Doctor's Advice: Can I bear children?

Q Hello, Doc. In July 2010, I had sex with my boyfriend for the first time. The condom burst, so I took the morning-after Pill the next day.

The following month, I missed my period. In early September, I woke up one morning and found blood on my underwear. At first, I assumed it was my menses, but something was just strange about the bleeding. It continued for longer than a normal period, so on the seventh day of bleeding, I went to a doctor.

He did a pregnancy test, and then told me I was very much pregnant, but was losing the baby by natural means. He said, if I did anything, I would probably continue to bleed for months.

He then told me I could do a mini-procedure that would get rid of all the residue from my body, so I opted for this. He gave me a tablet to insert into my body. Soon afterwards, I had heavy bleeding. Later, he used some doctor's tools to extract a little material from my vagina.

I got some antibiotics to prevent infection. Six weeks later, I had a normal period. From then until now, it has been regular, every 28 or 29 days. And since then, I haven't had unprotected sex.

I am now 26, finished with university, and in a well-paid job. I want to have a baby before I am 30.

Doctor, can you give me some information on what exactly happened to me in 2010? And how will it affect my chances of having a child?

A You obviously had a bad time in 2010, and I am sorry to hear about that. It is a pity that the after-sex pill (often called the morning-after pill) did not work, but sometimes that happens.

What seems to have occurred next is that, in September 2010, you had a miscarriage. That is very common, and often there is no obvious reason for it. But it is just possible that the after-sex pill was a factor in your case.

Young women who suffer a miscarriage are often very surprised and upset by the experience. Generally, they don't realise how very common miscarriages are. You may be astonished to hear that one in every five pregnancies ends in miscarriage. That is a great many, isn't it?

People don't talk about miscarriage very much, which is why they don't realise how frequently it occurs and how distressing it can be for a woman. Fortunately, the body usually recovers fairly well from what has happened. And the fact that you soon re-established regular menses suggests that your internal organs are in good working order.

It may well be that the course of antibiotics which you took has helped to ensure that your gynaecological parts have remained healthy.

So I would say that there is an excellent chance that you will be able to conceive when you want to, and that you will be able to have a beautiful, healthy baby. I wish you well. Please email me again if you have any further queries.

Will she know?

Q Doc, I am a guy of 20 who has never had sex. But now a pretty girl in Port Royal has indicated to me that she is willing to go to bed with me.

What is making me fret is this: will she be able to detect that I am a virgin?

A Very probably, but that doesn't matter. Quite a lot of women like the idea of initiating a young man to sex. And I expect she will help you if you have any difficulties, or don't know what to do.

However, I must warn you that going to bed with this pretty girl could well expose you to two risks:

1. Becoming a babyfather;

2. Catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhoea.

So if you go ahead, please do make sure that you use a condom.

Could I be pregnant?

Q Very unwisely, I gave in to a guy at a party last week. He did pull out at the last minute, but his fluid went over my thigh and belly. Do you think I could be pregnant, Doc?

A Well, it is possible. But from what you say, I think that the odds are that you will get away with it. However, if your menses do not arrive on time, please do a pregnancy test.

Should I worry about tight pants?

Q Doc, is it true that tight pants can affect a guy's fertility, as I have heard?

A Yes, this is true. Tight pants raise the temperature around the testicles, and that may reduce sperm production a little.

The effect of wearing tight underwear is not really very great. But if a couple are trying for a baby, it is good idea for the man to wear loose boxer-style undershorts, rather than tight jockey-style ones.

Toying with danger?

Q A month or so back, I was seduced by a very experienced older man. He knew a great deal about sex. And next to his bed, he had a cupboard full of vibrators.

He used some of these on me. I had never experienced that sensation before, and I must admit that I enjoyed it. I discharged several times, which was quite a surprise.

But since then, a thought has been troubling me, Doc. Presumably, he had previously used those vibrators on other girls. So could the things have given me any sexual infection?

A Presumably this experienced seducer has the sense to clean and dry his vibrators after use. I certainly hope so.

I must say that I have never seen a case in which a female caught an STI from a vibrator. So really, I doubt if you have anything to fret about.

However, if you have any symptoms, such as a vaginal discharge or unexplained sore place, then you should see a doctor for a check-up.

Am I in trouble?

Q I am a guy of 21. I masturbated quite a lot as a teenager. Will my past history of masturbation harm my health, Doc?

A No, not in any way. So you can quit worrying.

Why do I 'clam up'?

Q In 2013, I am going to get married to the man I love. But there is one big drawback.

You see, Doc, I have never been able to have sex with anybody. This because of the fact that when someone tries to enter my body, I kind of 'clam up'. I can't help screaming, and rolling my body into a ball.

My fiancé does not know this, because he has never tried to go all the way with me. What should I do?

A From your description, it is pretty clear that you have vaginismus. This is a psychological disorder in which the woman cannot help going into a sort of muscle contract every time anyone attempts sex.

You must tell your fiancé what your situation is. You really should not go ahead with the wedding until you have been treated. Some women doctors are very good at teaching vaginismus sufferers how to relax completely so that sex becomes possible. Good luck!

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