faq's - body - puberty

A. The testicles from puberty right into old age produce sperm. The quantity and quality of sperm deteriorates in older age and the sexual urge and ability to perform sexually can also reduce.

Certainly men are not infrequently able to have children in their seventies or older while it is rare for women to have children beyond their mid forties.

Q2. I am a 16 year old girl with a problem. I am planning to have sex with my boyfriend soon as we both feel very ready but I have inverted nipples and I am ashamed of this. Is there any way they can be pulled out and is this normal for girls my age? Please help me as I am too ashamed to go to the doctor and you are my last hope.

A. If your nipple has only recently become inverted you should make an appointment as soon as possible to see your family doctor.

If it or they have always been that way do not be alarmed. Concern re: “inverted nipples” is not an uncommon one and it may be that it will correct itself as you get older but certainly it would be good to talk it through with your GP who would treat you sensitively and with respect.

It is nothing to be ashamed of and certainly even “way down the road” women who have inverted nipples can be helped to breast feed their babies. It is more common than you might imagine. Again some women might choose if it were persisting to have cosmetic type surgery to have their nipples “fixed” in the pulled out position. You would need to talk this over with your GP.

On your second point re: “planning to have sex with my boyfriend soon”. I am sure you have given this a lot of thought together. Remember that beginning to have sex brings with it the potential for pregnancy. Contraception obviously can reduce considerably but not remove completely the risk. Medical guidance is obviously needed concerning this.

Are you both virgins or have either of you had previous partner? Certainly this has implications concerning infection risks. Sometimes starting to have sex in a relationship can change the focus of a relationship and if it does break up it may be more difficult not to have sex at an earlier stage in a subsequent relationship.

Can I wish you well with your choices, whatever ones you make. Remember you are very special.

Q3. I keep having erections is this normal and how can I stop it?

A. It is perfectly normal to have erections and certainly don’t be worried about this. The area to focus your energy on is what you are “looking at” and “thinking about.” Certainly it is unhelpful to spend a lot of time looking or thinking about erotic images. It is important that we look at others in a respectful way and that is helped by taking control of what we look at and think.

Q4. My breasts are very small compared to other people of my age (17). Is there any way in which I can increase their size without an operation? I know I would be too young for an operation but I would be grateful if you could help me!

A. Can I first of all reassure you that there is a great deal of variety in breast size and certainly you should try not to focus too much on it. Even from the point of view of development, you are just past 17 - you may find that growth continues for a year or two yet.

As you have said concerning operations - they need to be considered very carefully in the future and are generally not a good idea. Later in life when you are with someone who loves you and is fully committed to you I suspect what may seem like an issue to you will not matter to him.

Q5. What is the average size of a penis at 14?

A. Penis size varies widely in both the flaccid and erect states. The penis enlarges at puberty along with the other body changes and this development begins at different ages and to varying degrees. It is very common to feel anxious about changes occurring in our bodies around adolescence and for further help please make an appointment to see your own GP who will be able to advise you on the normal stages of sexual development.

Q6. At the moment I have discharge. I haven't started my periods, when does this mean I'm going to have them? Also I have noticed that there are purple rings around my nipples does this mean my breasts are going to grow soon because they still haven't grown! When roughly (do you think) should they start growing?

A. By the sound of things you are entering puberty. Often there can be a light discharge and nipple changes as a girl approaches the changes of puberty. The periods when they do start can be a bit irregular but settle usually into a pattern over 12-24 months.

As to how long before your period or breasts start growing – if you have grown quite a bit in the last 6-12 months and if you have the beginning of a bit of hair growth around the genital skin then probably within the next 6-12 months the period will come and the breasts will start to grow.

The most important thing is to relax, enjoy the teenage years and respect yourself, as you are a very special person.

Q7. In biology text books, and on pictures of naked women they never have "saggy lips" on their vagina I think that mine are very long and saggy - is this normal? My friends always joke about saggy lips and stuff and I'm wondering is it abnormal?

A. Don’t panic, everyone is different, the ‘vulva’ (vaginal opening) varies a little bit from person to person, and I am sure you are completely normal. Your friends shouldn’t really joke as it can cause someone to feel they are different when in fact they are not. Relax and please don’t let this worry you at all.

Q8. What if you cannot take a 'hardon' whenever you are going to have sex? I'm rather worried about this!

A. An erection ('hardon') is needed for sexual intercourse. The special tissues in the penis filling with blood on sexual arousal cause it.

Some men have difficulty even having an erection; some only have difficulty in certain situations (possibly caused by anxiety or other psychological issues).

Certainly someone who has reached maturity and who never would have an erection may benefit from a medical consultation to talk through the issue and for simple examination and urine testing (You are seen confidentially and sensitively).

Someone who would have erections from time to time on arousal, or find they have an erection on wakening in the morning is probably normal form the point of view of sexual response (i.e. “what turns them on”). Sometimes they are having erection/arousal difficulties in certain situations only.

Nowadays if someone is “casual” about sex they may be focusing on performance and not relationship and that can put pressure on sexual functioning. Often where an individual does not rush the sexual side of things but concentrates on building friendships and relationships the sexual side of things will take care of itself in the future when the time is right. Best relationships are committed and long term – ideally life long.

Q9. I have a problem that is leaving me very depressed. When I get a hard-on it is a weird shape. It has been this way for about 2-3 years. I have no problem with my size but the shape of it really depresses me.

A. Sometimes the erect penis can be slightly bent to one side but it is okay concerning function and certainly is something you should not worry about or be depressed about.

In order to be completely sure that there are no medical problems such as Peyronie's disease you should make an appointment to see your family doctor.

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