I think this is because the line of division which runs straight upwards from the scrotum to the head of the organ has somehow got pulled into an 'S' shape.
As a result, whenever I take a shower after sport, I feel that other guys notice the odd appearance of my penis. It is pulled by the foreskin so that it looks like the head of a bird.
Also, when I have sex, the 'string' at the back of the penis hurts me, because it is too short.
What I have realised recently is that when I was a child, my caregiver used to force my foreskin to go back, thus causing a tear. Is that the origin of my problem?
I do not want to have a circumcision, but I was wondering if the 'string' could be cut, to give me a better appearance - and also to enable me to have less painful, but more pleasurable sex.
A I am sorry that this has been such a source of worry to you.
Obviously, I have not examined you but from your excellent description I would say that it is really likely that your problems have indeed been caused by a tear in the 'string' when you were small.
The 'string' is known medically as the 'fraenum' or 'fraenulum'. It is on the side of the penis which is farthest from you when you are erect. It connects the head of the organ to the skin of the shaft, and is like a thin, dark string or a thick thread.
Unfortunately, it is quite easy for the fraenum to get torn. Sometimes this happens when a male catches himself in the zip of his trousers. Or, it can be torn by a sports injury. Very rarely, it can be damaged by somebody's teeth during oral sex.
Alas, it is sometimes torn by parents who forcefully try to roll a child's foreskin back. I wish people would not do this! My advice to mothers and fathers is to leave boys' foreskins alone.
When it tears, it usually bleeds quite a bit. That is quite alarming for the victim. Until it heals, it usually hurts a lot.
Unfortunately, as in your case, sometimes the fraenum heals in a 'scarred' manner, so that it is too short from then on.
That is what seems to have happened in your case. So you are left with an S-shaped, scarred fraenum, which makes your organ look a little unusual and causes you pain during sex.
Yes, it would be possible for the fraenum to be cut by a surgeon to restore the correct appearance of your penis. Doing so should also take away the pain experienced during sex.
Don't attempt to do this yourself! It is a job for an expert, so I would strongly suggest that you see a urological surgeon.
The operation is quite a minor one, but it will take you about six weeks to heal properly. I advise you to try and have the op scheduled for at least a couple of months before you get married. Good luck.
Q I have just realised that I am pregnant. Unfortunately, I was unfaithful to my husband last month, on just one occasion.
This infidelity happened a couple of days before my menses were due to start. It did not arrive. During the previous three weeks, I had sex regularly with my husband.
What are the chances that the baby is really my lover's? Or, do you think it is my husband's?
A On the basis of probability, the child is likely to be your husband's. Conception does not often occur 48 hours before the period starts - but it is possible.
Did you use condoms or other protection with either guy?
Sadly, there are no tests which you can do at this moment to find out who the babyfather is. However, when the child is born, it would be possible, if you wish, to organise a paternity test.
But these are quite expensive, and it could be awkward to explain to your husband why you were doing such tests.
Q I am a girl and I have had sex a couple of times. Last week, my friend told me that because of this, I should go to the doctor and get checked.
Is that true?
A Well, I don't know how old you are. From your email, I suspect that you are very young and that you do not know too much about sexual matters.
This makes me think: Should you be having sex at all?
Frankly, I would suggest that you not have sex again until you have learned a lot more about it. Why not talk to a more mature woman, such as a nurse, midwife or teacher about what sex involves, and how it can cause serious problems for young girls?
Your situation at the moment is that you seem to have had sex a couple of times. Presumably you have not become pregnant, or you would have told me.
But you could have picked up a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia. So your friend's suggestion of having a medical check-up is not a bad idea.
The doc could also talk to you about important matters such as contraception. I wish you well.
Q My right testicle is just half the size of the right one. Why?
A Slight differences in size between the two testicles are common. But a disparity which is as great as this does suggest that maybe something went wrong with the 'ball' in early life.
For instance, did you ever sustain an injury to it? Or, did you have mumps? That infection quite often attacks the testicle and may prevent it from growing. Or, did you have a hernia operation, or an operation for undescended testicle as a young child? Such procedures occasionally damage the testicle if something goes wrong.
Whatever the cause, this unusually small testicle needs to be checked out by a doctor. I imagine that he will want to do a blood test to ensure that your male hormone levels are normal.
Do not fret too much because it is very likely that the other testicle will be more than able to do the 'work' of two.
Q I am thinking of going on the Pill. But is it totally effective in preventing pregnancy?
A Very nearly - provided that you do not forget to take it.
Of course, people are human and do sometimes forget to take their tablets. In general, the effectiveness of the Pill is better than anything else, apart from taking a sterilisation operation.
Want Doc to diagnose your condition? He's ready and waiting on you. Email questions relating to your medical conditions to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.