Q & A

1. Question:
How can I tell if my wife is having an orgasm?

Response:
When your wife is aroused, her clitoris will engorge with blood; the outer third of her vagina will tighten and become more sensitive to touch. She will lubricate, which prepares her for intercourse. During orgasm, her vagina will spasm for several seconds, her legs muscles will have involuntary contractions, her back may arch and her pelvis may move forward.

It is virtually impossible to determine if your wife is having an orgasm by only looking at her in an aroused state. The only foolproof method would be to have a brain scan during sex or to simply ask her. Honest communication between you and her about her sexual satisfaction is the best policy.

2. Question:
How does the HPV vaccine Gardasil work? How long is it good for?

Response:
The Gardasil vaccine is made of a major protein found in HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11. The virus-like particles do not have viral DNA so they cannot give you cancer. When you receive the vaccine, your body will produce antibodies for these 4 types of HPV.

The vaccine is given in three injections over a six-month period (month 1, month 3, and month 6). It is recommended for young girls before adolescence and the start of sexual activity. Gardasil prevents almost 100% of precancerous cervical cell changes for up to 4 years. Scientists still need to determine if a booster shot is needed after this period.

3. Question:
What are some of the warning signs that a friend is in a dysfunctional relationship?

Response:
Some of the warning signs are (assuming your friend is a woman):

• Your friend idolizes her partner: she has an extremely positive view of her mate that cannot be supported by facts.

• The partner is controlling: he may prevent her from seeing certain friends and family members, he listens to her phone conversations and checks her mail.

• He convinces her that only he can truly love her: he may use her insecurities to make her believe that she is unlovable.

• Your friend has out-of-control thoughts: your friend does not think logically as she used to.

4. Question:
What are some of the signs that I have unhealthy emotional intimacy with my husband?

Response:
Some of the signs of unhealthy emotional intimacy are:

• A need for constant reassurance: one of you do not feel a secure bond with the other, and requires the other’s repetitive verbal confirmation of closeness in the relationship.

• Poorly defined boundaries: your partner needs to know everything about you, and does not allow you any privacy.

• Spending too much time together: one of you does not have any interests/activities unless it involves the partner.

5. Question:
Is there a drug similar to Viagra for women like me who suffer from low libido?

Response:
Viagra has been tested on women, but it was not successful in increasing sexual desire. According to Meredith Chivers, Sex Researcher at Queen’s University, drugs such as Viagra can improve blood flow to your genitals but, it may not equate to sexual arousal. Generally, women are turned on based on the context in which the sexual activity takes place, not because of a pill.

6. Question:
Will there be a birth control pill for men?

Response:
Researchers have been working on a male birth control pill for many years. A combination of two drugs – one that treats high blood pressure and the other Schizophrenia- is one of the solutions.

That pill is a hormone-free drug that prevents the ejaculation of sperm during intercourse. The pill is taken several hours before having sex and immobilizes the muscles responsible for expelling sperm into the semen. The effect lasts for 24 hours.

This drug should be on the market by 2011.

7. Question:
How can the health of my GI tract affect my symptoms of PMS?

Response:
One of the common symptoms of PMS is mood swings. You may feel happy one moment and sad a few minutes later.

Your GI tract contains good bacteria that help with digestion and the production of Serotonin (a feel-good brain neurotransmitter). Actually, at least ½ of your body’s needs in Serotonin is made in your GI tract. So it is important to have a nutritious diet that includes Prebiotics to reduce the intensity of your mood swings the week before your period.

8. Question:
What specific types of plastic can negatively affect sperm count?

Response:
Unfortunately, there are a great number of plastics on the market that can affect sperm count. Two of the major ones to avoid are plastics that contain Phthalates and Bisphenol-A.

As a rule of thumb, do not store or microwave food in plastic containers because most plastics are less stable than originally believed. Choose instead of ceramic, glass, or stainless steel containers.

9. Question:
Why most men’s left testicle is bigger and lower than the right ones?

Response:
About 65% of men have a bigger and lower left testicle compared to their right one.

The left testicle is designed to work harder than the right one. In order to produce more sperm and testosterone, the left testicle mass is greater.

The spermatic vein that is attached to the left testicle is much longer and drains into the renal vein (veins bring blood that is low in oxygen back to the heart). The right testicle’s vein is shorter and drains into the inferior vena cava. Therefore, the left testicle hangs lower than the right one.

10. Question:
What are some of the ways of reconstructing a perforated hymen?

Response:
Here are 3 ways of reconstructing a perforated hymen:

1. Stitching of the torn hymen.
2. Adding a new bloodless membrane where the hymen used to be. A gelatin capsule with artificial blood is put inside the membrane.
3. Creating a new hymen from a flap of the vaginal lining that naturally contains a blood supply.

11. Question:
Why do some women can get pregnant even if they correctly use the birth control pill?

Response:
Until recently, health care professionals believed that women only release (1) egg per month. In other words, ovulation was thought to be a one-time event within a menstrual cycle.

According to researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, 68% of their subjects ovulated 2 times and 32% ovulated 3 times within a single menstrual cycle. That is why hormonal contraceptives sometimes fail because they were designed for women who ovulate once per month.

12. Question:
I would like to have more details about the discovery of the A-Spot.

Response:
The A-Spot was discovered in 1993 by Dr. Chua Chee Ann in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). He was trying to help women who had low arousal and vaginal dryness problems.

Dr. Chua developed a simple sex therapy procedure that stimulates the A-Spot. This technique allows women to get aroused within seconds without the need for mental involvement. He even has a website where you can purchase his instructional video.

It is now possible to buy a special vibrator that stimulates the A-Spot. This joy toy is long, thin, and has a curve at its end to stimulate this zone.

13. Question:
What is an electric cigarette?

Response:
The electric cigarette is made by an English company and is popular in Europe. It was introduced in the United States in 2007 and is known as the Gamucci electronic cigarette. This device is cigarette-shaped and instead of tobacco, it contains a mixture of nicotine, water, and propylene glycol. When the user smokes, the built-in rechargeable battery heats up this mixture and a smokeless vapour is expelled by the smoker.

The electronic cigarette is relatively expensive since a pack-a-day smoker pays between $70-$100 US for a 10-day kit. A person can buy cartridges that contain high, medium, or no nicotine concentrations.

14. Question:
What is different about the newer copper IUD (GyneFix)?

Response:
The copper GyneFix was created and is marketed by the Belgian manufacturer Contrel Europe. The device has been studied for 15 years and has proven to be safe and very effective.

GyneFix is frameless and looks like a small flexible necklace of copper beads. The device is kept securely in place by attaching the anchoring knot to the upper wall of the womb. Gynefix comes in two sizes: GyneFix 330 and GyneFix 200 (mini). The 330 contains 6 small copper tubes, whereas the 200 has only 4 copper tubes.

This new generation of IUDs has a surface area up to three times lower than the T 380a. It has all the advantages of the T 380a, but also can fit any shape or size of the uterus and does not increase menstrual cramps or flow.

The device is available in Europe, China, Indonesia, Hungry, and Switzerland. However, it is still pending approval in North America.

15. Question:
What is the origin of PSYCH-K?

Response:
PSYCH-K was created 21 years ago by an American psychotherapist named Robert M. Williams. He was frustrated by the low success rate of conventional therapy in permanently changing the limiting beliefs of his patients.

PSYCH-K incorporates educational kinesiology, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), acupressure, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, and various psycho-spiritual healing systems. The therapist uses 175 tried and tested statements to rewrite the beliefs found in the subconscious mind.

16. Question:
What is the Gottman Institute?

Response:
The Gottman Institute was co-founded in 1996 by Dr. John Gottman and his wife, Dr. Julie Gottman. It is located in Seattle, Washington, and provides practical research-based tools that help couples enjoy healthy, fulfilling relationships.

The institute offers weekend workshops and counseling services; professional training workshops for therapists; and a broad selection of books, DVDs, and services for families and parents. For more information, you can visit their website at www.Gottman.com.

17. Question:
Why do some sex workers who are screened every 24 days still have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Response:
Although some sex workers are regularly screened for STIs, there is a delay between the time someone is infected by an STI and when antibodies can be detected in the blood. For example, it can take up to three months for the body to produce antibodies when exposed to the HIV virus. The test is only valid if the person abstained from any high-risk sexual contact three months prior to the test.

Also, there are no reliable tests for STIs such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Herpes. The only way to diagnose these diseases is by visible signs and symptoms. Many of these sex workers are carriers of HPV and Herpes but show no signs or symptoms. Keep in mind that using condoms reduces but does not eliminate the risk of being infected by HPV and Herpes.

18. Question:
Can I have more information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Response:
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is the rarest and most aggressive type of breast cancer. The number of women diagnosed with this disease has been increasing during the past decade. IBC accounts for only about 3% of all breast cancer cases in the United States. This type of cancer mostly affects African American women and young women (sometimes in their late teens).

IBC cells multiply and divide rapidly and within three to four months, the cancer is at an advanced stage. The survival rate is only about 50% after five years. Very aggressive immediate cancer treatment is needed to cure IBC.

19. Question:
Why are more data than the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test needed to determine if a man has prostate cancer?

Response:
The DRE often does not detect prostate cancer in its earlier stages because it can be difficult to feel a small lump. A PSA at baseline is needed to monitor, over time, the change of this value. Although PSA values tend to be lower in younger men and healthy older men, there is not a standard normal number. As a precautionary measure, most doctors closely monitor patients with PSAs greater than or equal to 2.5 ng/dL.

A prostate biopsy (taking a small tissue sample) using ultrasound guidance is more reliable in determining if a suspicious lump is cancerous.

20. Question:
Why do most people have a contorted facial expression during orgasm?

Response:
Orgasm happens in the brain. During this event, two main brain areas are activated: the insula and the anterior cingulate cortices. These areas are located deep in the brain and near the front of the brain.

The insula and the anterior cingulate cortices control emotions such as pain and pleasure. During orgasm, many individuals may appear in pain due to their contorted facial expressions, when in fact they are experiencing intense pleasure. In other words, the nerve signals from the brain to the face are similar which, can be confusing to the objective observer.

21. Question:
Why does Type 1 diabetes have a different effect on men’s sexual health?

Response:
Type 1 diabetes is the result of an autoimmune disorder. The immune system destroys the pancreas’ cells and the person is unable to produce any insulin. The individual is dependent on external insulin in order to survive.

The Type 1 diabetic is often of normal weight, without the deep abdominal fat found in the Type 2 version of the disease. It is the excess fat that ultimately causes most of the negative effects on men’s sexual health.

22. Question:
Why is cohabitation less stable than marriage?

Response:
According to Marsha Garrison, an expert on policy relating to families, cohabitation in North America and Europe is two to four times less stable than marriage. Garrison explains that marriage signals a clear intention with binding commitment, such as fidelity, sharing, and a lifetime partnership.

Cohabitation doesn’t have clear rules for both parties entering into that kind of union and each person may have different expectations. Also, individuals who prefer not to marry tend to be less traditional and religious. Because laws regulating cohabitation are less clear than the ones pertaining to marriage, it is easier to dissolve a cohabitation union.

23. Question:
Why are some individuals resistant to certain strains of HIV?

Response:
About 5%-14% of Northern Europeans have a CCR5-32 gene mutation that affects the function of their immunity T cells. The deletion (or removal) of part of this gene appears to protect these individuals against smallpox and HIV. This type of genetic mutation does not negatively affect the health of these individuals.

The deletion of the 32 gene section results in deactivated CCR5 and CXCR4 protein receptors on T cells. HIV R5 and HIV X4 are unable to enter these T cells and infect the person. If a person inherits two mutated CCR5-32, they tend to have strong protection against HIV infection.

24. Question:
Why some men who appear to have high self-esteem are violent?

Response:
Men who have earned high academic levels but were unable to move forward in their careers tend to be exceptionally violent. In present North American society, men are still judged more for their career achievements than for their inner qualities as human beings (i.e., kindness and compassion).

These men’s perceived inner self-worth does not match their outer self-worth, and this intense frustration/helplessness often translates into violent acts. By contrast, poorly educated men who have thriving careers are six times less likely than the average man to be violent.