Doctor's advice: Half the man I used to be

Q I am 45 years old, and I used to have a few lady friends who I'd sleep with. I could satisfy them easily, but now I find that I can barely get an erection. It's as if I've lost my nature. I have read somewhere that diabetes, obesity and certain medicines for high blood pressure can all affect a man's sexual performance. Is this true? I am on a few tablets for blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as for mental problems. What can be done to rejuvenate my sex life? I don't smoke, drink or gamble. Am I doomed to a sexless future?

A Sorry to hear about your troubles. No, I don't think you are doomed to a sexless future. But I do feel that you have to take pretty urgent action in order to sort this problem out.

What you need to do right away is to arrange to have a full physical check-up from a doc. This must include a urine test, and probably a blood test. The check-up will reveal whether you have any physical condition that is causing your erection problems. For instance, it is possible that you have diabetes. And as you have said in your email, 'sugar' does often cause troubles with getting an erection.

As you rightly point out, obesity can also cause erectile difficulties. So if the doc finds that you are obese, he will certainly suggest that you take action to combat this. Also, the doctor will want to know precisely what medication you are taking for your various problems. A lot of prescribed drugs can interfere with the ability to have erections, and that is particularly true of some pills for high blood pressure.

Therefore, he may well want to change your medication around to see if that will help you to regain the power of erection.

Also, it could be that you have psychological difficulties that are interfering with your ability to have sex. I hope the doctor will look into that aspect of your case.

So there is a good chance that the doc will be able to provide you with help for your problem. And if all else fails, please remember that these days there are good erection-inducing treatments.

For instance, the three related drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra all give very excellent results in cases of erectile dysfunction. I wish you well.

Q Doctor, is it OK for a girl to have orgasms during her menses? Would it harm her health?

A There is no reason why a young woman should not have climaxes during menses if she wants to. Indeed, some recent research has suggested that orgasms are sometimes quite helpful in relieving period pain.

Q I heard that there are men who have an ejaculation a minute after entering a woman's vagina. Is this true? Can the condition be diagnosed during a doctor's check-up?

A There are many guys who can last only about a minute or so after entering the vagina. This condition is called premature ejaculation, or PE. It is quite common.

A few males have it so badly that they cannot even get into the woman's vagina, because they become so excited that they climax when they are still a few inches away.

You ask about medical check-ups. No, there is no way that a doc could diagnose PE simply by examining you. The medical diagnosis is based on the fact that the guy tells the doctor that he orgasms far too soon.

If you do have this condition, please talk it over with your own doc.

Q Greetings, Doc. I am a young lady who is having a problem. No matter how hard I try, I cannot have an orgasm. Could you advise me on the measures to take to resolve this difficulty?

A You do not say how old you are. But I must tell you that many young women do not manage to orgasm until they are around 22. Often, the female does not learn to discharge till she has been in a romantic relationship with a sexually knowledgeable guy for around two years.

I am not clear about whether you are actually trying to reach a climax through masturbation. If that is so, I advise you to look at the website of the famous United States sex educator Betty Dodson, who has enormous experience in helping women to achieve orgasm.

I wish you well.

Q I am a 22-year-old man who is interested in getting circumcised. However, I saw an article in the Saturday Gleaner in which the doctor recommended against circumcision for a reader. In my case, I want to get it done because when I am erect and roll back the foreskin of the penis, it burns me. The feeling is extremely unpleasant so I am asking you to guide me. I really want to have the operation done.

A Please don't be in a rush to take the op. It can go wrong, and I have seen a number of patients who really regretted having it done, mainly because they ended up with tender scars on the penis.

The fact that you have a burning sensation when you roll back your foreskin is not an indication for circumcision. I wonder if you have got an infection under the folds of skin, or whether you have some dermatological condition.

Anyway, I am quite sure that you should see a doc as soon as possible. Good luck.

Q I am female, aged 21. Am I too young to use a vibrator?

A No. Although vibrators are mainly used by ladies older than you are, there is absolutely no reason why a younger woman should not employ one if she wishes to. They are certainly real helpful in assisting females to orgasm.

Q Is the Pill safe for a guy whose girlfriend is taking it? My partner is thinking of going on it, but I am worried that I might somehow absorb the hormones from her, and that this could affect my health or virility.

A There is no need for you to fret. When a woman goes on the Pill, it is quite impossible for her sex partner to absorb any of the medication from her. So the health of guys whose girlfriends or wives are on the Pill is normal.

Q I am a 21-year-old female, and I had an abortion a year ago. Later, I had an accident at a training school and hurt my back. The back pain has not receded. Could the pain be due to the abortion?

A No, I do not think so. Sounds like the accident has done some damage to your back, so you must get your spine assessed by a doctor or a physiotherapist.

Email questions and comments for Doc to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.