QDoc, I am 17 years old and my penis bends to the right. Is this abnormal? Will I be able to have sex? So far, I have not tried.
I am OK when I masturbate and I can discharge without difficulty. I have not told my parents about my condition. Do I need surgery? And would this cost much?
AI get a lot of email from young men who say that their penises are bent, either to the right or left. A very slight bend (say, less than 10°) is within normal limits, and really does not matter at all. There is no way that a minor deviation like that could prevent sexual intercourse.
More serious bends in the male organ can be due to several causes. For instance, a bad bend can be caused by one of the long-term complications of gonorrhoea - which is the type of VD often known as 'the clap'. But as you are still a virgin, you cannot have had gonorrhoea.
Also, bends can be due to a congenital abnormality of the penis, in which the urinary opening is on the underside, so that the pee squirts downwards. But if you had this problem, you would have noticed it by now.
In addition, there is a quite serious condition called Peyronie's disease, which causes a real significant bend in the penis, so that it looks a little like a boomerang. It can sometimes even be bent at a right-angle. The disorder is caused from a hard 'plaque' of tissue which forms in the shaft, and so drags the erect penis to one side.
Distressing disease
This disease is real distressing for the guy and it can make intercourse difficult or impossible. The main way of treating it is by skilful surgery - in order to try to straighten the shaft. The procedure (which is called Nesbit's operation) can only be done by a trained urologist and it is pretty expensive.
There are also some drug therapies for which great claims are made by the manufacturers of the products. I have not seen any good results from using these medications.
But I must say that I have never encountered Peyronie's disease in someone as young as yourself. In fact, the youngest patient I have ever seen was 24. The peak age is 40 to 50.
So I really do not think that at your age, you have Peyronie's. Nonetheless, I believe that you should get yourself checked out by a doctor pretty soon.
The doc will need to examine your penis carefully, so be prepared for the fact that he or she will need to feel the shaft with his fingers to establish whether the typical plaque of Peyronie's disease is there.
You will probably say: "Oh, but he won't be able to see the bend because I only get it when I am erect." And, of course, the doctor is not going to be examining you when you have an erection.
Urologists have a trick for dealing with this problem. They get the guy to take a Polaroid photo of himself while he is erect - and from that they are able to estimate how great the bend is.
Summing up, I forecast that this bend of yours is a harmless one, which will cause you no problems in your future sex life. But you must get a medical examination to be on the safe side. Good luck.
QI am a 19-year-old girl, and have been sexually active for three years. When I was 16, I had a serious case of 'itching after sex' but it went away.
Last year, I had a Pap smear, and that was OK. Since then, I have been living a rather promiscuous life. And recently, I've noticed a thick off-white discharge that carries a foul odour. Also, my lower abdomen sometimes pains me.
I fear that I might have pelvic inflammatory disease or bacterial vaginosis, but I am scared to go to the health centre for tests.
AWell, you really MUST get some tests done - this week, if possible. Not to do so would be taking a terrible risk with your health!
It is clear that you have picked up some sexually transmitted infection (STI) from one of your lovers, but it is impossible for me to say precisely which germ you have acquired. Only lab tests can reveal that.
Also, forgive me for saying so, but these days what you describe as a 'promiscuous life' is certain to give a woman an infection - or maybe multiple infections.
I would urge you to 'calm down' and try to regulate your love life, having only safe sex.
But the immediate and urgent need is for you to go to the health centre, or a private doctor, so that swab tests can be taken from your vagina and cervix, and sent to the lab. I wish you well.
QI am currently living with my boyfriend, and he is a nice person and treats me well. I love him with all my heart. But every time he sees a male talking to me, he gets jealous and starts an argument with me!
He is driving me crazy with this foolishness. Why does he do it?
AA lot of young males are like this, and it is usually because of insecurity. They just can't believe that a girl could love them, and would want to stay faithful.
Your best move is to keep reassuring him of your love and your faithfulness. However, if he goes on being irrational, you should suggest that he gets counselling for this behaviour.
Q I am a young guy, and I have never had sex. I have measured my penis, and find that it is eight and a quarter inches long. Is this abnormal?
A Well, if you are measuring it correctly (and you may not be), it is a little on the large side. But that is no problem, and I am sure you will be able to have sex without any difficulty at all.
QI am three days late with my menses. I did a pregnancy test and it was negative. So I do not understand how my period can be overdue.
A Today's pregnancy tests are very reliable. So if you did the test right, it is most unlikely that you are pregnant.
In fact, there are many possible reasons why the menses can be overdue, including hormonal fluctuations. But the two commonest reasons are anaemia and emotional stress.
But I suggest you do another test this week - just in case.
QMy boyfriend wants to watch me having sex with another woman. Should I agree, doc?
A No, I do not think so. These threesome situations often end up causing all sorts of emotional problems - including intense jealousy and, occasionally, violence.
You might actually find that you prefer the other girl to your boyfriend. Imagine the fuss which would result from that.
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