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Acupuncture is effective at relieving pelvic pain during pregnancy, a study says. Pelvic girdle pain is common among pregnant women with one in three affected suffering severe pain.

Researchers found acupuncture was better at easing the pain than standard and specialised exercising.

The team from Gothenburg's Institute for the Health of Women and Children said the medical profession should be more open to using acupuncture.

Report co-author Helen Elden, a midwife at the institute, said: "The study shows that methods other than structured physiotherapy may be effective in treating pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy and that acupuncture represents an effective alternative."

And she added: "A combination of several methods is probably even better."

The team studied the effect of three six-week treatment programmes on 386 pregnant women suffering from pelvic girdle pain, which it is thought is caused by hormones affecting ligaments and muscles.

One group were given a standard home exercise routine, a second received the exercise routine and acupuncture, while the third had a specialised exercise regime aimed at improving mobility and strength.

Pain levels were recorded every morning and evening and assessments were done by an independent examiner.

The women using acupuncture experienced the best results, followed by those who underwent the specialised exercise programme.

Daniel Maxwell, a member of the British Acupuncture Council, the regulatory body for acupuncturists, said the benefits of acupuncture for pregnant women was well known.

"Many pregnant women turn to acupuncture to relieve pain, especially pelvic pain.

"It is good because it does not involve any drugs, which women have to be careful about taking during pregnancy."

But he said the medical profession needed to be more consistent in recommending acupuncture as a treatment.

"Some GPs and midwives do refer people on for acupuncture, but some don't. It really does vary from area to area."

Dr Graham Archard, vice-chair of the Royal College of GPs, said 60% of family doctors use alternative therapies.

"The use of acupuncture to treat pain during pregnancy certainly seems credible.

"Pregnant women should be avoiding drugs so acupuncture, which releases the bodies natural painkillers, should be of benefit."

And Sue Macdonald, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "Women should be offered acupuncture for this type of pain, but we must remember it might not be for everyone."

BBC News

US teenagers with HIV are taking more risks than their counterparts did before the advent of powerful new Aids drugs, research of 500 people suggests.

The University of California, Los Angeles compared a group studied before the new drugs with one studied after.

The latter group reported having more sexual partners, more unprotected sex and more drug use.

Researchers told the American Journal of Human Behaviour that the increased risk-taking needed further scrutiny.

The treatment of HIV was revolutionised in the mid-90s by the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).

This is a combination of anti-retroviral drugs which can keep HIV count to a minimum, and thus extend the life expectancy of most patients.

The UCLA team compared one group of 349 teens with HIV, studied between 1994 and 1996, with another group of 175, studied in 1999 and 2000 after the widespread introduction of HAART.

Both groups came from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami, and were similar in terms of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic characteristics.

The post-HAART group was almost twice as likely to have had unprotected sex in the previous three months.

On average, they had had nearly double the sexual partners and were more likely to have had a sexual partner who used injection drugs.

The researchers stress the study does not prove the introduction of HAART is the cause of increased risky behaviour, but they say the issue needs further scrutiny.

Lead researcher Dr Marguerita Lightfoot said: "Evidence suggests that many people living with HIV believe that sexual behaviours that could lead to the transmission of HIV, like unprotected sex, are less risky if viral levels are low."

Worse condition

The study also suggests the lives of some HIV-positive teens have not improved with HAART.

The post-HAART group was in worse health, more likely to have been sexually abused and to be clinically distressed than the pre-HAART group.

Only 53% of group were on HAART drug therapy.

Dr Lightfoot said it was possible that doctors were reluctant to prescribe antiretroviral therapy to some groups for fear they would not stick to the treatment regime.

A spokesman for HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust said: "It's worrying if young people are taking greater risks as a consequence of successful treatment.

"This research also shows that unprotected sex was viewed as less risky if their viral levels were low. Viral levels can fluctuate quite widely, so it is not possible to know what your level is at any one time.

"This means that the young people studied may be taking a greater risk than they realise."

Yusef Azad, policy and campaigns director at the National Aids Trust, said: "There is evidence of increases in high-risk sexual behaviour in the last decade both in the UK and in other developed countries.

"However, this is not just among people living with HIV, but also amongst those who are currently HIV negative, including gay men and young people.

"More research is needed into the reasons for such trends but it seems unlikely that the advent of HAART is sufficient to explain this phenomenon."

BBC News

Cornwall is leading the way in tackling teenage pregnancies, according to the county's sexual health professionals.

Delegates at a conference in Newquay are being told the way sex education is taught in Cornwall is so effective, it is being rolled out across the country.

One of the main thrusts of the conference is to try to understand why teenagers are having sex so early.

Many young people say the advice to delay having sex until they are older is not realistic.

Jo Adams, the director of the national Centre for HIV and Sexual Health in Sheffield said: "There is a large number of young people who have sex early, and by early I mean 12, 13 and 14, and actually subsequently regret it. The levels of regret are incredibly high, both in boys and in girls."

Ms Adams says although most young people talk about having sex before they are 16, the statistics show the majority do not have sex until they are over 16.

Peer pressure

Cornwall's sex education programme includes dealing with the issue of peer pressure, which is thought to be the major reason young people have sex.

The issues are now being picked up by many groups across the country.

The national programme will encourage young people to delay having sex and will offer education, advice and support on sexually transmitted diseases, condom use and methods of contraception.

BBC News

TV advertisers are to be banned from portraying alcohol as an "aid to seduction" or showing it alongside themes strongly appealing to under 18s.

The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has launched a consultation on guidelines for the new rules, due to be enforced from October.

Advertisements should also avoid suggesting alcohol could enhance attractiveness, say the Ofcom rules.

But showing "mild flirtation" and romance would be acceptable.

The rules came into force on 1 January but the guidelines for advertisers are being consulted on before they are enforced.

BCAP is also consulting on a second new set of rules about the use of health and dietary claims in both TV and radio adverts selling alcohol.

The first set of rules will stop adverts from showing alcohol having a positive role in sexual relationships.

Nourishment

"Alcohol could not be shown being used as an aid to seduction or enhancing a person's attractiveness," said the BCAP guidance.

They should also refrain from making links to sexual motive or include sexual contact, and ads should not imply that sexual activity has taken place or is about to take place.

Any which contain themes likely to draw in the under 18s will also be forbidden.

Themes include using personalities with strong youth appeal such as pop, TV or sports stars, teenage rebelliousness, and music and dance likely to appeal to that age group.

The second set of rules are designed to crack down on health and dietary claims being made by advertisers promoting alcohol.

It should not be suggested that an alcoholic drink could be a source of nourishment or suitable as part of a fitness or weight control regime, said BCAP, which writes the industry codes of practice that are policed by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Television rules

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom will have final approval of the rules once both consultations finish in April and June.

BCAP chairman Andrew Brown said all interested parties would get a chance to speak before the rules were enforced.

Codes of conduct across all media already prohibit the promotion of irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

The codes also ban advertisements which appeal to young people or link alcohol to "sexual and social success", but the new tighter rules have been devised specifically for television.

BBC News

A TV commercial has been banned by an industry watchdog after 68 complaints were made over an "explicit kiss".

The advert, for internet firm Wanadoo, shows teenagers dancing through a scrapyard, and a girl and boy kissing on the seat of a smashed car.

The commercial, created by advertising agency M&C Saatchi, was labelled "irresponsible" by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Concern was also highlighted over the "dangerous environment" of the advert.

Many complaints expressed worries over children being exposed to the commercial.

The Broadcasting Advertising Clearance centre, which screens commercials before they are broadcast, had recommended the Wanadoo commercial be kept away from children's programmes.

'Dangerous environment'

The ASA said it was uncommon to see such "explicit kissing" in a programme shown before the 9pm watershed.

The watchdog felt the timing restriction imposed was not enough to protect young children, saying they could still view the advert during the day.

"Although the advertising might have been aimed at 16- to 34-year-olds, the timing restriction was inadequate in keeping the material away from children aged nine to 12 plus," it said.

But M&C Saatchi disagreed that the kiss shown was "coarse or unduly sexual", saying that other shows, including the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, broadcast the same type of kiss.

The ASA also received complaints about the scrapyard environment that the advert was shot, with some saying it could encourage youngsters to play in what they described as a "dangerous environment", potentially leading to harm.

M&C Saatchi argued the commercial featured actors aged over 18 and had "not portrayed the scrapyard as a fun place".

The advertising agency said the actors "derived pleasure from interacting with each other, not the vehicles."

But the ASA disagreed and labelled the commercial "irresponsible" for showing a scrapyard as an "adventurous place to hang out with friends".

The watchdog concluded "the advertisement was unsuitable to be shown at any time".

A spokesperson for Wanadoo said they were disappointed with the adjudication.

"We set out to make a commercial that would differentiate Wanadoo and intended to do so in a responsible way in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre.

"We are adhering to the ASA's adjudication and have replaced the ad in question with another ad from our "Wanadoo Today" series," the spokesperson said.

BBC News

The number of people who acquire HIV through heterosexual sex in the UK is set to keep rising, experts warn.

Health Protection Agency data published in the British Medical Journal has shown the number rose from 144 in 1999 to 315 in 2003.

The vast majority of heterosexual men and women diagnosed with HIV in the UK are infected abroad.

But as the numbers living with HIV increased, so would heterosexual transmission risks, observers said.

Homosexual men remain at the greatest risk of acquiring HIV within the UK.

The HPA Centre for Infections analysed confidential reports of HIV infection in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to look at probable routes of infection.

Of the 21,115 adults diagnosed with HIV between 1985 and 2003, 9% were likely to have been infected within the UK.

The rest includes people who are UK born who were infected when they travelled abroad, or people from countries with high HIV rates, mainly in Africa, who were diagnosed with HIV after moving to the UK.

'Dispelling the myths'

Dr Katy Sinka, a senior epidemiologist from the HPA, told the BBC News website: "Our main concern is that infections acquired in the UK continue to increase very gradually.

"We should be able to target prevention strategies in the UK, when we can't necessarily act to prevent infections occurring abroad."

The researchers fear that, as the number of heterosexuals living with HIV in the UK grows, "the likelihood of heterosexual transmission within the country will increase, particularly among ethnic minorities."

A spokeswoman for the Terrence Higgins Trust said: "This research confirms that although gay men are at the greatest risk of HIV infection, the risks for the heterosexual community are steadily growing, especially for the African community living in the UK.

"We cannot afford to be complacent. Both health education and wider availability of HIV testing and treatment are essential if we are to tackle the UK's growing epidemic."

Michael Carter, of the National Aids Manual, said: "These figures go some way to dispelling some myths that are developing about the epidemiology of HIV in the UK.

"It's important to emphasise that they show that gay men still account for the overwhelming majority of infections acquired in the UK. However, heterosexual transmission within the UK is increasing."

He said a major factor in the continuing rise was that a third of all of people with HIV in this country do not know they are infected. He advised everyone in the UK who thought they might be at risk to be tested.

"It's important to add that even if tests indicate that HIV treatment had reduced HIV to undetectable levels, they shouldn't assume that this means that they are no longer infectious.

"When properly used, condoms are an excellent way of preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

BBC News

Women should stand up for their right to have a full night's sleep - even if their partner snores, researchers say.

Those who listen passively to the dulcet tones of their soundly-sleeping partner may be missing out on up to five hour's sleep a week, they say.

University of Surrey researchers, who have spoken to 25 couples so far, found plenty of women snore too - but men are much more likely to wake them up.

Sleep experts said there were ways for people to stop themselves snoring.

Missing out on sleep can lead to sleepiness in the daytime, potentially affecting performance at work and ability to drive safely.

Moving rooms

While snoring problems were reported, none of those questioned, who range in age from 20 to their late 50s, had sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea.

Men were the snorers in some of the couples, while in others, they were the women.

The research is part of a bigger study into how couples regulate their sleep.

Sue Venn, of the Department of Sociology, said: "Women would just listen to it, or they would disturb their partner just enough so they wouldn't snore, but not so much that they would wake them up."

Some women moved to another room in order to get some rest.

"It is part of the whole role that women take on of being the carer," Mrs Venn said.

"They will often accept snoring in terms of doing what's best for their men. Even when children come along, they continue to do this."

But she said in cases where the female partner snored, men were much more likely to prod or poke their partners until they woke up and stopped snoring.

She added: "Women seem to be embarrassed about admitting to snoring, yet it's important that they - as well as men - seek advice on whether their snoring is damaging their health."

Break-ups

Dr Melissa Hack, chairman of the British Sleep Society, said that women generally tended to sleep more lightly than men, and so often expected they were not going to sleep well.

"In our clinic, we often have to correct that assumption. Everybody deserves a good night's sleep."

Dr Hack said snoring could have a devastating effect on relationships, with some couples splitting up because of it.

She added: "Women are certainly embarrassed at coming forward. They believe snoring isn't a 'lady-like' thing to do."

But she said snoring was simply vibration at the back of the throat. It happens at night because the muscles become floppy.

Snoring can be caused by being overweight, particularly in men. But it can also be due to having thin airways or a jaw which is set slightly further back than normal.

Dr Hack said there were several ways people could tackle snoring.

These included cutting down on smoking or drinking alcohol, adopting different sleeping positions, and using dental gum shields which help hold muscles in place and so prevent snoring.

BBC News

The owner of a roadside snack bar has angered locals in a Leicestershire town by spicing up his menu with sex toys.

AJ's boss, Steve Fugill, 52, defended the extras by saying business on the van, on the A4303 south of Lutterworth, was slack at this time of year.

But former town mayor Cathy d'Ambrumenil said: "This is not the impression of our quiet market town we want people to receive."

Trading standards chiefs said the matter was being investigated.

The optional extras are displayed on the wall of the van.

During the past few months it has built up a steady stream of men and women splashing out on the saucy menu.

Mr Fugill, from Glen Parva, said he was determined to carry on despite needing to apply to the local district council for a special licence.

"At the end of the day, we are just trying to earn a living," he said.

"Our trade is slack at this time of year. This country is so far behind Europe, where you buy these things from a garage or a supermarket."

The 52-year-old added he stores the toys out of view during the school holidays.

BBC News

The number of teenage girls getting pregnant on Teesside has dropped following an education campaign.

Figures reveal Redcar and Cleveland has the lowest rate with 48.1 per 1,000 teenagers getting pregnant.

Hartlepool has the highest figure in the Tees Valley, 68.2 per 1,000, which is still a fall of more than 9.9%. In Stockton the figure is 51.3.

Health chiefs say the success is due to extra sex and relationship classes for children and a free condom scheme.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for social services, Valerie Halton, welcomed the news.

Sexual health

But she said: "Of course these figures still need to be improved, but we are carrying out a great deal of very good work to tackle the issue, through all school ages - from primary to secondary."

The latest figures are compared to rates recorded in 1998 - a fall of 17.5% in seven years in Redcar and Cleveland.

In Middlesbrough the rate is 57.9 in 1,000 women which is a drop of 13% in the same period.

Other successful initiatives include weekly drop-in sexual health sessions at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough and Redcar and Cleveland College.

A condom distribution scheme has also been running in youth centres, colleges and services for young people on Teesside.

BBC News

The Tories say a major publicity blitz, like the 1980s Aids campaign, is needed to reverse an "epidemic" of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If elected, the party says it would encourage youngsters to resist peer pressure to have sex, but denies plans for a US-style abstinence campaign.

STIs like HIV, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia "have doubled", Conservative leader Michael Howard said.

The government pledged to reduce STIs in its Public Health White Paper.

'Bold campaign'

This would involve a new national campaign aimed at those at greatest risk, and the rolling out of Chlamydia screening across England by 2007.

Last year the Health Protection Agency said cases of Chlamydia - the most common sexually transmitted infection - jumped by 9%.

About 10% of UK adults have had an STI and 13% have visited a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Mr Howard said a Conservative government would use its past experience of running a drive to raise awareness of Aids to run a "clear, bold and very public" campaign.

"Mr Blair may not think sexual health is a national priority, but I do," he said.

"It's not an issue that can or should be swept under the carpet - it should be tackled directly.

"It is no exaggeration to say that in Britain today we face a sexually transmitted diseases epidemic.

"Gonorrhoea has doubled. Chlamydia has doubled. HIV has more than doubled. We have the worst rates of sexual health since records began."

And he promised that if his party won the next general election - widely predicted to be called for 5 May - it would ensure money for sexual health services reached the "front line".

The Lib Dems, at their 2003 conference, backed calls for compulsory sex education lessons for children as young as seven to help reduce rising teenage pregnancies and STIs.

BBC News