Dr. ABBAS 

Young at Old Age
Q: I am a 67 year old woman and masturbate regularly, yet my friends expressed their surprise that I still want sex. Is it true that sex and masturbation will keep my sex organ younger as I get older? Am I abnormal? What illness can affect my sex life?
Concerned Reader, DSM.
A. Sex with a male partner who regularly ejaculates inside you does appear to allow the vagina to retain its youthful shape and moistness. This is thought to be the result of hormones. Women who do not have regular sex find that the vagina shrinks and become dry. Masturbation is also thought to help to maintain the youthful state of the vagina. Masturbation is practised in all age groups, cultures, religions, races, etc and there is nothing to be surprised over.
Lastly, the following illnesses can all have an impact on your sex life but there are self-help measures to overcome the difficulties. Arthritis attacks the joints and can affect the mobility and comfort during sex. Taking painkillers before sex can help reducing pain. Heart attack sufferers often feel anxious that sex will trigger another attack. Evidence suggests that it is unlikely in couples with long-term relationships. It has been noticed that it is more likely to occur during extramarital sexual encounters. This is due to stress. Diabetes can cause fungal infection. Some gynaecological problems can affect the sex life for old people.

Urinary Infection
Q: I am 25 years old and recently married. My husband is 28 years. After having sex I have trouble urinating and it is painful. I have also noticed a thick whitish discharge appearing. I am too shy to visit a doctor. Can you please identify the problem and recommend an appropriate treatment. This is affecting our sex life.
Concerned Reader, Mikumi.
A. Many different micro-organisms can infect the urinary tract. Female urethra (the pipe through which urine is passed from the body) appears particularly prone to colonization with bacteria, owing to its proximity to the anus, its short length, and its termination near the vagina.
During sexual intercourse urethral massage occurs, causing introduction of bacteria into the urinary bladder. It appears to be important in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in younger women. Voiding after intercourse has shown to reduce the risk of infection.
The thick whitish discharge you have mentioned suggests that you are suffering from thrush, which is caused by an organism that normally lives quite harmlessly on your skin and in your mouth and gut.
This organism is called Candida albicans and it is actually a type of yeast. This is more likely to happen to you if you are pregnant, wear tight jeans or synthetic underwear, are taking certain antibiotics, have diabetes, are unwell or ill, are taking the oral contraceptives pill and have sex with someone who has thrush. You will have one or more of following symptoms. You will have itching, soreness and redness around your vagina, vulva or anus.
You may have swollen vulva and pain when you have sex and pain or discomfort when you pass water. You need to go to your doctor, who will examine your genital area and may do some tests, followed by treatment to cure it.

Blindfolded
Q: I am 26 years old and would like to be dominated during sex with my boyfriend. How can I get my boyfriend to be more dominant? Another thing is that I feel like being blindfolded. What difference could a blindfold make?
Concerned Reader, Mwanza.
A. Tell your boyfriend that you like to pretend being a bride or a virgin and that you would like him to be in charge. Resist his advances slightly and appear reluctant through out, thus allowing him to overcome you.
Pretend that this is your first sexual experience. Respond lovingly to your boyfriend but do not take the lead in any way. Act as if you are shy about revealing your body. Let him see, very clearly, just how turned on this game makes you. Secondly, a blindfold offers a sense of helplessness and allows you to feel vulnerable.
Your anxiety levels may also go up.
An astute sexual partner will pick up on these swirling emotions and exploit them erotically. Another advantage of sex while blindfolded is that you are forced to pay more attention to the physical sensations you are giving and receiving. From your partner’s point of view, the sight of you naked and blindfolded is likely to be extremely arousing because it confers dominance and power.