Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

(WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: The readers are advised to apply their common sense after reading this article and behave responsibly. However, I am not responsible if someone picks a tip from the article and uses it with criminal intentions. Care has been taken to keep some portions and the names of the drugs ambiguous, to prevent such things as far as possible. Remember- these drugs in overdose and when mixed with different drinks often invite FATAL results)

Picture it. You wake up. You’re naked. You have a pounding headache, aching muscles, and you can’t remember anything from last night. One minute you and some friends are getting a ride to a party, the next you’re waking up here, on a stranger’s bed in a room you’ve never even seen before.

You search around in the dark for a minute or so, and piece-by-piece you find the clothes you were wearing last night. You quickly pull on your underwear and jeans, and are about to throw on your top when you notice something’s wrong. There’s a long tear stretching down from the neckline of your shirt. For a minute, you just sit there in confusion - what the heck happened last night?

Then, a spark fires in your brain. You remember something from the night before that makes your skin crawl, and in a single instant, your life is changed forever. You’re not sure, but you think you’ve been raped.

This is drug-facilitated sexual assault, and no one’s really sure how often it happens.

Often known as “drug rape” or “date rape”, drug-facilitated sexual assault is when someone uses the fact that you’ve taken or been given alcohol or drugs to sexually assault you.

This sexual assault can be anything from unwanted kissing or touching to full-blown rape. Obviously, rape is worse than an unwanted kiss or touch, but all sexual assaults are serious crimes.

Someone could also slip a “date-rape” drug into your drink that will make you completely out of it and an easy target. These drugs can also make you pass out or erase parts of your memory, so you might wake up the next day and never know what’s happened to you.

Other times, someone may take advantage of a person who’s had too much to drink or took drugs willingly - a girl who is passed out at a party, for example.

The Hard Facts

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is a terrible crime
Sex is an intimate act; sexual assault is not. It’s about power, fear and control. A victim could be beaten, injured or even killed during a sexual assault, and if they drink alcohol spiked with a “date-rape” drug, they could overdose and possibly die. Even when physical violence or drugging isn’t involved, sexual assault can emotionally scar you, and you may not feel safe again for a long time.

Sexual assault victims are never responsible
It’s sad, but a lot of sexual assault victims blame themselves for what happened. They feel ashamed or think they were “asking for it” by drinking too much or dressing and acting a certain way. The truth is, the way you dress or act is never “asking” for anything, and the only way to “ask for sex” is by actually asking for sex.

The most common “date-rape” drug is not ******* - it’s alcohol
When most people think of drug-facilitated sexual assault, they tend to think of “date-rape” drugs like ********(roofies) being slipped into a girl’s drink when she’s not looking. This does happen, but for now at least, it’s probably pretty rare in India. It’s a good idea to remember that, more often, victims of sexual assault are just drinking alcohol, and are sexually assaulted after they pass out or are too drunk to resist.

Drug -facilitated sexual assault may happen a lot more often than we think
Most sexual assaults are never reported to police , never solved or never proven. There are a lot of reasons why people don’t report the crime to police. A lot of the drugs used in drug-facilitated sexual assault, including alcohol, can erase or blur parts of your memory, and you may never know for sure if you were assaulted. Some may also be afraid that the police won’t believe them, or feel that it was partly their fault. Still others may just want to put the whole thing behind them.

Most drug-facilitated sexual assaults are committed by a person the victim knows or trusts - not by strangers
Many of these crimes are not planned in advance. For example, a guy may take advantage of a girl at a party who is drunk or on drugs because he sees her as an “easy target”. For this reason, it’s pretty common for a person to know the one who assaulted them. A lot of times, sexual assault is committed by a friend or someone you know, by a date or a boyfriend/girlfriend, and sometimes even by a spouse or family member. About 75% of all rapes are committed by a date or acquaintance.

Women are almost always the victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault, and female teenagers and young women are at the most risk
Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a guy or a girl, or what your sexual orientation is. However, the vast majority of victims are women, and women between the ages of 16 and 24 are about four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in other age groups.

Other stats and facts about drug-facilitated sexual assault:

• About 25% of women report that drugs were a factor in a rape Most of these crimes either go unrecognized, unreported, unsolved, or unproven


• Some of the drugs used to facilitate sexual assault or rape can be fatal when mixed with alcohol


• “Date-rape” drugs are also commonly used recreationally, putting the user at risk of sexual assault


• Adolescent females (16-19 years) and young adult women (20-24 years) are 4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in other age groups


• Most sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance or date


• It is estimated that approximately 75% of all rapes are date or acquaintance rapes


• The most frequently detected drug in victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault is alcohol. The second most common is marijuana

Drugs and Sexual Assault

There are lots of drugs that people use to make a person an easy target for sexual assault. These drugs may produce different effects, but most of them share a few things in common:

They make a victim really “out of it”:
These drugs will make you pretty helpless. You might get drowsy and weak, all of your muscles may relax, and you may even pass out completely. You may just be too “out of it” to stop someone from sexually assaulting you. One of these drugs, $$$$$$$, can even put you in a strong “trance-like” state, in which you’ll stay awake, but you’ll be almost completely unaware of the people and things going on around you.

They cause memory loss:
Most of these drugs, including alcohol, can wipe out several hours of your memory and make it very difficult for you to remember if you were assaulted. Even if you do remember having sex with someone, your memory may be too fuzzy to remember if you said “yes” or “no”, so you may be unsure if you should report it. (Remember, the law says that in some cases you can be “too intoxicated” to consent to sex.)

They are difficult to test for:
Many of the “date-rape” drugs will pass through your body very quickly, and are very difficult to test for. So it’s really important to report a sexual assault as soon as possible - the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to find proof of the drugging.

They produce effects similar to alcohol’s effects:
If you’re slipped one of these “date-rape” drugs, you may just look and act “really drunk”. Some of the drugs also may just make you feel really, really drunk. So if you’re drinking with friends, they may not realize that anything’s wrong with you - in fact, you may not even realize that anything’s wrong with you. Some of these drugs also have after-effects that feel just like a hangover (including memory loss), so when you wake up the next day you may not recognize that you were drugged at all.

The Drugs

• Alcohol
  Most drug-facilitated sexual assaults involve alcohol. An offender may take advantage of a woman who has had too much to drink and is too drunk to resist or consent, or after she has passed out completely. Also, alcohol can add to the effects of other drugs, making a person even more vulnerable. Legally, a woman can be “too drunk” to give her consent, and it doesn’t matter if the man who sexually assaults her is also drunk.


• ********
  ********, commonly known as “Roofies”, is the brand name of a drug called flunitrazepam. Though it is illegal in India, Canada and the U.S., and other parts of the world, it is still prescribed in Mexico to people with sleeping disorders. It is very powerful, and will make a victim very drowsy. If dissolved in a drink, ********* is odourless and tasteless but may colour the liquid blue or murky because of a special new dye. The effects last about 8 hours and will make you feel like you are very drunk and very tired. It can also blur a victim’s memory for hours after it is taken. When mixed with alcohol, ********* can cause death. The pills are usually either small, round and white with the word “Roche” printed on them, or green and oval-shaped with the number 542 printed on them.


• GHB
  GHB (also called “G” or “Liquid X”) is usually a colourless liquid - it looks just like water - and can easily be poured into a drink. It will cause a spiked drink to have a slightly soapy or bitter taste. It is very dangerous; it can cause unconsciousness, seizures and even death. Overdoses are very common, particularly when it is mixed with alcohol. The effect of GHB is very similar to the effect of a lot of alcohol, and like Rohypnol®, GHB can blur a victim’s memory for several hours.


• Ketamine
  Ketamine (also called “K” or “Special K”) is still used legally by veterinarians and Anesthetics when performing surgery on animals and Human beings. It is a very powerful anaesthetic, which means it will dull pain and make a person feel “numb” or pass out. It can also cause a “trance-like” state - sometimes called a “k-hole” - in which a victim may have no idea what is going on around them. Ketamine will cause victims to lose sense of time, and it may also blur their memory. Unlike GHB and ********, someone slipped Ketamine will probably not be mistaken for someone who is just “really drunk”. Ketamine also tastes really bad, and is easier to notice when mixed in a drink. Ketamine can cause hallucinations, a deep hypnotic state and “out of body”-like experiences.


• Cannabis - Marijuana, Hash, Hash oil
  The effects of marijuana and hash are very different from the above drugs, but Cannabis is still the second most common drug found in drug-facilitated sexual assault victims. This is most likely because marijuana and hash are used much more often than other “date-rape” drugs. Still, it highlights an important point: people are at a higher risk of being sexually assaulted whenever they are intoxicated. Smoking marijuana or hash will also add to the effect of alcohol, making a person an easier target for sexual assault.


• The Rest
  Drugs make people act in ways that they normally wouldn’t, and many drugs can facilitate a sexual assault even if they don’t have “date-rape” effects like memory loss. On almost any drug, you’re more likely to wind up in an uncomfortable situation, signals are more likely to get crossed, and you may not pick up on the warning signs of a rape or sexually assault. Or you may just have consensual, regrettable sex with someone you otherwise wouldn’t. Some drugs may also make people more likely to commit sexual assault too (among other crimes). The “rave” drug Crystal Meth (speed) has been associated with a lot of high-risk sexual activity, and other drugs like PCP are very unpredictable, and have been known to make people go completely berserk.

Safety Tips

No matter what, sexual assault is never a victim’s fault. And it’s not a person’s responsibility to “prevent” themselves from being assaulted. The only person responsible for a sexual assault is the person who commits it. But the following tips can help you have a safe and fun time when at a party, bar or just hanging out with friends.

If you’re drinking alcohol, keep an eye on yourself and your friends. If you’re worried about getting into an uncomfortable situation with someone, tell your friends how you feel and ask them to watch out for you. And if at any time you feel so drunk that you might pass out, consider where you are and the people you’re with. It might be a good idea to get a ride home with a trusted and sober friend or call a taxi. If that’s not an option and you have to sleep around others (such as at someone’s house after a party, a hotel room, etc.), ask people you trust to keep an eye on you if you pass out.

Watch for signs that your drink has been spiked - it tastes or looks weird; or you’re feeling really giddy, drowsy or just “way too drunk”. Remember, these drugs take effect very quickly and you should get help immediately. If you are not planning on drinking alcohol, remember that a soda or any other non-alcoholic drink can also be spiked.

Some drug-facilitated sexual assaults might start out harmlessly enough as flirting. If you are interested in someone, you may want to think about how far you’d like to go with them beforehand, and make it clear when you’ve gone farther than you’d like to. Flirting with someone is not an invitation for sex, nor do you “owe” them something if you do. Remember, you always have the right to change your mind about how you feel about someone.

Other safety tips:

• Limit how much alcohol you drink and remember that not everyone has the same tolerance threshold.


• Be wary of opened beverages offered by strangers or acquaintances, and open bottles yourself or observe the bartender doing so.


• Avoid drinking from punch bowls ' you don't know what's been added.


• If your opened beverage looks, smells or tastes strange don't drink it.


• Watch your drink ' if you leave it unattended to go dancing or to the washroom, consider buying a new one.


• If you feel giddy or light headed, really drowsy or "too drunk", get assistance from a friend. If a stranger offers to help escort you from the bar, club or party, they may want to take advantage of you.


• If you arrived with friends, check on each other before you split up later.


• If you think you or one of your friends has been drugged, get help.


• Use a buddy system: you keep an eye out on your friends and they keep an eye out on you.


• Have a designated driver who can leave a party or bar with you at any time.

If It Happens to You

The first step in dealing with drug-facilitated sexual assault is simply recognizing that it’s happened.

If you wake up with no memory or a blurred memory, there are a few signs that might help you tell if you’ve been assaulted.

• You were not drinking alcohol or using drugs


• Your muscles are sore


• You have bruises or other signs of sexual assault


• You have been undressed, or your clothes are ripped, missing or stained

If you’re sure or seriously suspect that you have been drugged and sexually assaulted, you should see a doctor right away:

• You may want to see a doctor or pharmacist for emergency contraception (the “morning-after” Pill) to prevent pregnancy.


• You may want to get tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections or pregnancy. There are also ways for a doctor to reduce the risk of getting an STI if you have been raped.


• You may want to ask about speaking with a counselor of psychologist.

Doctors don’t always have to report a sexual assault, but they will if you’re young or they feel you’re still in danger. Often, you won’t have to press charges if you don’t want to.

You may want to report the assault to police. This is a tough and personal decision that you have to make on your own. But if you are going to report the assault, it is best to do it soon, while there is still evidence. If you believe that you’ve been drugged, blood and urine samples can be taken to test for these drugs in your system, but the sooner these tests are done the better.

The police will have to be involved to have this testing performed, but often the decision to press charges will remain in your hands. Often you can make this decision later, so if you are at all considering pressing charges it’s important to have samples collected as soon as possible.

You should call the police who will arrange for you to see a doctor right away . The doctor can then provide a medico-legal exam which involves collecting samples that may show proof of sexual assault. To help preserve evidence you should:

• If you think you were drugged, try not to urinate


• Do not douche or shower


• Do not wash the clothes you were wearing during the assault


• Do not disturb physical evidence


• If you think you were drugged and still have a cup or bottle that you were drinking from, bring it with you to the police to be tested for drugs

If you report, the police will understand that sometimes it’s not in your best interest to press charges. They know what you’ve gone through and may not want to make you a further victim by forcing an investigation and trial.

Usually, unless you are under 16 or are still in danger, you won’t have to press charges if you don’t want to. Even if you do decide to press charges, you will often be able to drop the charges even after an investigation has begun. If you don’t want to press charges, police may also offer to just warn the person who committed the sexual assault to try to stop them from doing it again in the future.

If you were drugged (or suspect that you were drugged) at a bar, restaurant or other public place, you may also be able to anonymously report it to police, so that they can investigate the location.

Since the inception of this “online clinic” of mine I have been flooded with all types of health related queries-mostly sex oriented. This shows the importance (and the lack)of sex education in India. I am surprised to see how misinformed the youth of modern India are. The two most asked for topics are related to Abortion and masturbation(Both male and female). As I have already discussed about abortion in length in my earlier post , I would like to put all those questions related to male masturbation, as a blog post, for others to benefit out of it. The identity of the persons have been protected as per their request.

To begin with I would like to narrate a story (dunno whether true or not but it serves my purpose)

                                      Once there was this saadhu, a Bal-brahmachari (practitioner of abstinence since childhood) who once had a Nocturnal Emission (night fall-as commonly said). when he discovered this early morning, he broke into tears due to guilt and frustration that his Saadhna of years has been breached. he went to his Master and asked for forgiveness.

His master smiled and explained, "Vats! Look at that lady pouring water into the earthen pot. What if she doesn't remove the pot when it is full?…it's going to spill over, isn't it? Similarly, the semen production in a male body is a continuous process. If the semen is not utilized (as during normal ejaculation) it is bound to spill out (as nocturnal emission). Since you are a Saadhu and you can't indulge yourself in earthly pleasures, you should not worry about night fall because you can't stop the semen production which is a natural process of human body"

How true the Master was, who explained his disciple the very basic biological fact about human body which most of the youth these days are worried about.

What is masturbation?
Masturbation is the physical stimulation of the sexual organs to produce feelings of pleasure. If you’re a male and your body has matured to a certain point, masturbating will eventually result in semen (fluid containing sperm cells, among other things) being expelled from the penis, usually accompanied by a very good whole-body feeling known as orgasm.

How do people masturbate?

Most guys masturbate by rubbing their penis with their hand or hands, or by rubbing the penis against something, such as a pillow. Girls masturbate by rubbing the outside of their vagina, or by inserting something (such as a vibrator) into the vagina. However, there are a lot of variations on these methods.

Why masturbate?
First and foremost, because it feels good, and second, because ejaculating semen reduces the sexual tension that builds up in adult men and especially teenagers. However, recent studies suggest that ejaculating regularly isn’t just fun, it can actually help prevent a certain kind of cancer later in life.

Is masturbation healthy?
Masturbation is a healthy and normal practice, like daydreaming or napping. Even masturbating several times each day is completely harmless. You may encounter people, books, or websites that say masturbation is bad or harmful; this is just plain incorrect. As any reputable medical doctor will tell you, old myths about masturbation affecting the eyesight, causing permanent fatigue or insanity, etc., have long been disproved. In fact, recent studies suggest that ejaculating regularly isn’t just fun, it can actually help prevent a certain kind of cancer later in life.

Can I masturbate too much?
Unless you’re rubbing yourself raw (try lubrication) or you’re doing it so much that it’s interfering with other aspects of your life, no, it is not possible to masturbate too much. Some Web sites claim that there is such a thing as “overmasturbation,” but they’re only doing this to scare people into buying phony pills that do nothing. Masturbation does not cause hair loss, chronic fatigue, etc. Don’t let one bad Web site ruin your enjoyment of this healthy activity.

Is my penis normal?
If you’re asking this question, there’s probably about a 98% chance that your penis is normal. Perfectly good penises come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and teenagers’ penises grow at very different rates. They are often curved somewhat, and the skin often has bumps and various colorations (which have nothing to do with STDs). Try not to obsess so much about your penis, and stop looking for things that might be wrong. It’s there to create pleasure, not trouble and worry.

Can I make my penis bigger?
If you pay a plastic surgeon several thousand dollars, your penis can become fatter, but not really longer. And you know what? That’s really the only method of penis enlargement that works. Everything else ? particularly pills sold through magazines and the Internet ? is a scam, aimed at malekind’s #1 biggest insecurity. Some devices involving suction or vacuum can actually injure your penis. Instead of trying to change it, learn to accept your penis exactly the way it is. It’s amazing how much incredible pleasure it can provide.

How can I “shoot” more?
Here’s something you actually can change. If you masturbate a couple of times a day, chances are you aren’t going to ejaculate very much semen, or ejaculate very forcefully. But if you want a more impressive ejaculation, hold back and save it up for a few days or a week. Drink a lot of water during the 6-hour period before you masturbate, and then draw out your masturbation session for as long as possible, spending a lot of time being very aroused. When you do finally ejaculate, it will probably come out with a lot more force, and there will be much more of it than usual. Plus, it’ll feel way better than the average orgasm. Try it!

Am I gay?
This is one of the most common questions young guys ask themselves. The truth is, very few of us are 100% straight (or 100% gay). Lots of heterosexual men have fantasies about other guys, sometimes at the peak of orgasm, and this leaves them feeling very insecure. It’s one of the most carefully kept secrets in male society. You’re really only gay when you’ve concluded, without a doubt, that you enjoy males sexually more than females. Random fantasies and even sexual encounters don’t make you gay.

What is a nocturnal emission?
It’s an ejaculation that happens when you’re asleep, and it’s usually accompanied by an erotic (sexy) dream. They are entirely normal, a way for your body to keep the “plumbing” working if you aren’t having regular ejaculations when you’re awake.

I’ve never had a nocturnal emission ? is that normal?
It is, especially if you masturbate with any regularity. Many men who masturbate daily or every other day have never had a nocturnal emission in their entire lives. This is completely normal.

Is there any way I can make myself have a nocturnal emission?
The only way we know ? and it can be a lot of effort! ? is to not masturbate for a while. If you don’t masturbate for 10 days or 2 weeks, your body may react with a nocturnal emission. However, we’ve heard from people who have gone close to a month without masturbating, hoping to experience a nocturnal emission but without luck. This varies from person to person.

Is my penis abnormally small or large?
There is no real border between what’s considered “normal” and what’s “abnormal.” Unless your penis is really small (like shorter than 3 inches for an adult, or longer than 10 inches), consider it normal. If you’re worried about being able to please women sexually, you should know that a small penis in no way prevents a man from pleasing a woman. As the old saying goes, “It’s not the size of the wand, but the magic in it.”

Will my penis grow any more?
If you’ve reached the age of 18, it’s unlikely to grow any more. If you’re younger than that, it very well may continue to grow, depending on where in the puberty process you are. If you’re younger than 15 or so, it very well may have quite a bit of growing to do. Relax, and be patient! Puberty takes a long time!

How normal is a curved penis, and will it affect my sex life?
No penis is perfectly straight. That’s because when it’s growing, it’s near impossible for both sides (or the top and bottom) to grow at exactly the same rate. As a result, it ends up having a curve when it’s erect. Of course, some or more curved than others ? but then again, some people are short while others are tall. This variation is what makes human beings interesting, and it’s nothing to stress over. When you have sex you’ll find that a woman’s vagina is very flexible and will conform to the shape of your penis. the only exception might be if it’s really curved ? say, it makes an angle of greater than 45 degrees when erect. In this case you should probably consult a doctor about possible things that could be done to fix it.


Is there any way to straighten out my penis?
No, unless the problem is really severe (see above). In this case, only a doctor could answer your question based upon your particular condition.

What is the normal angle an erect penis should have?
This varies a lot from person to person ? probably even more than the size. For some people, the erect penis juts out from the body at a downward angle; for others, even when they’re standing, it’s flat against their stomach. Or, naturally, any position in between. It can also angle to the left or right somewhat. Regardless of the angle, you’ll notice that it can still move around. When you have sex, or when you masturbate, it will find the proper position and you’ll have a good time.

Is there any way to change the angle of my penis?
There isn’t. And there’s no reason to change it. Relax!

I have white bumps or pimples on my penis. What are they, and how can I get rid of them?
This is very common ? more than you think. It’s especially common for guys who are going through puberty. You’ve probably heard that puberty changes your body chemistry, causing you to sweat more, right? These bumps have to do with sweat glands, and they’re entirely normal. Other bumps are the follicles of hair that has not yet appeared, and still others are acne, just like the pimples you get on your face. In all cases, there’s nothing you can do about them. However, if you are sexually active and have bumps on your penis that resemble little clusters of grapes, there’s a chance it could be condyloma accumulata (venereal warts). Though relatively harmless, venereal warts are viral and contagious and you should have them checked by a doctor.


If you’re worrying about how someone might react when they see your penis in an intimate situation, relax ? they have their own insecurities about their bodies and are probably thinking very similar things. As you get older you’ll learn that everyone’s body has imperfections, and when people get close they learn to look past that. If they don’t they’re probably too young to be having sex anyway.

There is hair growing up the shaft of my penis. Is it normal, and how can I get rid of it?
It is normal. We’ve heard of guys who have some hair growing almost all the way up the shaft. For others, it stops at the base. Shaving (be careful!) works on a temporary basis, but don’t pluck the hair ? it will likely grow back darker and thicker. Our first recommendation is that you try not to obsess about natural features of your body, especially your penis. However, if it’s really a problem for you, you can explore various methods of permanent hair removal. The most discreet method would be to buy one of personal hair removal products that work like an electronic pair of tweezers. They can be found through mail-order services (try searching the Web for “permanent hair removal”) and cost somewhere around Rs 25000. It takes some time to remove each hair, and the hair may grow back a few times, but it supposedly becomes permanent eventually.
My penis is not all the same color. Is this normal, and is it a result of masturbating?
It’s very common to have a ring of slightly darker skin around the middle of the penis. It’s also normal to have a spot here or there, like a birthmark, of a lighter or darker skin color. Neither of these has anything to do with masturbation, and there’s not much you can do to change it.

I have abrasions or little cuts on my penis from too much masturbating. What should I do?
You’ll find that if you continue to masturbate the way you’re doing, those abrasions won’t heal very quickly. So, first of all, try not to masturbate so much for a while. Second, use a lubrication! No-lube masturbation is the surest way to give your penis a friction burn (ouch). We recommend a water-based lube like K-Y Jelly, although some people like to use things like baby oil or Vaseline. (Don’t use such oil-based lubricants with a condom ? the condom will weaken and could break.) Hand lotion is another favorite. Third, when you’re done masturbating, wash off your penis and apply a first-aid ointment or zinc oxide. It will heal before long. But continue to use that lube!

The skin on my penis is dry and cracked. What should I do?
A lot of times that results from using soap or shampoo in the shower as a lube. I don’t recommend that ? for this very reason! It can be frightening for the skin to get all leathery and to peel away like paper ? but it’s only temporary, and your penis will be fine in a few days. In the mean time, apply some lotion and try to masturbate less until the problem is over.

I cannot retract the foreskin of my penis. It hurts when I try. What do I do?

Some foreskins are loose and some are tight. However, no foreskin should be so tight that it hurts to try to retract it. If this is the case, it’s best that you discuss the condition with a doctor. There is a simple procedure, which can be done right in the office, that involves making a small incision in the foreskin, with a Novacaine-like anesthetic. (It’s not nearly as extreme as a circumcision.) Moderately tight foreskins that are not quite as tight can be loosened slightly by daily gentle stretching and massage exercises with a lotion or petroleum jelly; unfortunately we don’t have any specifics on how to do this. But as always, with any kind of medical condition, your best bet is to check with a doctor and get a personal opinion. I cannot personally advise you on medical matters.

I’m uncircumcised, but I think I want to be circumcised. What should I do?
Unless you have a specific medical need, circumcision is most likely not necessary. Consult a doctor and get a second opinion. I generally discourage people from seeking alteration of a penis that already works well.

I’m circumcised ? is there any way to grow my foreskin back?
I’ve heard several mentions of this kind of thing, but we haven’t looked into it. I generally discourage people from seeking alteration a penis that already works well

I sometimes feel pain in one or both of my testicles. Is this normal?
A very occasional not-too-intense pain may not be much to worry about, but if it’s recurring and/or accompanied by other unusual or troubling symptoms, you should probably consult a doctor.

When I masturbate, my testicles sometimes seem to pop up inside my body. Does this mean anything?
No, that’s absolutely normal. As you get close to orgasm, muscles inside your pelvis draw the testicles close to your body (presumably to get them out of the way for intercourse). For some guys they get pulled very close. They normally don’t actually go inside your body, although it can feel and look like that.

When I’m aroused for a long period of time, my testicles start to ache. Is this normal?
Yes. It’s caused by temporary congestion of blood in the scrotum. The medical term is testicular vasocongestion, but in the locker room you might hear it called “blue balls,” since your scrotum can take on a bluish tinge. It goes away naturally in an hour or two if you stop being aroused; if you ejaculate it usually goes away much faster.

Myths and facts of masturbation

MYTH:
Masturbation is for kids.  

FACT:
Masturbation is for everyone ? teenagers and adults. In fact, most adults masturbate. Even most males who have been married for 10 years or more masturbate regularly, some nearly as often as when they were teens.  

MYTH:
Hardly anyone masturbates.  

 FACT:
Well over 90% of teen males masturbate regularly, and about 98% of adults report they’ve masturbated at some time in their lives.    

  MYTH:
Only males masturbate.  

 FACT:
About two-thirds of adult women masturbate at least occasionally, although most females begin to masturbate at a later age than most males.    

  MYTH:
Only losers masturbate.  

FACT:
Losers are guys who go and get their girlfriends pregnant, then either have to get married or pay for an abortion, or ? the biggest losers of all ? run away from the situation. Masturbation helps you develop a healthy, responsible sex life without hurting anyone. Therefore, masturbation is for winners!      

MYTH:
Only homosexuals masturbate.  

FACT:
Another favorite among the “I don’t need to masturbate, I get real sex” crowd. The truth is, most of these knock-’em-dead studs go home and masturbate, whether they have sexual partners or not. Then they feel guilty for masturbating (and maybe having a couple of gay fantasies along the way), so they try to get everyone else to feel guilty for masturbating, too. Stupid!      

MYTH:
Masturbation causes hair to grow on your palms.  

FACT:
How many people with hair on their palms have you seen?   

MYTH:
Masturbation causes hair loss, chronic fatigue, and other problems.  

FACT:
Internet scam artists have tried to invent a concept called “overmasturbation,” insisting that you have to buy their expensive herbal pills in order to counteract the effect of masturbating more than a couple of times per week. But the pills have absolutely no effect ? and masturbating once or twice a day will not make your hair fall out, or cause anything else they claim.      

MYTH:
Masturbation is bad for your eyesight.  

FACT:
Masturbation does not affect eyesight. This myth probably originated because boys often start having to wear glasses at about the same age they start masturbating.      

MYTH:
Masturbation causes your penis to stop growing (or) to get bigger.  

 FACT:
Masturbation has no effect on penis size whatsoever.      

MYTH:
Masturbation causes your testicles to shrink.  

FACT:
Absolutely false! It is true that if you’re highly aroused, your testicles become engorged with blood and may appear slightly larger and heavier, and that masturbating will make them revert to normal. But they will absolutely not be any smaller than after the last time you masturbated.      

MYTH:
Masturbation causes acne.  

FACT:
It doesn’t cause acne. Like the eyesight myth, this is a case of two things that happen at the same time, even though one doesn’t cause the other.      

MYTH:
Masturbation causes cancer.  

FACT:
Absolutely false!      

 MYTH:
Masturbation causes sexually transmitted diseases.  

FACT:
Hello? “Sexually transmitted” means from one person to another. You can’t give yourself a sexually transmitted disease!      

MYTH:
If you masturbate too much, you’ll run out of semen and become sterile.  

 FACT:
Semen is a fully renewable resource. When you ejaculate semen, your body simply makes more ? the same way your body makes more saliva after you spit.      

MYTH:
People can tell whether you masturbate by how your penis looks.  

FACT:
Masturbation does not change the appearance of your penis. (It does tend to cause an erection, but that usually goes away when you’re finished.)

ECP- Emergency Contraceptive pills

(famous Trade Names- I-Pills, Plan-B etc)

Active Ingredient - Levonorgestrel

Definition:- Emergency (hormonal) Contraceptive Pills sometimes are referred to as "morning-after" or "post-coital" pills. The term "emergency contraceptive pills" is preferred because it conveys the important message that the treatment should not be used as an ongoing contraceptive method, and it avoids giving the mistaken impression that the pills must be taken in the morning.

When is Emergency Contraception Appropriate?

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective, and few couples can use their method perfectly every time they have intercourse. Emergency contraception provides an important safety net when:

• A condom breaks


• No contraceptive is used.


• A woman misses 2 or more contraceptive pills in a row or starts a new pack 2 or more days late.


• A diaphragm or cervical cap slips out of place.


• A woman is more than 2 weeks late for a contraceptive injection.


• Intercourse occurs unexpectedly and without contraceptive protection.


• A woman is raped.

Emergency Contraception is not a substitute for regular contraceptive use. It is less effective than regular contraception (used correctly) and provides no protection from HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). However, in emergency situations, it can play an important role as a back up for other methods. It is second-chance contraception.

What is my risk of pregnancy from unprotected intercourse?

The risk of pregnancy is virtually 0 during the first three days of the cycle (day 1 of the cycle is the first day of bleeding). The risk begins to rise steadily thereafter, reaching 9% on about day 13, begins to decline slowly thereafter to about 1% on day 25, and remains at about 1% as late as day 40 and beyond. (Average cycle length is 29 days, but it is normal to have cycles that last anywhere from 20 days or less to 40 days or more.) However, it is important to note that these figures are averages and that the risk for an individual woman may be higher or lower. The important point is that almost any act of unprotected intercourse entails some risk of pregnancy and that EC can reduce this risk substantially.

How long after unprotected sex can emergency contraceptive pills be taken?

The current treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. ECP should be taken as soon after unprotected intercourse as is practical.

As of October 15, 2003, the Maryland State Family Planning Clinical Guidelines have broadened their recommendations. “Published studies have demonstrated: (1) That the 72-hour limit for giving emergency contraception is too restrictive and that any of the accepted dosages of emergency contraception are effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sexual intercourse and (2) that a single 1.5 mg dose of levonorgestrel is equally as effective as two 0.75 mg doses of levonorgestrel taken 12 hours apart.”

How effective is emergency contraception?

On average, if 100 women have unprotected intercourse once during the second or third week of their cycle, 8 will become pregnant. Following treatment with combined ECP, 2 will become pregnant (a 75% reduction in the risk of pregnancy) Following treatment with progestin-only ECP, 1 will become pregnant (a 85% reduction in the risk of pregnancy Even when used perfectly, ECP is not as effective as other methods of ongoing contraception when it is used correctly.

What are the side effects of ECP?

Almost all women can safely use ECP. The only absolute contraindication to use of ECP is confirmed pregnancy, simply because ECP will not work if a woman is pregnant. There are no long term or serious side effects from using ECP. About 50% of women who take combined ECP experience nausea and 20% vomit. If vomiting occurs within 1 hour after taking a dose, some clinicians recommend repeating that dose. The non-prescription anti-nausea medicine meclizine, reduces the risk of nausea by 27% and vomiting by 64% when two 25 mg tablets are taken 1 hour before combined ECP, but the risk of drowsiness is doubled (to about 30%). The risk of nausea and vomiting with progestin-only (no estrogen) PLAN B ECP is far lower than the risk with combined ECP. Other side effects of ECP include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.

How do I take Emergency Contraception?

Swallow the first dose as soon as possible. ECP is more effective the sooner after unprotected sex they are started.

Take the second dose 12 hours later. It is not even known what is the optimal timing between doses, much less whether the second dose is even necessary.

As noted above, recent published guidelines indicate that the two doses of levonorgestrel (0.75mg)can be taken at the same time.

Do not swallow any extra ECP. More pills will probably not decrease the risk of pregnancy any further. More pills will increase the risk of nausea and vomiting.

If you have nausea, it is usually mild and should stop in a day or so. If you vomit within one hour after taking a dose, call your clinician. You may need to repeat a dose. You may need some anti-nausea medicine.

What is  Plan B®/I-Pill ®?

Plan B®/I-Pill ® is the first progestin-only emergency contraceptive to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although oral contraceptive pills containing progestin have been in use for routine contraception for many years, Plan B®/I-Pill ® contains the first progestin-only tablet specifically developed for post coital contraception. Plan B®/I-Pill ® is safe for most women and is highly effective. Each Plan B®/I-Pill ® packet includes a single course of treatment and consists of two tablets, each containing 0.75 mg levonorgestrel, a totally synthetic progestogen. Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, potato starch, gelatin, magnesium stearate, talc, cornstarch, and lactose monohydrate. The first tablet should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse. The second tablet is taken 12 hours later. As noted above recent published studies indicate that the two doses can be taken at the same time and that it can be taken up to 5 days post event.

How is Plan B®/I-Pill ® Different from Other Emergency Contraception Regimens?

Most significantly, the new levonorgestrel-only regimen is better tolerated. After a single act of unprotected intercourse, correct use of Plan B®/I-Pill ®  reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent. Plan B®/I-Pill ® demonstrated a superior safety profile with respect to nausea and vomiting. The incidence of nausea in women taking Plan B®/I-Pill ® was reduced from 50.5 percent with ECP’s containing estrogen to 23.1 percent with the Plan B, and the incidence of vomiting was reduced from 18.8 percent to 5.6 percent.

How does Plan B®/I-Pill ® Work?

Mechanism of Action The exact mechanism of action of Plan B®/I-Pill ® is unknown. Levonorgestrel is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or interfering with fertilization (by altering the tubal transport of sperm and/or ova). In addition, it may inhibit implantation by altering the endometrium. Plan B®/I-Pill ® is not effective once implantation has begun. Once pregnancy is established, Plan B®/I-Pill ® cannot interrupt the pregnancy or cause an abortion.

How safe is Plan B®/I-Pill ®?

No serious complications have been associated with Plan B®/I-Pill ® treatment. Used as directed, Plan B®/I-Pill ® is safe for most women. A physical examination is not required prior to prescribing Plan B®/I-Pill ®

What happens if they fail?

If Emergency Contraceptive Pills fail, you may have counseling, education and referral options, just as would any other woman diagnosed with an unintended pregnancy. There is no evidence that Emergency Contraceptive Pills pose danger to a woman’s fetus

Underwears or no underwears? Shall we wear them at all??



For ladies out there, the question of wearing panties is mostly attached with the hygiene viewpoint. There is some amount of normal vaginal secretion that comes out of vagina to keep its inner wall moistened. Wearing panty prevents staining but by wearing panty all the time, without frequent change (twice a day atleast) may lead to repeated bacterial and fungal infection. As of the normal anatomy, as the vagina and the anus is closely situated in females, the chances of Urinary infection is higher than the boys. So for ladies, frequent change is more important than duration; more so when they are having periods

For boys, the indication for the use of underwear is totally different. As they grow with their age, the size of their crotch increases which looks very awkward as such. So parents' advice for the use of underwears. They may be of three types- the boxer type, briefs and micro briefs. There is one more type which generally Saadhus and wrestlers use- a triangular loin cloth with a long strip, just like a flag, called KAUPEEN in sanskrit. To use underwear or not is of more importance for males because of medical reason quite unknown to many.
All the vital body organs of human body is well protected anatomically. Brain by the tough skull, Heart and lungs by the tough chest wall, abdominal soft organs by tough muscles of stomach and thick layer of fat underneath. But one of the most vital organs in boys- the scrotum- simply dangles between the legs, WHY? There is reason behind this great creation of God. The production of healthy sperms needs a temperature one degree less than the body temp. So for adequate temp regulation God has given it place outside the body. In winters when external temp is low, the scrotum raises itself up and the testicles touch the skin to get some heat. In hot summer days and after strenuous exercise, when body get hotter, the scrotum descends further down to protect testes.


If someone wears tight briefs and loincloth all the times, the basic purpose of formation of scrotum is killed. Due to external pressure from tight undy, testes touch body all the time and the adequate temperature difference is hampered. And hence there arises a probability that the person may get azoospermia (a condition when there is no sperm in semen) or oligospermia (less than normal sperm count).


So my advice for boys is to wear underwear only when necessary. Preferably don't wear it when you go to sleep. Very tight briefs are a strict no-no. Try to keep check on your frequent erections by keeping check on erotic thoughts and not hiding them wearing tight briefs.






Naxt article…coming soon….nappies or no nappies…shall we use them for babies at all?

Watch out this space

My first case in rediff iland 

Dr. Namrata,
Actually I was thinking of sending this to you long time back, But due to some other things prioritizing, I was unable to write this one to you.
Now that u have opened a forum I would like to ask this :

I have an employee, whom I found at our ATM centre, sitting at the ATM for no reason. My native is a hot place in summer and temperatures reach abt 45-49C as well. So when i asked him, he told me ” there is power shedding at my home and I have a peculiar problem, and I know, you have lot of reading habit, just find this for me”
I said, I just read novels, and crime thrillers detective stories, I dont understand science much” for which he told, “listen to this sir, even if u forget it once u leave this ATM I wont mind”
So I had no other option but to listen to him.

” I have a very peculiar problem, my skin is very interesting, Till the temperature reaches 40C i m ok, fun loving and normal, once it crosses 40 I dont know what happens, I find a kind of Khujli (he explained in Telugu, and im unaware of its English Equivalent) and later the sweat stops coming, and this problem i suffer till abt 530PM and then im normal.
I have visited doctors, and they took a sample of my skin for the peculiarity, at leading Hospitals at Hyd. You know the place that i work i have to stand beside 150C (His work  is at a reel packing machine and the temperature there is maintained 120-150C to facilitate Packing with PE coated discs, which melt and stick to the reel. - He is exposed to this for 4 hrs intermittently 3 days a week ). I am now in a dilemma, for i cant ask others to work at the discs, they may think i m an unfit guy, and My skin is like this. Do ask and read ur books and keep this point in your mind sir”

I enquired him how much water did he drink daily, to which he said, “as a compulsion I drink a litre of water at 6AM, before taking tea, after 7AM around breakfast time, and before tea at 10AM before lunch 1/2hr ,1 litre  and after lunch 30 minutes abt 1 litre, excluding the water I take up during lunch, which i never measured”
 
” Thats the reason sir, im sitting here, so as to escape myself from the 40C which i will have to face if i go home, as its power shedding now, and electricity will be back only after 4PM, at 4 I will leave out”
So that was my conservation with him.
The first thing when I got on my cycle was writing the letter to you, then i forgot (Well i have a very weak memory). Hope u will solve my problem as well (memory one).


Regards

My Reply: You are the first person to consult me via rediff iland. Thanks for relying on my views.

To make the problem and the treatment aspect comprehensible to you, I'll have to make certain things clear which you can also explain that person. Actually perspiration or sweating is a defense mechanism of the body whereby temperature regulation of the skin and the internal body is done. As you know evaporation causes cooling, when sweat evaporates from the skin surfaces, it makes the skin cool (this is the basic funda why water remains cool in an earthen ware).

If the body stops sweating after 40 Degree C as in this case, it means this important defense mechanism has ceased to function some how. Prolonged exposure to high degree of temperature may be a cause, and this may lead to skin cancer too. Itching (khujli) is because of the early contraction and resultant closure of the sweat glands. To rule out causative factors and to reach an appropriate diagnosis may be a cumbersome process in this case. Hence my advice is to go for a change of job IMMIDIATELY. This person should make a major change in his work place and should shift to a place where average temp of atmosphere is not more than 40 degree at any given time. It may be difficult but he should give it a serious thinking .