Transmitting oral thrush during sex

Can oral thrush be transmitted to my partner during sex?

When you have active thrush with the whitish lesions in your mouth, it means you have an active infection. In healthy people, it is unlikely that you can transmit oral thrush by kissing or during sex. If you have oral thrush, you should first find out why you have this infection instead of worrying about sex. It is not common for healthy people to have oral thrush. Vaginal thrush is quite common in healthy females. Vaginal  thrush is not a sexually transmitted disorder and unlikely to be passed to the partner.

Vasectomy and libido

Can a vasectomy affect my sex drive?

No, very unlikely. Millions of men have had vasectomy and loss of sex drive is not a reported complication. If you have had a vasectomy and have loss of libido, the problem could be psychogenic. I suggest you see your doctor and ensure that your testosterone levels are normal. If they are normal, the next step is to see a sex therapist to determine what is causing the problem.  Sex therapists have been around for decades but many have now established practices- these professionals will listen to your BS (because you pay them hundreds of dollars) and offer more BS advice. I personally feel that sex therapists are nothing more than con-artists. Some appear on TV on a regular basis and offer crap advice which costs hundreds of dollars. Unless your doctor mucked around with your testes, vasectomy has not been linked to low sex drive.

No interest in Sex

I am a 27 year old male and have no interest in sex. Is this normal?

Sure, there are some men, a minority, who live a good quality of life and yet have no desire for sex. Completely normal. I would not give it a second thought if it did not bother you.  You do not need counseling, you do not need medications and you certainly do not need to speak to a sex therapist. Just continue on with your life. If you are content, then it is not a big deal. The same applies to women. The exact statistics about low libido is not known, because people do not go on bragging about low sex drive.

Pill for multiple orgasms

I am a 29 year old male and after having one good orgasm I am not able to achieve another erection. My GF wants me to go on for a few times as she is usually not satisfied. Is there a pill I can take?

Only on TV  do men have multiple orgasms in succession. In reality, most men have one good orgasm, ejaculate, are satisfied and want to go to sleep or watch TV. Women are different-they can have multiple orgasms in succession. As far as a pill is concerned to boost your orgasms, I would suggest Viagra or cialis. The other way of prolonging sex is not to ejaculate until your GF is completely satisfied. There is no easy answer to this, as men are not equipped for multiple orgasms after ejaculation-this only happens in porno movies.

Blood pressure medication and erection problem

I have high blood pressure and recently was started on a medication. Now I have observed that I am unable to have an erection and my wife appears very upset. Any suggestions?

Unfortunately, there are many blood pressure medications that will decrease the ability to have an erection. The specific drugs are the beta blockers. You may ask your doctor to change the class of drugs and see if that will help. In your case, even taking Viagra will not help. The beta blockers relax the blood vessels and this cannot be reversed with any erection pill. I would suggest asking your doctor for a water pill- they do not affect erections to a significant extent. In the meantime, I would suggest you buy a sex toy to pleasure your wife.

Getting rid of bed bugs

What is the best method of getting rid of bedbugs in my home?

I would recommend heat treatment. For this you will need an exterminator. But first try to get rid of all contaminated clothes, toys and linen. Use industrial strength vacuum to suck up all the areas of the home where you are most likely to see bedbugs. Wash everything that is durable in very hot water. Clean up the home first because these exterminators do not come cheap. There are heat generating machines which you can rent, but you do need to be careful and can’t have children wondering around in the home during the process.

Bedbugs and movies

Is it possible to carry bedbugs home from a movie theater?

The answer is yes, but it is difficult. Bedbugs do lurk in dark warm places and where food is found. These creatures generally do not tag along with you after the movie is over. But there is a possibility that one bedbug may be hidden in your jacket sleeve or your pant pocket. So when you get home, the best thing to do is remove your clothes before you enter the home. Shake and inspect the clothes. If you think there is a bedbug in your clothes, put the clothes in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. If you live in cold place like Canada, leave the clothes outside all night- bedbugs do not tolerate the cold well. This may sound like crazy advice, but once you get a bedbug in your home, it will be impossible to get rid of that creature.

Bed bugs

Can bedbugs spread disease?

Bedbugs are like miniature roaches. They have a similar color, and cannot fly. To date bedbugs have not been found to spread disease. They generally bite and cause an itching sensation. Sometimes the bite may initiate an allergic reaction. Children tend to be more sensitive to bedbug bites than adults. While it has not been shown that these creatures can spread disease, there is always a possibility .

Thera patch for low back pain

Does Thera patch work for low back pain?

Thera-patch is widely sold for low back pain and treatment of arthritis. It contains salicylate, camphor and menthol. There are several formulas of this product. Orientals have been using the equivalent of thera-patch for centuries. The paste is applied over the area and immediately produces a cooling effect. The pain relief is mild. I am not sure how it works for low back pain, but you can try it. While working in Thailand, I discovered that thera-patch (called tiger balm) was used to treat every disorder under the sun- and in most cases, it did jack shit.

Soma for back pain

Is Soma available over the counter for back pain?

No soma is a prescription medication. It is heavily abused by patients. There are no muscle relaxants that you can buy over the counter. If you have low back pain, I recommend several things- first avoid all back surgeons, start some form of exercise and lose weight. The majority of cases can be treated this way. The only thing back surgery will do for you is make you more miserable.

Dexilant for reflux

My doctor prescribed me Dexilant for reflux disease. Is there something cheaper I can take?

Sure, doctors have a bad habit of always prescribing newer medications. This is very common among GPs in Canada. The chief reason is that they are courted by drug reps who offer them BS gimmicks and free dinners. There are several generic versions of Proton pump inhibitors available. These are just as effective as any newer PPI. In fact, you can now buy prilosec and prevacid over the counter at 1/4th the price. Remember, newer is not always better. Medicine is a business and just like newer iphones and ipads, newer medications come and go. Most are no more effective than older medications.

Blood clots

I have been told that I have a blood clot in my leg and have been given warfarin. How long should I remain on this medicine?

If you have blood clots in your legs, you need to be on a blood thinner –which is warfarin. It is sold as Coumadin and is an excellent drug for people with blood clots. If blood clots are not treated, they may break off and fly off to the lung. In most cases of a first time blood clot in the leg, you need to take the medication for at least 6 -9 months. Unfortunately, most doctors are clueless about duration of therapy and never discontinue this medication. Patients are often on warfarin for years. The only people who need life long anticoagulation are those who have inherited coagulation disorders. In addition, you need to wear compression stockings for the rest of your life to prevent post phlebitic syndrome.

The safest diabetic drug

Which is the safest drug for diabetes?

All diabetics would like to know which is the safest drug for them. Now there is research showing that diabetic patients who are treated with sulfonylurea drugs other than metformin have a significantly higher mortality.

Glipizide, glimepiride and glyburide were recently compared to metformin in patients with coronary artery disease. The safest drug was metformin and all experts agree that today it should be the first line drug prescribed for type 2 diabetics.

Until recently, all diabetic drugs were all felt to be similar in effectiveness and safety. But now this research reveals otherwise. Metformin is now available as a generic, is very affordable, and is an excellent drug for blood glucose control. However, in patients with coronary disease, glimepiride may be the preferred drug.

Overall, glipizide and glimepiride are preferred over glyburide, but metformin should be the drug of choice in most type 2 diabetics. The other benefit of metformin is that it induces weight loss. The drug has been around for 80 years and withstood the test of time. Remember, none of the newer anti-diabetic drugs is as effective as metformin.

Ozone for back pain

Can ozone treatment help my back pain?

Millions of people suffer from back pain. For many this disorder is disabling, leads to loss of jobs and inability to make a living. There are hundreds of ads for back pain cure, ranging from herbs, medications, manipulation therapy, alternative therapy and surgery. In reality, the majority of these treatments do not work. Moreover, no one responds to the same treatment and the symptoms relief is short term. Almost every week a new treatment is introduced. Now there is another experimental treatment that is being promoted for back pain. It involves spinal injections of ozone gas and corticosteroids.

One recent study showed that this combination did help relieve back pain.

How ozone works is a mystery. Corticosteroids have been used to treat back pain but the results have never been impressive. In fact most patients do not find any major benefit from steroid injections.

The researchers in this study claimed that ozone therapy may help some patients avoid surgery.

However, experts in back pain indicate that ozone is just another scam.

Ozone therapy is widely used in some parts of Europe to treat a variety of disorders including back pain. Unfortunately many of the reports on ozone are case reports and small case studies. Further, the benefits of ozone have not been consistently been seen in all patients and the therapy is not cheap.

 

For consumers who have back pain, a word of warning- ozone is considered experimental therapy and is not approved by the FDA. In my opinion, it is just one more treatment with a lot of gas but no real science behind it. Leave ozone for the quacks who have money to waste. When it comes to back pain, the only people who benefit are the providers of therapies-the majority of patients continue to suffer.

Tight undies and genitals

I have heard that wearing tight undergarments can be harmful to my genitals. Is this true?

No, this a myth, which was perpetuated in the 60s and 70s when tight bathing trunks, were in fashion. There are some fools who believe that that wearing tight shorts leads to a build up of temperature in the groin that can lead to poor quality semen or sperm. However, there is ZERO evidence showing that men who have worn tight undergarments are sterile. Shit, to keep warm astronauts are sent in space with multilayered tight fitting garments and they come up and still breed like rabbits. Many women wear tight pants and undergarments and are barely able to take them off -and they have no problems with breeding either.

So if you like wearing tight undies, go ahead, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, many women like men wearing such garments. It does tend to amplify your assets well, especially if you got a small dick.

Lice and bed sharing

My niece’s daughter has lice and she often sleeps in the same bed as us. Is there a chance I can acquire these creatures?

Yes, 100% you can be affected. Lice will crawl up to you because they love warm bodies. So if I were you, I would stop sharing the bed until she gets treated. In addition, all the linen has been thoroughly washed in hot water.

High protein diet for weight loss

Can a high protein diet help me lose weight?

 

Every single week there is a new weight loss diet being touted in the news. Gone are low carbohydrate diets. This year we have high protein diets. And the chief reason why high protein diets have come into vogue is because there is some evidence that perhaps these diets may be better able to satisfy hunger and limit the amount of calories one takes. This eventually results in loss of weight.

In the last decade, some researchers have shown that diets high in protein with low carbohydrates along with a lifestyle of regular exercise can not only reduce weight but also decrease blood cholesterol and help control blood sugars. Moreover, at the same time diminish the hunger pangs.

So far, it is not understood how proteins can decrease appetite. Some researchers believe that the high protein diets signal the brain to receive a lower level of appetite stimulating chemicals.

The current Daily Recommendations for protein range anywhere from 10%-35% of total calories- meaning that for an average adult one can consume anywhere from 45- 200 grams of protein a day. Most Americans have no problem getting this much protein and in fact, get twice that amount daily. The other question being asked is if it possible to eat too much protein and be safe? In general, as long as one does not have kidney disease, there are no dangers to eating a high protein diet.

The majority of individuals obtain their protein from either animal or plant foods. This includes poultry, fish, dairy, cereals, nuts, grains and legumes.

One final word, just eating a high protein diet will not help you lose weight.  There is no diet that alone can help you lose weight by sitting on the couch, except starvation. No matter what diet you choose, you must eat less and walk more. Eating in excess of 2000 calories./day will make you gain weight if you do not exercise. Best advice, all these diet stuff is a bunch of BS. If you want to lose weight, eat less and walk more.

Perlane to erase wrinkles

Is Perlane a good dermal filler for my wrinkles?

Perlane is an old hyaluronic acid dermal filler obtained from non-animal sources. Perlane was first introduced for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. However, it was soon observed that this dermal filler could also be used to treat mild acne scars and augmentation of lips.

Unlike other dermal fillers, Perlane possess no risk of allergy because it is not derived from animal sources. Perlane also does not have to be tested for allergy prior to injection.

Perlane injections are usually done as an outpatient in a clinic or a spa. The injections only take a few minutes but the procedure is not painless. When injected this dermal filler increases the volume and erases fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Like all dermal fillers, Perlane is not a permanent treatment for wrinkles. The cosmetic benefits of perlane last anywhere from 2-6 months.  Most people require touch ups in the future to maintain the cosmetic benefit. Unfortunately, screws up during the procedure are not uncommon.

Perlane for lip augmentation

Are Perlane injections for lip augmentations worth it?

Perlane injections costs anywhere from $500-$1000 per syringe . The cost varies depending on the surgeon and his/her experience. Before you embark on these injections, please read the online reviews. About 40% have a good result and the 60% have a result that sucks. Common complaints are pain, excess bruising, poor cosmetic result, prolonged pain, keloids and so forth. 

Complications tend to be more common in people with fair skin and smokers. Best advice, if you have no problems how you look like (and do not give a crap what others think), save your money and go for a vacation. If you do not like your wrinkles or lines, try some Prozac-it is a lot cheaper and will make you love yourself.

Facial extractions

Do facial extractions help make skin smooth?

Extraction is just another fancy term for skin cleaning the removing a whitehead or blackhead. The removal or extraction may be done manually with fingers or the technician may use a variety of instruments. In most cases, the technician will first rinse the face, apply a variety of chemicals, use humidifiers and try to soften the skin. The extraction process is done afterwards. There are some physicals methods of extraction which when performed well, can clean all the debris, dirt and dead skin from underneath the superficial layers of the skin.  However, when the pores are large, one needs chemical based treatments to extract all the junk. These treatments work quickly and rapidly improve skin texture and aesthetics. The majority of chemical extracting agents unplug debris, eliminate bacteria, decrease the oiliness, remove blackheads and even out the skin edges. Chemical extracting agents generally fall into one large group known as peeling agents. Moreover, the formulation of each peeling agent may contain a variety of herbs, aromatic oils, fruit juices, vitamins, minerals, herbs, fragrances and so on. 

For people who do not have time and want their blackheads removed, a visit to the spa can help. The treatment also helps get rid of oil on the clogged pores. One visit may cost anywhere form $100-$300. The results depend on the technician and status of your skin. Do not expect miracles, because the results are not permanent.

Bedwetting and DILDOS

I am a 32-year-old female and have a bed-wetting problem; my doctor has tried me on several medications but no luck. Now he recommends the use of vaginal cone to tighten, my pelvic muscles. Does this device work?

I am not a gynecologist but my experience with these specialists has not been positive. Some are just terrible doctors, lack basic knowledge, have poor surgical skills (constantly f..ing up during surgery) and recommend crap therapies.

Just think about it. Do you think putting a dildo in your vagina several times a day is going to tighten up the vaginal muscles? Dildos have been around a lot longer than these crap cone devices and yet urinary incontinence persists. There are millions of women who use a dildo on a regular basis and yet they also have a problem with bedwetting.

I think insertion of cones and crap-like that is just a bunch of bullshit. Next, these idiotic doctors will probably come up devices to be inserted into the rectum to tighten the anus for fecal incontinence. These cones are also expensive and there is ZERO evidence that they work. Moreover, you will need to use gallons of KY gel because inserting a cone without lubrication is very uncomfortable. Finally, the cone has to be manually held as it may slip out or in. Realistically, this is not a practical therapy. You must remain at home for months to do this treatment- certainly you won’t be going to work and taking time out every hour to insert the cone. These cones are also expensive.

Please stop going to such morons. If I were you, I would seek help from a decent urologist. If you really want to try this therapy using a sex toy, try a moderately large size dildo. Place it in your vagina for 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours and squeeze your thighs at the same time. Do it many times a day. To spice up your life, you may want to use a vibrator mode dildo. This way, even if your bedwetting does not get resolved, you will still get some sexual excitement- a win win situation. Good luck.

What causes psoriasis?

Why does one develop psoriasis?

Unfortunately we do not know why this serious skin disorder occurs. However, there are certain risk factors that increase the risk of you developing the disorder. 

If you have a family history of psoriasis in the family, then there is a good chance you may develop it also. About 40% of people with psoriasis have a positive family history

 It is now believed that certain viral and bacterial infections may also increase the risk of developing psoriasis. Individuals with HIV are more likely to develop psoriasis than the general population. People who develop strep throat are also at an increased risk.

 While stress does not cause psoriasis, it can certainly aggravate the disorder. 

Obese individuals are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis than thin people. In obese individuals, the psoriatic plaques often develop in the skin creases and folds (also known as inverse psoriasis).

In general, the majority of disorders or diseases in medicine are simply due to bad luck. 

Hand psoriasis

I have had psoriasis on my hand for a few years. It has not progressed so far. Will it stay the same?

In some lucky people, psoriasis remains stable and localized. In others, it becomes a major disorder and causes disabling arthritis. The condition is difficult to treat and relapses are common. Hopefully yours will stay the same. When it progresses, combination of topical medications and phototherapy are often required for treatment.

Feet Swelling during Menstruation

Why do I always develop swollen feet and ankles during menstruation?

Almost 40-70 percent of women complain of swelling of their ankles and feet during menstruation. The degree of swelling is variable but most women do notice it. Fluid swelling during menstruation is common and usually starts just a few days prior to the menstrual periods. The fluid swelling usually extends just above the ankles and may occasionally affect the hands.

The fluid retention is related to the hormonal levels and is only a transient phenomenon. However, women may find it difficult to wear shoes and may feel fatigued.

Unfortunately fluid swelling can't be cured but can be reduced with some simple home remedies. Avoid eating salty foods 5-7 days prior to the beginning of your period. Moreover, limit your intake of water to no more than 4-6 glasses a day. You may also want to wear compression stockings or support hose. There are many types of elegant compression stockings that can be worn up to the knee or ankle to treat swelling during menstruation. These stockings must be put on first thing in the morning and worn all day. The stocking can be taken off at night. If you are up on your feet all day, these compression stockings will provide long lasting relief and also prevent the aching and fatigue.

Whenever you are sitting or lying down, raise your feet a few inches off the ground. At bedtime, place a pillow underneath the feet and you will notice decrease in swelling immediately.

Even though some doctors prescribe water pills or diuretics to reduce the body water, these pills are not recommended for most women with menstrual feet swelling. The water pills can dehydrate you, lower your potassium and make you more tired. In addition, there is always a chance that you may develop a side effect to the medication. These are the same ignorant doctors who prescribe water pills for swelling from varicose veins and lymphedema.

Feet swelling during the menstruation can easily be treated with home remedies and a doctor's consult is not required in most cases.

The Blue Chemical Peel

A blue Peel is a chemical peel used to treat acne scars and fine wrinkles on the face. A blue peel uses a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as a peeling agent. Because the peeling agent has the possibility of causing permanent damage to the skin and underlying structures, a blue dye is added to the formula. This blue dye allows the physician to monitor the dept of correction and appropriate level of treatment.

The Blue Peel is done as an outpatient in the physician’s office. There are numerous concentrations of TCA available and the physician will determine what is the best concentration for your skin condition.

When the TCA is applied to the skin, it peels of the most superficial layers of the skin and replaces them with fresh new skin, which is smooth, fresh and provides a softer texture.

The light strength Blue peel does jack shit; the higher concentration blue peel can turn you into godzilla if you are not careful.

Get a Nose Job

I would like to get a nose job done but am afraid of complications. should I go ahead?

The nose appears simple to most people, but I can tell you one fact-surgery on the nose is a demanding procedure and requires great skill to achieve a good cosmetic result. For every sexy looking celeb that you see with a good nose job, there are probably 10 other people who have a real crappy job. The surgery is full of complications. So be realistic and know what you want. 

The major factor in having minimal complications is your surgeon’s skill and experience. So choose your provider well. There are no refunds in plastic surgery. A great surgeon for a nose job may charge you anywhere from $5,000-$10,000. 

If your nose bothers you too much and you do not have the money, try some Prozac, it is cheap, works well and you will learn to love your nose. If you have the money and do not like your nose, go take a vacation and think about it. People in America run into surgical problems because they often seek unnecessary cosmetic surgery- in many cases, the problem is in the head and nothing to do with breasts, lips, nose or the face.

Deviated septum

I have a deviated nasal septum. Is surgery always necessary?

No, surgery is not always necessary. Men usually tolerate nasal septum deviation better than women. Women will make up all kinds of symptoms just so that they can have surgery on the nose. The primary reason why people undergo surgery on the nose is cosmesis.

In a few cases, the deviated nasal septum will cause obstruction of the nasal passage, nosebleeds and sinus infections. Pain is rare just from a nasal septum deviation. 

My advice is that if it does not bother you and you have no symptoms, leave it alone. Surgery to correct the septum can be done but recurrence is not unheard off. Finally do remember that if you have any disease like allergic rhinitis or polyps or hay fever, you can rest assured, none of these will disappear after surgery. So be realistic. IF you are going to get the deviated septum just for cosmetic reasons, be prepared to pay several thousand dollars.

Prudoxin for acne

I was recently prescribed prudoxin for my acne. Does it work?

Prudoxin (doxepin) is actually a very old antidepressant. It was developed in the 50s for treatment of depression. However since then many better and safer drugs have become available. Sometimes doxepin is also used as a sleeping aid. The topical version of doxepin, known as prudoxin is frequently sold as a treatment of acne. It does relieve itching in some cases. 

As far as acne is concerned, you are better off washing your face with urine-that is how great this product is- f..ing useless. Any doctor who prescribes prudoxin for acne is a first rate idiot. The drug does not work for acne. Most people who use prudoxin for acne complain that it causes a severe burning sensation. If you have acne, stop going to morons who prescribe prudoxin- go and see a real skin doctor. And ask for a retinoid cream.

Refissa for Acne

I have been given a prescription of Refissa for my acne. I noticed that is has caused worsening of my acne. Is this okay?

Yes, it is ok. Mild side effects include dry lips, stinging, swelling of the face, crust dry skin, nosebleeds, upset stomach, and loss of hair. Initially when the drug is applied, the peeling actions of the drug will make your skin look worse. However, within a few days you will start to see clearing of the acne and redness.

In rare cases, Refissa can cause damage to the pancreas that may present with abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. If these side effects occur, one should seek immediate medical attention.

It is an excellent drug and you will get rid of your acne in no time. There are not many medications that deliver, but this is one of them.