Q. I recently lost my virginity. At least, I think so. My concern is that I did not bleed a lot, like someone told me I should.

Also, it was rather painful. I do not think his penis went all the way in.

Am I still a virgin, or not?

A. I note that you are well into your 20s, so congratulations on remaining a virgin for so long.

No, you are no longer a virgin.

You say that the guy's organ 'did not go all the way in'. This does not matter. Medically and legally, the slightest degree of penetration constitutes sexual intercourse - and this means the end of virginity.

I am not at all surprised that you did not bleed. Contrary to what your friend told you, many women do not bleed at all when they lose their virginity. Some bleed only a little. Heavy blood loss is uncommon.

However, it is possible that although you are no longer a virgin, you still have your hymen. The hymen is what some folk call 'the virgin's veil'. It is a thin membrane that stretches across the vagina, partly closing it off. There is always a hole in it, to let the menses through.

Perhaps this guy did not penetrate you deeply enough to break the hymen, thus causing minimal blood loss.

However, please bear in mind that many young women accidentally break their own hymen BEFORE they lose their virginity. Such a break can be caused by using tampons (internal sanitary protection) or by masturbation.

Some doctors think that it can also be broken by taking part in sports or vigorous physical exercise but that is difficult to prove.

I am sorry to hear that your first experience of intercourse was painful. As you grow more relaxed, I am sure that will improve.

Finally, if you are going to continue having sex, I do urge you to take contraceptive precautions and do everything you can to avoid any sexually transmitted infection.

Q. I am a young guy and I have only had one sexual relationship - with my current girlfriend. We love each other.

My problem is that after we have sex, I find that for the next couple of hours, I just cannot urinate straight.

Is there something wrong with me?

A. No, there isn't. When a man discharges, there is usually quite a bit of sex fluid left inside his urinary tube. As I am sure you have noticed, this liquid is quite thick and sticky.

The sticky material will form an obstruction. He may have to exert much energy to urinate.

Also, the presence of this material just inside the opening at the tip of the penis will tend to make the urine go off to one side, or even spray around. This is normal. So you have nothing to fret about.

Q. For about a year now, I have been experiencing a discharge.

Each time I went to the doctor, I would be treated for 'yeast infection', but the discharge would not go away. About three weeks ago, I consulted a doctor again because the discharge had a bad smell. She told me that I have bacterial vaginosis.

She gave me an antibiotic and, as a result, the smell went away. But, I still have some discharge. What should I do next?

A. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is common and does emit an odour with discharge.

I imagine that she treated you with an antibiotic called metronidazole. Maybe you need a slightly longer course of treatment. You might need a short course of treatment with one of the other antibiotics that are like metronidazole - for instance, one called tinidazole.

If this treatment doesn't get rid of your discharge in a month, go back to the doc for further tests.

Q I am a 17-year-old guy. A friend told me that if I masturbate my penis could fall off.

Is this true, doctor?

A. No, it is just foolishness. Pay your friend no mind.

Q. I have been in a relationship with a guy for the last three years but, lately, I found out that he has been cheating on me. In fact, he got another girl pregnant.

I decided to forgive him and to try to work out our relationship. There is now a problem.

Whenever we have sex, I feel a terrible pain in my 'belly bottom'. Also, whenever I urinate, I experience a burning sensation.

Could I have contracted a sexually transmitted infection from my boyfriend?

A. Unfortunately, yes, this is possible. However, there is also a possibility that you merely have a urinary tract infection. These are very common in young women, particularly after sexual activity.

See a doctor, taking with you a specimen of your urine in a clean container. She will test this.

Please ask her to examine you and to arrange all necessary tests for STIs. I advise you not to have sex with this guy until the doctor has the results of all the tests. If you do have an STI, your boyfriend will need treatment too.

Want advice from Doc? Email questions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com or post to Doctor's Advice, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.