Q.I am a 24-year-old female, and I have terrible menses. They go on for many days, and they are really painful.

Would the Pill help, doctor?

A.Almost certainly. But I would like you to see a doc for a check-up, just in case there is any serious cause for your menstrual problems. She should be able to give you a brand of the Pill that will take away your period pain, and make the menses much shorter and lighter. Good luck.

Q.Hello, doc. I have noticed that my male organ is anything but straight. It takes a sharp bend over to the left. I did some research on the Net, and I find that I must have something called Peyronie's disease. Help!

A.Sorry to hear about this such a bend can indeed be due to the condition called Peyronie's disease, you are very young (18) to have developed that condition.

So my guess is that you may just have a minor variant of normal. Ask a doc to send you to the type of surgeon specialist called a urologist. He can cast an expert eye on you, and see if you really have Peyronie's.

Of course, he will not be able to see your organ in the erect condition. But you can solve that problem by showing him a Polaroid photo of yourself when erect.

If necessary, you could take an operation (Nisbett's operation) to straighten everything out.

Q.I am 23, female, and not very experienced on sex. When is the right time to START taking the Pill? Do you start during the period, or at the beginning of it?

A.Doctors used to start 'new-Pill patients' on the medication on the fifth day of the menses. But these days, it is generally considered better to begin your first pack on the FIRST day of the period.

If you do that, you will be protected immediately.

Want good advice from the doc?