Also, can males contract it from an infected female?

Furthermore, I heard that it can't be fully cured and that medication only makes it go away for a while. Is that true?

A Yeast infection is extremely common, particularly in females. As you realise, yeast 'attacks' the genital region. That is because the microorganisms thrive in warmth and moisture. Therefore, a woman's vagina is particularly at risk.

To a lesser extent, the genitals of males are a potential home for yeast. If a guy still has his foreskin, the 'hidden places' between the folds of the skin will provide a reasonably warm and moist environment. However, yeast infections can also affect circumcised boys and men.

In females, yeast produces itching, soreness and a whitish, creamy discharge. In males, symptoms tend to be much milder, say, a little bit of soreness and itching. There might be no symptoms at all.

Generally, most people develop yeast infections as a result of intercourse or heavy petting with someone who has the infection. Very often, a couple will keep reinfecting each other with yeast.

Yeast infections are not common in virgins, whether female or male, but some cases do arise in people who have not had sex recently.

In these instances, it is thought that the yeast may perhaps have been quietly lying dormant in the body till something happens to make it flare up.

Factors which cause yeast flare-ups include:

Letting the lower part of the body get too hot, for instance, by wearing tight pants that do not allow adequate ventilation of the body;

Failing to dry the crotch area carefully after a shower or swim;

Being pregnant;

Having diabetes;

Taking certain antibiotics.

At one time, it was thought that going on the Pill made young women very susceptible to yeast infection, but nowadays that seems doubtful.

Now, you said you have heard that yeast infection 'cannot be fully cured'. That is not true. If people use adequate treatment for a long enough period of time, the yeast should be wiped out by the anti-yeast drugs.

However, what often happens is that the person uses the treatment for only a few days, and then forgets to employ it. This gives the little 'bugs' a chance to start their activities again.

Also, very frequent is the 'scenario' in which a girl takes anti-yeast treatment and gets cured - but then she has sex with a boy who is carrying the infection. So she catches it again, and develops the symptoms once more.

To avoid yeast infections, females and males should:

Steer clear of tight, hot, constricting underwear;

Dry the 'crotch' region thoroughly after showers, washes and swims;

Refrain from sleeping around;

Avoid unnecessary antibiotics.

Q Doctor, last week I had sex with a girl in St Elizabeth. We did not use any protection.

Now I am fretting. What are the chances I have got her pregnant?

A Roughly one in 20. But if you had intercourse with her at her most fertile time of the month, the chances of impregnating her would be much higher.

My best suggestion is that you keep in touch with her and ask her to tell you whether her menses arrive or not.

Also, please bear in mind that unprotected sex does carry a risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection. If you have any symptoms in your genital area, please see a doc. You have had a bit of a scare because of this episode. Please try not to take such a risk again.

Q I am a 17-year-old girl and I have had sex with boys occasionally. Doc, am I right in thinking that a woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn't discharge?

A No, that belief is quite common among young people. It is totally wrong. Female orgasm is not necessary for the process of conception. Indeed, each year, millions of women become pregnant even though they do not climax. In fact, there have been many cases in which females get pregnant as a result of rape.

Please take care of your health and avoid casual sex.

Q I am a 21-year-old guy. There are times when I find it difficult to pass urine. Could this be due to cancer of the prostate, as I fear?

A It is almost impossible to have cancer of the prostate gland at age 21. Most cases occur in guys who are over 55.

I don't know why you are having difficulty in passing urine. It could just be due to nerves, which often makes young guys unable to pass urine if there is anyone else around.

See a doc for a check-up. Please take with you a specimen of your urine for testing.

Q I am 22 and have had really bad menstrual pain since I was about 15. Strangely, my first few periods, when I was only 14, were OK. My mother tells me I should 'just take aspirin', but that is not strong enough for me. What can I do?

A Your story is a common one. Very frequently, young women have pain-free periods when they reach puberty but develop intense menstrual agony over the next few years. This is simply because the first few menstrual cycles don't usually involve ovulation (that is, egg release). Generally, you don't get period pain till you have started ovulating.

So what can you do now? Clearly, aspirin tablets are much too weak for you. But if you go to a doctor, she can prescribe something considerably stronger. Very often, a doc will put you on an antirheumatism drug because these work very well against menstrual pain.

However, frequently, the best remedy is to start taking something that stops you from ovulating, so that you get no menstrual pain at all. For instance, the Pill prevents ovulation so it will usually prevent period pain.

Q My husband works in the country. He has reported to me that whenever he passes urine, ants swarm around it. Is there any reason for this?

A Yes. It is a well-known sign of diabetes. The ants come running because they detect the sugar in the urine. It is very probable that your husband has developed diabetes. He should see a doc right away, taking a morning specimen of urine with him.

Q Is it true that gonorrhoea can be cured by having sex with a virgin?

A No, this is just an old myth.

Email questions for Doc about sexual and other aspects of your health to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.