Doctor's Advice - Arm-ed and dangerous

Q. Hi, Doc. I have a very embarrassing problem. Ever since my last birthday, I have been suffering underarm wetness. This is terrible, because my clothes always get damp from underarm sweating. Even in my air-conditioned environment at work, I've still got the problem. I have a job interview soon and would like to cure this.

A. Many people, both male and female, have problems with underarm wetness. But I am puzzled as to why yours has got worse since your last birthday. Did anything happen at about that time which made you more nervous? There is no doubt that 'nerves' do make people perspire more.

Unfortunately, treatment of underarm sweating is not easy. I suggest that you talk to a pharmacist, and ask for the strongest antiperspirant or deodorant. Note that antiperspirants and deodorants are two separate things.

After you have applied the deodorant/antiperspirant, it is a good idea to add a thick layer of talcum powder, because the talc soaks things up. Also, some people find it useful to apply a fresh cotton pad to the armpit each morning.

For further information, please check out this website: www.medicinenet.com/hyperhidrosis

Finally, if all else fails, there are two operations which sometimes help people who perspire excessively. One is called cervical sympathectomy, which involves cutting through nerve tissue in the neck. The other op (which is less drastic) involves removing a saucer-size area of skin from each armpit.

Q. Doc, I am an 18-year-old man. I am worried by the fact that so far I have seen no signs at all of puberty. I have noticed the changes that have occurred in other guys, but they have not happened to me. I don't have any body hair, and I don't need to shave. My penis and testicles are still pretty small. My voice is quite high in tone. And I have no real interest in sex. What do you think I should do?

A. I am sorry to hear about this. It must be very worrying for you. I am afraid that it sounds like you do indeed have delayed puberty, a condition in which the usual teenage surge of male hormones just hasn't happened.

So you need to see a doctor for a physical examination and blood tests. Then you should go and consult a gland specialist (an endocrinologist) at the University Hospital. It is likely that it will be possible to help you by giving you special hormone treatment.

Q. I am a 25-year-old man who has a 26-year-old partner. We have been having sex since I was around 20. Now, she is complaining that my organ is getting bigger and bigger. Is this possible? Does a man's penis grow, as she claims? She says that sex is now painful, because my size is a turn-off. What could be causing this discomfort during sex?

A. Well, in general, the penis stops growing at around age 18. So it is almost unknown for a guy's organ to get any larger after age 20. You do not give me any indication that you, yourself, think you are getting bigger. So, presumably, you feel that you are still the same size you were a few years ago.

However, it would be worthwhile getting a tape measure, and checking your length and girth. Write them down on a sheet of paper, and then do the same thing every month. By the end of the year, the written record should give you some indication of whether you are really getting bigger or not. But, frankly, I think it is most unlikely that your size is increasing.

There are two possible reasons for the pain your girlfriend is feeling:

1. The first possibility is that she has some internal gynaecological problem, and it is really this which is giving her pain.
   
2. The second possibility is that, for psychological reasons, she is tightening up inside, and it is that which is making intercourse painful.

Let me stress that it is most unlikely that she is tightening up deliberately. You must try to understand that when women feel that their relationships are lacking in love and romance, the unconscious part of the mind often makes them tighten up inside.

In addition, they tend to produce less lubrication, so this dryness adds to the discomfort.

What should the two of you do now? I would say that it is essential that you both see a doc who is experienced in sexual and gynaecological matters. She will be able to examine your partner and determine whether there is a physical or psychological problem.

In the meantime, whenever you are having sex, I urge you to be as gentle and loving as possible. If you approach her in a tender and romantic fashion, she may relax - and the problem might just cure itself. Good luck to you both.

Q. I am a teenage girl, and I sometimes masturbate 10 times a day. Please, help me. I am very confused.

A. This has not done you any physical harm. But the fact that you feel you need to do it so often is rather worrying.

Is something very wrong in your life? Are you unhappy? You say that you are confused, but you haven't told me what you are confused about. I feel pretty certain you should see a youth counsellor or therapist who can talk things over with you, and help you sort out your feelings about sex and other matters. I wish you well.

Q. Good day. I am a man in my early 20s and I have problems with condoms. Whenever I try to put one on, I lose my erection. Why? Is it an allergy?

A. No. Some people are allergic to condoms, but the symptoms of that allergy are soreness, itching and a rash. The allergy does not make them lose their erections. What you have is the condition often called condom collapse. This is common in young guys. What happens is that as soon as the man tries to roll the condom on, his penis loses its stiffness.

The cause of this is nervousness. Sexperts say that the cure is simple. Just get your girlfriend to unroll the condom on to you, instead of doing it yourself. Most males find this exciting, and so they do not lose the erection.

Q. How much fluid should a girl lose during her menses?

A, Ideally, not more than about 50ml (50cc). If you lose much more than that, you may become anaemic.

Email questions for Doc to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com. You may also read Doctor's Advice every Sunday in Outlook Magazine.