Is it true that hermaphrodites ‘do sex on themselves’?

Is it true that hermaphrodites ‘do sex on themselves’? There is a rumour in school that one of us does so.

Dear doctor,
Is it true that hermaphrodites ‘do sex on themselves’? There is a rumour in school that one of us does so.
Student

Dear student,
A hermaphrodite is defined as any organism that has both male and female reproductive organs and this in human beings, is very rare indeed. What is found in humans is vague reproductive parts that make it difficult for those humans to be properly placed as either male or female. That hermaphrodites can have sex by themselves and even reproduce is not possible because either or both of their sex organs are non-functional. Naturally, sex is achieved with an erection that takes the manhood away from the body and therefore cannot be bent towards one’s own body for self-sex.

Dear doctor,
I take Indocid to relieve my menstrual pains every month. I combine it with my asthma medicine. Is this too strong? What could be the danger of doing this?
Shakira

Dear Shakira,
Indocid is one of the so-called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) which work by interfering with production of the substances ( prostaglandins), that are mainly responsible for period pains. Prostaglandins cause period pain the same way they cause labour pains by contracting the uterus. However, the likes of Indocid by this action can also lead to wounds in the alimentary canal called peptic ulcers. Also, they lead to accumulation of other substances that can easily lead to an asthma attack. So since you are asthmatic, apart from other undesirable effects from the drug, you are likely to worsen your asthma and therefore need to consult your doctor about use of other painkiller drugs that won’t worsen the asthma. Too many tablets can increase the pill burden, with risk of not taking all the given treatment and in the long run, the ailment not being cured.

Dear doctor,
I had a C-section after the doctor declared my situation an emergency because the baby stopped moving in the womb. Personally, I knew I had lost my baby on seeing the doctor’s reaction. Though I was very positive about giving birth normally, I was advised not to push because my cervix was not opening. But I’m now pregnant again. Is it possible for me to give birth normally or I should arrange with my doctor for another c-section since I do not want to take chances and end up losing my baby? And what causes the cervix not to open even after the waters have broken? Please advise.
Fiona

Dear Fiona,
A caesarean operation whereby a baby is delivered through a cut on the abdomen is normally done if the baby or the mother’s health is in danger. Some of the problems that put their health in danger may be present during one pregnancy and not the next and therefore do not necessitate the repeat of the operation during other pregnancies. If the baby got tired and yet the cervix was not open, this necessitated an operation but the same problem may or may not happen during your current pregnancy. That said, you need to religiously attend antenatal clinics for proper care, monitoring and advice. Meanwhile, avoid use of herbs like mumbwa during labour because some contain alcohol which makes the baby tired while others cause the uterus to contract too strongly and may cause the scar to give way, with more dangerous consequences. To answer your second question, cervical dystocia is where the cervix fails to dilate during labour. This can result from scars due to previous injuries or operations to the cervix. This then may call for delivering by caesarean operation whenever a woman has to deliver. Sometimes, failure of cervical dilation may be due to uncoordinated uterine contractions but this may respond to drugs and a caesarean may be done if the baby is tired.

Dear doctor,
I pass hot wind and even when I’ am seated, I feel it burning my behind. I get embarrassed and look around to see whether people near me smell it. What can I do to solve this problem?
Agripina

Dear Agripina, you need not get embarrassed because wind is a normal byproduct of food digestion passed by all humans except those with some sort of obstruction to the intestines. Those who do not pass gas are the ones who need treatment. A feeling that gas is burning might indicate that the anal area is irritated or inflamed, requiring a medic to check it out. The irritation could be due to soap used for washing the anus or other applications and semen if you are a homosexual. That you fear that the gas smells is normal and everyone who passes gas has the same fears. The smell of gas depends on the diet and intestinal bacteria and it is normal for gas to smell. That you are getting jittery over normal events that are performed by everyone may be an indication that you may have other fears or worries that need to be addressed in their own right. Homosexuality creates guilt feelings in a society that abhors it like in this country. The feelings can lead to being too sensitive, hence the fear about smell and feeling that the gas is hot.

Dear doctor,
I’m an epileptic who passes wind, stool and foam from my mouth. What worries me is the stool. Is there a way to stop this?
Remmy

Dear Remmy, epilepsy results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing one to have fits now and then. The type of fits one gets vary from person to person but usually, the same person may get the same type of fits. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a fit, but what is locally called epilepsy in Uganda is the worse type where one
(1) Loses control and falls to the ground
(2) Loses consciousness
(3) Gets stiff and starts jerking without control.
(4) Stops breathing for some seconds
(5) Bites the tongue
(6) Loses control of the bladder or rectum and foams at the mouth.
(7) Gets confused on waking up.

Therefore, uncontrollable passage of stool is one of the few symptoms of epilepsy. Epilepsy in Uganda carries a lot of stigma and people are oblivious of its complications including sudden death. This therefore calls for proper investigation and treatment of epilepsy as a whole instead of seeking to eliminate only one of the embarrassing symptoms. Epilepsy can be properly managed, for one to live a normal life without fear of the embarrassing symptoms like loss of bladder and bowel control. So please see a doctor nearest to you.

Answers by Dr Vincent Karuhanga