Q: I am female, 20 years old and still a virgin. I have noticed a small lump in my labia that gets painful at times, particularly if I masturbate. I am worried about this, as I have never had any sexual contact with anyone.

Is it possible that I have genital warts? Do I need to visit a gynaecologist, and if so, what will he/she do to me?

A: Well, genital warts are extremely common, both in females and in males, and particularly among the young.

They are little 'fleshy' projections, often a centimetre or so long, and dark or pink in colour.

They are caused from a virus which is passed on through person-to-person sexual contact. However, it is possible for a virgin to get warts if she has gone in for hand petting or mouth petting.

Theoretically, the wart virus could also be carried to your genitals on your own fingers, but I cannot recall seeing anyone in whom this happened. It seems a little unlikely that you would be carrying the virus on your hand.

Now, in your particular case, I am doubtful that what you describe really is a genital wart. Warts are not usually painful, but your swelling clearly is paining you.

There are several possible diagnoses, but in your age group an infected hair follicle is a common cause of painful lumps.

However, the important thing now is to have a doctor examine this lump and make an accurate diagnosis. It doesn't have to be a gynaecologist, since any doc who is experienced in examining women should be able to decipher what the problem is.

I feel pretty sure that this lump will turn out to be something that is easily treated, so please try not to fret.

Q: Is it true that grapefruit and sweet pepper are bad for arthritis?

I am a lover of fruit and vegetables, but what is their effect on arthritis?

A: All doctors would say that, in general, fruits and vegetables are good for the health.

I have researched medical literature and I cannot find any scientific papers which prove that grapefruit or pepper is bad for arthritis.

However, people do react in different ways to different things. If, by any chance, a person discovers that a particular food makes his/her joints more painful, clearly it is time to stop eating that food!

There are certainly folk who think that 'acid-type' fruits may be bad for arthritis. Such things include not only grapefruit but limes and oranges.

On the other hand, in the United States, there is widespread belief that grapefruit is beneficial for arthritis. Some persons who have arthritis actually go on a 'grapefruit diet'.

Q: I am a little concerned about the answer you gave a young man, assuring him that prostate cancer is not common in the young.

My schoolmate at university was diagnosed with prostatic cancer at age 22 and he was dead within a month.

A: I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. However, research in Jamaica has shown that the average age of developing prostate cancer in this country is 72.

In the United States, where you are emailing from, the incidence of this type of cancer among males under 25 is currently less than one per cent, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, it increases rapidly in middle age, so all guys should be aware of it.

More information about this common disease is available from the Jamaica Cancer Society website www.jamaicacancersociety.org.

Q: I am an 18-year-old man. An older woman has made a play for me. It is clear that she wants sex.

What should I do, Doc? Please give me your fatherly advice.

I should add that I am at college and I suppose I am quite a shy guy. I am still a virgin. In fact, I have never been out with a girl on a date.

A: I suppose that a lot of young males would say, 'Take your chance while you can.'

But from a strictly medical point of view, I must just remind you that an adult woman who appears to be rather free with her favours could well be harbouring some sexually transmitted infection. There is also the question of unintended pregnancy to consider. Getting this older woman pregnant would not be a great idea.

If you go ahead, use a condom.

Q: Doc, I am a 17-year-old girl and I understand that females are supposed to have two sets of labia.

I can only find one. Am I abnormal?

A: I don't think I have ever seen a female patient with only one set of labia. My guess is that you are just not too familiar with female anatomy and have not noticed that there are actually two labia on each side.

Please have yourself checked out by a sympathetic doc. I am sure she will be able to reassure you that you are OK.

Q: I noticed your reply to a young man who had had oral sex with a girl. Why did you not recommend that he use a condom?

A: Good idea. Thank you. Casual sex is always risky, but if a woman is performing oral sex on a man, the use of a condom is certainly an excellent plan.

In the case of cunnilingus, which is oral sex given by a male to a female, the use of a condom is obviously not very practicable. However, a similar degree of protection can be achieved by employing a rectangular shielding device called a dental dam.

Q: I am female. I have always read your column, and I guess it is now my turn to be helped. Is it possible for a doctor to detect whether a woman has done an abortion?

A: Well, that would depend on the situation. If you had had the abortion done through a cut in the lower part of the belly, of course, the doc would notice that scar. And he would likely ask about the nature of the operation.

On the other hand, if you had had an early termination carried out through the vagina, there would be almost nothing for the doctor to notice - except perhaps that the cervix might be a little wider open than expected.

Similarly, if you had had a 'medical' abortion, in which the termination is achieved simply by medication and no surgery, it would be extremely difficult for even an expert doctor to deduce what had happened.

I am guessing that you yourself may have had an abortion in the past and that you now have to see a doc. My advice: Tell him or her the truth! Your medical history may well be relevant to your current condition.

For advice on medical problems, email your queries to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.