LifeLine

Q I am a 24-year-old girl and have been masturbating since childhood. Recently, my left breast has become painful and there is a slight swe...

Q I am a 24-year-old girl and have been masturbating since childhood. Recently, my left breast has become painful and there is a slight swelling. My pulse beat also increases occasionally. Could it be because of masturbation? Will it affect my married life?

8212; Rita, Nasik

The cyclical hormonal changes every month bring about a lot of changes in their target organs 8212; uterus, vagina and breasts. The growth of the breast, especially in the secretory system, is dependent on the female sex hormones. Many breasts start showing modularity in certain areas as a reaction to the regular fluctuation in the hormonal level.

Most swellings lumps in the breast at your age are usually benign but let a doctor have a look and get a FNAC Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology done if she so orders. Filiroaclonosis is a common involutional change in breasts, but other causes and their management can best be decided by your doctor.

Try to rule out other local causes, especially too tight or loose brassieres. A very tight brassiere may irritate the breast tissue and may give rise to mastitis. And a loose or ill fitting brassiere may constantly rub the nipple and aereola giving rise to inflammation. The bra should be comfortable and should fit properly. It is best to have a refit every four to six months.

Masturbation is in no way responsible for your problem. Tachycardia increased heart rate could be due to anxiety from any cause including the lump in the breast. The problem in the breast is manageable and none of your complaints are likely to affect your marriage. But check with the doctor otherwise the anxiety may lead to some other health problems.

Q I am 19-year-old girl in love with my 20-year-old classmate. For the last six months we have been planning to get married but are worried about the age difference of one year. He also wants to get physical and I do not know what to say to him. Please advise.

8212; K D Goregaon

Traditionally, brides were expected to be, and were, much younger than the grooms so that their fertile years could be put to maximum use. A younger bride was also expected to adjust8217; better to the responsibilities and novelty of married life. Other reasons for seeking a much younger female could have to do a lot with gender and sexual politics.

Story continues below this ad

Today, most of the above mentioned reasons are either under attack or are no more relevant, especially those connected with fertility. Thus there8217;s no reason for the bride to be younger than the groom. So relax on that count and plan accordingly.

To indulge in pre-marital coitus even with a person you don8217;t intend to marry depends upon many factors. The person8217;s mental make-up, her attitude towards sexuality and its practices, whether the previous sexual history of the partner is known or not, and her level of maturity to handle the physical, emotional and social consequences of sex are all important factors.The young usually lack information on various aspects of reproduction health, contraception, STD, HIV/AIDS and usually lack maturity to handle the various consequences of sex. Abstinence has its virtues and thinking hard before deciding either way is a prudent practise.

It is interesting to note that in a survey published in Better Living of The Indian Express, New Delhi, on March 30, 1996, most young readers said that premarital sex is better avoided.