It’s harder than ever to make an appointment with a GP, and chances are you would be too embarrassed to ask about the spots on your ­bottom anyway.

But what if your nagging problem is a sign of something serious?

And what if it would just make life easier – how risky is it really?

Or is it actually all in your head?

Here, we ask experts to answer some of the health and wellbeing questions you’d rather keep quiet.

How gross is it to share my partner’s toothbrush?

We’ve all been there. You’ve left yours on charge or at work. But in this instance, sharing definitely isn’t caring.

“Whenever you use somebody else’s toothbrush, whatever bacteria is on their brush will end up in your mouth,” explains celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques, of Wimpole Street Dental.

“This will make you susceptible to gum disease, as well as the common cold or flu bacteria that may be lingering on the bristles.”

So playing swapsies means you’re sharing germs. “If you do find yourself accidentally cleaning with anyone else’s brush, be sure to have a good swish of mouthwash after, even if that person is your partner,” Dr Marques says.

Why do my breasts look wonky?

“Breasts, like the rest of you, are not symmetrical and it is extremely common to have one breast slightly larger or smaller than the other,” explains GP Dr Philippa Kaye.

“Sometimes this asymmetry is obvious and can really affect self esteem.

“If you have always had one breast bigger than the other, it is nothing to worry about. But if you are concerned about a change in your breasts – and they have only recently changed size – please see your doctor to be examined.”

Is it really possible to be addicted to chocolate?

“Chocolate contains two potentially mood altering drugs: sugar and caffeine,” explains addiction expert Dr Robert Lefever.

“So yes, it is very possible to become addicted and it can be very destructive. Illegal drugs kill about 50 people a day in the UK. Alcohol kills 100 but sugar kills 200 people a day. Nicotine kills 300 so sugar is right up there when you look at the problems it can cause for your health.”

But you are only likely to really get into trouble if you have an addictive nature.

“Alcohol is an addictive drug but that doesn’t mean everyone who drinks is an alcoholic,” says Dr Lefever.

“People who have an addiction will often go out of their way to find the next hit, and if they can’t find one thing they will move on to the next.

“If you look at meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, often outside you will find people smoking like it’s going out of fashion and they will pass round the biscuits. They are generally unaware they have multiple addictions. ­Chocolate is often one of them.”

Why does my tummy rumble?

“The rumble you hear is the sound made as gas travels through the gut,” explains top gastroenterologist Dr Anton Emmanuel.

“This movement of air is always making a noise but the only time you can hear it without a ­stethoscope is when there is either too much air, or the air is trying to travel through a narrow part of the gut.

“Lots of people think it means you are hungry. This is not ­necessarily true but it is ­typically louder when the stomach and intestines are empty. Food will mask the amount of air in the intestine so it is possible to dampen the noise by eating.”

Why do I drool into my pillow at night?

“It’s all about gravity,” explains sleep expert and chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo.

“If you sleep on your side, drool will trickle down your face and create a puddle on your pillow.

“It can also happen when you breathe through your mouth, perhaps because of nasal congestion. In this case things should return to normal when the cold goes away. Drooling is also common if you drink too much alcohol or smoke.”

Why do I get spots on my bottom?

“The acne on our bottoms doesn’t differ medically from the acne we get on our faces and it can be caused by the same issues,” says Dr Justine Kluk of the British Association of Dermatologists.

“Essentially we can get spots anywhere on our skin and sometimes this means they appear in awkward places.

“The most common cause of bottom spots is friction and sweat. Tight fabrics, sweat and heat can block hair follicles and create a warm, moist environment for bacteria to multiply in. Your genetics and hormones can also increase your likelihood of acne on your bottom.

“Other factors that increase chances include stress, certain ­medications, pregnancy and menstruation. It’s also thought diet plays a role but more research is needed.”

Is there a right way to blow your nose?

“If you blow your nose too forcefully, this could push a lot of air up the ear,” explains Professor Carl Philpott, ­rhinologist and honorary secretary of ENT UK. “This might cause pain but it’s unlikely to cause any serious damage.

“Likewise if you blow too often it may cause a little bleeding, but there are unlikely to be serious consequences.”

If you want another way to clear out your nose, try douching with salt water. “This is a great way of clearing mucus, especially if you are regularly exposed to dust or pollution,” Prof Philpott says.

Do my feet really get bigger with age?

“Feet can change shape with age and use,” explains Emma McConnachie from the College of Podiatry.

But while they tend to get wider, they don’t tend to get any longer.

“The foot can broaden as we get older, and pregnancy can change the shape of the foot too,” she says. “Often people will go to a larger shoe size instead of a wider shoe, as they think that their foot is getting bigger overall rather than wider.”

Why do I get post-sex headaches?

“There are two types of post-coital headaches,” explains GP Dr Philippa Kaye. “The first is a headache which builds with arousal and the second is a sudden headache that occurs at orgasm.

“They can last anything from a few minutes to a few days. They are more likely if you are unfit or overweight, so getting healthy may help.

“Some ­positions are more likely to trigger a sex headache, such as those that strain the neck or shoulders.”

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