Plagued by facial hair

I am 36 years old and since I was 22 I have been growing unnatural facial hair, first on the chin and, after I had children, on the neck and the side of the cheeks. To get rid of it I've tried everything from threading to bleaching to tweezing, but the results, especially for the chin, are not satisfactory. I am now thinking of laser treatment, but I am not sure whether it is completely safe and whether the results will be satisfactory, especially since it is so expensive. Also, could this problem have its root in an hormone imbalance, and, if so, how could I find out?

• Your recent growth of facial hair probably does represent a change in your hormonal balance, which is a common phenomenon after childbirth and as you get older. Losing excess weight can affect hormonal levels and make hair growth less severe. The contraceptive pill Dianette is a good option if you need contraception, can take the pill and want to help acne and excess hair. Laser hair removal requires several treatments, can leave permanent marks and cannot guarantee that the hair won't regrow. Some women I've spoken to have been delighted with the result, others have been rather disappointed. It's not available on the NHS and the best way of tracking own a reliable laser clinic near you is to ask a consulant dermatologist to whom your GP can refer you.

I'm missing a beat

I experience frequent "missed" heartbeats, particularly when feeling tired or ill or just under the weather. I have had an ECG and a chest x-ray, and my GP assures me that these are ectopic beats, and are nothing to worry about. However they can occur up to a dozen times a minute, and feel very alarming. Can you explain what they are, and what causes them.

• Missed heartbeats are actually due to an extra heartbeat followed by a prolonged period of resting by the heart in which it feels as though you've missed a beat! An extra beat every so often may be disconcerting, but is not usually part of a dangerous condition. The ECG can distinguish between the different patterns of extra heartbeats and other disturbances of the rhythm of the heart. The harmless type you have is known as extrasystole and can be exacerbated by stress and caffeine, but gets better when you exercise. If it is causing you concern or discomfort, you could see a cardiologist who may order other tests such as a 24-hour ECG to pick up any other rhythm disturbances that the one-off ECG may have missed.

Itchy nipples

I 've had extremely sore nipples in the last week which have been weeping and itchy. I can't feel any lumps in my breasts but I'm very worried about the problem. I'm 24.

• Two likely causes come to mind; if you've started running or jogging recently, it may be that your nipples may be rubbing against your top and are becoming irritated by the friction. A well-padded sports bra and Vaseline on the nipples sorts that out. The other possibility is that you've changed your soap powder and that soap residues in your clothes are irritating the skin of your nipples. Washing your clothes in a non-biological, hypo-allergenic powder should prevent a recurrence and 1% hydrocortisone cream on the nipples will sooth the irritation. I would see your GP if it doesn't clear up within a week.

• These answers are intended to be as accurate and full as possible, but should never be used as a substitute for visiting a doctor and seeking medical help. If you have a question for Dr Robinson, email drann@dircon.co.uk or write to her c/o The Health Editor, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence.