Doctor's Advice - What is wrong with my cervix?

Q. Good morning to you, Doc. I am a very worried woman. I am 26 years old and really want to have a child for my husband. I recently had a miscarriage and I did a Pap smear and was told that I have a Chinese cervix. What is that? I am awaiting the result of the Pap smear, but I am so worried that this 'Chinese cervix' may mean that there are some major problems with my cervix.

A. I am so sorry to hear that you have been worried. It is very unfortunate when health professionals say things that make patients worry, especially when they don't explain what they mean.

I have to tell you that the expression 'Chinese cervix' will not be found in any medical or obstetric textbooks. And if you care to check on the Internet, you will not find any reference to it there either.  In fact, I have never heard this phrase in all my professional life. So I think we can confidently say that there is no medical condition or disorder called 'Chinese cervix'.

My best guess is that this was just some light-hearted 'joking' remark which was intended to mean that your cervix looked slightly unusual in some way.  Statistically, the most likely explanation is that maybe she was saying that you are retroverted. That means that your womb points backwards, instead of forwards. That is a very common situation, but one of no real importance. It is rather like being left-handed.

Alternatively, it is possible that she meant that your cervix is short. Again, that is not a major problem, and is certainly nothing to worry about. Recently, there has been some research published in medical journals about treating women in China who have short cervices, and it may be that your health professional was somehow referring to this.

However, I note that at one point, you suggest that maybe your cervix was 'incompetent' during the pregnancy. That means that the cervix is too loose, and, therefore, there is a tendency for the foetus to be expelled.

But the diagnosis of 'incompetent cervix' is usually not made until the woman has lost several pregnancies at an advanced stage. Fortunately, an incompetent cervix can be treated, by putting in a special stitch called a 'Shirodkar suture'.

Now, where does all this leave you? First of all, you must get the result of your Pap smear. But I don't think you need worry about that. The odds are that it will be fine. Even if you had an abnormal smear, that would not be relevant to your chances of carrying a pregnancy to term.

I imagine that you have to go back to the doctor's office or clinic to get the result of that test. When you do, I think you should ask them what was meant by that curious reference to a 'Chinese cervix'. Good luck with your efforts in becoming pregnant.

Q. I am male and my doctor recently put me on some pills to help
my erections. But I have noticed that after taking them, the bedside
light looks strangely bright blue to me. Is this OK, Doctor? Or am I in
trouble?

A. No,
you are not in trouble. Your doctor has obviously put you on one of the
Viagra series of medications. A well-known side effect of these drugs is
temporary blue vision. So you have nothing to worry
about.

Q. Doc, ever since I was a
girl, my menstrual cycle has been abnormal. I am now 30 years old and
cannot get pregnant. In my first relationship, I went to a doctor and
did numerous tests. After spending a lot of money, I was told that I
have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I still didn't get pregnant,
and my boyfriend and I broke up because he wanted a child and I couldn't
give him one. He is now the proud father of a baby girl with someone
else. I am engaged to be married, but I am scared, because I haven't
told him that I am unable to get pregnant. What should I do? I now
envy other women who are pregnant. Please, help
me!

A. I am so sorry to hear about
your fertility problems. PCOS is very common, and I get many emails abut
it. It can be treated, but the treatment is not simple, and I am afraid
that success is not guaranteed. Frankly, it would be
crazy not to tell your fiancé that you have PCOS and that you have had
difficulty getting pregnant. Please tell him now. It would be unfair to
him not to.  To obtain treatment, I would advise you to
try and see a gynaecologist, who can tell you if you are ovulating
(producing an ovum or 'egg'), and also when to have sex. I wish you
well.

Q. Doctor, all my life I have
been unable to get women to climax, and, now that I am about to get
married, I would like to correct this. What am I doing
wrong?

A. Well, that's a pretty big
subject to discuss! But my guess is that, like most men, you have not
being paying enough attention to the clitoris. Stimulation of this is
absolutely vital if a woman is to orgasm. Maybe your
fiancée could explain what she would like you to do? Listen to her!
Also, try looking up this useful American website, written by women:
www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/make-a-girl-climax.

Q. While
my wife was in the country visiting her mother, I cheated on her. That
was two months ago. Now I have a strange dark bump near the tip of my
organ. It does not hurt, but it seem like it's developing into a 'raw'
place. What do you think, Doc?

A. I
think it's highly likely that you have caught syphilis, though there are
one or two other possible causes of your symptom. So,
you must see a doctor right away for an examination and a blood test.
If it is syphilis, then I assure you that you can be
cured.

However, please do not have sex with your wife
(or anyone else) until you have been told that it is ok to do so. Alas,
if you have had intercourse with her since the night you cheated, then
you may well have given her syphilis too. So she also needs tests and
treatment.  Finally, if it turns out that the diagnosis
is syphilis, then you should notify the woman with whom you cheated.
Her health and her life would depend on
it.