Doctor's Advice: Can oral sex give me an infection?

Doctor, I am a girl who needs advice about oral sex. I have always believed that a female should keep herself pure until she gets married. So years ago, I resolved that I would stay a virgin until my wedding day, whenever that may be. But I must admit to you that I have strong sexual urges. So for a couple of years now, I have sometimes allowed boys to give me oral sex if they want to. Not all of them do, because some guys seem a little scared of it. But when someone skilful does it, I confess that I find it satisfying. It rapidly brings me to an orgasm, and this relieves my frustration. However, I am concerned by the fact that some of my friends say that oral sex can give a girl infections. Is that really true, doctor?

A: Unfortunately, it is. Cunnilingus, which is the form of oral sex that you are talking about, can transmit the following infections:

Gonorrhoea ('the clap')

Chlamydia

Herpes

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

There are other possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but they are much rarer. However, you can see that letting a variety of young men give you oral sex is not a good idea.

I do applaud your decision to stay a virgin until your wedding night. That will certainly protect you against 'pregnancy scares'! But what you are doing at the moment is rather dangerous for your health. Maybe you should consider finding yourself a nice, reliable, steady boyfriend who is totally faithful to you? That would be a great deal safer.

Curved organ

I am a guy of 18, and I am very worried by the fact that my organ seems to be curving up towards me. I have heard of something called 'Peyronie's disease of the penis', which I have read about on Google. It sounds pretty bad. Do you think I have it?

A: I feel that Peyronie's disease ('bent penis syndrome') is fairly unlikely at your age. In any case, that disease generally makes the organ bend away to the side. And you say that you are curving towards the belly.

In fact, a slight curve towards the belly is normal for a young man when he has an erection. So I think the great probability is that you are OK.

However, I do think that you should get your organ checked out by a doctor. Obviously, you cannot show him your erect penis. So experts recommend that in these cases, the guys should take a photo of the erection on his mobile phone, and show that to the doctor. Good luck.

Attracted or cheating?

A pleasant afternoon to you, Doc. My boyfriend and I are 24 and 23 years old, respectively. When we first got together two years ago, we would have sex, and then do it again half an hour or so later. But now, once he has ejaculated, he is 'dead'. In other words, he cannot get back his usual erection. My question is: could it be that he doesn't find me as attractive as prior? Or is he getting sexual gratification elsewhere?

A: Please quit fretting. What you have described is perfectly normal.

You don't realise that the human male's ability to reach repeated climaxes declines very rapidly with age. In their late teens, a lot of young men can do it repeatedly without much difficulty.

But by age 23 or 24, it is becoming rather more problematic for a man to orgasm again and again, except where there is a very strong stimulus to do so. What often happens is that at the beginning of a sexual relationship, a guy is so highly excited that he can make love several times. But as the couple become used to each other, he tends to settle into the pattern of 'once a night is enough …'.

So I don't think you need worry about your boyfriend. He is not losing his nature.

Looking like a dude

Hi. I'm a 24-year-old young lady who has been experiencing some strange things. For the past few years, I have noticed that I have hair growing on my face, chest, back and all over my body, except the foot bottom. What makes matters worse is that for over six months, I'm not having a menstrual cycle. It bothers me, because I would like to have a baby with my husband. I'm tired of shaving every morning, because I don't want to look like a dude.

A: Very sorry to hear about this. Clearly, there is some problem with your female hormones.

I suspect that you may perhaps have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is very common in Jamaica. So I urge you to see a doctor right away - preferably a gynaecologist.

You need an internal examination and some blood tests to find out about your hormone levels. I wish you well in your efforts to start a family.

Stretching my penis

I have seen an advertisement for a penis-stretching machine on an American website. It costs a lot. Should I try it, Doc?

A: Don't have anything to do with this crazy machine. You could end up damaging your male organ.

Strange secretion

Hello. I'm female, 19 years old. I had sex one week ago. Now I'm seeing a lot of white stuff coming out of my vagina. Is something wrong with me? And how do I stop from seeing it? I really need your help, please Doc!

A: There are several possible diagnoses here. But statistically, the likeliest thing is that you have acquired thrush (candida), which is a fungus infection. Many people in Jamaica call it yeast.

So I think you should go to a pharmacy and ask them for some clotrimazole - which is an anti-yeast medication. Ask them for both the clotrimazole cream and the clotrimazole pessaries (that is, vaginal tablets).

If that doesn't cure you in a week, then you must see a doctor. Oh … and no sex till you're cured, please.

Bloody semen

Doc, I have to confess that recently I was masturbating and I saw a little blood in my semen. Is this caused from masturbation?

A: No, it isn't. It indicates either a broken blood vessel (i.e., a blood tube) or an infection. Please see a doctor this week.

A broken blood vessel should heal itself. But an infection will require a course of antibiotics.

Infertile after Pill?

Would the Pill make me infertile when I stop taking it?

A: No, it won't. So relax. A few young women do have absent periods for a little while after quitting the Pill, but this is usually no big deal.

Can I take the Pill for her?

My girlfriend is scared of taking the Pill. So would it be possible for me to take it instead of her?

A: No, I'm afraid that just wouldn't work. The Pill is designed for females. And, so far, there is still no Pill for men.

Why don't you two just use condoms?

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