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Dr Margaret McCartney explores what we need from the NHS at different stages of our lives and what we can do to ease the pressures it's facing. This week we arrive in middle age.

Sexually transmitted infections or STIs tend to be associated with young people, but recently there's been a rise in STIs amongst 45 to 65 year olds. Research by Jenny Dalrymple, a sexual health nurse and researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University, uncovers some of the reasons why people in middle age might take risks. For Deborah Richardson contracting genital herpes was life changing, but she soon learned how to manage the condition.

The NHS in Scotland marks the arrival of middle age with a letter to everyone on their 50th birthday inviting them to take part in bowel cancer screening. Professor Bob Steele explains how effective bowel cancer screening is and Dr Fiona Godlee, editor of the BM,J explains her decision not to take part in breast cancer screening. Screening can save lives, but sometimes leads to unnecessary treatment that can cause harm. Margaret discusses the potential risks as well as benefits from screening, which each individual has to balance to make an informed choice.

Our notorious relationship with alcohol in Scotland puts the NHS under enormous strain, with middle aged men from deprived backgrounds most at risk of liver disease. Margaret speaks to Graeme Callander of Drink Wise Age Well, a pilot programme for the over fifties, demystifies the safe drinking guidelines and offers simple tips to cut down your alcohol intake. Dr Alastair MacGilchrist explains what happens to your liver when you drink too much, and Drink Wise volunteers share how they've benefited from giving something back.