Dear Doc

Q. Doc, can alcohol affect a man's nature?

A. Absolutely. Quite a few middle-age and elderly men lose their ability to have erections simply because they drink too much.

Q. Good day, Doc. I had cancer of the womb, or maybe the cervix, last year. But I understand I have been cured. If my husband and I resume sexual activity, is there any danger that I could give him the cancer?

A. None whatsoever. Fortunately, it is almost impossible for people to 'infect' each other with cancer.

So if your doctor or gynaecologist says that it's safe to resume sex, go ahead. You should also ask your doctor which one of the cancers you had. It is great that you have been cured.

Q. I have to take a prostate operation, and I am wondering if it will ruin my sex life. The doctor told me that it will be a mild operation so I am hoping everything will be OK. He said it was a TUR. Would this mean that my wife and I will be able to have sex afterwards?

A. It is a sad fact, but all prostate gland operations are likely to make it impossible for a man to get an erection.

The operation which you are going to do is indeed a minor one in relation to the other kind which involves the removal of the entire prostate.

TUR stands for 'trans-urethral resection'. This means that the surgeon does not cut you. What he will do is insert a slim telescope-like instrument into the penis. When the tip of the instrument gets to the prostate, he uses it to 'nibble' away at the gland from the inside. The effect of this is to widen the urinary passage and make it easier to urinate.

Although that is a milder operation, sadly, it does quite often interfere with sexual function. Afterwards, you may or may not be able to achieve a good erection.

Also, it is highly probable that when you 'discharge', the fluid will no longer shoot outwards, but will go backwards into the bladder.

Please discuss these effects with the surgeon before the operation. But please bear in mind that many men who have had prostate-related operations are able to have a pretty successful sex life by using Viagra or similar drugs.

Q. Good day, I have been having a female problem for some time now. I believe it's some sort of infection.

You see, doc, for years I have had a white fluid-like substance discharge in my underwear. It shows up mostly when I wear darker colours.

I have been to the doctor more than once about this and was prescribed a vaginal tablet that is inserted for 10 nights. I used that twice, but the substance is still there.

Another doctor told me that I should not use soap to wash my vagina. Is that the cause?

I am concerned about this, and I want to get rid of it. What could this problem be doctor? Will it interfere with my sex life and fertility?

A. Sorry to hear about all this, but it is normal for adult women to produce a certain amount of vaginal secretion, which will usually produce a slight stain on the underwear.

This secretion varies in texture and colour at different times of the month. For instance, it should be clear and 'stretchy' at about the time of ovulation, and near the time of your monthly period, it is usually thicker and whitish.

So what you are seeing may actually be normal. Nevertheless, it is possible that you have had some recurrent vaginal infection, or perhaps a problem with the cervix.

What you have not told me is what the doc actually found when she examined you. Did she find anything wrong with your cervix? Or did she note any signs of an infection? Very important, did she take samples with vaginal swabs to the lab to be tested? If so, what was the result?

If you have not had swab tests done, then I think you should ask for them to be carried out. The results will make everything a lot clearer.

You state that another doctor advised you not to use soap on your vagina. That is reasonable advice, though I do not think that soap is the cause of your problems.

Finally, this condition will not interfere with your sex life and fertility. I wish you well.

Q. I had been unfaithful to my wife once seven years ago. Is it possible that I could have caught a venereal disease on that occasion? Neither my wife nor I have any symptoms.

A. I think it is very unlikely that you picked up any kind of sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you wanted to be absolutely sure, you could go to a doctor and have some STI tests done.

Q .I have a new partner and I am keen to use the 'rhythm method' with her. Her menses are regular. But when is the most fertile time of her month?

A. In women who have a 28-day cycle, the most fertile time is usually around the 10th to the 15th day, counting (and this is real important) from the first day of her period.

To be frank, the 'rhythm method' is not very reliable. But you can get an ovulation kit at any pharmacy, which will help you to pinpoint the day when an egg is released from the ovary.

Q. I am a 30-year-old woman who caught gonorrhoea in my late teens. I took my medications, but never did a follow-up. Can that prevent me from having a child?

A. Well, gonorrhoea ('the clap') is notorious for blocking women's tubes, making them sterile.

But if you really did take all the medications when you were 18, then you should be OK.

It is a pity that you did not go back for the follow-up appointment, but, in fact, it would be quite easy for you to have follow-up tests now, in order to make sure that the germ has been totally eradicated from your body.

But my forecast is that you will be able to have children if you want to.

Q. I do not know much about sex, but I do masturbate. I find that after about four minutes, I get this really intense feeling where I can't help but to contort my body. This lasts for about a minute, and it feels amazing. Is that what climaxing is?

A Yes, you are describing an orgasm. You don't seem to know much about sex, so I suggest you talk to an older knowledgeable woman (nurse or midwife) who will give you some valuable information.