Sex
Sex After a Heart Attack?
I've always believed that being shot at 95years of age by a jealous lover is the ideal way to depart this earth. But suppose you survive a coronary attack much earlier in life, how is it going to affect your sex life? Is it time to forget about "amour" and switch to backgammon or hooking rugs? Or, is a little romp in the bed still safe? Dr. Randal Thomas, Director of the Cardiovascular Health Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, says, "A person's life is essentially thrown upside-down following coronary attack. They see their frailty and how close they came to dying, and it can lead to a lot of psychological issues and need for recuperation." Another cardiologist, Nieca Goldberg, at Lennox Hill...Read More
Sex
Off-With-Your- Panties-Video’s At Age Six ?
"Do you know where your children are this evening?" It's a comment we often hear these days about parents who fail to keep an eye on their children's whereabouts. But suppose you're a diligent parent and they're in your own home. How safe are they when watching television? The question of how much in-your-face sexuality on TV adversely affects teenagers has been debated by psychologists for years. Now Anita Chandra, a behavioral scientist at the Rand Corporation, answers this question. She reports in the Journal of Pediatrics that the amount of time teenagers spend turning the channel to risque T V increases the risk of pregnancy before age 20. To reach this conclusion Chandra and her colleagues carried out a three-year survey of...Read More
Gynecology, Sex, Women's Health
Not Tonight Darling, I’m Pregnant – Sexual Myths During Pregnancy
Can the penis injure the fetus during pregnancy? Or can sexual intercourse result in premature labour and possibly fetal death? How will pregnancy affect sexual desire? And how soon after delivery is it safe to have sex? These are some of the many questions about pregnancy. There's one I'll never forget which should enter the Guinness Book of Records. Dr. Elias Bartellas, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, recently reported his findings on sex and pregnancy at the annual meeting of Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. His report revealed that nine months is a long time to be ill-informed about sex. Today the majority of doctors are either too busy or embarrassed to bring...Read More
Gynecology, Sex, Women's Health
Chocolates and Sex, The Wrong Gift for Valentine’s Day
"What did your husband give you for Valentine's Day?" I jokingly asked a 55 year old patient. She replied, "He brought home the usual gift, chocolates, but that won't solve my pain with sex. Nor can my own doctor, as he never talks about sexual matters." This is a scenario I often see in my office and it's time to break the hush that so often surrounds this problem. This woman had started into menopause at 50 years of age, suffering from flushes, insomnia and increased irritability. These symptoms had gradually faded without any treatment over a two-year period. But slowly she noted that sexual intercourse was becoming increasingly painful. And by Valentine's Day this year it was causing problems in...Read More
Sex, Sports
Do The Toronto Maple Leafs Need More Sex?
What's wrong with the Toronto Maple leafs? They haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967. This year they're again floundering and may once again miss the playoffs. Their coach has shifted lines without any effect. Hockey analysts have suggested other solutions. But I've got a prescription for their coach Paul Maurice. The problem may be a lack of a little nookie before games. "Nothing after Wednesday if you're playing on Saturday" was the gospel preached to British soccer players in the 1970s. Even today many coaches tell their players to avoid sex the night before a game. And some famous sport personalities have agreed to the big "No" to pre-game sex. Mohammed Ali remarked, "When you don't get sex for awhile it...Read More
Gynecology, Philosophy, Sex
Congratulations, You Should Be Proud At Your Age!
It was not a good day at the office. My morning was just ending, when two female investigators from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, arrived without notice and asked to see me. I was handed an envelope and one woman immediately started to take notes. This was not a good sign. So I asked the reason for the sudden visit and was shocked to hear I had been accused of sexual misconduct. That same day I was meeting my wife for lunch so I told her with trepidation what had just occurred. She immediately laughed and said, "Congratulations! At your age you should be proud of yourself!" But I didn't share her sense of humour at the time. As a medical...Read More
Genitourinary, Gynecology, Infection, Sex
Sexually Transmitted Disease In Middle-Aged Adults
"Do you know where your children are and what they are doing?" is a question that often worries parents. Today sexually transmitted disease (STD) is on the rise in the teenage population. But what about the other side of the coin? A recent report shows that there's also good reason for teenagers to ponder, "Where are my parents tonight and what are they doing?" Studies show that STD rates, particularly chlamydia, are soaring in middle-aged adults. Dr. Colm O'Mahony is a urologist at the Countess of Chester NHS Trust in the U.K. He recently reported to the Women's Health Education and Research Society that now there is now a "second wave" of STDs occurring. The first wave is in the 16 to...Read More
Lifestyle, Philosophy, Sex
Pornography at Nursing Homes?
This week I ran into the same problem I've encountered many times before. Many writers will understand. I was bored, weary of my computer and barren of ideas. I've written 1400 columns during the last 28 years. And I desperately needed a new topic to keep me from falling asleep. Suddenly I discovered it in Denmark. Then I couldn't wait to get back to my computer. Why? Because this story could never happen in "Canada, The Good". A unique event has happened at the Thorupgaarden nursing home in Copenhagen. Don't ask me how it started. But the staff must have had a few fascinating discussions before making their earth-shaking pronouncement. They decided, in their infinite wisdom, that pornography has a greater...Read More
Cardiovascular, Sex
Frequent Sex Good For The Heart
Thank God researchers finally have good news! No dire warnings about the dangers of cholesterol. No alarms bells that we're all headed for Alzheimer's Disease if we live too long. Rather, there's a pleasant way to decrease the risk of dying from the nation's number one killer, heart disease. The prescription, frequent sex. No longer can we say that Europeans pride themselves on active sex lives while the English just take their hot water bottles to bed. After all, this second research study on sex originated in Bristol, England. Shah Abraham, a professor of social medicine at the University of Bristol, is the author of this heartening news. He reports that men who have sexual intercourse at least twice a week...Read More
Sex
What You Should Know about Teenage Sex
Mr. D. H. of Winnipeg writes, “I am a Gifford-Jones fan because I like your practical approach to medical problems. I particularly enjoyed your article in which you advised there's no need to hang from a chandelier to have satisfactory sex. I hope you will write more columns on this universal subject. I would be interested to know your thoughts on teenage sex.” Another reader Mrs. H. N. of Windsor writes, “My daughter says that most of her high school friends are no longer virgins. Recently one of them became pregnant. Would you do a column on teenage sex and how parents can cope with this matter?” Many letters are sent to me about sexual problems of all kinds. A large percent...Read More
