Doctor's Advice - Do I need Viagra?

• Do I need Viagra?

Q: Doc, could I get Viagra even though I am only 19? I am a guy who has had several girlfriends, though now I have found one who I really, really love. And she says she loves me. The problem is whenever I am with her, I get very nervous and I can't seem to develop a continuous erection. As a result, we have not quite had sex yet. Nearly - but not quite. It has occurred to me that if I could find a doctor who would give me Viagra, my troubles would be over. I understand that it gives a guy a good, firm erection, with no worries. Is this true? And how could I get hold of the Viagra?

A: Viagra does indeed produce good erections in most males who take it, though not all. However, it is very rare for young men to be prescribed Viagra. I have searched the medical literature, and there are very few reports of anything like that.

Some instances have occurred in the United States, but these are mostly in cases where a guy of 18 or 20 has suffered a terrible physical injury, like having both his testicles torn away in an accident.

As it relates to you, I must tell you that I think it very unlikely that a doctor in Jamaica would be willing to give you Viagra. It is much more likely that he would try and decide what the cause of your erectile problem is. And from what you tell me, it seems highly probable that the reason for your difficulty is nervousness.

That is common among young guys. They worry about sexual performance and whether the girl will think they are good enough. They also worry about such foolish matters as whether the young lady will feel that the penis is large enough. They fret about catching an infection, and finally, they fret about whether they might get the girl pregnant.

I am pretty sure that eventually you will be able to defeat your anxieties, and have sex without difficulty. But for the moment, I strongly suggest that you see a youth counsellor who could give you a good advice about all this.

• Is day 6 safe?

Q: Doc, I had sex with a boy on the sixth day of my cycle. Am I right in thinking that there is no danger I will get pregnant?

A: Trying to avoid pregnancy by choosing particular dates in the menstrual cycle is called the rhythm method. It is better than nothing, but it doesn't work too well.

The best way of using it is to seek help from a qualified person, like a nurse, midwife or doctor, who can give you expert advice about which parts of your cycle are likely to be the fertile ones. She can also advise you about how to interpret your own vaginal secretions so as to get some idea of when you are ovulating.

Also, she could tell you about how to use a temperature chart in order to try and identify your safe days. Finally, she could show you how to use ovulation kits, which are helpful in pinpointing the day on which the ovum (egg) is released from the ovary.

Now in your case, you say that you had sex with a young guy on the sixth day of your cycle. I am hoping that you counted the start of your period as the first day, because that is the right way in which to try and sort out this kind of stuff.

So if you really did have intercourse on the sixth day after the start of the menses, then it is unlikely that you will get pregnant this month. It's possible, but unlikely. Please note that there are more reliable methods of contraception, such as the Pill and the condom and the implant. Why not ask a doctor for further details?

• Allergic to my girlfriend

Q: Is it possible for a guy to be allergic to a girl? Last night, I had sex with my girlfriend for the first time ever, and now I am sore and itchy. A friend told me it was an allergy.

A: That's possible, but unlikely. You may just be feeling the effects of friction on the skin of the penis. That is common in males who are having sex for the first time. The skin is simply unaccustomed to it.

Alternatively, it may be that you have picked up some minor infection such as thrush (yeast), from the young lady. So if the irritation does not go away within a week, ask a doctor to check you out.

• Violent fantasies

Q I am deeply worried by the fact that I have violent sexual fantasies, in which I hit girls while having sex with them. Also, I like watching porn sites in which violence happens. What can I do, Doc?

A: You must see a psychiatrist as soon as possible. Clearly, things are not right in your mind. Until you have been treated by the psychiatrist, please do not try and date any girls. And stay well away from those dangerous porn sites!

• Tampon mishap

Q: My boyfriend and I had sex last night using a condom. But I forgot that I had a tampon inside. Will this do me any serious harm, doctor?

A: Well, from a hygiene point of view, it is not a good idea to have sex with a tampon inside you. However, you only did this once, so I guess you will not run into any problems. Presumably you were able to get the tampon out again afterwards? If not, you should ask a doctor or nurse to remove it for you.

• Shaking anxiety

Q: When I have to get up and speak in public my voice trembles and I am so scared that I have to stop. Should I get myself some tranquillisers, Doc?

A: I really would not advise taking tranquillisers for this sort of thing. Yours is a common problem, and the best way to defeat it is to take anti-anxiety measures. These usually involve breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Please try and find yourself a therapist who can teach you them.

• I do not want children!

Q: I am male, 18, and I don't ever want to have children. How could I get a vasectomy?

A: No reputable surgeon anywhere in the world is going to do a vasectomy on an 18-year-old guy. Sorry. Cheer up! In 10 years' time, you will probably have changed your mind and want to have babies with some nice lady.

• Where's my clitoris?

Q I am 19, female, and I am sure I have no clitoris. Why, Doc?

A: In my entire professional life, I do not think I have ever seen a woman patient who did not have a clitoris. However, I have seen a lot of younger females who had no idea of where to look for it. Many of them were looking in the wrong place. Please see a doctor, preferably a woman. She will rapidly show you precisely where your clitoris is. It is usual to do this with a mirror.

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