Two in five patients would rather leave a health issue than seek advice because they are uncomfortable asking for help, the Co-operative Pharmacy has warned.

Two thirds of patients would rather buy treatments for embarrassing conditions online, and a third would go out of their way to visit where they were less likely to be recognised by someone they knew, a survey of 2,000 people also found.

Sexually transmitted infections and erectile dysfunction topped the list of conditions that women and men respectively would be least likely to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Of those willing to seek help in person, more than two in five would wait until a shop became empty before speaking to a healthcare assistant, showed the survey. Worms, haemorrhoids, flatulence, incontinence and body odour were in the top five conditions that respondents were most embarrassed to discuss with a healthcare professional.

The Co-operative Pharmacy head of business development Mandeep Mudhar said the research showed that people could be putting their long-term health at risk.

"The majority of pharmacies now have a private consultation room, but customers also now have a wider range of options to explore when it comes to getting reliable and convenient health advice and treatment online via trusted information websites or an online doctor consultation."

The survey results were released as the Co-operative Pharmacy launched its new website, offering remote consultations and health assessments.