Sex; is it healthy? What are the benefits?

Sex is a taboo theme in many parts of our world. Many still think it is dirty and is mostly done when the light is off. Is it really so bad? Scientists prove that sex is extremely beneficial for our health. Here you get more information about this mostly thought, but less spoken theme.

The benefits of sex include:

• Beneficial for the heart and blood circulation, thus good oxygen supply to brain and other cells
• Balances the ratio of HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol
• Lowers the risk of prostate cancer
• Lower the risk of breast cancer
• Good for mental and emotional health. Abstinence increases the feelings of anger, frustration, self-doubt, depression etc. Endorphins and semen play here a vital role in enhancing mood after sex
• Eliminates stress. Good sex gives total relaxation and good sleep
• Increases the estrogen levels in women and this is vital for skin and hair health
• Increases the humans’ lifespan 3 to 8 years and 50% reduction of death risk
• Sweating cleanse the skin pores and improve the skin health
• Good to burn calories. Comparable of 15 minutes on a treadmill
• Strengthen pelvic, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, chest and arm muscles
• More sex means more production of pheromones that are chemicals to attract the opposite sex
• Increases intimacy to partner
• A good pain reliever than many painkillers. Oxytocin and endorphins are responsible for this. These calm pain from headaches, migraines to arthritis. Increased estrogen levels reduce premenstrual pains. Mostly the excuse not to want is headache!!!!
• Kissing lowers the acidity in the mouth and good for mouth hygiene; thus tooth decay and bad breath is prevented
• Decreases the risk to get colds, flu and other infections. The reason is the production of more immunoglobin A, an antibody which strengthens the immune system
• Helps for a better control of bladder with strong pelvic muscles and thus minimize the risk of incontinence

Children are our wealth and it is the main purpose of sex. This is accepted by all. You can see the other benefits as extra bonus.

What is normal to achieve these benefits? Twice in a week or more can give you these benefits.

My wife has no interest in sex; what can be done to have a good married life?

At first it is important to know that your wife is not a sex machine. You press the ON button and she is ready for sex. You have your normal sexual desire although you work during the day. What do you do other than your office work? You may be meeting friends, visiting bars, watching sports in television or reading news paper. It is evening, the children have slept and you want to have your fun. You expect that it is her duty to make you happy.

Have you ever thought of her work during the day? She gets up before you, prepare for the breakfast. She has to make the children ready for the school before the school bus comes. In between you want your coffee and may miss many things which you need every day. You ask her only where they are. You have gone, children have gone and she makes her ready and rushes to her office. The work is heavy in her office. Back home she has to take care of the children and their needs and even the home work. The preparation of the dinner and finally cleaning the kitchen too involves lot of work. The desire for sex is different in women when the workload increases. It decreases with increase of workload.

You need every morning fresh clothes and it she who organizes washing and ironing. Her work is over and it may be 10 p.m. You are relaxed and wait with full expectation of your wife. She is tired and almost burnt out. Her thoughts are already at 5 a.m., next morning, the time she must get up. This kind of problems is normal in many families around the world. The frustrated men masturbate or go somewhere to get sex. Many spoil their health too in this process.

If you are intelligent you can find a way for this problem. You put yourself in your wife’s role and then you know at least she is doing three times more work than you. You will never dare to do so much.

The first thing is share her work and help her wherever it is possible. Several things can be done by you with proper instructions from your wife. If both are working clothes can be given for washing outside or have a help in the home. You can take care of the home work of your children. You can play with your children which is good for both sides.

Flowers or other small things are the gifts you must think of often and every woman likes this. Tell her often that you love her and during the day you can call her and tell her that you are eagerly waiting for the evening. The romantic flame must always burn in her mind. This is only possible if she has time to think and relax. Family life is a team work and both the partners must know what to do and when. These are learnt in course of time. After you both wait when the children go to bed.

You can ask your or her parents to take care of the children and have a day or two for you both only. This is the best way to relax and enjoy too.

If there are health problems you must take her to your doctor. A light depression can kill the desire to sex. The same is with headache and migraine. Child birth is normally a problem too because the mother is fixed on her child now. You must talk with her about everything and communication can solve many problems. Make her first happy and then you get at least ten times more from her. Unfortunately, many men do not understand this simple trick.

Above all love must be the reason for sexual enjoyment. You try this and I’m sure your sexual life will be happy.

Can you inform me about sexual life after a heart attack and bypass surgery?

One suffers a heart attack when blood flow to a section of heart muscles becomes blocked. The muscles are not getting oxygen and other nutrients. If the flow of blood is not restored quickly this section of heart muscle becomes damaged and begins to die. Heart attack is a leading killer in all Western countries and it is rapidly increasing in emerging countries also. But, today very good treatment is available to lead a good life. If the symptoms of heart attack are noticed the treatment must be started within one hour and this the most effective treatment. Even if there is a small doubt it is better to rush to your doctor or to a hospital. This has saved the life of many persons.

If you have a blocked artery or arteries you need a coronary artery bypass surgery which is also known as coronary artery heart bypass graft surgery. Veins or arteries from any part your body are grafted to the heart arteries to bypass the block or blocks to ensure the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. There are different techniques are available and your surgeon will select the right one for his patient.

A cardiac rehabilitation after bypass surgery gives the patients all the information necessary to change their food and lifestyle habits to reduce disability. It is the best way to prolong a good life further. In Germany, all persons who undergo a bypass surgery are sent for a cardiac rehabilitation immediately for three to four weeks. The physical activity is started next day. In USA only about 20% of the patients go for a cardiac rehabilitation. In India only a few have the chance for this important rehabilitation.

Regular exercises and an active sex life are essential not only for optimizing your quality of life but also to maintain cardiovascular health. Sexual intercourse is considered roughly equivalent to mild to moderate exercise or walking up a couple flights of stairs or walking 800 meters. If you cannot perform these activities without becoming tired or short of breath you must allow more time for your sexual activity. The general guidelines the most doctors give you include:

• Heart attack – should avoid sexual activity for two to six weeks
• Stent implant – should avoid sexual activity for one to two weeks
• Cardiac device implant – have to avoid sexual activity for a week
• Bypass surgery – the patient should wait till the chest incision to heal and this may take six to eight weeks
• Heart valve surgery – same as for bypass surgery.

Many feel nervous about resuming sexual activity after bypass surgery. Their partners are also mostly afraid. In the beginning use positions which limit pressure or weight on the breast bone. It is applicable to arms and chest also.

The important points to consider include:

• Talk openly with your partner
• Allow a gradual return of sexual activity as there is no superman or superwoman. Performance expectations must be realistic
• Rest and physical comforts are important before sex
• Sex has both physical and emotional aspects and so be caring, honest and loving to each other

50 to 75% persons after bypass surgery have sexual problems. Anxiety from either partner or the side effects of some medicines may/can interfere with sexual arousal or performance. The medicines which interfere with sexual libido include beta blockers, diuretics and many others. These difficulties must be discussed with your doctor to find a solution.

Depression, fears about triggering another heart or thoughts of dying are the common factors for many to make their lives difficult after a heart attack and bypass surgery. If there is continuous chest pain during intercourse, rapid heartbeat or difficulty in breathing which continues for 5 to 10 minutes to orgasm, feeling of extreme tiredness after orgasm and other difficulties you must report to your cardiologist immediately.

It is important to take the prescription medicines before you have sex. Every individual is different and in practice it is very interesting to observe that each react in a different way. Persons who have talked with their doctors after the bypass surgery about sex have less sexual activities compared to persons who have not talked about this with their doctors. It may be because they see the positive aspects of sex without unnecessary fears and have sex when they feel comfortable to do that.

Have lot of fun. It is your life and enjoy it…

My friends say you are too old. Are you against when the youth love?

What your friends say is wrong. I am not against love. Love is our part of love. Love does well to our body and soul. I am going to be 63 years. I have no problems with my age and I do not know why others think too much about this.

But now there are many worst things are happening in the name of love and definitely I am against that. Love is for me soul to soul and not only there because our hormones and emotions need it. A love at first sight must become quickly a mature love.

Love is for many, in certain part of their life, a hobby or fun. This brings bad luck to many.

Love is giving and taking. If one gives always and other only takes it is not a love, or may be one sided love.

Nothing should be routine in our life. If you want to love your partner both must develop their common interests in life. Both must also increase their knowledge continuously.

When your sexual urges are reduced the love must be still there. I am for this true love. It is easy to be happy in your life and you must understand and practise this.

I have written a love story and this you can read in my blog. http://drkpadmanaban.blogspot.com/2009/10/sethu-samudram-project-alternative-plan_15.html. That will tell you clearly my opinion about love.

Youth, you have all the rights. What you do with that is important for you and to your family.

What are the different forms of sexuality?

There are three forms of sexuality and they are heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality.

Heterosexuality - It is the emotional and sexual attraction or sexual relation with persons of opposite sex. This group is the majority.

Homosexuality - It is emotional and sexual attraction or sexual relation with persons of the same sex. It is reported in ancient times too. Surveys report that 5% to 10% of men and women have an exclusive homosexual orientation in Western countries. In many countries this is prohibited and is an offence and in other countries one could marry his/her same sex partner.

Sexual orientation and identity starts from adolescence. There are no scientific explanations for this.

• Gay - he who has strong emotional, physical and sexual attractions for other man is a gay.

• Lesbian - Woman who has emotional, physical and sexual attractions for other woman is a lesbian.

• Bisexuality - Man or woman who has emotional, physical and sexual attractions for both man and woman is a bisexual.

Food, stress and sex: their relationship with infertility...

Food, stress and sex play a vital role to become pregnant. It is generally known to everybody; but how to manage them is not an easy task for many. In the recent weeks I have talked to a number of childless couple who are trying more than a year to become pregnant. We see the real situation here and it is interesting to compare with the literature.

Food – He eats bad and not getting all the essential nutrients from his food. We need all the essential minerals, vitamins and all the phytochemicals including anti-oxidants. Semen contains zinc and selenium in high concentrations. If his semen quality is bad, semen count is low and the motility of the sperm is not optimal, infertility is the result.

Eating many junk and processed foods makes her obese and this means fertility problems. This is also the case with extreme dieting. Irregular menstruation means problems in conceiving.

Healthy food is important for the husband and wife. These should be found exactly for the man and the woman. Right food has the capacity to do many wonders if you have little patience.

Stress – In women stress disrupts the communication between brain, pituitary and the ovary. This has a negative influence on the maturation of the egg and the ovulation. The production of neurotransmitters are so affected that the emotional part is completely changed negatively. In women the stress are physical, emotional and above all from the wish for a child.

In men the physical and emotional stress affects fertility. Sperm counts, motility of the sperm and the structure are altered due to stress. Impotence, difficulty in ejaculation or very quick ejaculations is the result. Stress disturbs the sleep and a restful sleep is not guaranteed. Stress brings depression, anxiety, uncontrolled anger and fatigue which are the problems of the persons suffering from infertility.

Stress is devil’s circle and it is sometimes impossible to come out without any help. The stress must be reduced; otherwise it leads to permanent infertility.

Sex – Stress-free sex is needed to have a baby. If you want to relax and enjoy sex, do not think of baby making, but think of love making. Finding the ovulation time gives more stress and the negative effects are more. Have sex very regularly, take time to enjoy your partner and there are sperm always when the ripe egg reaches the fallopian tube.

If a woman thinks about the baby before love making with her husband, she is already lost. This thought and the emotional stress makes her infertile.

All the pairs I have talked are having deficits in nutrients; they have physical as well as emotional stress from them and from their family. Sex is a routine for 5 to 10 minutes without any relaxation and that is also very late in the night. Stress and tiredness are not friends of love making.

If we mange to change to right food, control our stress and have a proper sex which brings enjoyment the chance of getting a baby very high. For this you need not take any medicines or hormones. Many will have a good chance here to become pregnant and rest could go for other therapies.

Extreme physical activities must be avoided by men and women and it can make infertile. But, normal physical activity is important. Quick walking for 30 min per day is enough.

Alcohol is an enemy for fertility.

Smoking including passive smoking must be avoided completely.

I have given you here the general information. Come to me and in my counseling I could make a tailor-made diet plan and methods to reduce your stress. Love making must also be real love making. The success will be yours…

The morning-after pill

The morning-after pill is used to prevent pregnancy if the contraception is failed or was not used. The pill works for 3 days after sex but it works best within 12 hours. The hormone here present is levonorgestrel, a female-type hormone which is also present in many oral contraceptives.

The morning-after pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and alters the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg cannot embed there. It is very effective if it is used in time.

IT WILL NOT HELP IF YOU ARE ALREADY PREGNANT

It is usually used by women who have had unprotected sex or to help rape victims, couples who had condom break or woman who had sex without her knowledge under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome when using levonorgestrel. They include:
Breast tenderness; changes in menstrual flow; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; tiredness; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur when using levonorgestrel. They include:
Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), severe and persistent lower stomach pain, missed menstrual period, spotting instead of your usual period.
Pregnancy is also a side effect of the morning-after pill.

Although 72 hours are given the problem starts after 24 hours or if the woman had more than once sex.

The rest risk for a pregnancy is always there.

In all the Western countries the morning-after pill is a prescription drug, but in India…

The birth control pill or oral contraceptive pill

The oral contraceptives contain different levels of estrogens and progesterone or progesterone alone. It is prescribed by the family doctor after considering the family history and medical records of the woman. These pills stop the ovaries from releasing eggs every month. They also make the lining of the uterus thinner so that the fertilized egg could not attach there.

The disadvantages are that the pill must be taken everyday without any break. Even if you have vomiting or diarrhoea the effect of the pill is gone and you can become pregnant. If you forget to take the pill for a day then also the risk of pregnancy is there. Every year you need three months interval for the regeneration of the hormone household of your body, otherwise infertility may be the result. There are many side effects from these hormone pills.

Side effects:

If you have the following symptoms, go to your doctor and talk to him. These include severe headache, severe vomiting, speech problems, dizziness, faintness, weakness or numbness of arms or legs, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, crushing chest pain or chest heaviness, double vision, partial or complete loss of vision, bulging eyes, pain, warmth or heaviness in the back of the lower leg, severe stomach pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, weakness or lack of energy, fever, dark urine, pale stool, swelling of the hands, feet, joints and lower legs, mood changes and depression, unusual bleeding, skin rash and menstrual bleeding which is unusually heavy or that lasts more than 7 days in a row.

The other side effects are nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, swelling of the gum, increased or decreased appetite, brown or black skin patches, acne, hair growth in unusual places, white vaginal discharge, swelling, redness, irritation, burning or itching of the vagina, breast tenderness, enlargement or discharge, painful or missed menstruation, changes in menstrual flow, bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, weight gain or weight loss and difficulty in wearing contact lenses.

Oral contraceptives may increase the risk of developing liver tumours and breast or liver cancer. The risk of getting a heart attack, a stroke or a serious blood clot may also be increased. Consult with your doctor about these serious effects.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. If you are older than 35 years or smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day, then the risk is higher. If you take birth control pills, you should not smoke.

Caution:

Oral contraceptives will work only as long as they are taken regularly. You may need to use a backup method of birth control if you vomit or have diarrhoea when you are taking this drug. You can consult your doctor to choose the correct backup method and for other advices.

The women who have family histories of diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, blood clots and breast cancer should not take this. It is same with the progesterone-only pill also. Although both pills are 99% effective if taken properly these are not suitable for women who change their partners often because they give no protection from HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The patch - it is a big plaster with hormones of the combined pill oestrogen and progesterone and is applied on the skin. The hormones reach the blood through the skin. Apart from the side effects of the birth control pill here is the possibility of red skin and rash are there.

The advantages and disadvantages are the same as the birth control pill. The same precaution should also be taken as the oral pills.

This a prescription drug, but in India…..

Pulling out before ejaculation – the most frequently asked question from teenagers and young women in our whole world

Pulling out the penis before ejaculation does not lead to pregnancy, is it correct?

This is the most frequently asked question from teenagers and young women in the world. The young man tries to convince the young woman that she will not become pregnant if he pulls out before ejaculation and many believe also in course of time this.

The woman can still become pregnant because the lubrication fluid from the penis can contain few sperms and this is enough to make her pregnant.
The chance of getting HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also high and never accept this argument.

There are some other myths and every woman must know this clearly.

Sex and pregnancy - you cannot predict anything because your psychology also plays a vital role.

Some of the myths include:

• She has her first sexual intercourse, so no chance of pregnancy – here also she can become pregnant
• Sex during her periods – she can become pregnant. It may be because sperm can stay alive for 3 to 5 days in a warm and moist environment
• Sex in the standing position – she can become pregnant because sperm can swim in any direction

There are as such no safer days during the menstrual cycle and a woman can become pregnant at any time.

Whether a Western girl in her puberty or an Indian woman with two children needs contraception it is always better to consult the gynaecologist for the right type of contraceptive method for her.

Menstrual Period

When the girls go through puberty their hips become curvier, they grow more and quickly and their breasts grow larger. After 1.5 to 2 years from the beginning of these developments she will get her first menstrual period. This first period is medically known as menarche. This means that the reproductive system of a girl is matured and all the reproductive (sex) organs are working together.

Are there symptoms before the first menstrual period?

Approximately 6 months before or before getting her first menstrual period there may be clear vaginal discharge. This is common, but it is advisable to go to the doctor if it has strong smell or itching.

Is menstrual fluid only blood?

No it is not. It contains blood, tissues from the uterine walls and unfertilized eggs from the uterus. These go out of the body through the vagina. This is a menstrual period and this cycle will happen every month till the woman releases eggs from her ovaries.

Are the menstrual cycles of all girls same?

Normally it is 28 days, but there are girls with a 21 day cycle or a 30 day cycle. In extreme cases it may be even a 45 day cycle. Irregular periods are also common and many girls continue to have irregular periods into adulthood.

How many days do the periods last?

Some girls have their period only two or three days, others may have it for 6 or 7 days and there are few who have longer than 7 days. An open talk with the mother and gynaecologist is the right approach. It can also vary to a girl month to month.

What is the amount of blood coming out?

Even for the same girl the amount of flow will change in every period and most of the time it is normal. If there is excessive or irregular or absent or painful periods contact your doctor and he can find out the cause of the problems.

Breasts

Breasts play an important role in sexual life as well as in infant-feeding.

Many young women are not satisfied with the size of their breasts. What is the reason for that?

During puberty every girl thinks it could have been better if she has big breasts. Breasts are also the external sex organs of a woman. The girls and young women consider big breasts are beautiful and attractive. But breasts have a unique place in a woman’s life because it also plays a major role in the beauty of the women, according to men.

During puberty many young women are not satisfied with the size of their breasts. But with increasing age women with small breasts are happy compared to women who have big breasts. The reason is women with big breasts get various problems including back pain and hanging breasts.

Does breastfeeding harm the beauty of the women?

No, it is a myth. Good food and lifestyle with enough exercises keep the breasts always beautiful. Many children and long breastfeeding has no adverse effects if you know what to do.

What about the artificial methods to increase the size of the breast?

There are several methods starting from silica gel pad and these are inserted inside the breasts. Breast tissues are very sensitive and so there are several problems. There are enough women to do this because of different reasons. As a clinical toxicologist I know the adverse health effects and risks also.

Have breasts any reproductive function?

Breasts have directly no reproductive functions. But it is the natural source of food for the infant. Look, a baby has to suck well to get the milk from the breast and it is good for the health of the baby. Bottle-fed babies need not suck and the milk comes automatically and it is not good for the baby.

Breasts are important in a pairs married life. They play a vital role in foreplay and in sex as a whole.

Women and their Sex Organs

Do all women have good knowledge about their sex organs?

It is not the case even in Western countries where many have the chance to attend sex health and relationship education in their schools.

Main part - In the beginning less research was done about the sex organs of the women because of the overemphasis of the only reproductive role of women in the society. During the Victorian Era the women could be hanged if they showed the pleasure of sex!

Moreover, the most important female sex organs are either barely visible or hidden completely in the abdominal cavity. The external female sex organs do not give any information what is going inside. These are the reasons why it is difficult for girls or women to understand the functions of the reproductive system of their body. Although modern medical sciences have explained many things there are still questions which are unanswered. Girls as well as boys must have right information about the female sex organs to develop later in life a mature and responsible relationship.

Many including men do not know what are “genitals” and what are “reproductive organs”?

Know truths about Masturbation

Masturbation is Taboo in some cultures and it is normal in many cultures. It is well known that the persons who preach against masturbation do masturbate…this is the reality.

Do boys and girls masturbate?

Yes, both do. In Western culture the girl learns from her friends or elder cousins. Thus they know the pleasure they could get from their body. Therefore, later in life they expect this pleasure from their boy friend or partner or husband. The sex is for them a team work and enjoyment.

But women from all culture expect closeness from their husbands and they are very happy with that. For many it plays a better and vital role than sex.

The Indian men could be happy. Almost all young women have no idea about this pleasure when they get married. So, the husband is the one sided boss here to satisfy, mostly, his urges. The men must learn more, otherwise if the women change with the help of all the available media, it is bad for the men.

Does masturbation cause acne or pimples?

No, it is a myth.

Does masturbation make you blind?

Also wrong.

Does masturbation cause hair growth on your palms?

No, it is a myth.

Masturbation causes sexually transmitted diseases, a myth?

Yes, it is.

Excessive masturbation leads to infertility. Is this correct?

No, it is not correct. During puberty the level of the testosterone is very high and no adverse effects are there.

Does masturbation has any effect on your brain?

No, there are no adverse effects on your brain.

Do girls masturbate?

Yes, but much later than boys.

Does everybody accept masturbation in our society?

No, many religions and religious groups do not accept this. In many cultures even today it is a taboo theme. You must know about everything. Whether one practises or not, it is his own decision.

It is very important that the wife and husband not only learn about their own body but also the body of their partner, husband/wife.

Male Infertility

More than 16 hours away from home to work, tension, tiredness, poor water and fluid intake, processed or junk or fast food consumption regularly, environmental poisons, less physical work, almost no antioxidants in the food are reasons enough for the infertility in men. The expectation makes a man also psychologically in a bad position which is not also advantageous for the reproduction.

Are there more factors which affect the power of reproduction in a man? Yes, there are many and they include:

• diabetes
• undescended testicles
• hormone imbalances (hypothyroidism, hypogonadism)
• obesity
• hereditary
• sexually transmitted diseases – infection
• mumps
• autoimmune diseases
• liver, kidney diseases
• abuse of anabolic steroids
• certain medicines
• abuse of narcotic drugs and designer or party drugs
• chemotherapy
• diet low in antioxidants
• exposure to toxic metals
• exposure to xenoestrogens like pesticides
• erection problems
• premature ejaculation
• excessive exercise or physical activity
• wearing tight pants and underwear
• hot bath
• prolonged sitting work
• radiation and radiation therapy
• poor sperm quality
• poor movement of sperm
• low sperm count

If you want to avoid infertility the above conditions must be changed. For many men it helps to make the wife pregnant. It is easy with a counseling to change this. The medical provider, dietician and counselor must be good to solve these problems.

If there are other reasons, the necessary hormones and other estimations must be done in the blood. The medical history is also important here.

Do not forget, in infertility the problem lies on 30% with men, 30% with women and 40% on both.

The risks are completely avoided, the hormone therapy is also done, still no success, what to do? The other treatments considered may be:

1. Artificial insemination - placing sperm directly in the cervix or uterus.
2. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection - placing individual sperm cells directly inside the woman's eggs.
3. In vitro fertilization - fertilizing the egg outside the womb and then returning it to the uterus.

Next: Female Infertility