Sis Noe

Hi Sis Noe
I HAVE been married for six months but I am still not pregnant. What is wrong with me? Help please I am worried. — Worried.
Reply
Don’t you think it’s too soon to be anxious? I mean it’s only six months to be desperate. Pregnancy is a matter of chance. Conception does not always happen even if the egg and sperm are in the right place at the right time. The length of time it takes couples to conceive varies considerably. Failing to conceive even after a year does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. The chance of getting pregnant during a woman’s cycle varies due to a wide range of factors: For a woman aged 20 to 25, the chances of conceiving are around 25 percent for each cycle. Statistics prove that one in 10 couples will take more than a year to conceive. One of the secret tips on getting pregnant really involves the woman’s monthly cycle . . . this should really not come as a surprise, but lots of women have probably forgotten lots of their basic biology. A woman ovulates once a month, and the ovum or egg last for approximately 12 hours. During this 12-hour period, the egg has to be fertilised or it dries up and is no longer viable. Obviously, then, having unprotected sex any other time of the month could not possiblly result in conception. It is only when you have sex during the 12-HOUR WINDOW that a couple can conceive — it’s really quite miraculous that a woman can even get pregnant at all! When a couple is trying to conceive, the trick is to catch the egg around day 14 of the woman’s monthly cycle. To add to the difficulty, every woman’s cycle is different. The 28-day cycle is the average, but normal cycles can vary from 23 days to 35 days. So please stop worrying, keep going at it like rabbits. Hopefully before long there will be a bun in the oven.

Hi Sis Noe
Is it possible to get pregnant if I have sex while I am on periods? — Curious.
Reply
Though possible, it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant during your monthly menstrual cycle. During your period, your body works to shed the uterine lining that it has been building up over the last month, in preparation for pregnancy. When you don’t become pregnant, small uterine contractions begin, encouraging the unfertilised egg and unused endometrium to be shed from the uterus and through the vagina. This means that there is no egg in the fallopian tubes to become fertilised and no lining to help a developing embryo to implant properly. This being said, there is a small possibility of pregnancy during your period. Women often mistake slight bleeding that can occur with ovulation as their period. Unprotected sex at this time can greatly increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Additionally, sperm can live in the female reproductive system for up to three days. Because some women ovulate at the very end of their menstrual periods, sperm may still be alive at this point, and able to fertilise an egg.

Hi Sis Noe
My boyfriend wants us to have anal sex but I am scared. I want to know whether it’s safe and healthy. I am torn apart; one part of me wants me to do it the other part does not want me to go through it. — Confused.
Reply
This is a very controversial, sensitive and even taboo topic among many and I would not want to offend. Anal sex is high risk behaviour and I have an obligation to provide accurate information so you can make an informed decision. Anal sex is the riskiest form of sexual activity when it comes to the transmission of HIV/Aids. The penetration of the anus tears the anal tissues and the tears are like giant superhighways for the HIV viruses, allowing them to get inside the body and enter the blood system. Anal tears provide an opening for all the other STDs as well. Repetitive anal sex weakens the anal sphincter, a muscle that tightens after we defecate. Once weakened, feaces can escape the anus against our will. Some women rate the practice among their least favourite sexual activities because of the pain or discomfort involved. Some authorities judge that all anal sex is unsafe, due to the high rates of condom failure, including those brands said to be able to withstand any kind of sexual friction. If you and your boyfriend are HIV-negative don’t fool yourself because anal sex can cause anal cancer.

Hi Sis Noe
I am always fighting with my wife but I don’t want to. What can I do to put a stop to these fights? — Worried.
Reply
It takes hard work for a marriage to function. Marriage is an effort, if you fail to work at it, it will suffer. You need to talk about your problems in a non-accusatory tone. Do not point fingers because you are both wrong, you both have faults and it is those faults that are making you fight. Tell your wife that you don’t want to lose her because of the fighting. You need to learn to compromise. You and your wife need to learn to respect each other. When she says something that might lead to an argument just agree with her or keep quiet and raise the issue later calmly. But it will be impossible for you not to argue now and then.

Hi Sis Noe
One of my breasts is painful and I am scared that it might be cancer. — Worried.
Reply
Pain in the breast is a common symptom, which is rarely due to cancer. The normal cyclical breast pain is related to hormone imbalances. Temporary increased oestrogen production may result in breast pain, fullness and nodularity. The oestrogen stimulates proliferation of the ductal system and supporting tissues in the breasts. Sometimes pain in the breast is due to conditions in the chest wall which feels like breast pain. Such conditions could be a pulled muscle, an inflammatory process of the cartilage around the ribs or heart angina which may be felt as breast pain. Your soreness could be related to changes in your hormones but you should report this to your doctor for further evaluation. Stop worrying until you know the cause. It might be nothing.

Hi Sis Noe
I have one testicle and I am worried that I might not be able to have children but I produce sperms like a normal man. — Confused.
Reply
Having one testicle must not worry you about fertility because your other normal testicle has the potential to produce millions of sperms. There is a high likelihood that your sperm can impregnate an egg. If my assurance is not enough for you, you can set an appointment with a doctor who will refer you to a specialist (urologist) for tests. There is also a possibility that you actually have two testicles instead of one — the other testicle might be in your groin — if you have a lump like feature in your groin it could be the missing testicle. Such a testicle is called an un-descended testicle. See a doctor without fail. There is no need to be embarrassed at all, because doctors know this is a problem that needs attention. Good luck.