DOCTOR'S ADVICE - We love to kiss

• We love to kiss

Q. Hi, Doc. We are a young couple (18 and 19 years old) and we are very much in love. Both of us have found that we had no idea of how powerful our sexual feelings would be. In short, it is very difficult to control ourselves. Whenever we are alone, we just want to kiss and kiss and kiss and then tear each other's clothes off. We have not quite 'gone all the way' yet, but we are having a problem controlling these powerful feelings. No one told us it would be like this! So what can we do, Doc? Are there any pills that we could get from a doctor to kind of 'damp down' our desires?

A: You certainly have my sympathy. Many teenagers, both male and female, are quite astounded by the power of the sexual feelings that sweep over them. And it is worse when you are in love - as you two seem to be!

Alas, many teenagers are quite unprepared for the power of these feelings! Parents should take care to warn their sons and daughters about the strength of the emotions that are liable to affect them in their teens and also in their 20s.  Unfortunately, there is no safe medication that a young person can take in order to damp down his or her sexual drives. So there isn't any point in going to a doctor and asking for tablets.

Well, what can you do? If I have understood you correctly, you are both virgins - so far. I think you should try and keep it that way for as long as you can. That will save you a lot of worry!  Practical things that you can try include the following:

• When you see each other, try to be with other people rather than alone. Obviously, this reduces the chances of being tempted into sex.
• If you're going out on a date, try not to wear the sort of clothing that is easily 'whipped off'. That may seem a simple point, but it is amazing how often a barrier of clothing can save a girl's virginity!
• Do not indulge in alcohol or other drugs.
• If you get into a passionate 'clinch' with each other, try to resolve that you will only do petting things rather than risk having intercourse.

Having said all that, I must say that from my long experience, I know that a high proportion of teenagers who are in love will eventually be unable to resist having intercourse. When that day arrives, please make sure that you have adequate contraceptive protection. I wish you well.

• Premature ejaculation

Q. Doc, I am a guy of 19, and I find that when I go with my fiancée, I can only last for around five to six minutes. Do I have that premature ejaculation (PE) thing?

A: No, I would say that at age 19, a 'lasting time' of five or six minutes is not bad. Guys who have PE can usually only last around one to two minutes. Indeed, some of them can't even last long enough to get inside.

So you do not really need any treatment from a doctor. However, I imagine that your fiancée would be pleased if you could manage to last longer, like maybe 10 or 15 minutes. As you get older, you will probably find that you can last up to half an hour or so, if that is what you both want.

There are many sites on the web which give advice on lasting longer in bed. For instance, try: http://www.mensfitness.com/women/sex-tips/last-longer-in-bed-sex-experts.

• Will I feel the coil?

Q. My doctor wants me to get fitted with a coil. But if I do this, would I be able to feel it during sex?

A: No, you wouldn't. However, the coil (IUD) does have either one or two slim threads that dangle down into the farthest part of the vagina. The main reason for having these threads is that when you want to have the device removed, they make it easy for the doctor or nurse to pull on them and so take the coil out.

You can feel the tip of a thread with your finger, and that is quite useful because it helps you to know that the coil is still there and in the right position.  I must add that some guys can feel the thread during sexual intercourse. Usually, men do not mind this at all and rather like the slight tickling sensation that is produced.

Email questions to Doc at saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com and read more in the 'Outlook Magazine' tomorrow.