Is there a chance of my growing any facial hair in the future? And are there any products on the market that can assist? I am considering taking hormone pills to help me. Will these work?

A. Many young men start developing 'beard-type' hairs on their faces from age 13-15. By the time they are 18 or so, most of them have enough hair to be able to grow a beard and moustache if they want to.

But the amount of facial hair that guys produce is variable. When they reach their 20s, some men have such fast-growing hair that they need to shave three times for the day. Others have only a light 'down' that needs removing perhaps once per week.

But in your case, it would appear that you are producing no beard/moustache hairs at all.

Lack facial hair

It is obvious that your lack of facial hair has caused you a lot of distress. Don't get any hormone treatment - from the Internet or elsewhere - until you know what exactly is the CAUSE of the problem.

You need to find out what's going on in your body. Are you deficient in testosterone?

Now, you mention your love life in your email. Are you, in fact, having sex? Do you get erections? Do you have orgasms and ejaculate fluid?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'no', that would suggest that you lack male hormones.

I feel it is essential that you consult a doc to see if there are any signs of testosterone deficiency. I am sure that he'll want to do a blood test to find out the level of the male hormone in your bloodstream.

If the level is low, he may well suggest that you see a gland specialist (endocrinologist). The endocrinologist would try to find out WHY there is insufficient testosterone. He would probably start you on a course of testosterone.

Monitor dosage

If you go on testosterone, the dosage should be carefully monitored by a doctor. Otherwise, you could eventually cause yourself serious problems, including even prostate cancer!

But what if your testosterone levels are NORMAL? Then it would be foolish for you to buy testosterone pills. You could do yourself serious harm!

Instead, I would suggest you try using one of two drugs which have been shown to cause hair growth. The brand which is most widely used is called Rogaine (also known as Regaine).

It is a chemical agent, which has to be applied to the skin several times a day. In many cases, though not all, it stimulates hair growth.

It has two drawbacks. First, you have to use it every day for the rest of your life, in order to keep the hair growing.

Second, it is really expensive!

So I am afraid that you face considerable obstacles in getting yourself a beard and moustache. If these obstacles cannot be overcome, it might be that you will have to accept the fact that you will go through your life without facial hair.

That may be tough for you. But can I remind you that when you are 50 or 60, you will at least look a great deal younger than other guys of your age. I wish you well.

Symptoms which might indicate that you lack testosterone

A. To be frank, young women are often mistaken about how long their labia (lips) really are. But if one of your labia is three inches longer than the other, I'm sure a gynaecologist or plastic surgeon would be pleased to shorten it for you.

Q Doc, my new boyfriend wants to have sex with me, even when I am seeing my menses. Will this harm my health? Or his?

A. No, it will not endanger your health - or his. But it will be messy - unless you use one of the new devices which are intended to 'hold back' the bleeding briefly while intercourse takes place.

However, please remember that girls do occasionally conceive during menses. So do protect yourself against pregnancy and against sexually transmitted infections.

A Bread is not really all that fattening. The average slice contains only about 75 calories. Bear in mind that most 'slimming diets' contain about800 or 1,000 calories per day.

However, things start getting more fattening when you SPREAD bread with something. For instance, a coating of butter will usually contain more calories than there are in the slice of bread.

Will this do me harm?

A. No, it will not do you any harm at all. However, young guys who have three orgasms for the night are likely to feel quite tired the next day and may find it difficult to concentrate on their studies.It would be a good idea if you try to reduce the number of times you masturbate in the future.

A. Almost certainly, this older guy does not know what he is talking about. I don't think that in my entire professional career, I have ever seen a woman who did not have a clitoris. See a sympathetic woman doc, for instance, one working in the field of family planning. She can examine your privates and show you where the clitoris is.

A. Yes, this can happen, but it is quite rare. It occurs because the hymen nearly always has a gap in it.

Want advice from Doc? Email editor@gleanerjm.com; fax to 922-6223; post to The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.