Q I am a 19-year-old woman and I am fretting that something is wrong with me.

You see, whenever I fantasise about sexual matters, a clear mucus-looking discharge flows into my underwear. I know it has nothing to do with yeast infection.

Is what is happening normal for a girl of my age?

A Quite a lot of young women notice this fluid and think that there must be something wrong with them. I have known patients who have gone to a pharmacy and bought unnecessary medication. Others have decided to douche themselves, which is quite pointless.

The fact is, women are supposed to produce a certain amount of fluid every day. This fluid comes from various sources, but especially from tiny glands in the walls of the vagina. It is completely normal and natural.

What is it there for? It is produced as a form of lubrication - just in case intercourse takes place. In other words, it is there to make sex easier by reducing friction. Without it, sexual union would be very difficult indeed.

It is in the late teens and early 20s that females produce the maximum amount of this liquid. The volume of it gradually becomes a little less as they get older, though most women produce some until very late in life.

It is important to realise that the nature and consistency of sex fluid varies at different times of the menstrual month. Particularly around the time of ovulation (egg release), the secretion takes on a markedly 'stretchy/ quality, which is medically known by the German word Spinnbarkheit. During the time of 'stretchiness', the liquid provides ideal conditions for transporting sperm upwards to the womb.

So it is absolutely normal for a 19-year-old like yourself to find vaginal secretions of varying consistency and appearance on your underwear. It is also perfectly OK for the flow of fluid to increase on occasions when you are thinking about sex.

That is simply the way the female body works. If a girl is turned on, the output of vaginal fluid will immediately be augmented.

Indeed, scientists in Holland use this phenomenon in their labs to establish whether a woman's sexual reactions are normal or not. They show her sexually exciting visual material, and measure the vaginal flow to see if it immediately increases, which is what it will usually do.

Q I am a guy who is a little concerned by the fact that when I pass urine, it seems to come out downwards. I have now noticed that when other men pee, the liquid shoots out in front of them.

Why is this?

A It is likely that you have a condition called hypospadias, in which the urinary opening is not at the tip of the penis, but underneath it. As a result, both urine and male sex fluid shoot downwards rather than straight ahead. The condition can be cured by surgery.

What you should do now is to make every effort to see a urologist. A urologist is a surgeon who specialises in urinary disorders.

Q I have read a lot about the average length of the male organ. But what concerns me is this. What should its CIRCUMFERENCE be in adults and in teenagers?

AIn adult men, the average circumference of the erect penis at its widest point is around four and a half inches.

It is not possible to give an average figure for teenagers since penile size increases year by year in this age group.

If, as I suspect, your question really means that you are fretting about your size, have yourself checked by a doc. However, if it is any reassurance to you, let me tell you that I have been consulted by hundreds of young men who thought they were 'too small'.

In almost every case, they were wrong.

Q I usually leave my tampon inside me from around eight o'clock at night till about 10 o'clock next morning. My mother says this is wrong. What's your opinion?

A Your mother is right. Leaving a tampon inside you all night does slightly increase the risk of a serious infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Admittedly, TSS is rare, but if it occurs, it can be fatal. You can help prevent it by washing your hands very carefully before inserting or removing tampons. You should also try not to leave them in the vagina for more than about four hours.

Some experts think that in order to avoid leaving a tampon inside you all night, it is best just to wear a sanitary napkin during sleep.

Q I heard that the Chinese have invented a 'male Pill'. I would like my boyfriend to take this. So how soon will it be available, doc?

A Scientists have been trying to develop a male Pill for 40 years. The new Chinese attempt involves taking monthly injections. It has not been fully assessed yet, and, at present, it seems doubtful that it will be available in six years, i.e. 2015. Also, there are considerable doubts as to whether all guys would be willing to use it.

QI am a 22-year-old woman. I went to see my family in Miami, and while I was there I had sex with an American boy. As a result, I got what the United States doctors called 'a thrush infection'.

I came back to Jamaica, and ran into further trouble 'down below'. A nurse has now told me that I have 'a yeast infection'. Is that something different?

ANo. There is a little fungus called candida or monilia which just loves to flourish in the vagina. It causes soreness, itching and a white discharge.

In the US and many other countries, that condition is called 'vaginal thrush'. In Jamaica, it is more usual to say 'vaginal yeast'.

Anyway, the words candida, monilia, thrush and yeast all really mean the same thing. I hope you are getting good treatment now. I suggest that you not have sex till you are cured.

QI am 28, and I keep getting earwax, which makes me deaf. Is there something wrong with me?

ANo. Some folks do just produce a lot of wax. Often the tendency runs in families.

Any pharmacy will sell you a little bottle of ear drops that, if used regularly, will help to keep the wax away.

QWhile on a visit to Kingston, I had sex with two girls. Now I find that when I urinate, it feels like I am passing red-hot knives! What's wrong, Doc?

AIn men, this is a classic symptom of gonorrhoea. Get tests and treatment immediately. In the meantime, no sex!

Having problems wrapping your head around a medical problem? Email your questions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com or post mail to Doctor's Advice, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.