Q I am trying desperately to conceive a baby. You said in The Gleaner that the best time to get pregnant is 'in the 14-day period before one's menses are due'.

I don't really understand what you mean, Doc.

A Sorry that my wording wasn't clear. What I mean is that most women ovulate - that is, release an egg (ovum) - at a fixed time of their cycles.

That ovulation day is usually about 14 days before the menses are due to start. So you should use a calendar or diary to work out when that day would be.

And when the ovulation date arrives, make sure that you have sex ON THAT DAY - more than once, if possible.

You can pinpoint your ovulation day more precisely by buying an ovulation kit from a pharmacy or via the Net.

Q I am a 23-year-old male and I have a problem with early ejaculation during sex.

I find that I climax very soon - like five minutes into intercourse.

My girlfriend is patient, and she does not mind - since we always try again soon afterwards. On this second occasion, I can last for as long as I want.

Can you explain what is happening, and why?

A That is a very common problem among young couples. Most youngish males have a tendency to discharge rather soon. A lot of them find the same solution you have - wait a while, and then give it a second try.

During the second encounter, the penis is nowhere near as sensitive as it was during the first one. Also, the guy's nervous system is slower to respond to stimulation. Therefore, the second act of intercourse lasts much longer.

Regarding your early discharge the first time around, I can assure you that this happens to more than 10 per cent of young males. At your age, the penis and the nerves which supply it are very sensitive and easily stimulated. Indeed, this is often known as 'hair-trigger trouble'.

Now, do you actually have 'premature ejaculation' (PE), which is a problem that I have often mentioned in this column?

I think you probably have borderline symptoms. Most guys who have PE can only last 30 seconds or a minute - and some cannot get into the vagina at all because they climax far too quickly. In contrast, you lasted five minutes.

I assure you that your problem is quite mild and should improve as you get older and learn to establish mental control over your orgasm.

In the meantime, here are some useful tips:

When you are about to have sex, try to be calm.

Encourage her not to move too much during the first few minutes.

If you feel that you are nearing orgasm, try to concentrate on non-sexual themes, like sport or the weather.

If you sense that climax is imminent, try what psychologists call a 'distraction technique', like biting pillows or pinching yourself.

If these measures don't work, both of you ought to see an experienced doctor or counsellor for advice. As I have said in the past, the most effective way of helping a guy last longer is for him and his partner to learn the well-known 'Masters-Johnson exercises' - which include the famous 'squeeze grip'.

Learning the Masters-Johnson method takes time and costs money. It involves several long sessions with the counsellor/therapist/doctor. Generally, it takes several months of practice before the best results are achieved. However, those results are good. In the United States, Drs Masters and Johnson cured 98 per cent of their patients with this method.

I really would NOT recommend that you try other methods of treatment, such as 'deadening' the penis by applying a local anaesthetic, or by using a condom which contains an anaesthetic substance.

Also, taking drugs to delay ejaculation would be a rather drastic step at your age, especially as these drugs can have side effects.

QI am a guy and during urination I feel a slight ash feeling. I'm worried. The head of the penis, when erected, sometimes itches. Also, there is a spot there that looks extra red. Why?

A Sorry to hear you have been fretting. I don't know what you mean by an ash feeling. Do you mean an ache while passing water?

If so, you should take a specimen of urine to a doc for testing. He or she will also inspect the head of your organ to make sure that all is well.

Q I recently had a blood test. Could the needle give me an STI?

A No, that is quite impossible - so quit fretting.

Q I am a 29-year-old woman and recently I have been feeling nervous, and losing weight, even though I eat a lot. Why is this happening?

Sounds like you may have an overactive thyroid gland. See a doc for an examination and a blood test.

Q Are potatoes fattening?

A No. Neither Irish potatoes nor sweet potatoes is particularly fattening - UNLESS you put some sort of oil or fat on them.

Q I am a 27-year-old guy. I notice that whenever I go out on a training run, after a few miles, my nipples start bleeding. Why?

A This is a common condition called jogger's nipple, which affects many distance runners. It is caused from friction against the running vest.

Before you go out training, put a Band-Aid, or similar plaster, on each nipple to protect them from friction.

Q Doc, my wife recently had one of those coil things fitted. She is happy with it. But I keep getting a strange tickling feeling during sex. And sometimes it pains me.

Is anything wrong?

ANo, but the little thread which hangs from the device is touching the head of your penis. That is quite common with coils.

Some guys actually like the feeling. Clearly, you do not. So I suggest that your wife asks the doc or nurse to trim the thread down a little. That should solve the problem.

For advice on sexual and other physical or psychological problems, email questions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com or address them to Doctor's Advice, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.