14 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Hitler had a micropenis? I know the truth of living with Kallmann Syndrome
When Neil Smith was in the boys showers at school, he knew he was different. While other classmates were clearly going through puberty, filling out and growing hair in their nether regions, he wasn’t.
‘I didn’t get the muscle or hair growth, if you see my graduation photograph, I still look about 15,’ Neil, 55, tells Metro. ‘I knew I wasn’t developing, but I assumed it’d happen at some stage.’
But he wasn’t just a ‘late bloomer’, that stage never came, and he would later discover his ‘absent puberty’ was down to Kallmann Syndrome.
It’s a rare genetic condition, according to GP Suzanne Wylie, which affects the development and function of the reproductive system, as well as your ability to smell anything. You could also, in certain cases, have a micropenis.
If you’ve been keeping up on your news, you might’ve seen that Adolf Hitler also had Kallmann Syndrome, or so renowned scientist, Professor Turi King, claims. With songs and stories from the war about the size of his genitalia, and a 1923 medical exam revealing he had an undescended testicle, there’s a solid 10% chance the Nazi leader had a micropenis.
For reference, this is a penis that measures less than three inches long as an adult, according to Healthline. To be clear, most people with Kallmann Syndrome don’t have this symptom, although they are typically smaller than the UK average of 5.63 inches.
While Neil measures in at four inches, which he claims is the typical size for someone with his condition, he finds the sensationalism around Hitler’s supposed micro ‘very frustrating’.
‘Most people with my condition look completely normal and the micropenis and undescended testicles aren’t a hallmark of our condition, – it’s down to your genetics and how severe your syndrome is’ Neil, a biomedical scientist, explains.
‘We should be looking at whether Hitler had a sense of smell because that’s the main symptom. The coverage has been worrying and sensationalised – I’ve been talking to other people with Kallmann’s syndrome who are worried and annoyed their condition is seen as just [having a micropenis] – it’s not like that for everyone.’
Neil was born without the ability to smell anything, and had 70% hearing loss in one ear. ‘I miss out on good smells and bad smells, which are all attached to memory and attraction – but I don’t care,’ he says.
‘My personal hygiene as a teenager probably wasn’t great because I couldn’t smell myself, although I didn’t go through puberty so I wasn’t sweating more or anything.
‘It’s tricky with food – I get very bad food poisoning at least once a year, because I can’t smell if the milk has gone off. I can’t smell burning if I leave the oven on, either.’
He went through the initial two Tanner stages of puberty until the age of 12 – this is the medical scale that tracks development. However, by his mid-teens his penis, testes and scrotum weren’t enlarging at the rate of his peers. He also had no libido or interest in sex.
‘Eventually I was the only one in my year group not to show any development, and this didn’t go unnoticed,’ Neil, from London, adds.
A routine health inspection by the school nurse, as part of a health screen for a permit to work on a newspaper delivery round, led to a referral to a GP at the age of 15.
‘The doctor just said I was a late bloomer because I hadn’t started puberty, and to wait and see – he didn’t take into account my lack of smell and poor hearing,’ Neil says.
At 17, when he still hadn’t hit puberty, he was put on low-dose testosterone (Sustanon), which didn’t make a difference to his symptoms, apart from giving him a slight growth spurt.
‘It wasn’t frustrating at the time because I just accepted it,’ he recalls. ‘I wasn’t unhappy but, looking back, I missed out on a lot socially.’
At university he had limited social interactions and didn’t attend many events, because of a lack of confidence from his symptoms, and limited interest in getting to know someone romantically.
When he started his job as a biomedical scientist at the Royal Free Hospital in London he tracked down endocrinologist Richard Quinton to see if he could get a diagnosis.
‘At that time I was 23 and knew something was wrong, but no doctor had been paying attention,’ Neil adds. ‘I found Richard in his office and he asked me about my symptoms – then he said “do you have a sense of smell?”
‘No one had ever asked me that question before, and that’s what finally led to my diagnosis of Kallmann Syndrome.’
It’s a form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, meaning the body doesn’tproduce enough of the hormones (gonadotrophins) that stimulate the testes or ovaries,’ Dr Suzanne Wylie, medical adviser for IQdoctor, tells Metro.
‘The condition is caused by a problem in the development of certain nerve cells in the brain, specifically those that control the release of hormones from the hypothalamus, and also affects the olfactory nerves, which are responsible for the sense of smell.’
Suzanne adds that without normal levels of testosterone, you then experience absent puberty and infertility, the most common symptoms alongside the loss of smell. While there’s no cure, it can be managed.
As a result of his diagnosis, Neil feels he’s been left behind socially (but he was never bullied), emotionally and physically – having never been in a romantic relationship.
‘I self-isolated and was shy, but I’m an outlier in this respect when it comes to people with my condition,’ he explains. ‘In the 1980s there wasn’t any information available online, so by waiting like my doctor told me, I watched my friends grow up normally and I got left behind.’
‘I’ve never had a true relationship,’ he adds. ‘I’m so used to living on my own – I’ve done so since university – so I can’t see it changing. But that’s down to me, not Kallmann’s. I’ve met the right person [to be in a relationship with] twice, but I’ve never acted on it.’
Since being diagnosed he’s tried a few testosterone replacement methods, which is the standard treatment for the syndrome, including gonadotrophin injections, which Neil says has given him some testicular growth and facial hair.
But most importantly, the scientist believes finding a support network is the key to feeling better about Kallmann Syndrome.
‘You’re not alone with this condition, even though it’s very rare,’ Neil says. ‘Being able to talk to and meet other people going through the same thing is so important because then you can see they’re having fairly normal life.
‘It doesn’t have to affect you as much as you think.’
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14 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘I found a way to get £97 worth of Liz Earle full-sized products for £38’
Saving shopping writer Lucy Addicott £59 on hydrating skincare, the Liz Earle Ultimate Skincare Collection is under £40 at Boots
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
When it comes to skincare, one size definitely doesn’t fit all – especially as we age and our skin decides to change its looks and preferences.
Fine lines deepen, pigmentation appears, menopausal breakouts treat us to a surprise appearance, and that once-reliable moisturiser? Suddenly it’s not cutting it anymore.
That’s where Renew + Me comes in. This next-generation skincare brand from the makers of Skin + Me has been created to deliver prescription-grade, personalised skincare designed specifically for ageing skin.
But not just any skin – YOUR skin.
Using pictures of your face alongside your skin insights, Renew + Me is able to diagnose your perfect skincare routine to help your specific skincare qualms – all without a trip to the dermatologist.
Renew + Me Nightly-Active-Cream
A totally personalised skincare superhero to target to your skin upsets, this potent evening treatment has been designed to deliver a concentrated boost of prescription and gold-standard actives without the cupboard full of expensive potions and lotions. Use code SKINGLOWMETRO at checkout to claim your first month for just £6.99.
While Skin + Me is targeted towards younger skin, Renew + Me instead takes on the unique, evolving needs of mature skin with dermatologist-led formulas that work on a cellular level, tackling everything from fine lines and wrinkles to rosacea and blemishes.
The best bit? You can score your first month of personalised skincare for just £6.99 with code SKINGLOWMETRO – a huge saving of 77%.
Not sure where to start? The brand’s hero product is the Nightly-Active-Treatment – a facial night treatment that delivers a concentrated boost of prescription and gold-standard actives each night.
You can think of this night treatment as your direct route to smoother, firmer and more radiant skin in as few as 12 weeks.
You can also get the Serum-in-a-Cream, which is the perfect pairing to your night treatment. This gold standard, personalised anti-ageing cream works to restore radiance and firmness each night when you apply, going beyond the face to treat the neck and decolletage, too.
But how does it work?
Delivering the perfect amount of your personalised skincare to your door each week, Renew + Me makes spending a bomb on skincare top-ups each week a thing of the past.
You’ll tell Renew + Me’s derms all about your skin and its qualms, as well as your complexion goals. This will be accompanied by photos of your skin so they can really see what’s going on.
Then, a highly qualified panel of dermatology experts will decide on just what your skin needs, whipping you up a totally personal treatment that is then delivered to your door.
This formula comes in the brand’s clever + Me Daily Doser which perfectly releases just the right amount you need to apply each day. This will last you the month, by which time your next skincare top-up will have arrived in the post ready to use. What could be simpler?
What’s even more unique about this service is the ongoing support and regular check-ins – much like having a private skin expert in your pocket.
Skin clearing up? Ready to move onto a more potent dose? Prefer additional actives? All you need to do is ask and your personal cream will be amended to suit you.
But what’s in the ‘magic’ formula?
Each Nightly-Active-Cream from Renew + Me will include one of multiple of the brand’s Core Prescription Ingredients such as gold-standard retinol or Tretinoin, supported by derm-selected ingredients like azelaic acid, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid and ectoin, working together to bring you your best skin yet.
Renew + Me is trusted by thousands of users, too, who say they ‘absolutely recommend’ the skincare, adding that their ‘skin is glowing’ after just three weeks.
‘I have been using this for 3 weeks now and have no side effects, and my skin is glowing,’ raved one impressed reviewer. ‘Hoping after using for a further month or 2 my acne pigmentation will start to reduce.’
Another added: ‘Absolutely recommend! I can feel the clear difference on my skin, even my husband praised my skin …I’m pleasantly surprised’
Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Snap up your first month of Renew + Me personalised skincare for just £6.99 when you shop today with the code SKINGLOWMETRO and transform your skin as you know it.
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13 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Love Clinique Black Honey? This Boots alternative is less than a fiver
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Clinique’s Black Honey is a cult classic in the beauty world – and for good reason.
With a buttery formula and subtle wash of colour that looked like your lips but better, it’s been loved through the 70’s and even a recent viral wave.
But while Black Honey might be a bit of a splurge at £25, shoppers insist they’ve found the ‘perfect dupe’ for less than a fiver at Boots.
The 17. Tinted Lip Butter Deep Honey is £4 and also has a buttery formula that’s vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested for sensitive skin.
Boasting a balm‑meets‑colour finish, this affordable lip butter leaves your pout feeling plump while adding a subtle splash of colour that’s perfect for everyday wear.
17. Tinted Lip Butter Deep Honey
Boasting a balm‑meets‑colour finish, the 17. Tinted Lip Butter in Deep Honey leaves your pout feeling plump while adding a subtle splash of colour that's perfect for everyday wear.
Because who doesn’t love a lippy that feels like a balm? Comfort and colour in one? Sign us up.
Better still, the 17. lipstick is packed with jojoba seed oil to keep your lips hydrated and soft all day, as well as synthetic beeswax, which is a plant-derived alternative that mimics the protective benefits of natural beeswax to lock in moisture.
And if we know anything about 17., an impressive budget brand at Boots, it’s that everything they put out on their shelves is absolute affordable gold.
Shoppers seem to agree, too, with hoards of users leaving five-star reviews online for the purse-friendly ‘dupe’, raving of how it’s very similar to Clinique’s Black Honey, only £20 cheaper.
‘This is very slightly less pigmented than black honey, but it is more hydrated and feels lighter on the lips,’ one impressed reviewer wrote. ‘It is an excellent product and a perfect dupe – save yourself some money!’
Another added: ‘I have the original black honey from Clinique, but this one is better. It is really smooth to apply and creamy.’
‘Really love it, almost identical to the Clinique Black Honey Lipstick but much more hydrating.’ Raved a third,.
‘It’s an affordable dupe that delivers way beyond expectations. Super nourishing on the lips, and best of all, it doesn’t bleed or feather. Gorgeous worn alone for a soft, juicy look, or layered as a sheer topper over lipstick for extra dimension. Total hidden gem!’
For just four quid, there’s very little not to love about this lippy.
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13 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
TK Maxx selling ‘sparkly’ cubic zirconia stone wedding rings for £13 with box
The discount retailer is selling a range of affordable jewellery, including a selection of engagement and wedding rings
13 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
This ‘anti-ageing’ LED mask is helping users get salon-worthy skin at home – and it’s on sale
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
When creams and serums just aren’t cutting it, an LED mask could be the anti-ageing solution you’ve been missing. But do they really work?
Users of Keskine’s LED Light Therapy Face Mask Pro say heck yes.
A hot topic in the beauty world, LED masks deliver targeted light to your face to help your best skin shine through – and you don’t even need to get up from the sofa to reap the benefits..
Coined the ‘best LED face mask’ by impressed users, the professional-grade Keskine LED Light Therapy Face Mask Pro is designed to tackle everything from fine lines and blemishes to dullness and uneven texture without costly trips to the salon.
Better still, the brand is offering a huge 30% off this coveted mask with code BF30, making perfecting your complexion more affordable than ever.
Keskine LED Light Therapy Face Mask Pro
The perfect alternative to regularly costly salon appointments, the Keskine mask utilises LED light at precise wavelengths that penetrate the skin to boost cellular activity, encourage collagen production, and combat inflammation and bacteria. The result is skin with fewer fine lines and blemishes with dullness reduced and texture diminished.
Said to rejuvenate, refresh and restore your skin from the comfort of your own home, the LED Light Therapy Face Mask Pro is getting beauty buffs excited as it delivers ‘fast’ results.
The perfect alternative to regularly costly salon appointments, the Keskine mask utilises LED light at precise wavelengths that penetrate the skin to boost cellular activity, encourage collagen production, and combat inflammation and bacteria.
But what really is LED light therapy, and what benefits does it have? Can Keskin, Founder of Keskine, wrote: ‘LED (light-emitting diode) therapy uses specific wavelengths of light energy to penetrate the skin at different depths.
‘Unlike lasers, LEDs don’t heat or damage tissue. Instead, they stimulate natural cellular processes, boosting collagen production, reducing inflammation and helping skin heal and renew.’
What are the benefits of LED light therapy?
LED light therapy has been shown to offer a number of benefits to skin with regular use, such as improved skin tone and texture, reduced signs of aging and faster wound healing.
It can also help manage acne and inflammation, making it a desirable non-invasive treatment for various skin concerns.
Different LED light colours are used for different results, such as red light for collagen production and blue light for reducing acne bacteria.
Boasting four times the LEDs for four times the power, this mask has been proven to provide clearer skin with fewer breakouts in just two weeks, and smoother skin with fewer lines and a firmer feel in just four.
Unlike other LED masks that use only red LED light, the Keskine mask uses four different light colours to help address specific skin concerns, delivering tailored skincare benefits with every use.
Red light helps to stimulate collagen to plump skin and reduce wrinkles, yellow light works to strengthen the skin barrier for calmer and more even skin, purple light works to help control breakouts, and orange light brightens blemishes and dullness for a more radiant tone.
But that’s not all: The brand’s 360° mirror tech provides an even, full face coverage so no part of your face is left untreated, delivering customised wavelengths for the forehead, cheeks, eyes and scalp to ensure maximum efficacy.
In short, you’ve got a four-in-one solution to a huge array of skincare qualms in one impressive mask, making addressing common skin concerns as simple as a 20-minute session three times a week.
Users have been totally blown away with the mask, calling it ‘way better than laser’, and adding that it ‘really lives up to the hype’.
One user wrote: ‘I’ve noticed a reduction in acne breakouts after using this mask’, while another added: ‘My skin feels rejuvenated and I’ve experienced fewer breakouts.’
Another wrote: ‘Using this mask has transformed my skincare routine. My complexion is brighter and I feel more confident without makeup.’
Don’t forget to use code BF30 for a huge 30% off your new skincare upgrade.
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12 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Queen Letizia recycles back-baring dress from 4 years ago – and it’s covered in feathers
Queen Letizia of Spain recycled a back-baring dress from 4 years ago that is covered in feathers when she headed with King Felipe to Zhongnanhai to meet the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and the First Lady, Peng Liyuan, during their three-day visit to China.
12 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
King Charles’ resurrected 21,000-acre estate inspired by childhood: ‘It had a profound influence on me’
King Charles took over the running of the estate at Sandringham in 2017 and a certain element of the garden sought inspiration from his childhood – get the details.
12 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Find your Zen with Neom’s HUGE luxury gift set – reduced by 41% in Black Friday offer
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
It’s that time of year when life feels non-stop. Diaries are full, to-do lists never end, and finding a moment to breathe can feel impossible.
That’s exactly when a bit of me-time makes all the difference. And when it comes to helping you switch off and unwind, Neom really are the experts.
Their soothing scents and mood-boosting blends make it easier to relax, recharge and find a little calm amid the chaos.
And if you’re looking to save on your next unwind session then the brand’s Black Friday event isn’t to be missed.
Whether you’re giving the gift of relaxation or stocking up on calm-inducing formulas for yourself, the luxury Sleepy Bestseller Box, a 5-piece gift set bundle worth an impressive £150 but now just £89 in an unmissable deal, will be just for you.
The limited-edition box is filled with five of Neom’s best-selling products designed to help you drift off, chill out and feel more zen than ever.
Can’t you just feel your shoulders lowering already?!
Neom Sleepy Bestseller Box
Neom’s Sleepy Bestsellers Box is a limited-edition collection of five Neom products designed to induce better sleep and relaxation. The set includes the new, limited-edition Perfect Night’s Sleep Multi Mineral Body Milk (exclusive to this box), Perfect Night’s Sleep 1 Wick Scented Candle, Essential Oil Blend, Bath Foam, and Pillow Mist. Each item has Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep fragrance, a blend of lavender, chamomile and patchouli, to help create a calming bedtime routine.
Beautifully packaged and only available while stocks last, this limited-edition collection is the perfect gift for anyone in need of a little calm.
Inside shoppers will find a new, limited-edition Perfect Night’s Sleep Multi Mineral Body Milk (an exclusive to this box), Perfect Night’s Sleep 1 Wick Scented Candle, Perfect Night’s Sleep Essential Oil Blend, Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath Foam, and the Perfect Night’s Sleep Pillow Mist.
With Neom’s signature Perfect Night’s Sleep blend of lavender, chamomile and patchouli, each product has been carefully chosen to help you truly switch off.
Together, they make the dreamiest bedtime routine. Think a long soak in the bath, soft candlelight flickering away, and a final spritz of pillow mist that tells your mind it’s time to drift off.
The gentle scent fills the room, melts away tension and helps you slip into the kind of deep, restful sleep we all crave – bliss!
Whether you’re winding down after a long day or setting the mood for a slow weekend, Neom’s Sleepy Bestsellers Box makes relaxation effortless and a little bit luxurious.
If you want our advice, shop now as this beautiful box is bound to sell out. After more calming treats and Wellbeing Boxes? Explore the Neom Black Friday sale below.
Neom Black Friday sale 2025 – top picks
The Ultimate Calm Box (Worth £238)
Create moments of calm with the limited-edition Ultimate Calm Boxfeaturing seven of Neom's most-loved de-stress favourites. Inside you'll find the Real Luxury Scented Candle (1 Wick), Hibernate Reed Diffuser 100ml, Real Luxury Magnesium Body Butter 200ml, Real Luxury Body Scrub 350g, Real Luxury Bath Foam 200ml, Real Luxury Room Spray 100ml and Real Luxury Essential Oil Blend 10ml.
The Wellbeing Mystery Box (Worth £192)
Everyone's favourite Neom mystery boxes are back! Limited-edition and overflowing with wellbeing surprises, these boxes feature five of Neom's feel-good favourites (all full-size) from home fragrance to bath and body, set to help you (or them) stress less, feel more energised or experience a better mood.
NEW Tortoiseshell Wellbeing Pod Luxe Essential Oil Diffuser
Upgrade your oil diffuser with this gorgeous Wellbeing Pod Luxe Essential Oil Diffuser in the brand new limited-edition tortoiseshell glass design. Now with a new pairing mode, additional mist setting and subtle vibration on the touch-button display panel for an effortlessly intuitive experience, this diffuser makes filling your spaces with wonderful scent easy.
Winter Wellbeing Candle Trio (Worth £63)
Treat yourself or someone you love to three gorgeously Christmassy candles with this trio, made with 100% natural fragrance. This trio features the Cosy Nights Scented Travel Candle 75g, Christmas Wish Scented Travel Candle 75g and Perfect Peace Scented Travel Candle 75g.
Scent The Season Discovery Set
Stock up on Neom's much-loved oil Essential Oil Blends with this six piece set. Inside you'll find the Cosy Nights Essential Oil Blend 3ml, Christmas Wish Essential Oil Blend 3ml, Perfect Peace Essential Oil Blend 3ml, Sparkling Joy Essential Oil Blend 3ml, Happiness Essential Oil Blend 3ml, and Perfect Night’s Sleep Essential Oil Blend 3ml.
Anyone else feeling sleepy?..
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The best babies Christmas jumpers, knits and sweaters for 2025. Discover where to shop for Christmas jumpers for babies, the top-rated knits, personalised baby Christmas jumpers and the cutest designs too. We’ve found all of the cutest baby Christmas jumpers from Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, The White Company, Mamas & Papas and more.