Q Doctor, I am writing to you because I am worried about my mother. Lately she has been behaving oddly particularly with men.

She has been on her own for many years, ever since my father died. Her general health is pretty good, though she takes various medications.

I should add that quite a few elderly men think that she is still an attractive woman, and one or two would probably like to marry her!

In the last six months I have noticed some changes. First of all, she has been gambling on things, like horses, she has even found a way of betting through the Internet.

Secondly, she has suddenly developed an interest in sex. I can scarcely believe this, Doctor but I am told that she has taken on several lovers. There was even a brief episode with a 'toy-boy', three months ago.

This is all very surprising to us. My sister and I are wondering whether it's possible for an older woman to catch sexually transmitted infections.

A I am sorry to hear about your worries. As far as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are concerned, over the last few years there has been a frightening development worldwide where many older folks are contracting these infections.

Through the use of drugs such as Viagra, older men are now more sexually active. Many senior citizens do not realise that they ARE still vulnerable to STIs. It is important that you tell your mother that, and try to encourage her to practise 'safe sex'.

Also, since she seems to have an active sex life, she should go to her doctor for a check-up, and for some tests.

As it relates to her gambling and the medications you mention she is on, in the last few years, research has discovered that certain medications given to the elderly, can have strange side-effects.

This applies to some drugs that are used for Parkinson's disease, which is the sickness that makes a lot of older people tremble at times.

These pills can affect a person's behaviour, and make them do things that might be out of character such as engaging in unwise sexual activity, and also gambling.

Maybe this is what is happening with your mother. In any case, it is clearly vital that she see the doctor as soon as possible, in order to get all this sorted out.

QDoctor, my wife has never been able to have an orgasm.

But there are many nights when she seems to be 'trembling on the brink'.

Do you think that a vibrator would help her to climax?

AI feel that there is little doubt it could. Sounds like you have put a lot of effort into helping her, and you deserve credit for that. So keep trying.

The great thing about a vibrator is this, it vibrates much faster than a male human fingers can move.

As a result, these little devices have helped thousands upon thousands of women have an orgasm.

Therefore, I suggest you go ahead and buy one. A simple, inexpensive one will work just fine, as long as it is of a design which is acceptable to her.

Please bear in mind that if you are to help her to climax, you must create a warm, loving, romantic atmosphere on every occasion.

And when she gets to the point when she is 'almost there', I would say that there is a good chance that the gentle application of a fast-moving vibrator to the region of her clitoris is likely to be enough to help her 'over the finishing line'.

Obviously, you must make sure that this is what she wants to do. I wish you both every success.

QDoctor, is it too late for a circumcision operation? I am 39.

I think I need to take one because my foreskin gets very sore after and during sex.

Could that be connected with the fact that I am diabetic?

AYes, it is a well-known medical fact that men who have diabetes do quite often get inflammation of the foreskin, because they have been passing sugar in the urine for years.

I never try and pressure men into a circumcision operation. But maybe having it done, or having a slightly 'milder operation done, would take away the soreness and help you sex life,

Anyway, your next move now should be to let a doctor examine you and advise you on whether he thinks the surgery should be done. I wish you well.

QDoctor, I have a new boyfriend and sometimes he wants to 'make love' to the cleavage between my breasts, which are large.

Is this OK? Or is he 'kinky.

ANo, I would not say that there is anything wrong with him.

This is a very common male desire, especially when the woman has large breasts, which can create a sort of vagina-like 'tunnel' between them. So I don't think you need to worry about it at all.

QI am a 40-year-old male and sometimes when I'm having sex I notice a pain in my chest. Could this be a heart problem doctor?

AWell, I hope not, though it is a possibility, especially if you are a smoker, because smoking greatly increases the chances of heart disease.

What you need to do is to see a doctor who can arrange an ECG, which is the electrical test on the heart. Good luck.

QI have very bad arthritis in both knees. Is it true that I could get them replaced?

A Yes, that is true. That is a very big operation to undertake. So your doctor may suggest that you begin by slimming down, taking some medication and getting some physical therapy for your knees and the adjacent muscles.

But if necessary, you could get the knee joints replaced, one at a time if you wish.

QWould avoiding alcohol help my 'sperm count' ?

AProbably. A lot of partners have been able to conceive once both of them give up alcohol.