Q I am a 23-year-old man who has not had much experience with sex. Twice recently, I have gone to bed with girls, but on each occasion I have been unable to get a good enough erection.

So I did not penetrate either of these young ladies, though I did discharge on each occasion.

I talked to a friend of mind about this problem and he told me I should get myself circumcised.

Would this operation help?

A Circumcision is, of course, the surgical removal of a guy's foreskin. This operation is quite controversial. Every time I write about it, I get indignant emails, particularly from the United States, written by people who are either extremely in favour of or extremely against it.

Personally, I must say that I am NOT much in favour of circumcision unless there is really good reason. For instance, sometimes young boys may find it very difficult to pass urine unless something is done to ease the tight foreskin.

However, I have often seen adult male patients who have got the idea that circumcision would somehow cure their sexual difficulties.

Recently, I met with a patient who had premature ejaculation (PE) and who was convinced that circumcision would put him right. That was not correct. Fortunately, it was possible to help him with a different types of treatment.

Similarly, quite a few young guys like yourself have difficulties with getting and maintaining an erection. Some friend or relative assures them that circumcision would make them more 'potent' but, in fact, there is no scientific evidence for this at all.

So what I think you should do now is go see a doc. He will tell you that in your age group, the likeliest reason for not getting a good erection is simply anxiety. He will advise you about what to do.

I am sure that in the fullness of time, you will be able to have relaxed and loving sex with a partner without any difficulty. When you do so, please have safe sex. Wear a condom!

Q Doctor, I am a 19-year-old woman and I am very conscious of my need to pursue my studies and choose a good career.

I definitely do not want to get pregnant!

My problem is that I am strongly attracted to guys, as they are to me. I am still a virgin, but I do allow petting. In particular, I usually let my current boyfriend perform oral sex on me.

To be honest, Doc, I find this very exciting and satisfying. It seems to work really well as a way of giving me orgasms.

But are there any risks? Could it possibly lead to pregnancy? Or perhaps to venereal infections?

A Well, I do applaud your desire to study hard and get yourself a good career. Sadly, pregnancy often disrupts the plans which young women have made, so I hope that you will continue to avoid that hazard.

Cunnilingus, oral sex performed by men on women, is, as you indicate, often a very enjoyable activity, and it is frequently real effective in helping females to orgasm. Admittedly, not everyone likes it.

The good news is that it is impossible for cunnilingus to make you pregnant. However, I ask you to bear in mind the fact that very frequently, women who have been turned on by oral sex become so excited they decide it might be a good idea to proceed to full sexual intercourse.

Also, there is a small but definite risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) through oral sex. Above all, do not let your boyfriend do this to you if he has any kind of sore or 'raw' place on his lips or tongue.

Q I found some old medical records of my grandmother's and was shocked to find it stated that she had 'bad blood'.

Should I be worried about this, Doc?

A Bad blood was a term often used in days past. It meant that a particular blood test was positive. A positive test could sometimes indicate the sex infection 'syphilis'. However, in Jamaica, it was much more likely that persons had had a tropical disease called yaws when they were small.

Yaws is not a venereal disease. It was an infection spread by innocent skin contact and it was quite common among children living in rural areas.

So my guess is that your grandmother just had yaws, particularly if she grew up in the country. Therefore, I doubt very much if you have anything to worry about.

Nevertheless, if I were you, I would go to a doctor and undergo a blood test in order to make absolutely sure that all is well.

Q I have lost a testicle in a bad road accident. Will I be able to have children?

A Almost certainly. Fortunately, the other testicle should 'take over the work'. If you are still getting erections and feeling interested in girls, the odds are that you will be fine. Can you discharge and produce fluid? If so, the outlook is good.

If you want to make certain, ask a doc to arrange a sperm test for you. Good luck.

Q Sometime my menses are three weeks apart and sometimes they are six weeks apart. Is this OK?

A Not really. You should see a doc for a check-up. She will probably suggest some medication to make your periods arrive more regularly, every 26 to 28 days.

Q I am a 24-year-old woman and I spend part of the year in the United States. I have met a really nice American guy and I certainly would not mind marrying him. He says he loves me.

However, he has suggested that on some occasions I let him have rectal intercourse. I have seen that done in 'blue movies'.

Does this mean he is homosexual?

A No, it doesn't. In America and many other countries, there are quite a few guys who like the idea of penetrating ladies in all three openings. That is why this activity is so common in porn films.

Frankly, I do not recommend that you agree to have rectal sex. There are some health risks, and you are likely to find it painful. If he genuinely loves you, he will not try to pressure you into this.

Q My wife is thinking of getting one of those 'cap' things fitted in order to prevent her from having further children.

But would this harm me? And would I be able to feel it during sex?

A The cap, or diaphragm, is a good method of contraception. It cannot harm the male partner in any way. And most guys are quite unaware that it is in the woman's vagina.

Email questions about any medical worry to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.

The Gomco Clamp, used by doctors when circumcising infants, stabilises the area to be worked on and aids in clotting.