Dr
Margaret answers e-mailers' embarrassing problems in
this biweekly problem page.
What’s
normal?
We receive lots of queries from people who have noticed
something, and are not sure whether it is normal or not.
Here are four of the commonest ‘is it normal?’
questions.
Dear
Dr Margaret
What would cause someone to have blood in their semen when
they ejaculate? Is this normal?
You probably noticed blood in the semen after masturbation,
or you saw it on your penis or in a condom after penetrative
sex. This is not normal, but it is unlikely to be serious.
In most cases, this is one of those odd things for which
no cause is found, and it is not usually a sign of a health
problem. However, I think you should discuss it with your
doctor, because a few simple checks are in order. Your doctor
will ask about other symptoms, such as discharge from the
urethra (the ‘pee’ hole at the end of the penis).
A urine sample needs to be checked for blood. Very high
blood pressure can cause blood in the semen, though this
is rare, but you can ask your doctor to take your blood
pressure. Your doctor may decide to examine your back passage
to see if your prostate is enlarged, especially if you are
middle-aged or older. If there is a lot of blood, or it
keeps happening, your doctor might refer you to a urologist
(hospital specialist) for more tests, but this is not usually
necessary.
Dear
Dr Margaret
I’m really worried. I put my finger into my vagina
and could feel something in the middle. It was kinda big
and symmetrical and I could feel round it too. Could it
be my cervix? I’m scared I’ve got cancer but I’m
also scared to see my doctor in case he thinks I’m
being stupid.
The thing you describe sounds exactly like a cervix. It
is perfectly normal to be able to feel your own cervix by
putting a finger in the vagina and reaching right up –
especially if you ’push down’ slightly at the
same time, as if you were trying to open your bowels. The
normal cervix is smooth and fairly firm, rather like the
end of your nose. Women who use a contraceptive cap or diaphragm
are taught to feel their own cervix, to check that the device
is covering it properly. So if you want to be sure that
what you are feeling is in fact your cervix, you could check
with the nice doctors or nurses at your local family planning
clinic.
Dear
Dr Margaret
I am in my late forties and in the past few years have noticed
that I have a lot of hair on my bottom between my cheeks.
As I am now divorced and may at some time have a new lover,
I am very worried that he will think I am a freak. Is this
normal? Do other women have this, or should I visit my doctor?
This is perfectly normal. There is great variation in the
amount of pubic hair that normal women have. Some women
have very little. Most women have pubic hair at the front,
extending backwards around the lips of the vulva to between
the cheeks of the buttocks. Other women have a lot more,
extending down the inside of the upper part of the thighs
as well. Some beauty salons will remove hair from these
areas by waxing (phone first to enquire), which is an option
if you feel really uncomfortable about the amount of hair
that you have.
Dear
Dr Margaret
I really need help. My penis is abnormally small. What exercises
can I do to enlarge it?
You are not alone with this worry. In fact, this is one
of the commonest questions we receive. I don’t know
of any exercises, creams or pills that will increase penis
size. Be very cautious about internet sites that claim otherwise.
Anyway, your penis may in fact be quite normal. Look at
our section on penis size.
Any
more questions?
Do you have any questions about embarrassing problems?
If so, send an email to info@healthpress.co.uk.
I am sorry that I cannot send you an individual reply, but
I will try to answer some of them on this page.
