Doctor's Advice:Double jeopardy?

Hello Doc. How are you keeping? Hope you are fine. I am a young guy of 17. Please do not condemn me, but last week, I somehow managed to have sex with two girls in a single evening. The first one was around seven o'clock. And the second one was at nine o'clock (approximately). Look, I know this was stupid, but I 'rode bareback' both times. And with each girl, I went all the way. The next day, I was fretting about whether I might have got both girls pregnant. I talked to a friend of mine, and he said that it was impossible. I asked him why, and he told me where he had heard that if a guy gets one girl pregnant in an evening, then he does not have enough sperm to fertilise another one. Is that true, Doc?

A: No, it is just a crazy myth. Unfortunately, young men often have these muddled notions about sex.

I am afraid that it is perfectly possible that you have got both of these young ladies pregnant, although much would depend on where they were in their monthly cycles.

I think that all you can do at this stage is to check with them in a week or so to find out whether their periods have arrived.

Please bear in mind that because you did not use condoms, you have run the risk of sexually transmitted infections. So if you develop any symptoms such as pain in passing urine or a discharge from your organ, please consult a doctor right away.

May I suggest that in future, you obey these common-sense rules of safe sex:

Try to avoid casual sexual relationships.

Do not have relationships with more than one girl at a time.

Always use condoms - do not 'go bareback'.

I am a female student aged 18. My doctor has given me a prescription for the Pill. She told me to take it three weeks on and one week off. But what I do not understand, Doc, is this: Why does she want me to have a week's break after the first three weeks? And surely, I would not be protected against pregnancy during that week.

A: Throughout the world, most brands of the Pill (though not all) are taken on the basis of three weeks on and one week off.

The reason why is that when the Pill was first invented, which was almost 58 years ago, the male scientists who developed it had the idea that women would be happier if they continued to have a monthly 'bleed'.

So they designed the first Pill to be taken for 21 days, with a seven-day 'break' afterwards. They knew that stopping the Pill after 21 days would bring on a period.

And it turned out that there was a big bonus: The menses would be light, short, and virtually pain free.

And things have continued much the same way ever since. Admittedly, there are now some doctors, particularly in the United States of America, who think that women should take the Pill continuously, that is, without a week's break. Under that system, you can go for a whole year or more without having a period.

But for most women in every country, it is still 21 days on, and seven days off. Rest assured, you will be protected against pregnancy during the week off.

I am a guy of 18, and I am straight, Doc. I am only interested in women. But a year ago, when I was poor, I regret to say that I 'sold myself' for one night to a male tourist. It was horrible, and it hurt. But I did get the money that I desperately needed at that time. Now I am wondering if this could have done me any harm, like an infection or anything?

A: Well, I presume you are talking about being on the 'receiving end' of rectal intercourse. Like any other form of sex, this can transmit STIs.

Most important, it is a very efficient way of passing on HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS. So your best move now is to go to a doctor and ask for a blood test for HIV.

I sincerely hope that it will be negative, but I do not think you should have sex with anyone until you know the result.

Good luck!

I am a male virgin. I have measured my organ carefully, and it is only five inches long, Doc. Do you think that I will ever be able to have sex with a woman since my penis is so small?

A: Yes, of course you will. In fact, the latest statistics on penile size indicate that you are only slightly below average length. So you should be fine. Please quit fretting.

I am trying to get pregnant, Doc. I read in a medical book that it is dangerous to conceive if you have had any alcohol. The book said that the baby would be "born mad". How much truth is there in this, please?

A: None at all. This statement used to appear in old medical books, but it was quite wrong.

However, can I remind you that it is very bad for a child if its mother drinks alcohol in pregnancy, particularly early pregnancy. So if you are successful in conceiving, please do steer clear of drink.

I am very concerned about my sperm, Doc. Sometimes the fluid looks thick and even lumpy. Other times, it is very thin. Do you think I have a low sperm count?

A: What you describe is perfectly normal in a young man. Seminal fluid does vary in appearance for reasons that we don't really understand.

You could ask a doc to do a sperm count test for you, but I feel it would be totally unnecessary.

My fiancé has recently had some difficulty in penetrating me, Doc. Do you think he no longer finds me attractive?

A: I very much doubt that. Your fiancé clearly has a problem with erection at the moment. When this happens to a young guy, the cause is usually nerves, stress, or worry.

He probably feels terrible that he is not managing to make love to you. I think the best thing would be for him to see a doctor and have a physical check-up. The doctor will probably be able to reassure him that all is well.

You can help him by encouraging and reassuring him. It would also be useful if you gave him a little manual stimulation when he is trying to get inside.

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