Boring Sex, Tattoo Removals and Man Boobs — Ask the Doc

Dr. Harry Fisch is a board certified urologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Each week, he'll answer reader questions in an effort to get guys to 'man up about health.'

My sex life is boring. How do I tell my wife I want to get a little perverted without having her think I'm nuts? -- Robert in Albany

Making love to the same person the same way for years on end is unavoidably boring. Variety really is the spice of life, and finding ways to do that with your partner is far better than seeking the “spice” outside of the relationship. If your partner is hesitant, start with small changes—trying a new position, for example. And talk to her—preferably when you’re both relaxed and in a good mood. Tell her you love her and are attracted to her, but feel that things could be even better if you tried some new things. When she says, “Like what?” don’t leap right into anal sex or bondage. Maybe a trip to a local sex toy shop is in order, or renting some high-quality, women-centered adult videos. You might be surprised to find your wife is more open to a playful, creative approach to sex than you think. If you’re bored, it’s likely she is too!

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo removed. Just how painful is it? -- Tomas from San Diego

You’re not alone. Roughly 1 in 5 people with tattoos later regret the decision. The good news is that today’s advanced lasers make tattoo removal relatively safe and effective. The bad news is: it can hurt and it takes a long time. The pain has been described as the feel of hot oil on the skin, or the sting from snapping a rubber band against the skin. Most people opt for some kind of local anesthesia during the procedure. Complete removal requires multiple treatments usually spaced at least 8 weeks apart. The number of sessions needed depends on many factors including the color of pigments, size of the tattoo, color and thickness of the skin, etc.

My man boobs are pushing C-cup level. What can I do about it? -- HB from New Hope, PA

“Man boobs” can be caused by many things, the most common being excess weight. First, get checked out by a doctor to rule out hormonal problems or other possible causes. Some medicines, such as clomiphine, may help reduce breast swelling. If the problem is weight, get help with that—it’s tough to lose weight, and keep it off, without support of some kind. Liposuction or breast reduction surgery are also possible if all else fails.

Got a question for the doc? Email it to guyspeed@townsquaremedia.com.