Jamaica Gleaner News - Doctor's advice - Twenty orgasms in one night - Sunday

Q. I am a very young-looking 40-year-old woman. After some years without sex, I have met a wonderful new guy, and we hope to get married later this year. Doc, he is more experienced and romantic in bed than anyone I have ever met. He just knows how to put me in the perfect mood for making love.

The result of all this is that I am having orgasms in a way I never did before. My only worry is this, on a few occasions this month, I have actually felt so relaxed that I discharged 20 times for the evening. Is this OK, Doc? My lover seems to think it is entirely normal, but I have never experienced so much pleasure.

P.S. I love him.

A. I am delighted to hear that everything is going so well for you.

There is no need for you to worry. It does sometimes happen that sexually charged women, 40 and over, discover an ability to have multiple orgasms.

Twenty orgasms would not be all that unusual for a woman in this age group, provided she has a romantic and skilful guy who takes care to properly stimulate her.

However, I would add that most women regardless of how highly sexed they are, would not make a habit of having 20 orgasm in a single night, as this would probably make them too tired to do much else. So, relax and enjoy what sounds like a great, loving relationship.

Q. I am a 58-year-old man, and I'm thinking of getting married again. I have three children from my first marriage. My query is this: would I still be fertile at my age?

A. Certainly. Provided a man can have sex, he will usually remain fertile to the end of this life. That is why there have been quite a few men who have become fathers in their 80s, or even (occasionally) in their 90s.

Q. I hurt my knee really bad while playing football in Miami recently. It is still swollen and very painful. I was sure it was a cartilage problem. But I had it X-Rayed, and they told me the cartilage was OK. What could be wrong?

A. Contrary to what a lot of people thing, cartilage do NOT show up on X-rays. So your X-ray film would not reveal anything about your knee cartilage. What you need to do now is consult a doctor who is experienced in diagnosing knee problems. From examining you, she/he may be able to tell you whether you have damaged a knee ligament, or a cartilage, or whether you have some arthritis in the knee joint.

Q. Ever since I witnessed a 'drive-by' shooting two months ago, I have been unable to get an erection. Doc, do you think this is a psychological problem?

A. Yes. Many men temporarily 'lose their nature' after a emotionally traumatic experience like that. There is a reasonable chance that you will recover your 'potency' if you go to a therapist or counsellor, and have some sessions with him or her. This should give you the best chance of recovery. I wish you well.

Q. Doctor, does Viagra have any side effects?

A. Yes. The most common ones are:

- Headaches

- A 'congested' feeling in the face

- Indigestion - often with gas

- A faint feeling, if you jump out of bed too quickly.

There are other more serious side effects of Viagra, but they are very rare.

Q. I fear that my 14-year-old daughter may have had sex. At what age is it possible for a girl to become pregnant, doctor?

A. Well, most girls are fertile at the age of 14. I advise you to take your daughter to a doctor and have her do a pregnancy test and checked for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and possible vaginal injury. The doc will also advise you about whether your suspicions should be reported to the police.

Q. In the last year, my period have become very irregular. Sometimes they are four weeks apart, sometimes two months. On one occasion, it was four months. Why? I am 44 years old.

A. Sounds like you are approaching menopause.

Often, what happens is that the periods gradually get farther apart, before they stop completely. However, please check with a doctor to make sure there is no other reason for this irregularity.

Q. Doctor, I am ashamed to tell you that last week I tried to have sex with my secretary, but I could not get an erection. I am OK with my wife. So, why is this happening? Is it a serious disease?

A. This is almost certainly caused by a psychological factor, namely GUILT, about being unfaithful to your wife. My best advice to you is to leave your secretary alone.

Q. Doctor, I am a 36-year-old woman with a very stressful job. My problem is that for the last six months I have been tired all the time - simply exhausted. Why?

A. In women, the symptom of being tired all the time ('TATT') is very common.

The most common causes are:

- Anaemia (often due to heavy periods)

- Depression

- Thyroid under-activity

- Sheer overwork

Please see a doctor and she can determine what your diagnosis is.

Q. Doctor, I am thinking of going on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to boost my sex life and ease my menopausal symptoms. But are there are any ill effects, Doctor?

A. Yes. Like any good treatment, HRT can have unwanted effects.

However, most doctors agree that if you have bad menopausal symptoms, like 'hot flashes' and sweating attacks, HRT is well worth trying,

I am not at all sure that it will 'boost' your sex life! To some extent that depends on what is currently wrong with your love life.

The major side effects of HRT are:

- Increase in the risk of breast cancer

- Increase in the risk of cancer of the womb - but it is unlikely to if you are given the right balance of hormones

- Probable increase in the chances of getting cancer of the ovary

- Definite increase in the risk of having a stroke

- Augmentation of the risk of getting a clot (thrombosis) in the leg veins

- Finally, in some women it increases the danger of having a coronary - that is a heart attack.

Having said all that, HRT has been very beneficial to women who were suffering from menopausal symptoms that were making their life miserable. But ALL women should take care to stay on HRT for the shortest possible period. It is a good idea to use it only for a few months, or maybe a year. Do not continue taking it into your 70s or 80s, as some women used to do. That would mean a higher risk of the side effects.