A. Sorry to hear about this. Obviously, I have not examined you so I cannot make a precise diagnosis. However, I can tell you that a great many young men and women have symptoms similar to yours. In most cases, the problem is that they are producing too much stomach acid.

You see, the gastric juices which are produced inside the stomach digest your food. These juices contain hydrochloric acid.

Unfortunately, if there is too much acid around, it starts trying to digest the lining of the stomach. It also flows down into the next part of the digestive system, which is called the duodenum and starts attacking that.

Furthermore, the acid can regurgitate - which means to flow upwards through the gullet and towards the mouth. That causes what is called reflux pain, which is felt in the chest and upwards towards the throat.

If all this acid is present for a long time, it can cause ulcers in the belly. It can also cause what is termed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD, which is really an inflammation in the gullet area.

There are various possible factors for this acid problem. They include:

It is obvious that you need to see a physician. That doc might also need to do some special tests. Much will depend on what the doc finds when he or she checks you out. But if she agrees that the root of your problems is acid, she will give you practical advice about a healthy lifestyle, such as making sure you get regular meals and avoiding smoking and stress.

There is a high probability that she will then put you on one of the many excellent medications which stop the stomach from producing excess acid. I wish you well.

A. This is a common misunderstanding. A lot of young women have the idea that menstrual blood is somehow 'bad'. It isn't. And it does not have to get out.

The medical truth is that it wouldn't matter if you had no menstrual blood loss at all.

Indeed, some gynaecologists are suggesting that it would be a good idea to give younger females medication to stop the menses completely. The main advantage of this would be that they would not get anaemic ('weak-blooded') and would not have premenstrual problems.

You are right in saying that the Pill generally makes the menses lighter and shorter. Also, it usually makes the period pain free, which is a good thing.

A. I am going to assume you are male. As it happens, the great United States sex researcher Dr Alfred Kinsey found that twice per week was about average for guys in their middle teens. You are statistically normal and there is no way that this is going to harm your health.

A. This practice of withdrawal is extremely common all over the world. Its medical name is coitus interruptus or CI.

Frankly, all experts in contraception advise against using the technique because it has a rather high failure rate. Women quite often become pregnant as a result of using it.

There are two reasons for this:

Males very often dribble some sperm before they discharge.

Guys have a tendency to try to hang on in there for just a little bit longer ... and then a little bit longer still. Very often, they finish up by leaving some of their ejaculate in the vagina.

I suppose one could say that CI is better than nothing. But really, if you are going to go on having sex with your partner, I do urge you to get yourself some proper contraception.

Finally, you ask me whether you might be pregnant as a result of this episode of coitus interruptus. Well, you could be. You will just have to wait and see if your next menses arrive.

A. No, that is a normal thing.

Some experts think that you could improve the chances of pregnancy by making love with a pillow under the bottom and staying on your back for 15 minutes afterwards. That may increase the number of sperm which can find their way into your womb.

A. That is unlikely, though I think you should undergo a medical check-up.

However, the commonest cause of soreness under the foreskin is the fungal infection known as thrush.

If the doc agrees that this is what you have, he will prescribe some anti-fungal cream. He will also advise you whether your girlfriends need any treatment.

You would be wise to cut down on the number of your lady friends.

A. No, it is really unlikely that you could catch a sexually transmitted infection this way.

A. This is probably cystitis. Take a sample of urine to a doc. She will test it and give you medication.

Have you got medical problems you'd like some advice about? Email your questions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.