Pelvic pain

For two years I have suffered from prostatitis and been given antibiotics. It helps for a while, then the symptoms return. Have you any advice?

For those who don't know, the symptoms you refer to are pain when passing urine, a strong urge to urinate frequently, pain when ejaculating and generalised pelvic pain felt in, around and above the penis, and deep inside the back passage. Any man can have a one-off bout, usually due to a urinary tract infection in which bugs from the bladder get into the prostate. This is an acute bacterial prostatitis, and can be cleared up with antibiotics.

If you're very prone to recurrent urinary tract infections or your immunity is impaired, you may get several bouts of prostatitis (aka chronic bacterial prostatitis); each time there will be bacteria in your urine and antibiotics will work. Bacterial prostatitis is, however, quite rare. Far commoner is chronic pelvic pain syndrome, in which there are no bacteria in your urine or prostate but the same upsetting symptoms. Antibiotics don't usually work. The prostate gland is inflamed, probably because urine refluxes into it. Hot baths and ejaculating often help.

Drugs that help to shrink enlarged prostates (eg finasteride) and painkillers are worth a try. Treatments ranging from pollen extract pills to microwaving the prostate via a probe inserted through the penis have been tried. No method is guaranteed to work, but seeing a urologist who specialises in prostatitis will allow you to discuss these and other options.

Hot and bothered

This may sound like a trivial complaint, but I am completely unable to cope with being hot. If I do anything physically exerting - or even simply walk about in temperatures over 19C - my face goes very dark purple and sweats profusely. This has been a source of embarrassment and discomfort to me all my life. I have left at least one job on account of the heat, and have never felt able to travel in hot countries. Is this likely to be connected with my eczema and asthma? And can you suggest any solution apart from dabbing myself with peppermint oil, which doesn't work?

Some people do sweat more than others. We all sweat more in the heat and when we exert ourselves because the evaporation of sweat from our skin is one of the body's cooling devices. Being overweight and having a high metabolic rate, which may be due to an overactive thyroid, make us sweat more. Anxiety or a hot curry can also make you sweat. It's not connected to your asthma and eczema and I'm not sure that peppermint oil works.

Sweat doesn't smell, but bacteria break it down and liberate the pungent smells of BO. Stay cool by avoiding hot places and wearing loose cotton clothes. Avoid pungent foods, which can be smelled in sweat, and use an ordinary antiperspirant at least twice a day. Consider shaving your armpits, as the hair traps sweat.

The next line of attack is to use one of the stronger antiperspirants containing 4.2% aluminium chloride (eg Drichlor or Perspirex), which are best applied at night. If the sweating is still unmanageable, you can be referred for specialist treatment including botulism toxin injections or, in the most extreme cases, consider a major operation called a sympathectomy, which prevents control sweating.

Walking miracle

If I go to the gym and walk (which I enjoy) instead of jogging (which I hate), how much further do I have to walk to get the same amount of exercise as a three-mile jog?

You're going to be very pleased by this answer. You actually burn up more calories by walking at 8km/h (5mph) than by jogging slowly at the same pace, according to a recent study. Admittedly, you do have to walk quite fast to save yourself from falling off the end of the treadmill if you set it to that speed, but it's got to be better than jogging and jiggling about.

• 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.