Q: I have always wanted to ask someone about this…It seems to me that my vagina secretes a LOT of discharge. And what I mean by a lot is that usually by the end of the day the crotch area of my underwear is covered in dried discharge (I have no STD's or infections; the discharge itself is clearish-white and not stinky). This is a source of major discomfort for me because I constantly fear someone somehow seeing my underwear and being grossed out and thinking I am diseased or unhygienic (I wash myself every morning down there). Sometimes there is more than usual, and I feel WET or I feel it squirt out and it makes me so nervous and annoyed! Does amounts of secretion have anything to do with vaginal size? I am pretty sure that my inner labia are larger than normal. Just a note in case thats where the answer lies.

This is one of those things that falls under "everyone is different." It does sound like you produce more vaginal lubrication than average, and I can totally understand why that would be annoying (although you can be happy that you save money by not needing buy lube!). But so long as it doesn't have anything to do with an STD, it's nothing to actually worry about.

However, it doesn't have anything to do with vaginal size. In fact, the size of your labia has nothing to do with the size of the interior of your vagina. So, no need to worry about that.

I don't think there's anything you can do to permanently solve the issue, but if it's really causing you anxiety, there are a few of things you could do to help. One is wearing wear a thin pantyliner, if you're worried about your underwear getting soaked.

Another option, for occasional use only, is using a simple douche before you leave the house. Nothing fancy or perfumed, just a basic vinegar and water solution (look for something with a low pH, since the natural vaginal pH is around 4). It will help rinse out the discharge that's already accumulated inside, and delay the build up of discharge on your panties. However, it's not recommended to douche frequently, because it will disrupt your body's normal friendly bacteria, and can make you more susceptible to vaginal infections. Douching would be something to do right before a date, or if you have an important business meeting, or some other infrequent situation where your vaginal secretions cause you extra anxiety.

One last thing to consider is whether or not you wear panties while you're sleeping. If you do, stop. It's important for your genitals to get some "breathing time" every day, and this might help decrease the problem a little. (That's also a good reason to always wear cotton panties, or at least wear underwear with a cotton panel in the crotch. Synthetic materials don't breathe.)

Sorry I don't have a magic solution for you, but hopefully some of those suggestions will help.

Q: The only way I have ever orgasmed has been with the use of my favorite toy, an electric toothbrush. It is what I use during intercourse with my boyfriend, and when I am with myself. It seems that my clitoris needs that intense vibrating power to bring me to climax – rubbing, petting, even at fast speeds, just don't do the trick (although I occasionally orgasm in my sleep!)…I am worried that by using an electric toothbrush I am maybe somehow decreasing my clitoris' sensitivity, or somehow damaging it through the intensity of the vibrations (even though they feel so good!)?

It isn't possible to desensitize your clitoris through masturbation … what is possible is to habituate yourself so strongly to a certain type of stimulation that it's almost impossible to achieve orgasm any other way. And that sounds like what you've done.

This isn't really a problem, if you're happy to keep an electric toothbrush on hand at all times. But if you're interested in developing the ability to orgasm without the toothbrush, here's a few things you can try:

• First: Don't masturbate for a week or so. Yeah, it sounds horrible, but the idea is to make yourself a little desperate.
• Second: Buy a different vibrator. If you're used to really intense stimulation, start with something like a Hitachi Magic Wand.
• Third: Use both vibrators at first. Get yourself close with the new toy, and then switch to the toothbrush if you really can't climax with the new vibe. Eventually, the goal is to get to where you can orgasm with a different toy.
• Fourth: Once you can orgasm with either toy, try buying a less intense vibrator, or try something totally different like a shower massager. Or get a small fingertip vibrator (see a list of fingertip vibes at the end of this post), or even a massage glove for your boyfriend to wear during sex, and use on you. If he's game, you could even try a vibrating cock ring, to help with "hands free" stimulation.
• Fifth: Don't worry too much about it. If you've only been orgasming with one method for years, it will take a while to learn something new. The idea is to un-train yourself from thinking you can only orgasm one way.

Basically, what you've done is really strongly reinforced a single neural pathway associating orgasm and your toothbrush. It will take time to build new pathways, but it certainly can be done, if you feel it's important. The fact that you can orgasm in your sleep means your body knows how without the toothbrush.

You may never get to a point where you can orgasm without mechanical help, but that's not uncommon. The trick is to just train yourself to have more than one option.

Fingertip Vibrators:
Chandra rechargeable fingertip vibrator
Isis ultra-compact finger vibe
Fukoku 9000 (with interchangeable sleeves)
Trojan jelly finger vibe
Finger Fun curved jelly vibrator
Fantasy Fingers five-setting finger vibe

Q: Can masturbation really "speed up" a period?

I'm honestly not sure. On the one hand, orgasms do stimulate uterine contractions (and masturbating before or during your period can therefore stimulate cramps), so it seems like it would work great. On the other hand, I've noticed that menstrual flow can decrease greatly (or even stop completely) during sexual arousal, so that might counteract the effect of the cramps/contractions.

All in all, masturbation is fun and certainly isn't going to hurt anything, so I'd say it's worth giving it a try!

Q: I am 49 and don't have a problem getting an erection. How can I ejaculate longer instead of just dribbling when I have an orgasm??

This is one of those things I must admit I simply do not get … unless you're worried about fertility, I'm not sure what the fuss is about ejaculate volume! Personally, I don't mind a bit when a partner only produces a small volume of semen. To the contrary, men who come all over the place are just making a bigger mess.

Ejaculate volume is one of those individual things, to a certain extent. Some guys come like porn stars, and some don't. (And actually, porn directors sometimes have guys "stand in" for money shots, if the star of the scene can't cum buckets!)

All that said, judging from the number of pills out there advertised to increase semen volume, obviously it's a big deal to a lot of people out there. And sadly, there's a pretty limited number of legitimate options for changing one's ejaculate volume. I looked around, tried to avoid all the pill scam sites, and came up with this list:

1. Kegel exercises While these are most often recommended to women worried about vaginal muscle tone, and folks with bladder control issues, Kegel exercises can also be a great thing for men, sexually speaking. Not only can they help you control ejaculation and generally increase muscle tone and strength, but I saw several sources say they helped increase ejaculate volume. How? Not sure … I don't know if better muscle tone helps increase the body's production of seminal fluids, or if it just helps increase the force of ejaculation. Either way, it can't do anything but help.

   To do a Kegel exercise, just "clamp down" your muscles as though you're trying to stop peeing, or trying to hold it when you really have to go. (In fact, trying to stop your flow of urine is a good way to make sure you're doing it right.) Do them whenever you think of it. Alternate between short squeezes, and holding the tension for a while. Heck, try doing Kegel morse code if you want!

2. Vitamin supplements Zinc and amino acid supplements are said to increase seminal fluid volume. Zinc is especially recommended. Pick up some zinc supplements, and check your local health food or fitness store to find an all-around amino supplement.
3. Increased foreplay The longer you fool around before you orgasm, the more time your body spends building up for it. And your partner certainly won't mind the extra attention either!
4. Abstinence If you're mostly worried about how much you come during intercourse, lay off the masturbation for a day or two beforehand. The less often you ejaculate, the more semen production has a chance to "save up" between orgasms. This may be the least fun option, but it certainly helps.

Now, for the bad news. It's natural for a man to produce less seminal fluid as he ages. You're just not going to ejaculate as much at the age of 49 as you did when you were 19. If you've got money to burn, you could talk to a doctor about testosterone or HGH supplementation. HGH injections (the only form of HGH treatment shown to produce significant benefits) cost a few hundred dollars per injection, and testosterone treatment isn't cheap either. In the end, the first four things I recommended are probably a more realistic and practical way to go.