All my life they have brought me nothing but trouble: I am a successful businesswoman, I have earned plenty of money, and I suppose I am pretty attractive. Certainly, guys seem to think that I am good-looking.

But my various 'associations' with men over the years have mostly brought me disappointment, frustration, fusses, pregnancy scares, jealousy, worries about sex infections - and even, on a couple of occasions, violence.

My last relationship folded a couple of months ago when a guy on whom I had pinned great hopes decided to leave me and go back to his wife in America. That was the final straw, as far as I am concerned.

Therefore, I have decided to live the rest of my life without men. And please don't get the wrong idea, doc - I am no lesbian! I just think that from now on everything will be a great deal simpler if I give up on guys, and give up on sex too. Actually, that is not quite true, because I do have a vibrator, and I do masturbate from time to time, when I get real tensed up.

However, I have two questions that I want to put to you, doctor.

First, my friends say to me that a celibate life is bad for a woman, and that it could even harm my health. Is that really true?

Second, I am still a little unsure about this business of female masturbation. I know that guys do it. But I wonder if it is really OK for a woman, or whether it could cause some sickness?

You see, though I appear a real sophisticated 'woman of the world' these days, I was brought up real strictly. My mother counselled me against masturbation, and told me it could bring on all sorts of illness.

So what do you think, doc? Is the occasional use of my vibrator going to harm me? Are there any precautions I should take while using it?

A Thank you for these questions. I am sorry you have had such a bad time with men. Before I answer your queries, may I just say that I am wondering WHY it is that you seem to have had so many unfortunate experiences.

I wonder if you have a habit of always picking 'losers'? Some women do this. They just keep on choosing guys who have some serious drawback, or who are really unavailable - for instance, because they are married.

Very often, ladies who keep picking no-good men (or men who aren't available) do so because they have a problem with SELF-ESTEEM.

You see, if you don't 'rate' yourself very highly, you are liable to assume that you just aren't worthy enough to get yourself a good, decent and reliable man. So instead, you tend to choose someone who is 'second best.'

Do you think that the above applies to you? If so, I urge you to consult a counsellor who is good at helping women improve their self-esteem.

Now, let me deal with your two questions. First, you ask me whether leading a life without sex is bad for a woman, and could harm her health.

The answer to that question is 'No.' Throughout history, there have been women who lived celibate lives and paid sex no mind. There is not the slightest evidence that this did their health any harm!

Also, if you do decide to lead a life without sexual intercourse, you will certainly avoid the various health hazards that sex can sometimes bring - like sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy.

Now, in your second question, you ask me whether female masturbation is harmful to the health. And the answer to that query is also 'No.'

I am sorry that your mother gave you these ideas about masturbation. Back in her early years, it was widely believed that a woman who indulged in that sort of thing would somehow harm her health and get various diseases.

But today we know that this just isn't true. There are no diseases that are caused by masturbation. You will not get any sickness from doing it. And if you are determined to live a life without men, then this practice could certainly help you relieve your frustrations.

You say you have a vibrator. I would just advise you to keep this in a clean, safe place, and to wash and dry it carefully after use. That way, you will avoid introducing any germs into your body.

Finally, you may like to know that there are various American websites, run by females, whose objective is to help women lose any bad feelings they may have about masturbation. If you just type the words 'female masturbation' into Google, you will find them. I wish you well.

ANo, sir. There is no such thing as the 'male menopause.' So quit fretting.

AThe expression 'blocked tube' usually refers to WOMEN - since their Fallopian tubes so often become blocked by infection.

In men, there are tubes which can become blocked by diseases like gonorrhoea (the 'clap'), but that is unusual. So, I would advise you to ask a doctor to arrange a sperm count for you. That test would rapidly give a good guide to whether you are infertile or not.

AYou need to find out the results of that test - and in particular, whether it showed endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common condition among women in their 30s, and it generally causes real painful menses. Stopping your menstruation for three months strikes me as a good idea, and it would certainly save you a lot of pain.

Stick with that doc. He seems to me to be doing all the right things. I am hopeful that your endometriosis will eventually be cured.

AThe odds are that you will be fine - provided that you do not smoke! Please have nothing to do with tobacco or ganja in the future.