Doctor's ADVICE

Oral contraceptive?

Q Good day, Doc. I am a 19-year-old female, and I do not know much about sex, particularly what they call oral sex.

Five or six boys at the college have asked me to give them that, but so far I have said no way. They assure me that a girl cannot get pregnant by doing this thing, but I am not so sure.

A friend of mine told me where she read somewhere that a woman in Africa had got pregnant through giving a guy oral sex.

What is the truth, please?

A Let me begin by saying that you should pay no mind to these young men and their entreaties. The fact that five or six of them have asked you for oral sex suggests to me that the word must have gone around among them that maybe you could be the sort of vulnerable female who would give in easily to men's sexual demands. So I think you would be wise to steer clear of male students for the moment. Concentrate on your studies, and do not give anyone the impression that you might be an easy target for guys.

As it relates to the story your friend has told you, somewhat amazingly, there is an element of truth in it. In South Africa, quite a few years ago, a young woman did become pregnant as a result of oral sex. But the circumstances were truly bizarre. Let me explain. But if you are of a nervous disposition, or easily frightened, do not read the next paragraph!

The young lady in question gave fellatio to her boyfriend. He discharged in her mouth, and she swallowed his seminal fluid. Moments later, a previous lover came bursting in, and stabbed her in the belly with a knife. She survived this attack. But the knife blade carved a passage from her stomach to her ovaries. The sperm travelled down this channel and made her pregnant. There was no doubt that this was how the pregnancy occurred because she had a vaginal abnormality that would have made conception through regular intercourse impossible.

I must say that this was a wildly exceptional case. The odds against such a thing happening are millions to one. So it is correct to say that the average woman can give fellatio to a man without the slightest chance of conception occurring.

Nevertheless, I feel you should give no encouragement at all to those young guys who want you to oblige them with 'blow jobs'. Also, bear in mind that this activity can easily transmit sexual infections. Many young people do not realise that.

Could I get cancer?

Q I am a guy who has had quite a few girlfriends. As a result, I was recently diagnosed with the chlamydia bug.

I got treated, and I think I am now cured. But recently, I heard where chlamydia can cause cancer, so I am a little frightened by this.

Is it true, Doc?

A The story about chlamydia being a possible cause of cancer originated with a research paper from a German lab earlier this year. However, at the moment it is all theoretical. And at present, I do not think that anyone who has had chlamydia need fret about it.

As it relates to you, I make two points:

1. I hope you got thoroughly treated and that the doctors really have pronounced you cured;

2. In the future, you should not sleep around because that is how you got the chlamydia in the first place.

Obsessed with sex

Q As a guy of 16, I seem to be totally obsessed with sex. I think of women in the morning, the afternoon, the evening, and the night. All the time, I wish I was penetrating some beautiful girl.

One of my friends is the same as me, and we discussed this problem recently.

Two thoughts emerged. First, are our levels of testosterone too high? Second, would a doctor give us female hormones to 'tone down' our urges?

A Well, being obsessed with women is fairly normal for a lot of guys of 16. I would cheerfully wager that both of you have blood testosterone levels that are fairly high, but it is most unlikely that they are high enough to be abnormal.

As it relates to female hormones, these are only prescribed for men who have anti-social sexual drives, for instance, in the case of serial rapists.

So I don't think there is the remotest chance that any doctor would want to put you on female hormones, especially as these have unwanted side effects like causing breasts to form!

You will find that your powerful sexual urges ease up a little as the next few years go by. In the meantime, I suggest that you try and think of women as people rather than as sex objects. Why not make friends with a few girls instead of constantly thinking about penetrating them?

Choosing a Pill

Q I have decided to go on the Pill so that I will be able to have sex without fretting about pregnancy. But which one should I choose, Doc? I have no idea which brand is best.

A Well, there are a number of different brands of the Pill available in Jamaica. In practice, I don't think you should be trying to pick out one for yourself. You should really discuss the choice with a doctor so that he can tell you the advantages of each one.

He will take into account various factors such as:

Whether you are heavy;

Whether your menses are 'difficult';

Whether you have complexion problems such as spots.

But I would strongly advise you to ask him for a low-oestrogen Pill because that is the type that is associated with fewer serious side effects.

In addition, there is now some evidence that the group of Pills known as Third Generation may carry a slightly higher risk of causing clotting, though this is not yet definite.

Please bear in mind that many women start on one brand of Pill, take it for three or four months, and then switch to another one to see if they like it better. Some young women try out five or six brands before they decide on the best one for them.

Orgasmic relief

Q My best friend and I both get severe menstrual pain, but last week, she confided that she discovered that the pain is eased if she masturbates.

Can I believe her, Doc? Is this really a good remedy for period pain?

A During the last 20 years or so, gynaecologists have announced several times that young women can obtain some relief from menstrual pain if they orgasm.

This reduction in the pain is only temporary, like for half an hour or so, but it is certainly better than nothing.

However, if your monthly pains really are severe, you should definitely see a doctor. He should be able to prescribe remedies that will take the agony away altogether.

Are 'hand jobs' safe?

Q Could I catch VD through being given a 'hand job' by an older woman?

A It is incredibly rare for sexual infection to be transmitted by the hands.

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