Truth is, I might perhaps have led him to believe that I am more experienced sexually than I really am. This was because of the fact that when we were just friends, he had told me that a man may want to have sex with a virgin, but usually prefers a woman who is more sexually experienced. So please tell me, doctor. Does a woman's past sexual experience mean a great deal to a guy? I'm worried.

A: Thank you for this most interesting question. Male attitudes to female virginity have changed a lot over the years. I can remember a time when a lot of young men - especially those who had been strictly brought up - felt that it was very important to marry a virgin.

That point of view is still common in certain parts of the world, notably in the southern states of the United States. And in India, as well as in many other Asian cultures, it is considered a real scandal if a girl gives up her virginity before marriage. I believe that such opinions are still common in Trinidad and down in Guyana.

Elsewhere, males tend to take a morerealistic attitude these days. Most men accept that an attractive lady will probably have gone in for some sexual 'experimentation' before she finally takes that trip down the aisle!

Now, this guy has somehow given you the impression that today's man wants to marry a woman with lots of sexual experience.

I don't think that is necessarily true. Indeed, I feel that there has been some misunderstanding between the two of you over this question, and that you have placed far too much importance on some 'throwaway' remark that he made a long time ago.

Similarly, you think that you 'may' have led him to believe that you are sexually experienced. Again, I feel that you are placing too much importance on some remark you might have made to him about your past contacts with men.

I get the impression that both of you are rather touchingly innocent in matters of sex. My feeling is that you should quit fretting about whether this guy wants to marry an 'experienced' woman.

Instead, you should just be glad about the fact that you have finally found love with a good man, and that you can look forward to a happy marriage together. I wish you both well.

A: Recently I have had several emails and letters from young men who are worried about their erections. You don't say how old you are, but I imagine you are in your mid-teens.

It is important for you and the other young guys who have written to me, to realise that erections are NORMAL. Research has shown that healthy male teenagers have at least four completely uncontrollable erections a day. And if a young guy has a lot of the male hormone - which is testosterone - he may have many more erections than that.

Having an erection can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. But it is possible to HIDE it - for instance, by leaning forward or by holding something (like books or a newspaper) in front of you.

No, there is no 'medication' that will help. Please, just be glad that you are normal.

A: I'm sure he finds you real attractive. This guy seems to be around 60, and what you don't realise is that at that age many men suffer from a narrowing of the little pipes that supply blood to the penis. As a result, they often lose their nature.

Viagra opens up those tiny pipes and lets the man make love again. So please don't feel 'insulted' or think that this man is scorning you. It sounds like he is doing his best - despite the fact that his body is ageing.

A: In a country like Jamaica, with its wonderful supply of fruit, it is real unlikely that anyone could be deficient in vitamin C. As to the question of protection against 'mole colds', the latest research suggests that for most people it is pointless to take extra vitamin C.

However, the research does show that folks such as top athletes and other professional sportsmen and sportswomen, who are under considerable physical stress, may get some anti-cold protection by taking extra vitamin C.

A: Chest pain in a heavy smoker who is in this age group strongly suggests heart trouble. Get him to see a doc this week. Meantime, try to persuade him tostop using cigarettes - before they kill him!

A: Yes. This guy is clearly a sadist - that is, a person who cannot get sexual satisfaction unless he inflicts pain upon other people. He could be real dangerous, so I advise you to end this relationship.

A: This week I have had several emails from male teenagers who are fretting about their length. It is important to realise that measuring the male organ with accuracy is pretty difficult. Young men regularly get their measurements wrong.

However, if you really are seven inches in length, this is only just above average. So there is NO possibility that you are 'too big' or that women will not be able to accommodate you.