Q I’ve been on the pill since I was 16, and am worried that it may affect my ability to have a baby. I don’t want to start trying now, but do I need to change it?

Sonya, 24

A It is unlikely that the pill will have any long term effect on your fertility, as demonstrated by the fact that if you miss two pills in a row, you can fall pregnant.

Providing you are getting on with your chosen form of contraception, there does not seem any reason to change it at the present time. Once you stop your contraception, the majority of couples who are having regular intercourse will conceive naturally within two years.

If you were struggling at this point, it would be worth discussing this with your routine GP, however, if you were older than 30, you might want to seek advice after a year of trying.

Q I’ve had a self-test kit for bowel cancer come through the post, but I’m reluctant to use it. I heard that if it’s positive you have to go for a colonoscopy, which sounds unpleasant

John, 67

A The faecal occult blood (FOB) self-testing kit is part of a national screening programme to detect bowel cancer at a stage before you have any symptoms.

It identifies any blood in your poo at a level that you may not notice yourself. If positive, you are advised to have a colonoscopy. This does not mean that all of those with a positive FOB will have bowel cancer, but this screening programme has picked up bowel cancers at an early stage where the individuals had no symptoms whatsoever, so I would advise that it is a worthwhile thing to do.

The test is not to diagnose bowel cancer however, and if you have any bleeding from your bottom, abdominal pain, lump in your tummy or unexplained weight loss, I would advise an urgent appointment with your GP.

If you have a question for Dr Zak, please send an email to askdoctorzak@gmail.com

W: doctorzak.co.uk

T: @AskDoctorZak

Dr Uddin’s advice is provided in good faith and in accordance with currently accepted evidence.

However, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

You should always seek the advice of a GP, or other qualified health provider, regarding a medical condition.