphone. How the NHS is funded Adult arranging a healthcare appointment on a laptop at home. How much the NHS costs, and what it buys Man in his late forties walking along a leafy residential London street on a sunny weekday morning. A brief history of the NHS A South Asian woman in her fifties at home, reading a paper letter and holding a smartphone. How the NHS pays its doctors A close-up of a tidy doctor's desk with stethoscope, notebook, and fountain pen in soft natural daylight. How NICE decides what the NHS adopts Man in his late forties walking along a leafy residential London street on a sunny weekday morning. How UK doctors are trained Two Londoners walking past a clinic frontage inside Westfield London on a bright weekday morning. The UK's medical regulators and royal colleges Man in his fifties at a desk in a converted East London warehouse office. How UK consultants divide time between NHS and private practice Man in his fifties at a desk in a converted East London warehouse office. How the UK private healthcare sector is structured A thoughtful professional walking a classic London street with period medical buildings, daytime Why UK private healthcare has always been secondary, not primary When private hospitals transfer to the NHS When private hospitals transfer to the NHS Why the NHS uses GPs as gatekeepers Why the NHS uses GPs as gatekeepers The standard NHS GP consultation The standard NHS GP consultation Young adult arranging an appointment by phone and laptop. International models of primary-care gatekeeping Wheelchair user and companion entering a bright, step-free healthcare area. Multifactorial conditions and the generalist consultation Two Londoners walking past a clinic frontage inside Westfield London on a bright weekday morning. Universal healthcare and the question of convenience

Navigating UK healthcare

A young newcomer at a friendly GP reception desk completing a registration form, welcoming setting How to register with an NHS GP A newcomer to the UK in their late 20s with documents and a phone, finding their way in a bright city setting How to access UK healthcare as a newcomer A young woman organising vaccination and health records at a kitchen table, methodical, daylight Vaccination records and NHS screening as a newcomer A person comparing healthcare payment options on a laptop at a tidy home desk, considered Self-pay, private medical insurance, and NHS: choosing the right route A person holding a referral letter and looking at their phone outside a UK hospital entrance, daylight How to access a UK specialist A confident person choosing a care provider on a laptop at home, empowered and calm NHS Right to Choose: what it covers and how to use it A person thoughtfully reviewing medical letters at a kitchen table, considering their options Getting a second opinion in the UK A patient at home reading a letter that links their NHS GP and a private specialist, organised at a desk How shared care works (NHS GP plus private specialist) A middle-aged person organising medication and a health calendar at home, capable and calm Managing long-term conditions across NHS and private care A person collecting a prescription at a UK community pharmacy counter, everyday high-street setting Prescriptions in the UK: NHS, private, and how they interact A person at a GP reception desk discussing a form, neutral everyday high-street-clinic setting What NHS GP practices charge patients for A person reading options at a UK pharmacy counter, everyday high-street setting What the NHS does not routinely prescribe A person smiling confidently after a dental check, bright modern UK dental reception in the background NHS dentistry, private dentistry, and what is free A person calmly making a phone call at home in the evening, reassured rather than alarmed NHS 111, 999, and A&E: which one for what

More from the series

A GP's view, from outside and in A GP's view, from outside and in