Answer : you must try to become more aware of your body and how you respond during sex, from the initial excitement through the plateau when you’re fully aroused up till the time you reach your orgasm. Take deep breaths. This helps interrupt your stress response and forces you to relax. Also, try to be active with your whole body during sex—using full-body caresses and non-genital touching—instead of merely fixating on your penis.
Sex Question: Does one’s hymen break only during intercourse? Also, I’ve heard that there is some treatment/surgery to restore virginity? Please tell me more.
Sex Answer: It is a myth that the hymen ruptures only during intercourse. Having said that, let me also say that a broken hymen doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have lost your virginity. Apart from the first intercourse, the hymen can also get ruptured due to strenuous physical activity, swimming, falling down or tampon usage.
Once virginity is lost, you cannot restore it. However, the surgical technique of hymenoplasty can restore the physical hymen. It is performed by a cosmetic surgeon or gynaecologist, requires local anaesthesia and lasts 45–60 minutes. The patient can resume normal activities the same day.
Remember that the original hymen cannot be repaired or regenerated. The new hymen is a mucosa fold, which merely mimics the original. This surgery can even be done on women who have borne children. A side effect can be excessive bleeding.
Dr Ajay Kashyap, cosmetic surgeon
Sex Question: Can the use of sex toys, tampons or condoms cause vaginal infection? What are its symptoms?
Sex Answer: Bacterial infection in the vagina is not uncommon. There are cases of fungal infection too. Itchiness, soreness, any discharge other than white or menstrual and a fishy smell are symptoms of vaginal infection.
Since, condoms are quality tested, sterilised and sealed, they don’t cause infection. When using tampons, check the brand. Unseal a tampon just before using so that it is not exposed to bacteria. Change your tampon frequently, depending on the amount of bleeding.
Since sex toys are foreign bodies being inserted into your vagina, they can cause infection. Always clean and sterilise them before using. The material of the sex toy is also important. It shouldn’t be made of hard or toxic materials.
Dr Asha Jain, gynaecologist
Sex Question : I am a 23-year- old girl and will be getting married soon. However, I am getting increasingly worried about the sexual relationship that marriage will bring with it. Since I have never been in any relationship before, most of my doubts about sex have been clarified by my friends. But my biggest concern is that if my husband forces me to have sex on our first night together, I will not be ready for it. Tell me, is it essential for the marriage to be consummated on the first night itself ? Read the rest of this entry »
Sex Question: I’m a 17-year old guy. I get sexually aroused very easily. I’ve been masturbating for the last three years, almost everyday, sometimes even twice a day. Is excessive masturbation harmful for health?
Sex Answer: Masturbating regularly has no ill-effects at all on one’s sexual performance, penis growth or psychosocial health. Getting sexually aroused easily is also very normal at your age. Don’t worry, you will gain control on your emotions over time.
Dr. Sanjay Chugh, psychiatrist
