Doctor's Advice: Could I be pregnant?

Q. Good day, Doc. I'm young,
female, and married. I'm a bit worried and hope you can help. Over the
last month and a half, I took two packs of Postinor-2. The two occasions
were a fortnight apart, but I am now overdue. Usually, I have a regular
28-day cycle, so I am concerned about the possibility of being
pregnant.

I have done two pregnancy tests, and both were negative, but I'm just really worried.

Have you any advice for me?

A.
Well, modern pregnancy tests are very reliable provided you carry them
out exactly according to the instructions. If you did that and have had
two negative results, then the odds are against you being pregnant.

On
the other hand, Postinor-2 is not 100 per cent effective, and a few
women do conceive despite using it. For any reader who does not know,
Postinor-2 is the post-coital pill or emergency contraceptive. It is
often inaccurately referred to as the morning-after pill. In fact, it
must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

What
interests me is why a young, married woman like you needed to take
Postinor-2 and indeed, take it twice in a month. What contraception are
you and your husband using? And do you both agree that you really don't
want a child at the moment?

Anyway, if your period still hasn't
arrived, then the only thing now is to go and see a doctor and let him
or her examine you to find out why.

I wish you well.

Fear of sex

Q. I am a young guy, and I am very afraid of sex. I have heard that it can hurt a boy and damage his organ and that it can make him go into some kind of muscle contraction.

Is all this true, Doc?

A. No it isn't. It is just foolishness! I cannot imagine where you heard such myths, but I expect it was from some other equally ill-informed male teenagers.

You guys need to find a reliable source of sensible information about sex. For instance, is there a teacher who could give you a few helpful classes? Or do you know of a nurse or midwife who would be willing to clear up your various misapprehensions about sexual matters?

Why can't I have an orgasm?

Q. Dear Doc, I am a 19-year-old-female. I cannot have an orgasm no matter what things my boyfriend does to me. He even performs oral sex on me, but still, I don't discharge.

Could you please tell me what could cause this to happen?

AI don't think you have quite understood that women have to learn how to reach orgasm. So many of them do not reach a climax for the first time till they are 22, or so.

Furthermore, researchers in England have found that many young females cannot orgasm until they have been with a trusted partner for around two years!

I am absolutely sure that there is nothing physically wrong with you because there are no physical illnesses which prevent younger women from orgasming. Just be patient and remember to practise safe sex, please.

Worried about amount of semen

Q. Doc, I am a guy who is very concerned about the amount of fluid that I produce during sex. It is no more than a teaspoonful, or maybe sometimes two.

I fear this means that there is something wrong with me. I am afraid to have sex with a girl because of this question of lack of fluid.

Do you think I will ever be able to become a father?

A. To be frank, you have been fretting about nothing. Like many young men, you are quite mistaken about the question of how much sex fluid a guy should produce.

The average is far less than you think. In fact, it is about 5ml (5cc) at each ejaculation. That is roughly a teaspoonful. Indeed, long ago, there was a world-famous pop/rock group which called itself 'The Lovin' Spoonful' because they knew that this was the average volume of male ejaculate.

So if you are producing five ml, you are doing fine. I have no doubt that you will be able to become a babyfather one day.

Is menstrual blood harmful?

Q. Doctor, is menstrual blood harmful or infectious? I think my mother told me this when I was younger.

I have very bad, heavy menses. It is truly dreadful, Doc. I spend a lot of time clearing up bloodstains from sheets, clothes, furniture etc, and I am worried that this blood might do someone some harm.

A. Relax! Menstrual blood is totally harmless and does not infect anybody with anything.

However, it is not good that you are having these heavy menses. Please see a doctor right away so you can get some medication that will reduce your monthly loss to a healthy level. Doing this will turn your life around and make it a lot easier!

Cocaine and sex

Q. I am a 20-year-old guy, and I suppose sex is the most important thing in the world to me. So I do not smoke or drink alcohol, because I have heard that they can harm one's sex life.

But yesterday, a friend offered to get me some cocaine. He said it would not affect my love life. But can I believe him, Doc?

A. No, you can't. He is mistaken. Cocaine can make a guy lose interest in sex. It can also make him lose his nature.

Like most drugs, it's all very nice to begin with, but before very long, you start running into trouble. If you value your sex life, don't mess with cocaine.

Clitoral piercing dangerous

Q.My fiancé has suggested that I get my clitoris pierced with a metal ring.

Is this a good idea?

A. No. Clitoral piercing is increasingly common these days in many countries. Often, it is guys with tattoo shops who do it.

But having a metal ring put through your clitoris is painful. You can bleed a lot, and you can get infected. Also, there aren't usually any real sexual benefits.

My advice: Don't bother.

Uncomfortable with my penis size

Q. Doc, I am 21 years old, and I am uncomfortable with my penis size. I don't think it grew at all during puberty.

Is there something I can do to make it grow?

A. Penile size is the most common subject in my Saturday post bag. Obviously, you are convinced that your organ is small, but is it really?

I suggest you get a tape measure and check your length when you are erect.

These days, it is known that the average penile length is appreciably less than we thought. It's about 5.8 inches (or 14.7 centimetres).

If the 'tale of the tape' reveals that your erect length is at least five inches (12.7 centimetres), then you have nothing to worry about.

Do not waste your time looking for penis enlargers on the Internet. They will not work.

However, if your length is much less than five inches, it could possibly be that you have a hormone problem, so you should check with a doctor.

Good luck!

Email questions to Doc at saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com and read more in the Outlook Magazine tomorrow.