ASK THE DOCTOR - Helping Relieve Sexual Tension

A friend of mine — a single mother — has a physically challenged son suffering from cerebral palsy. She wants to know if it is OK for her to masturbate her son as he is unable to do so himself. Is it OK for relatives/siblings to help relieve sexual tension by masturbation? If not, what is the correct solution?
- ABC

ASK THE DOCTOR - Helping Relieve Sexual Tension

It is absolutely not advisable for relatives to masturbate the physically challenged person suffering from cerebral palsy. Only he can know his sexual needs, their nature and their intensity, if at all. His ability to understand his sexual needs and the necessity to relive his sexual needs cannot be assessed or guessed by anyone from outside. He may or may not be experiencing any such need physiologically. If an erection is noticed in such an individual, it need not always be a sign of sexual arousal. An erection can happen periodically in men irrespective of sexual urges. You may confuse and even torment the physically challenged person by attempting to masturbate him.

This situation can also be taken advantage of by a ‘sick’ relative who may be carrying a fetish similar to pedophilia and may sexually abuse the child under the garb of relieving the child’s sexual tension. The sexual tension built in a person does get relieved naturally through periodic nocturnal emissions.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Unable to sustain an Erection for Long

I am a 51-year-old married man. My erection does not sustain for long. What can I do?
- Kothari

ASK THE DOCTOR - Unable to sustain an Erection for Long

This is a form of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). There are many organic (physical) as well as psychogenic causes for this problem. It is necessary to find out the cause of this problem first, through history taking, examination and investigations. Once the cause (diagnosis) is found, treatment can be advised. Very effective drugs, Sildenafil citrate and Tadalafil, are now available in India for the complaint of inability to ‘sustain’ the erection. Remember, these drugs cannot bring about erection in a flaccid penis. They only help to ‘sustain’ the existing erection longer.

These drugs are useless in those who have difficulty in getting an erection. It helps only those who get an erection ‘on their own’ but cannot sustain it long enough to perform satisfactory sexual intercourse. You could be benefited with these drugs. However, neither can you get these drugs without a proper prescription by a qualified specialist, nor should you take it on your own. There are risks involved in taking them; and unless you are guided by a qualified expert, kindly avoid selfmedication.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Is Discharge in Adolescent Girls Normal?

Is vaginal discharge in adolescent girls a normal phenomenon? Does it happen due to fungus or infection?
- D M

ASK THE DOCTOR - Is Discharge in Adolescent Girls Normal?

Most adolescent girls get a sticky, white discharge from their vagina. This is a perfectly normal and healthy sign that the pubertal changes have begun in you. Sometimes, this discharge can get on a girl’s underwear. It is good to pay close attention to your normal discharge and how it changes during your monthly cycle so that you can recognise any unusual signs or changes. If you closely pay attention, you will notice that the discharge is not always the same. Sometimes it may be clear while at other times it may be a bit whitish. When you are ovulating, it may become clear and slippery.

A female’s vaginal fluids/discharge also alter when she gets sexually aroused. If the discharge becomes thicker or heavier, changes colour to yellow, green, rusty or brown, or causes burning or itching in the private parts, it is suggestive of an infection. Foulsmelling discharge, and pain or bleeding in the vagina when you are not in your menstrual period, are also signs of infection. If you experience any of these changes, you will need to see a doctor.