I want to conceive a boy, what can I do to get it right?

Dr Flo,

I want to be a new mother and would like to have a baby boy. How should I do the timing?

Charity

Dear Charity,

While there are many theories about how to determine your child’s gender, they do not have any scientific backing, and I cannot recommend any with confidence.

The shettles’ method suggests that, because male sperm (Y sperm) are smaller and faster but do not last long, to conceive a boy you need to have sex closest to ovulation, which is when the egg is released.

This requires that you buy a specialised thermometer to keep track of your body temperature and also get LH (luteinising hormone) test kits so that you can keep track of your cycle more closely. This method, however, has been disputed by many scientists.

The only scientific way to determine gender is through sperm sorting or gender selection during IVF (in vitro fertilisation), which is quite expensive, and the sperm sorting does not give a 100 per cent guarantee. This also has ethical issues that accompany it. Natural conception gives a 50-50 chance, which should be good enough.

****** 

Dr Flo,

I hope you are well. Kindly advise me on how to deal with my hair growth issue. I’m female and I have low esteem because I have a lot of hair on my legs up to my thighs and also my hands and the area around my chin.

I’ve been using a razor blade to shave but it leaves a rough texture and I cannot afford electrolysis. What can I do?

Wairimu.

Dear Wairimu,

Excessive hair growth in areas where the hair is usually minimal or absent is called hirsutism, and it affects about five to 10 per cent of women. There is either excessive hair growth, or growth of hair in areas that are more typical for men like face, chin, chest, abdomen, and back. The hair is usually dark, thick and coarse. Most of the times, the cause is not known. Sometimes the excessive hair growth is passed down through the genes, while other times it may be as a result of hormonal disorders, leading to increased androgen levels (for instance, in polycystic ovarian syndrome), or other disorders of the ovaries or the adrenal glands.

There are also some medications that can contribute to the excessive hair growth, like steroid medicines, phenytoin (used for epilepsy), minoxidil (used for hypertension), and cyclosporine (suppresses the immune system). It can also develop after menopause.

To treat hirsutism, it would be important to find out if there are underlying conditions that are causing it and managing them. Visit a doctor to have hormone levels checked, especially androgens, plus other tests like an ultrasound or CT scan to visualise the ovaries and adrenal glands. Sometimes, however, even after managing some of the conditions, the hair growth may still continue.

Temporary hair removal by shaving, waxing or using depilatory creams (like Veet) usually works. Eflornithine hydrochloride cream (like Vaniqa) can be applied to slow down the growth, though it does not stop it. You can also visit a dermatologist for permanent removal using laser/photoepilation, though this is expensive.

Reduction of androgen levels in the body can be done by losing weight if you are overweight, through good diet, and regular exercise. It can also be done by taking some medications like the combined oral contraceptive pill, and spironolactone. You need to take the medicine for at least six months before you start noticing any improvement, because it takes a while for new hair to grow.

***** 

Dr Flo,

It’s been about five years now since I started experiencing a burning effect under the skin around the right breast region.

Sometimes there is some sort of a rash in the pores and when squeezed hard, a pale white substance comes out of the pores, not the nipple. This effect is on and off. What could this be in men?

Hillary.

Dear Hillary,

In the skin on or around the nipples are hair follicles which appear as pores. There are also sebaceous glands which form bumps around the nipple, called areolar or Montgomery glands. These can get clogged by accumulation of sweat, dirt, oil, sebum and dead cells, just like in other parts of the body like the face.

This can lead to formation of a rash or pimples, and, rarely, they can even get inflamed and infected. Men are more likely to get acne, with blockage of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and a resultant rash. And this rash can be on the face, the chest, the upper back, the arms, and even around the nipples.

When you squeeze and something white comes out, it’s the same as squeezing a pimple on the face. It is nothing to worry about. You should see a doctor if there is a nipple discharge, or swelling in the breast, or changes in the nipple.

Send your medical questions to [email protected] for absolutely free expert advice.