Doctor's Advice What is dysmenorrhoea?

Q: Doc, I have very bad period pain, and I have been afraid that it might be due to cancer. I am 18. I went to the doctor, and she examined me and gave me some tablets that help. But I saw where she had written on my notes in the box marked 'Diagnosis'. She wrote this word: 'Dysmenorrhoea'. I copied it down when she wasn't looking. What does this term mean? I implore you to tell me. Is dysmenorrhoea some kind of cancer?

A: You have clearly got yourself into an overanxious state. The medical word dysmenorrhoea just means period pain. It has nothing to do with cancer.

In fact, menstrual pain is hardly ever caused from cancer. And anyway, cancer is extremely rare at your age. So you can quit fretting.

Sounds like you have a good Doc, who has examined you and given you medication that is helping you. I suggest you continue to take her advice.

One breast is larger

Q: Dear Doc, I have noticed that my left breast is noticeably bigger than my right, and it has been so for a while now. There is no pain or discomfort. However, it does make me a bit self-conscious, although no one has noticed it yet. I researched this subject online, and I found a number of responses where people say that they are experiencing the same thing. And they all claim that it is normal. Luckily, my case is not as severe as some that I have read about because many of these women say that their breasts differ by as much as two cup sizes! However, I still feel a bit abnormal, and I would like to know if there is anything, other than plastic surgery, that can fix this.

A: Well, you have researched this matter on the Internet, and what you have found out is pretty much accurate. A vast number of females do indeed have breasts that are of slightly different sizes.

Indeed, some doctors have stated that if one measures carefully enough, all women turn out to have mammaries, which differ slightly in bulk.

I am afraid that there is really nothing you can do about your bosom. Plastic surgery is only used in cases where there is a gross and embarrassing difference in volume, like (say) when a woman has one breast which is a 'D' cup and one which is an 'A' cup.

You do not say how old you are. But if you are under 20, it is quite possible that your breasts have not entirely finished growing yet. So they may finish up looking absolutely identical.

From what you say, the difference between the two of them is very small. It may well be that no one will ever notice it except yourself. And I must add that it is unlikely that any future partner will ever be at all bothered by a small disparity in size. I wish you well.

Abnormal or oversexed?

Q: I am a guy of 17, and I am rather concerned about the fact that I can sometimes experience five orgasms in a single day. My friends tell me that they cannot do this. So am I abnormal or over-sexed? Should I consult a doctor?

A: There is no need for you to see a doctor. Research has shown that some male teenagers can indeed reach five or even six orgasms per day. But they fairly soon lose this ability.

Statisticians in the United States of America have found that by the age of 20, the capacity to have frequent orgasms is already diminishing. And by the age of 30, not many males can ejaculate as often as three times per day. By 40, only a minority of men can climax more than once.

Summing up, you have nothing at all to fret about. But please do practise safe sex.

Will she know?

Q: I am a guy of 19, and a virgin. This week, a highly attractive lady who is twice my age has made it clear to me that she would like to take me to bed. Doc, this is very exciting idea, but I am scared. Do you think that she will realise that I am a virgin?

A: I'm afraid that she probably wants to take you into her bed because she has guessed you are still virgin. Quite a few mature ladies like the idea of initiating a young male to sex.

I am not here to give you moral advice. But from a medical point of view, I hope you will take great care. Although this lady is presumably 38 or 39, you could easily get her pregnant.

Also, it is perfectly possible that she might have some sexual infection, such as chlamydia - particularly if she 'sleeps around'. So if you go ahead with this affair, please use condoms.

Finally, have you checked to see if she has a husband? If she has, then I think you should steer clear of what could be a very dangerous situation.

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