Doctor's advice: BACK-DOOR DANGER

Q Is it possible to contract HIV by having unprotected anal sex?

A Very definitely! In fact, anal sex is the most efficient way of transmitting the HIV virus.

I would like to make it quite clear to young people that you can catch HIV through vaginal sex. But anal (rectal) sex is more likely to transmit it.

The person who is on the receiving end of anal sex is the one who is at great risk. However, there is also a risk to the person who is doing the penetrating.

The main reason why anal sex is so dangerous is the fact that small cuts and internal grazes are likely to occur during this activity. And they provide an easy entrance for germs.

But obviously, anal sex cannot transmit HIV if neither of you has the virus.

Q Would it be safe for me to have an orgasm during my menses?

A Yes. Indeed, research has suggested that orgasm has some value in easing menstrual pain.

Q I am a young man, and I did a medical check-up the other day. The doctor said I have a hydrocoele.

Unfortunately, he didn't have time to explain to me what this was. He mentioned an operation called hydrocoelectomy, but he didn't say what could happen if I didn't take the operation.

Also, is that operation safe?

A This is a good question, because large numbers of young guys have hydrocoeles, though they may not know it.

The word 'hydrocoele' (spelt 'hydrocele' by Americans) is pronounced 'high-dro-seal'.

It means a collection of fluid, located next to the testicle.

Generally, this fluid does not pain you or cause you any harm. But as the years progress, it may get bigger and bigger, and look unsightly. That can be particularly embarrassing if you are in bed with a sex partner! Also, it may become a little uncomfortable.

However, a hydrocoele is not likely to affect your sexual ability, or make you infertile.

Therefore, a small hydrocoele can safely be left alone. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to have a doc check it out once a year or so.

But if the hydocoele is large, so that it starts to look unsightly or causes discomfort, then something must be done about it. Alas, there is no medicine that will cure it.

A doctor can tap off the fluid with a needle, but that gives only temporary relief because, as a rule, the liquid will soon reaccumulate.

So most guys who have a largish hydrocoele will end up having the operation you mention. This generally involves having a general anaesthetic, though it can be done under a local one.

What the surgeon does is to make a small cut in the skin of the scrotum. Working through this incision, he opens up the hydrocoele, and then folds it back. This is rather like turning a paper bag inside out.

The result is that there is no longer any sac for the fluid to accumulate in, and so the hydocoele is gone for good.

After the operation, you could expect a little pain and bruising. But most guys make a speedy recovery, without any ill effects, and can resume sex within a couple of weeks or so.

Q A couple of months ago, I found out that my boyfriend had cheated on me and had got another girl pregnant.

I forgave him at the time, but a week or so later, I noticed that I could no longer get turned on by him in bed. I knew this was happening because the hurt I was feeling.

Later on, I ended that relationship because I knew that I couldn't accept that my man had a child by someone else.

I have now found a nice guy, whom I really like. But when we are in the bedroom, I find it really hard to get aroused. In fact, sometimes I have to fake it. Well, it's most of the time, actually.

What's wrong with me? Could it be that I have lost my 'nature'?

A It's pretty certain that your current problem stems from the fact that you were betrayed by your previous boyfriend. And now, your subconscious is telling you not to trust any guy, and preventing you from just lying back and enjoying this young man's caresses.

It is common for females who have been badly treated by a male to temporarily lose the ability to orgasm. So you are not unusual.

It's a little unfortunate that you got into a new relationship so soon. After a traumatic break-up, it is usually best to wait for quite a while before trying to establish a bond with someone new.

However, you say that your current man is a nice guy, so I think your best move would be to talk things over with him, and tell him why you feel the way do. Don't do any more faking! That will not help.

Explain to your new boyfriend that it is important to take things gently with you, and that he must not expect you to be some kind of hottie for a long, long time. It might well take you a year or more to get back to normal.

If he agrees, it might be a good idea to go without sex altogether for three months or so. You have to let your subconscious recover from the nasty shock your previous boyfriend gave you. I wish you well.

Q I am an 18-year-old guy. Two of my friends want me to join in a 'bukakke' game with a girl who they say is willing to take part.

But I do not really understand what it is, Doc. And is it safe?

A Bukkake is a Japanese sexual practice which has become quite common worldwide. It involves a woman agreeing to let a group of men ejaculate over her.

I cannot honestly say that I would recommend this activity, which does seem to degrade the female.

You ask whether bukkake is safe. There are no health risks to the males, but there is a small risk of infection for the woman, depending on which part of her body is used in the ritual.

Q I'm a girl, and last week I had intercourse for around two to three seconds with a guy in Port Morant.

Could this have been long enough to make me pregnant?

A It's possible. Also, even two or three seconds of contact would be enough to give you a sexually transmitted infection.

So I feel you should see a doc for a check-up.

Q I sometimes hear cracking sounds in my joints. Is this a problem? I don't feel any pain.

A A lot of young people get cracking sounds from their joints, or from the tendons near the joints. Almost always, these sounds do not indicate anything serious.

As you have no pain, you do not need to see a doc.

Email questions for Doc to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com