Clinical sexologist Dr Prakash Kothari and Counseling Psychologist Rachna Kothari answer your sex-related queries
Q. I have been married for 3 years. My husband convinces me for oral sex all the time. But even the thought of it makes me sick. I don’t even know if it is safe to swallow the fluids.
— Feeling Sick
A. People are often held back from trying oral sex because they are often brought up to believe that their genitals are unpleasant and dirty parts of the body. If you feel embarrassed or sick with the thought of foul smell etc, you may shave your pubic hair regularly and try it after a shower - feeling hygienic and clean will make it more comfortable. Swallowing of vaginal and seminal fluid is absolutely harmless among faithful partners.
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Q. I am 37. My sperm count is 15 million per cc with motility grade II. I’m getting married soon. Will these cause problems in conception? Anything I can do to enhance my sperm count?
— Conception
A. You may not have any problem whatsoever in conception. However, as per WHO standards, a man needs to have a sperm count of 16 million per cc with motility grade III/IV for conception. Your sperm count is indeed little on the lower side. It would be wiser to get it checked again in another reliable laboratory. If the sperm count is similar, then try to rule out evidence of ‘vericocele’. Vericocele often hampers the blood supply to the testicles which in turn could be responsible for the low sperm count. This can be ruled out by a Radiologist.
Ayurveda advocates a diet which is “pitta-shamak” can help arrest the further reduction and may enhance sperm count. This includes cow’s milk, cow’s ghee, black raisins etc. It also advises avoiding hot and spicy food stuffs (which increases ‘pitta’) would be beneficial. Immersing the testicles in iced cold water and gently massaging it for 5-10 minutes daily may prove beneficial because cold atmosphere favours sperm production.