A report by Swachh Bharat Mission says that 74.5 per cent of public places are equipped with toilets. Another report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that there are 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes built across all States and UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) since October 2014. Over 92 lakh toilets have been constructed since the launch of SBM Gramin (SBM (G)) in April 2020.

While toilets are there, are they accessible? This is the question one should ask. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) focuses on 131 health indicators, but not until the NFHS 5 survey did they include the question of accessibility of toilets in the survey. This happened after the inputs from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare questioned the accessibility.

One might ask, why is the question of accessibility so important? The answer is quite simple. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need and is also included under the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.

Are These Numbers Real?

This thought crossed my mind because back in 2021, I went on a solo trip, on a bus to Udaipur from Delhi. There, the bus made two stoppages. This was done so people could get a quick dinner and freshen up, relieve themselves and be prepared for the rest of the journey. This was a nightmare. The bus only stopped for 10 minutes. While some men used the washroom, others went to the bushes.

For the women, there were three cubicles. One of them was broken, and the other one did not have a light bulb, which meant only one was usable. There was a long queue for that cubicle, and time was short. There was no point in trying to find an isolated corner, because it was past midnight, in an unknown area.

I waited anxiously. When finally, my turn came, I saw an overused, dirty washroom. The toilet seat is in a horrible condition. I wanted to touch nothing there. But I had to pee. So, I used my mask to cover my nose from the odour, folded my pants so they did not touch the floor and squatted. It was quite a task to balance.

On my way back to Delhi, I made sure to not drink any water for over a 13-hour bus journey. I dehydrated myself so I did not have to use the washroom. When I did reach, I was severely dehydrated and was sick for three days.

I shared my experience with my friends only to realise that many women have faced the same. There are no washrooms for women.

A friend of mine told me that it is because these roads and dhabas are mainly designed to serve men. They are the ones who travel at night or are on the roads most of the time. As a result, the few women who do travel or are on the road suffer.

Health Risks Women Are Prone To

Well, it is true, but partially. While holding your pee for too long can lead to health risks, peeing on a dirty toilet seat cannot lead to infections unless your urethra is in contact with the bacteria present on that toilet seat. However, nobody wants to sit on a dirty toilet seat, even if you do not get an infection. A safe and hygienic toilet is a basic need.

One of the regular saleswomen, Usha, who visits my house shared her experience with me. “Being on the road constantly means I must use the dirty public washrooms. But I do not want to use them. So, sometimes I ask my regular customers to let me use their washrooms. Some say yes, and some say no. I understand they are also concerned about their safety and privacy,” she says. As a result, Usha spends most of her day not drinking enough water and holding her pee when she is at work. Due to this, she also suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Her friend, Halima too faced similar problems and due to increased levels of uric acid in her body, she suffered from Hyperuricemia.

Other health risks are kidney stones and other kidney problems, headaches, dull skin, xerostomia or dry mouth, fatigue, and urinary incontinence, which means losing control over your pelvic floor muscles leading to uncontrolled leakage of urine, seizures and weakness.

What Can You Do?

Wear comfortable clothes and capris. Capri pants are comfortable and are short in length, which means this won’t touch the toilet floor when you squat or sit.

Carry Essentials

Even though you cannot get a UTI alone from sitting on a toilet seat, it is always safe to carry a toilet seat sanitiser. If nothing, it can help you get rid of the bad odour so you can use your stand and pee device inside the toilet. You can also use disposable toilet seat covers if your knees are weak, and you cannot squat. Always flush with your seat down.

Always keep disposable gloves, a portable bidet (fill it with water before use), a pocket liquid handwash, wet wipes, tissues and sanitiser handy. Do not forget to keep extra sanitary pads. It might sound a lot, but I promise that it all fits in one pouch. Use this travel-friendly pouch every time you are on the road, or using a public washroom.

What Can We Learn From Others?

However, in case we do not get these technologically advanced toilets here, you can always pack a travel-friendly toilet kit!

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is among the most common vaginal conditions and develops when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. If you have experienced it before, the symptoms are likely familiar: a strong fish-like smell, changes in vaginal discharge, and persistent discomfort. Because BV is usually framed as a condition affecting people with vaginas, it raises an important question many people still ask: can men get bacterial vaginosis too?

What Is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when healthy lactobacilli bacteria in the vagina decline, allowing other bacteria, such as Gardnerella, to multiply. This imbalance typically causes thin grey or white discharge with a noticeable fishy odor, which often becomes stronger after sex.

Although BV is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, it does raise the risk of acquiring STIs and can lead to pregnancy complications, including preterm birth. Diagnosis is made by a healthcare professional, and treatment usually involves antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin. Even after treatment, BV is known to return in many cases.

Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms And Causes

• Vaginal discharge that looks off-white, grey, or slightly green
• A fishy-smelling discharge, especially after intercourse
• Itching or irritation in the vaginal area
• A burning sensation while urinating

Can Men Get Bacterial Vaginosis?

A major study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has challenged long-held beliefs about BV. The research showed that BV can be passed through sexual contact and that treating male partners significantly lowers the chance of the infection coming back. These findings have already influenced medical guidelines in the United States, ending years of treating BV as a condition affecting only women, despite frequent recurrence.

The study suggests that persistent BV was not due to poor treatment adherence but rather incorrect assumptions about transmission. While BV is not a traditional STI caused by a single organism, it does spread through sex and thrives when the vaginal environment is disturbed. This has highlighted the limitations of strict STI definitions and the consequences of excluding partner treatment.

For both patients and clinicians, this shift matters. It reframes BV as a shared health concern rather than a problem limited to the vagina, helping reduce stigma and improve outcomes. It also exposes how narrow thinking in women’s health delayed better research, treatment strategies, and shared responsibility.

Bacterial Vaginosis: What Causes Similar Symptoms In Men?

Men cannot develop BV itself, but they can experience symptoms that resemble it, such as itching, unusual discharge, or unpleasant odors. Several conditions may be responsible.

Thrush

STIs

Several sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria can mimic BV-like symptoms in men. These include:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis
• Genital herpes
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

STIs are typically spread through unprotected sexual contact.

Urinary Tract Infection

Although UTIs are more commonly associated with women, men can develop them too. This happens when bacteria multiply in the bladder or urinary tract. Symptoms may include:

• Inflammation
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine

UTIs often occur when Escherichia coli bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and move upward.

Balanitis

Balanitis refers to inflammation of the skin at the tip of the penis. It is more common in men who are uncircumcised and may make it difficult to retract the foreskin due to swelling. Possible causes include:

• Overwashing or poor hygiene
• Use of scented or irritating products
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Reactive arthritis
• Poorly controlled diabetes

People can end up in hospital if they take too much vitamin D, doctors have warned. Health experts say excessive intake can be harmful, with cases of hypervitaminosis D rising and linked to a range of serious health problems. Women, children, and people with existing illnesses are considered more vulnerable to the condition.

Doctors Warn Vitamin D Overdose Can Lead To Hospitalisation

The warning follows the case of a middle-aged man in the UK who was admitted to hospital after first visiting his family doctor. He complained of persistent vomiting, nausea, chest pain, leg cramps, ringing in his ears, dry mouth, intense thirst, diarrhoea, and unexplained weight loss.

His symptoms had lasted for nearly three months and began after he started seeing a nutritional therapist who recommended multiple vitamin and dietary supplements.

The patient already had several underlying health conditions, including tuberculosis, an inner ear tumour that had caused hearing loss in one ear, a build-up of fluid in the brain, bacterial meningitis, and chronic sinusitis.

What Is Hypervitaminosis D?

Vitamin D toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis D, occurs when vitamin D levels build up excessively in the body. It is uncommon and usually results from taking doses that exceed medical advice, either through high-strength prescription vitamin D or excessive use of over-the-counter supplements taken without guidance.

Daily Intake Exceeded Recommended Vitamin D Levels

Doctors found that he had been taking more than 20 over-the-counter supplements every day. Together, they contained more than 80 times the recommended daily amount of vitamin D. He was consuming around 50,000 micrograms daily, despite the advised dose being just 600 micrograms. The mix of supplements also included excessive vitamin B9 and omega-3, alongside other vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and probiotics.

Although he stopped taking the supplements once symptoms appeared, his condition did not improve. Blood tests later showed his vitamin D levels were seven times higher than what is considered healthy. He also had dangerously high calcium levels and slightly raised magnesium levels.

Doctors found that his kidneys were not functioning properly, though scans ruled out cancer.

Patient Treated In Hospital For Eight Days With Fluids And Medication

The man remained in hospital for eight days, where he was treated with intravenous fluids to flush excess substances from his body. He was also given medications typically used to strengthen bones and reduce calcium levels in the blood.

Two months after leaving hospital, his calcium levels had returned to normal, but his vitamin D levels were still above the healthy range. NHS advises sticking to recommended vitamin D doses, especially in winter

Vitamin D can be obtained naturally from sunlight, oily fish, and wild mushrooms. The NHS advises people to follow recommended doses, particularly during autumn and winter when sunlight exposure is limited. It recommends that everyone over the age of one consider taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms, or 400 IU, from October to March.

Hypervitaminosis D Is Rising Globally

Researchers involved in the case said there is a growing global trend of hypervitaminosis D, a condition marked by unusually high vitamin D levels in the blood. Symptoms can last for several weeks.

The researchers noted that symptoms vary widely and can include drowsiness, confusion, apathy, psychosis, depression, stupor, coma, loss of appetite, chest pain, vomiting, constipation, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and kidney problems. Inflammatory eye disease, joint stiffness, hearing loss, and deafness have also been reported.

While the condition remains relatively rare, experts stress that it is possible to overdose on vitamin D. They warned that supplements often seen as harmless can become toxic when taken in unsafe amounts or combined improperly. The findings were published in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Anyone who takes aspirin daily is being warned that the medication can cause serious side effects, and for many people, the risks may outweigh the benefits. First developed in the 1890s and commonly sold as an over-the-counter painkiller, aspirin was prescribed for years as a preventive treatment for heart disease.

Taking Aspirin Every Day Long Term Can Be Dangerous

According to MailOnline, more than two million people in the UK take aspirin every day to protect their heart. The drug works as a blood thinner, helping to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, newer research suggests that aspirin offers little benefit for people who do not already have heart or circulation-related conditions.

More serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include coughing up blood, blood in the stool or urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes which may signal liver problems, painful joints linked to high uric acid levels, and swelling of the hands or feet caused by fluid retention.

Aspirin can also lead to stomach ulcers, and some people may develop allergic reactions. The Mail reports that during the early 2000s, when aspirin use was at its peak, the drug may have contributed to around 7,000 deaths a year in the UK. There are also concerns that it could increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.

In 2021, official guidelines were updated to say that people should only take daily aspirin if advised by a doctor. In 2023, GPs were instructed not to routinely prescribe aspirin to patients who have never had a heart attack.

Aspirin: NHS Recommendations

The NHS still recommends daily aspirin for people who have previously had a heart attack or stroke. Anyone who has been advised by a doctor to take aspirin should not stop without seeking medical guidance.

A 2019 study by the UK’s National Heart and Lung Institute found that daily aspirin provides only limited benefit for people without underlying heart disease, while significantly increasing the risk of serious internal bleeding.

Professor Malcolm Finlay, a consultant cardiologist at Barts Heart Centre in central London, told the Mail: “For patients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke, there is still a strong case for taking daily aspirin. But for everyone else, the benefit is very small.”

He added that aspirin’s side effects should not be underestimated. “You could have a bleed in the stomach, which can cause several days of severe pain. If bleeding occurs in the brain, it can be life-threatening,” he said.

Professor Finlay also revealed that he personally experienced a major stomach bleed while taking aspirin for a back injury.

Doctors who prescribe aspirin often also prescribe medications such as omeprazole or lansoprazole to help protect the stomach. However, Prof Finlay warned that these drugs should not be used long term either. He said this is why the NHS no longer recommends routine aspirin use, adding that there are now better cardiovascular treatments available that do not carry the same risks.

Aspirin Common Side Effects

These affect more than one in 100 people. The NHS advises taking aspirin with food to help reduce stomach-related issues.

• Indigestion and stomach pain: This is the most common complaint.
• Bleeding more easily: People may notice more frequent nosebleeds, bruising, or cuts that take longer to stop bleeding.
• Nausea or vomiting: Feeling sick or being sick after taking aspirin.

Aspirin Serious Side Effects

• Signs of internal bleeding: Coughing up blood or noticing blood in urine, vomit, or stools, which may appear black or tar-like.
• Liver problems: Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
• Joint pain: Especially in the hands or feet, which may indicate high uric acid levels and possible gout.
• Swollen hands or feet: This may be a sign of fluid retention.

Immediate Emergency Symptoms

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience:

• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread itchy or blistering rash.
• Severe wheezing: Particularly in people with asthma, as aspirin can trigger serious attacks.

NHS Important Safety Warning

Under 16s: The NHS strongly advises against giving aspirin to children under 16 unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition that causes severe liver and brain damage.