Dear Dr. Gott: I want to respond to your column regarding haemorrhoids and how hard it is to get rid of them.

I would like to tell you about the experience of my husband's grandmother. During one of her physical exams, her doctor informed her that she had haemorrhoids and would need surgery to repair them.

She refused the surgery because she had read an article in Prevention Magazine claiming honey would help heal haemorrhoids.

She immediately put honey on everything she could (toast, hot cereal, etc.), and, by the time she saw the doctor again, they were gone. The doctor noticed and commented on her finally deciding on having the surgery.

She then said she didn't have the surgery, and if he looked more closely, he would notice the lack of scars. She told him about the honey and how it solved her problem. He was amazed.

Dear reader: Honey for haemorrhoids is new to me. I am aware of honey's healing properties for wounds and burns; however, in these instances, it is applied topically.

Eating honey to heal haemorrhoids seems like a bit of a stretch, and, I would imagine it would be more effective (and messy) if it were applied topically. However, I can't argue with success.

If any of my readers have tried treating haemorrhoids with honey (either applied topically or ingested), please let me know. If the letters I receive show a positive result, I will write a follow-up.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Dr. Gott's Compelling Home Remedies".

Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have read several times over the years about women's problems with painful/dry intercourse.

I, too, suffered from this problem during and after menopause. I tried prescription medications and over-the-counter lubricants.

None helped. In fact, the OTC lubricants caused burning and itching in both me and my husband. Out of desperation, we decided to try olive oil. It worked!

Dear reader: Vaginal dryness is a common consequence of menopause, when the drop in oestrogen causes vaginal tissues to atrophy.

It can make intercourse painful, and, in severe cases, everyday activities may become difficult. Most physicians recommend oestrogen creams, hormone-replacement therapy or over-the-counter lubricants.

However, for many, these options simply don't work. Olive oil is a good choice and is fairly inexpensive. I am passing on your remedy in hopes it will help some of my other readers with this all-too-common complaint. Thanks for writing.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Menopause." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Write directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.