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About Dr. Booth: Dr. Booth Enticenhymen is a resident sexpert of the famous Hoppenflotzen Sexual Dysfunction Clinic in Sizetmaters, Germany. Dr. Booth, as his patients call him, was born in Fargo, North Dakota on January 1, 1976. He received his medical degree in urology from the Milïken Böne University of Medicine in Greifswald, Germany in 1999. Because of his excellent bedside manner and good looks, he was named #1 in Pleasure Magazine's 2005 "Top Cocks in Docs."
Dear readers,
Warmest regards, |
Dear Dr. Booth,
I'm a little embarrassed, but recently I've been having itching and burning in my vaginal area with a lot of yucky discharge. It all started after I had a weekend getaway with my boyfriend of two years. We had sex in the resorts hot tub late at night, and now I'm afraid I've contracted some kind of STD from using a public spa.
I'm afraid to tell my boyfriend, but I haven't had sex again with him since we got back (nearly two weeks now). What do I do? I'm scared. I've never had any thing like this happen before. Help!
Itching in Indianapolis
Dear Itch,
As for having sex in a public spa, let me just say.. ew. Public hot tubs have a tendency to not be up to standards in chemical treatment, ph balance, or correct and healthy temperatures. The number one common type of illness that can occur from using these spas is a skin condition, or dermatitis, that laymen call hot tub rash. Fortunately, it most cases it goes away after a couple of days.
Also, there is a possibility of lung infections related to spas, including Legionella's disease, from breathing in various bacteria from unclean hot tubs, including the Legionella bacteria.
Now to your problem: It sounds like you most likely have a yeast infection (unless the discharge smells foul or fishy, which would indicate a bacterial vaginosis). If you've never had one before, they can be quite itchy and painful. The thick discharge can be frothy, or even cake, and is usually white, but sometimes has a yellow tint. If it is bacterial, it will be yellow or green. However, it doesn't sound like an STD. The hot, wet environment of a spa is a perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria, and the extra friction in your vaginal canal from intercourse, along with these other factors, definitely indicate one of both of my suggestions.
I would recommend that you start an over the counter yeast medication, preferably the 3 or 7 day. (The one day is very hard on the soft tissue in the vagina). If your symptoms do not improve after two to three days, see a physician immediately for a diagnosis and stronger prescription. You may want to make an appointment now, then if symptoms improve or disappear with over the counter medication, use the doctor's appointment as a follow up to make certain that you do not have a bacterial infection as well. And, an STD test is never a bad idea when you are sexually active.
Dear Doctor Booth,
I've been dating a guy for six months now, and I really think I'm in love! The problem is, I'm a virgin or at least I was (we had sex for the first time last night). The problem is I had told him I was a virgin, but I didn't bleed when we had sex. Now he thinks I was lying to him. I have no reason to make it up, though.
He's not mad at me, he just wants to know why I would say I was a virgin when I wasn't, and I don't know what to tell him. If I continue to say I was, he thinks I'm a liar, and if I tell him I wasn't, then I really am a liar. Could there be some other explanation for why there was no blood?
Honest in Ohio
Dear Honest,
The blood you speak of is what happens when a hymen is torn during intercourse. The hymen, for those of you who don't know, is a thin layer of skin tissue OUTSIDE the vaginal opening. During the early stages of fetal growth, a female fetus does not have a vaginal opening, it is covered with a small layer of tissue, sometime before birth, this layer separates, forming the hymen. The size and shape varies in every female, and some females do not have hymens.
Now that we have the biology out of the way, while a hymen is an indication of virginity, it is not the rule. Girls have been known to break their hymens through accidents, i.e., falling on the sissy bar of their bicycle, it can tear with masturbation, some hymens are elastic enough to for a woman to have vaginal sex for years without tearing, and there is also a chance that they may not have had a hymen to begin with.
So, if your boyfriend is accusing you of lying, I suggest you break out the literature to show him the error of his ways, and if he still thinks you're lying, I suggest you get another boyfriend. Someone who will appreciate that you care enough to give yourself without question.
Dear Dr. B,
I have an unusual problem that you may or may not be able to help with. I've been reading your column for the last couple of months, and seeing as you are a sex doctor, who knows.
You see, a 'friend of mine' had surgery a few years ago that could be referred to as a pretty severe vasectomy... Since then, I've... I mean, HE has been seeing billboards along the roadside which advertise "Vasectomy Reversals." Tell me, Dr. Booth, is there help for me.. I mean HIM? Or is this whole spay/neuter thing irreversible?
Fuzzball (no location given)
Dear Fuzz,
While I appreciate your problem, I'm not hip enough to the lingo, and unless you're a cat or a dog, I believe you are talking about an orchiectomy. This process where a man has either one or both testicles removed, usually a procedure used to prevent or aid in treatment of testicular cancer. This is definitely more severe than a vasectomy.
Now, while a reversal is not possible, there are some things that a doctor can do to give you back a fairly normal sex life. Saline testicular implants can be put in, and "your friend" can also get testosterone replacement therapy for his sex drive. Unfortunately, his situation will never improve as far a fertility, but with modern medicine, he can definitely return to a regular sex life. I suggest you... I mean, he seek help from a specialist in your area.
Thank you readers for your great questions! And thanks OCO for allowing me to guest on your column. From Germany, this is Dr. Booth Enticenhymen wishing you lots of healthy and pleasurable sex.
*Dr. Booth is a fictional character. This column is meant to be fun and informative and not a replacement for your doctor. If you are experiencing medical problems or difficulties, please see your physician.
If you have any questions for Dr. Booth, please feel free to email him. He can't answer every question, but he will certainly try. drbooth2006@yahoo.com