Singer Louise Redknapp talks exclusively to the NHS about her fears that a fertility-threatening disease could threaten her plans for a family in a consumer-style magazine published today. Louise was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease in which small pieces of the womb lining grow outside the womb, causing chronic pain and, in many cases, depression and fertility problems.
Luckily, Louise's condition was diagnosed at an early stage and she responded well to treatment. She is now pregnant with her first child.
In the same magazine, Ronan Keating warns that men should regularly get checked for possible signs of testicular cancer. The singer had a health scare last year when he found a lump in his testicles while on holiday.
Their stories are featured in Your Life magazine, produced by the NHS and Dr Foster, the independent healthcare information provider. As well as celebrity interviews, the magazine features top tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle this summer and eight pages of specially tailored information about local NHS services. It will be available, free of charge, through a range of local organisations including high street retailers, newsagents, hairdressers, and nail salons. The magazine follows growing concern that many young women and their families simply ignore or throw away traditional NHS leaflets.
Gita Mendis, of Dr Foster and editor of Your Life! said: "Because we all love reading about celebrities, we've used both celebrity stories and real people's stories in Your Life! to inspire our readers and help them think carefully about their lifestyles and understand the negative impact things like drinking, smoking, and diet have on their health.
We have worked closely with local Primary Care Trusts to promote existing local NHS services and initiatives there to support the community, for example, smoking cessation groups, alcohol and drugs services and sexual health clinics.