I am 51 years old and my wife 49 years. Due to ED, I have been advised to take ‘slidenofil’ tablets whenever I want to have sex. Off late, due to her menopause, whenever we try to have intercourse, It feels very rough and painful during intercourse. This causes pain with a burning sensation and this remains till two days. Please advise any medicine or lubricants for a painless intercourse and smooth entry into her vagina. When I use condoms, I don’t feel this problem. Please advise.
Menopause causes vaginal dryness in women due to cessation of female hormone, estrogen, secretion. This vaginal dryness makes genital intercourse painful for both partners. The dry skin may get abraded during coital thrusting. This problem can be overcome by either your wife using estrogen creams (under medical supervision) or by using artificial lubricants like K-Y jelly/lubric gel.

Does masturbation accelerate or cause balding? I’ve heard it changes testosterone into DHT which can cause allopecia. Is this true?
Masturbation can neither cause baldness nor convert testosterone into DiHydroTestosterone ( DHT). In men, approximately 5 per cent of testosterone is converted into DHT by the action of the enzyme five alpha reductatse. There are many risk factors for baldness. DHT is one such factor for male pattern baldness.

The writer is a sexologist. You can mail him at dr.narayana@deccanmail.com.