A. At your age, breast cancer is very unlikely. It is, as I'm sure you know, a very common disease. However, the incidence does not start to rise steeply till after the age 40 and more so after age 50.

However, the doctor must have had some reason for wanting you to undergo a mammogram. My advice: have the scan done. If you really can't afford it, consult another doctor for a second opinion on the lump.

Q. Doc, I am a worried young man. I thought I was sexually normal until I saw a blue movie last week. I was astounded to see that whenever the guys got erections, the penis was always pointing straight up. Now, Doc, this has never happened to me. All my life my erections have simply pointed forwards, or maybe just above horizontal. Am I lacking virility? And when I first have sex, will the girl laugh at me because I do not point upwards?

A. As so often happens with young guys, you have been misled by pornography.

In these ridiculous movies, the producers tend to pick actors who will have certain characteristics that are currently considered 'desirable'. The women will all have big breasts, very tiny waists, and only small amounts of very well-manicured pubic hair.

The guys usually have quite large genitals and very often have the sort of erection you have described.

However, in real life, matters are rather different. I assure you that most guys do not have that kind of vertical erection, with the male organ practically pressing against the belly.

Now I am sure that you find that rather difficult to believe, but let me tell you that, as in so many other fields, the Americans have done thorough research on this subject.

They actually found that:

So, there you have it. The average guy's erection actually points much more forwards than upwards, though whether he would admit it is another matter. Therefore, you are normal.

A. Seven days is a little long, and might lead to anaemia (weak-bloodedness).

I would say that four days is about right.

However, there are now some doctors, particularly in the US, who state that we should be trying to help women have periods which only last around one day.

Indeed, there are experts who are trying to promote a type of pill which can take women's periods away entirely, or for much of the year. This would certainly save a good deal of pain and trouble!

If you would like to have shorter menses, consult a doc. It can be done.

A. No, I am afraid that there isn't. I must tell you that many, many young guys are convinced that their testicles ought to be bigger. They are usually wrong.

Nevertheless, why not have a check-up from a compassionate physician to see if, by any chance, one or both of your testicles has some sort of problem?

A. Yes, it is quite common to be allergic to particular species of plant. Also, cultivators and gardeners can be allergic to insects on the plant roots or stems, or to chemicals which have been sprayed on vegetation. For the moment, my advice to you is to wear gloves while you are working, and see if the skin problem improves.

A. Yes, it is possible to be allergic to an individual man's seminal fluid, but not that of other men. I would advise you to use condoms from now on, and see if that removes the problem. However, there is also the possibility you have an infection, so I feel you should get a medical check-up.

A. Remember, you don't have to do this kind of thing if you don't want to. Anyway, it is quite a common practice, particularly among young couples who don't want to run the risk of pregnancy. In general, there is no way it could harm your health. Transmission of a sexually communicable infection in this way is quite unlikely.

A. No, you don't. What you have is a psychological condition called 'shy bladder syndrome', which is simply caused from embarrassment about urinating when other people can see or hear you.

Visit a good counsellor or therapist who could probably cure you over weeks or months. What therapists generally do is to get the man to begin by passing urine at a comfortable distance, perhaps 50 yards, from other guys.

Then, week by week, the therapist encourages the client to move a little closer, until he can urinate at distances from other folk - 40 yards, 30 yards, 10 yards, five yards, and so on.

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