Q.
What do I do when a condom
tears?
A.
Good question. This is
a very scary thing. First, don't panic. The condom in which
you've entrusted your life has torn. Here's what
to do to help avoid sexually transmitted diseases and an unwanted
pregnancy.
1.
Wash immediately. Share the news and hit the shower. "Wash
yourself with soap and water," says James Trussell, Ph.D,
expert on emergency contraception at Princeton University.
No studies have shown that soap destroys STDs, "but it won't
do any harm, and it might do some good."
2.
Show concern. Gently ask her to (a) inspect herself for condom
bits, (b) refrain from douching, as that can push in microbes,
and (c) use emergency contraception pills. If taken fewer
than 72 hours after intercourse, they can prevent pregnancy.
She can get them from her doctor or call Planned Parenthood
at 1-800-230-PLAN.
3.
Talk about history. Before you even consider having sex with
a anyone, you should talk about history -- not "World War
II" kind of history, but how many sexual partners she has
been with, etc. If she is infected, and the condom breaks,
your risk for getting a sexually transmitted disease ranges
from 50 percent for gonorrhea to 0.2 percent for HIV. Should
your condom break, have another chat with her about previous
sex partners and diseases. "If you're concerned about STDs,
see your doctor and get tested within a few days," says Jonathan
Zenilman, M.D., of the Johns Hopkins University STD Research
Group. If you know you were exposed to HIV, ask your doctor
about a combination anti-HIV drug treatment. This measure
is expensive, controversial and unproven, but it may be your
only recourse.
4.
Troubleshoot. Did you use an expired condom or an oil-based
lubricant? Maybe you nicked the condom with a fingernail while
putting it on. Whatever the cause, eliminate it.
A
study published in the American Journal of Public Health showed
that men who experienced a condom break or slip were twice
as likely to do so again. So be careful with condoms, breakage
is not common, but it does happen!
See "Plan B® - The
Morning After Pill" for information about this FDA
approved drug that prevents unwanted pregnancy in case of
an emergency. You must be 18 years old or older to buy this
drug without a prescription in the United States. This drug
is not meant to be used as a form of birth control.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Q.
I heard about a pill that is for breast enlargement. Have
you ever heard of this and can a pill work? If so, can you
say anything about its safety? It is being used in Europe
for cosmetic breast enlargement. I haven't a clue as to its
name.
A.
I did a search in the US Pharmacopoeia (USP) and could not
find any pill that has been approved for use in the United
States for cosmetic breast enlargement. There are tons of
drugs that include breast enlargement as a side effect and
a class of androgens that are prescribed for men undergoing
sex change operations.
This means
that there is no product that has been approved for use for
cosmetic breast enlargement in the US, and it would be illegal
for any drug company to market a drug using this claim. That
does not mean some physician somewhere would not prescribe
these medications to a person for this purpose. Doctors have
prescribed oral contraceptives to control acne for years even
though only one brand has been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for this use. And that's only been in the last
couple of years.
My guess
is that this product is some version of the Pill, or other
hormone therapy. Drug companies are probably beginning the
process of applying to the FDA for approval to market these
products for this use. If this is the case, the final product
will probably be relatively safe (I'm just guessing here --
don't take this to mean you can call on me for any future
litigation you might pursue). There has been a lot of research
on the effects of the Pill and for most women who do not smoke,
it is very safe.
There
are also many "natural" or herbal products on the market that
claim to enlarge or enhance the bustline. These products usually
use some form of phytoestrogen, which is a nutrient found
in foods like soy or yams, that mimics female hormones in
the body.
Natural
breast enlargers may also be some form of human hormone. There
are a number of growth hormones that claim to have breast
enhancement as a benefit. But here's the kicker. Just because
you can go to the store and buy these products does not mean
they are actually safe for you to use. These products are
considered dietary supplements because their formulas include
ingredients that occur naturally. This means they can be sold
over the counter, and the manufacturer does not have to prove
they are safe. The FDA is responsible for proving these products
are unsafe, and they do not have the resources to conduct
the same types of trials the pharmaceutical companies have
to conduct before drugs are sold. So the only thing the FDA
has to go on are reports when something goes wrong with one
of the products.
There
is a great deal of speculation about whether phytoestrogens
and growth hormones are safe. The manufacturers do some testing
-- but it is usually eyed suspiciously. There are also some
independent evaluations going on -- but they are a long way
from determining whether the products are safe, and if they
are, whether they have any effect. The issue with phytoestogens
and growth hormones is that long term or excessive use could
possibly cause nasty things like cancer and heart disease.
So I don't
have an answer to your question. When making a decision to
use any of these products, be they prescription or supplement,
it comes down the individual making a decision about how much
risk they are willing to accept for the supposed benefits
and the real money they will spend. You have to look for good,
quality, unbiased research, ask a lot of questions, and be
careful.
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Q.
Why does it hurt so much when I got kicked in the groin?
A.
Testicles are super sensitive because they're rich
in nerve endings. Testes take shape in the abdomen, near the
stomach and kidneys, and the nerves and blood vessels remain
attached there even after the gonads hit dangle mode. That's
why after a poke to the groin you feel the pain in the very
pit of your stomach. That pain is so bad that men can actually
experience it simply by seeing someone else receive the blow.
Ouch,
it sounds painful to this gal.
