Dr. ABBAS 

Difficult Foreskin

Q. My problem is that when my penis is erected my foreskin remains over the helmet. When I try to pull it back it feels quite painful and I imagine that sex would also be quite painful. I feel I am abnormal. Is there anything I can do about it?
Concerned Reader, Shinyanga..

A. The foreskin is a thin layer of skin, which normally sits over the head or glans of the penis. Its job is probably to protect the sensitive glans beneath and act as a valve along with the thickened ridge around the base of the glans preventing sperm from leaving the vagina.
It has secretary glands producing substances, which may act as pheromones or sex attractants. If is not regularly pulled down and washed, a cheesy yellow smegma is forms.
The foreskin sits over the helmet or glans of the penis until it is pulled back. This is the reason it is called foreskin. If you have not been pulling it back regularly during masturbation or washing, then it is bound to be tight. For some men such tight pullovers can be painful when first having sex. They usually find it gets better each time although riding a bike becomes a whole new experience for a short while. You should really be retracting your foreskin regularly if only for hygiene reasons.
Do it when flaccid first, then partly erect, then finally and excruciatingly, when fully erect. If it refuses to return, squeeze the helmet firmly after applying an ice compress for about ten minutes. It will eventually go back if you squeeze firmly enough. You do not need a circumcision if you do not want to go for it.

Problem with Clitoris

Q. The problem is that I think my clitoris is too big, as my school friend showed me hers and I could hardly see it. Normally, it is about an inch long but when I get aroused it becomes quite hard and sticks out. My boyfriend thinks I am deformed and says that I have a penis. Am I deformed? Will I have to have an operation?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. The clitoris is anatomically the equivalent of the male penis, so your boyfriend is correct. All women have a penis, just as all men have nipples.
During development the foetus decided which sex it is going to be rather late in development and so both sets of organs develop. Once it has made up its mind, the foetus suppresses the opposite set of sex organs. They are still there, however, if only in a rudimentary form. It is possible for a person to have both sets of sexual organs but although seen more often, this remains rare. The clitoris is an erectile organ so it should get bigger on arousal. Like other sex organs it only really fully develops at puberty, so your friend may not yet have her full complement of sex hormones in circulation. There is no normal size for a clitoris and large ones are considered highly attractive to most men. If you really cannot stand its appearance, plastic surgery may help but most surgeons would be reluctant to perform the operation, particularly on a young woman.

Excessive Sweating

Q. I am 47 years old. I am very embarrassed by sweating excessively. Can you briefly tell me about excessive sweating?
Concerned Reader, Rombo.

A. Sweating is the body’s reaction to an increase in temperature and a means by which it tries to lose heat. The sweat glands are controlled by the central nervous system, and consequently someone may also sweat as a result of psychological tension – often known as a cold sweat. Excessive sweating occurs when the rate of perspiration is higher than normal. It is difficult to define boarder line because there is a good deal of variation over what may be regarded as normal. A person is usually regarded as sweating excessively if problems arise as a result. There may be many reasons for excessive sweating. Anyone doing a lot of physical work in a warm, humid environment will sweat a great deal. Excessive sweating of a particular part of the body also occurs, one example being sweaty feet. This symptom is aggravated by wearing shoes which prevent sweating. It can best be treated by keeping the relevant part of the body as cool as possible and by not confining it in shoes or clothing which keep the sweat in. If this is not successful, an antiperspirant can be applied. In order to prevent skin irritation this must be thoroughly washed off after a few hours or before going to bed.