Dr. ABBAS 

Use Of Garlic
Q. I am eating one garlic tablet everyday after lunch. I would like to know what are the benefits of eating garlic? Secondly, do garlic help to reduce cholesterol?
Zishan Somji, DSM.

A. Garlic is indeed a healthful addition to your diet. There is widespread belief among the general public that garlic powder or tablets aid in controlling cholesterol levels. When used along with a diet low in fat and cholesterol, garlic can aid in lowering total cholesterol and prevent blockage of the blood vessels. Studies on garlic have been conducted for the past 15 years and primarily in the fields of heart diseases and cancer. Some studies have shown beneficial effects on reducing the cholesterol levels and hence reducing the chances of heart diseases, lowering the blood pressure, helping to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body. The studies of garlic done were not consistent in relation to the dosage, standardization of garlic preparations, and time period of treatment.
In 1997 it was said garlic is preventive rather than therapeutic. A multi-centre controlled trial was done in 1998 and showed that garlic powder treatment for 12 weeks was ineffective in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol in both the groups with or without garlic. The other major beneficial effect of garlic is on blood thinning actions. This field of garlic research has been extensively studied, but still it is doubtful that these contribute to any thinning action in the body. Epidemiological studies have suggested that garlic plays a significant role in the reduction of deaths caused by malignant diseases. This had led many investigators to examine garlic and garlic constituents for their anti-tumour actions both in vitro and in laboratory animals. Numerous studies are in progress all over the world to isolate the active principles that may be therapeutically useful.

Sexual Outlet
Q. I am 23 years old boy and I had a girl in my life for two years and now I am alone. At this point I masturbate at least twice a week. Is it too much or okay? Please help me doctor.
Concerned Reader, Dar es Salaam.

A. There are six chief sources of orgasm for human male, which are: masturbation, nocturnal emissions, heterosexual petting, heterosexual intercourse, homosexual relations and intercourse with animals of other species. The sum of the orgasms derived from these several sources constitutes the individual’s total sexual outlet. Since practically all of the sexual contacts of the mature male involve emotional changes, all of which represent expenditure of energy, all adult’s contacts means outlet, even though they do not lead to orgasm.
There are some individuals who derive 100 per cent of their outlet from a single kind of sexual activity. Most persons regularly depend upon two or more sources of outlet; and there are some who may include all six of them in some short period of time. Factors effecting variations are morphologic difference between individuals and the products of both hereditary and environmental factors. The most important biologic factors affecting the nature and frequency of sexual response in the human animal are the hereditary forces, which account for differences between male and female. Variation within lifetime of a single individual is effected by such biologic factors as age, general metabolic level, nutrition, general health, changes in neurological conditions, etc.

Painful Intercourse
Q. I am 29 years old and a virgin up to very recently. I had intercourse and found it very painful and the pains persisted. My boyfriend is very upset now as the pain persists whenever we have sex. I experience pain even when inserting a tampon before intercourse. What is wrong with me?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. Painful intercourse means dyspareunia. Dyspareunia means that the act of intercourse is difficult and painful or penetration is incomplete. There could be many causes of painful intercourse. One of the causes is obstruction at the opening of the vagina due to thick and tough hymen, which resists stretching or tearing. Vaginismus is the commonest and most important cause of dyspareunia. It is a condition of spasm affecting the vaginal muscles. The spasm may be so great that the lower vagina is practically closed and both husband and wife have the impression that there is obstruction. It is common in over anxious women who may be physically attractive but spoilt. Often husbands are over considerate and lack in virility. Other factors are lack of sex education, ignorance, initially painful and clumsy attempts at coitus, unfortunate experience, fear of pregnancy or childbirth and use of contraceptives. All these will lead to painful intercourse. Most of the time special dilators to stretch hymen works perfectly. One has to gradually start with the smallest dilator. The dilator will gradually stretch without pain. Lubricants are extremely helpful. Lastly, when no treatment works then one has to opt for surgery.