Dear Dr Abel,

The act of abortion is a tough case to deal with because, for example, it can be very stressful for a 15-year-old girl to have a baby. The fact that the girl had unprotected sex should not be condoned, but readers should think about the fact that the 15- year-old girl may have been raped and this is a factor of paramount importance. In regard to God and taking a life however, I strongly disagree with abortion. But if the girl is not physically able to have the child, it should not be an option to keep the child.

- Rhoshane SmithDinthill Technical High School

Dear Dr Abel,

About 11 years ago my boyfriend at the time asked me who in my life had messed me up to the point where I seemed to have no self-confidence. Since that time, I have become more and more aware of this. I have been looking at the fact that when I was a teenager, I was raped by my then boyfriend and his friend. Two months later, I found out that I was pregnant.

I was so scared to tell my mother. I decided to have an abortion when I was almost three months pregnant but I didn't. For many years it bothered me to know that I was planning to have that abortion. My daughter is the greatest. But I am still wondering if what happened to me then might have resulted in the way I feel about myself now. I really do not have much self-confidence.

Vision 2030

Dear Dr Abel,

Thanks for the informative articles. Your article, 'Vision 2030 - Changing Jamaica's mindset' is very apt. As a people we need to empower ourselves and set goals and objectives for our personal and professional lives. We need to nurture young persons, starting in our families. We need to develop a spirit of volunteerism to help the less fortunate and disadvantaged. We need to think of others and not just ourselves.

- Jennifer Moss

It could be PMS

Dear Dr Rainford,

I read your article and I say 'she who feels it knows it'. Since I turned age 40, in the time before and during my period, I have been having headaches, feeling irritable and faint and just can't concentrate. The doctor can't help me and I know it's not all in my mind! Sometimes I feel as if I am going to throw up. No one should dismiss premenstrual syndrome or PMS unless they themselves have suffered from it. I intend to try the exercise and vitamins you suggested. Hope it helps!

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published in our letters section and in our articles.