The straight-forward OB-Gyne answers your most personal women’s health concerns with humor, wit and candor…

We’d really like to have our own family as soon as we are ready. Are there any tests that we should get for peace of mind? Does the man go to the ob-gynecologist also? I’ve never been to one before.

A: You may want to trot to your friendly gynecologist for a consult. Tests that may be in order would be the Rubella antibody titer IgG to know if you have received the vaccine and are protected from German measles. The worse time of your life to catch German measles is during pregnancy since it can lead to congenital malformations. A hepatitis screening as well as screening for syphilis may be done ideally before you may even intend pregnancy so you may consider being vaccinated against Rubella or hepatitis prior to pregnancy. To determine your fertility, at least get an ultrasound, a transrectal ultrasound if you are still a virgin and a transvaginal ultrasound if you have already had sex. It will give you information on your ovaries, uterus, partly the cervix. If you want to know if your tubes are still patent, an hysterosalpingogram may be done to evaluate that. The male needs to do a sperm analysis with a 4 day abstinence from his previous ejaculation. If there is a problem, he may be referred to an urologist, who is to the male what a gynecologist is to a female.

Is there any way to make sure I don’t have my period during my wedding day or honeymoon? Like any other bride, the last thing I want is to be bloated or have PMS.

A: It’s certainly no fun walking down the aisle while you’re on code red, fearing you’ll stain it! And talk about a messy honeymoon!! Yes, there is a way!  It involves taking contraceptives starting from the menstrual cycle before the wedding and just taking it non-stop until the day you desire to have your menses. Menstruation is a hormonal phenomenon and comes as a result of the withdrawal of progesterone when you don’t get pregnant. Therefore, the lining of the uterus which was prepared to receive the pregnancy is shed. If you keep using the contraceptive pills, it will continue to provide the hormone necessary to support the uterus so withdrawal bleeding, such as menses, won’t happen. However, don’t attempt to do this without consulting your gynecologist. You may have a gynecologic condition like a breast or ovarian mass, or thromboembolism that might prevent you from safely taking the pill.

I don’t know whom else to ask. I think my fiancé and I should both have an HIV test before we get married. Is there a way do get the test privately so people don’t look at us funny?

A: Whoever said people will look at you funny if you ask for an HIV test? More and more people are taking responsibility of their health and are subjecting themselves for a routine screening. Foreign immigrants to the country are required to take an annual HIV test and it is part of the blood work recommended during a pre-natal check-up. So, stop hesitating! Nobody will judge you for taking a responsible move such as getting a blood test for HIV.

I really love my future husband and I’m sure he is the right person for me to marry but when we sleep together, it isn’t what I expected. Could there be something wrong with me?

A: Not everyone has the same idea about sex so that’s really not surprising. Remember, men are from Mars (they need to be excited, can ejaculate in 2 minutes flat, and can fall asleep after). On the other hand, women are from Venus (they need to be romanced, need at least 20 mins of foreplay, and desire to be held and whispered, “I love you” to especially after making love). It’s essential for you to first know what pleasures you so you can communicate that to your partner without sounding dictatorial. Things can get much better with better communication!!

5 Things the Doc thinks every woman should know:

* IT’S COOL TO BE A VIRGIN

Don’t think you are from another planet just because you are still a virgin at 35! You can prevent  sexually transmitted diseases which includes cervical cancer and unwanted pregnancies.

* IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE AND DON’T DESIRE A BABY, USE A CONTRACEPTIVE!

In this day and age and access to information, having unexpected, or worse, unwanted pregnancies should be a thing of the past.

* IF YOU HAVE IRREGULAR MENSES OR SKIP MENSES FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS, SEE YOUR GYNECOLOGIST

It may be the first sign of a tumor or a condition which can predispose you to cancer.

* HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

When you are approaching menopause, hormone replacement therapy can prevent a lot of the horrid symptoms that menopausal women go through. Your chances of getting a heart attack because you are not on hormones in menopause is far higher than your chances to ever get breast cancer because you are not on it!!

* SEE YOUR GYNECOLOGIST ONCE A YEAR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

It’s your gift of health to yourself!! You owe it to you!!

DR. REBECCA SINGSON

Dr. Rebecca Singson has been an obstretrician and gynecologist since 1989. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the Philippine Society of Cervical Pathology and Polposcopy. Her clinics are located at the Makati Medical Center and the Asian Hospital.