✤ If the bodices of the nation stand a little less ripped today, well it is perhaps no bad thing; not since Samuel Richardson published Pamela have the dangers of romantic fiction been so starkly set forth as they have over the last sobering few days. I refer not to the tumbling russet curls and heaving bosom of Rebekah Brooks, nor even to the passionate exhortations of the nation's new Mr Darcy, Steve Coogan, but to a report by psychologist Susan Quilliam into the effects that reading Mills & Boon novels might exert upon your delicate constitution and your sexual health. Nurse, the smelling salts, please!

Writing in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare, Quilliam tendered that romantic novels might be blamed for unprotected sex, unrealistic sexual expectations and relationship breakdowns, urging us to "put down the books — and pick up reality." (Good catchphrase, Susan).

It is of course only a matter of weeks since fellow psychologist Dr Juli Slattery claimed that an addiction to romantic books might "dangerously unbalance" the minds of female readers, in much the same way as a man addicted to pornography. Only with slightly less waxing, and a better soundtrack.

✤ On the subject of romance, let us note the sad passing of Iain Blair, author of 29 bestselling works of romantic fiction, including Wild Strawberries, Scarlet Ribbons and Nellie Wildchild, under the pen name Emma Blair, before outing himself at an award ceremony. Stick that in your Gay Girl in Damascus pipe and smoke it.

✤ Those readers who are prone to swooning might like to look away now, as we turn our attentions to the matter of ladies' sanitary products. A revolution of sorts has taken place, with an American campaign for Always sanitary towels being the first ad to represent menstrual blood with the colour red instead of the traditional-yet-inexplicable blue. Admittedly the "blood" in question is a mere red dot, but I suppose we have to call it progress.

Heart a-flutter? Virtue askew? Let us know on the blog.