Vagin

I agree entirely. Once people start living in denial, it proves they have been here too long. They can no longer tell the difference between Pattaya life and reality.

How Does Viagra Work: Sildenafil does not give people a sex drive. If people don’t feel in the mood it will not work. The purpose of viagra is to induce an erection. That is it’s only purpose. It works like this: When people are sexually stimulated, either visually, or because they feel like they want to have sex, a message is sent from the brain and nitric oxide is produced in the blood vessels of the penis. This then induces a molecule called cyclic Guanasine Monophosphate, and it is this which causes the muscles of the penis to relax so that blood flows into it causing an erection. However, the problem is that in the penis there is also an enzyme called Phosphodiesterase Type 5 that has the opposite effect. It stops an erection, and its purpose is to ensure that after sex an erection goes down. Some people can have too much of this enzyme: people who suffer impotence, illness, diabetes, because they are too drunk, or for other reasons. Too much of this enzyme Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (that stops an erection) can inhibit the Cyclic Guanasine Monophosphate (that causes an erection) from working properly. There is an imbalance. This is why Sildenafil (Viagra) can be useful because it reduces the enzyme Phosphdiestarese Type 5 (that stops an erection) thus improving the balance in favour of Cyclic Guanasine Monophosphate (that causes the erection). Got that?

Viagra does not increase blood pressure as some people think. In fact it does the opposite and lowers blood pressure. This is because it allows the blood vessels to dilate slightly. When people suffer heart attacks or strokes after taking viagra and having sex, statistically, it has tended to be elderly or very unfit people who have had them - people who have previously led sedentary lifestyles. With Viagra they think they are twenty again. It is the untrained sudden physical exercise, which puts a strain on the heart and dramatically increases the blood pressure that does it – not the viagra itself.

Where's the best place to go in Thailand at SongKran - where the celebrations do not go on for days on end, and where there is least likely to be mayhem.

I have a few days holiday and want to escape Pattaya. The celebrations there go on for about two weeks. It's okay for a day or two, but after that it's very irritating especially as a lot of the water fighting is conducted by idiots and borders on aggression. Last year I went to Kanchanaburi and that wasn't too bad, but was still irritating. I understand that Bangkok is pretty quiet, as most people pour out of the city, causing chaos at the bus stations. Any suggestions?

It could have something to do with the ear - it could be something as simple as a build up of ear wax, or something more complicated, such as problems with the fluid balances in the inner ear. Does he suffer from nausea when he gets these dizzy spells? If he is new to Thailand it be dehydration, or even change in diet. Otherwise it could be something more serious: neurologically based, to do with the nervous system or brain. It could be any number of things - at worst, a tumor, or the prelude to a stroke. He needs to get his ears checked first by a specialist, and then see a neurologist, and possibly arrange a CT scan of the head.

What do you mean, "some kind of medical insurance"? Be very careful to find out exactly what it is, and what you are likely to get for it. Health insurance in Thailand is very important. I know one farang who had a stroke. His company said that he was covered by medical insurance, but it turned out that the insurance only covered about 25% of the cost (although admittedly, he was staying in a better hospital). He was given a bill of around 90,000 baht.

If you are working legally with a work permit and you are paying taxes then you are entitled to the same free treatment at a public hospital that a Thai would get - Your company should have givcen you two socal insurance cards (regardless of whether or not you have also been given "somekind of private health insurance".) 1) a social insurance card with the name of a designated hospital, your name and social insurance number. 2) The second card, which compliments the first, has your name and passport details on it. Both cards should be handed in at the hopsital, to get free treatment.

Very seriously consider taking out your own private insurance eg. Bupa's Emerald or Gold service, is quite good, which costs around 11,000bhat for one years covereage - this can act as a back up, or as a first choice.

There are more than fouteen different types of sexually transmitted disease that most people have never heard of. If detected they can be cleared up fairly easily, but many go undetected because they do not always have obvious symptoms - other than tiredness, lethagy, or general feeling of unwell. Unless people develop obvious urological symptoms they don't bother going for full STD swabs and checks. Many of these diseases can cause a lot of damage to the body, and can live in the body for many years. You'd be surprised how easily some of these diseases can be passed on - via hand to genital contact. For example, type two Herpes lives in the spine and can go undetceted in a carrier, but it can cause psychological problems and even brain damage in a new born baby. Most people are too blase, but in reality they are playing with fire with certain types of liaison.

Tukyleith, the only thing you can do is have yourself regularly checked, at least every six months, preferably every three; at worst, once a year. Most good hospitals - like the Pattaya International, and Bumrungrad in Bangkok - will do full checks including blood tests and gentital swabs, all reasonably priced. They are discreet, and it doesn't take long. Most STDs, if detected, can be cleared up very quickly with medication. It is important to have checks, because many STDs lie dormant, and even minor ones, if undetected, can cause damage. The damage can be as simple as general lethergy, reduced libido, aches and pains etc. though we tend only to be aware of the visible, obvious symptoms - sores, discharge etc. Damage can also be severe and accumalative over a period of time. Sorry to be a killjoy, but some bacterial STDs can even be passed by hand to genital contact; hence, most sexually active people, who change partners frequently, are often surprised to find they have at least one minor STD. As I said, if detected most can be cleared up quickly. For example, sorry to be crude, but if you have been intimately fiddling wth your girlfriend and then touch yourself, perhaps by putting a condom on, it is possible contract an STD. Its as easy as that. Be especially careful if you enjoy performing oral sex. Just get checked and cleared up every now and then. Vagin.

Try J.D. Pharmacy on Second Road, Pattaya. (The section of Second Road where it runs parallel to Walking Street). They sell more or less anything there, though sometimes you have to be discreet - steroids etc - it is frequented by the body builder brigade, who rave about it. There is also a chemist opposite, which seems to be just as popular.

Don't worry folks, I'll leave the subject after this, but after my topic on Condoms, I thought I would follow-up with a few facts to wet your appetite. (These are just a few facts; there are many more). Most of the information came from the World Health Organisation. Anyway, enjoy your weekend folks, and don't forget to

'bag-up'. If you know anyone who tries to persuade the girls to go without a condom, loudly or secretly expose them!

HIV THAILAND

Thailand Statistics (data at end 2001)

Estimated total population : 63,584,000

Estimated number of adults and children currently living with HIV/AIDS : 670,000

Adults (15 - 49) : 650,000

Women (15 - 49) : 220,000

Children (0 - 15) : 21,000

Estimated number of AIDS deaths in 2001 : 55,000

Whilst the risk of HIV infection from oral sex is very low, this is not the case for other sexually transmissible infections. People need to be aware that unprotected oral sex can lead to infection with: Herpes, Genital warts, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

HEP B

Approximately two-thirds of Hepatitis B (HBV) are transmitted sexually, HBV is linked to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.

HERPES It is estimated that as many as one in four people have genital herpes, yet at least 80 percent of those with herpes are unaware they have it

At least 15 percent of all women are infertile because of tubal damage caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the result of an untreated STD, especially Chlamydia.

LESSER KNOWN DISEASES PRELAVENT IN THAILAND

TRICHOMONAS OR "TRICH" Trichomonas is a nasty germ spread by sex. Women: It can cause an inflamed, sore and itchy vagina, sometimes with an unusual discharge. Occasionally it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a serious infection in women. If a woman who is pregnant has "trich", her baby may be born early or weigh less than normal. Men: often don't have any symptoms but they may experience burning sensation on urination; Irritation and redness of the head of the penis; General tiredness and lethargy. Even if you don't have any symptoms you can still pass on "trich" to your partner if you are infected.

CHANCROID. Chancroid is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Haemophilus Ducreyi. Chancroid causes ulcers, usually of the genitals, and swollen, painful lymph glands, or inguinal buboes, in the groin area. Left untreated, chancroid may facilitate the transmission of HIV. Chancroid is very common in Africa and parts of Asia especially Thailand and Cambodia.

LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM (LGV)

LGV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection involving the lymph glands in the genital area. It is caused by a specific strain of chlamydia. The incidence is highest among sexually active people living in tropical or subtropical climates. The first symptoms may be a small, painless pimple or lesion occurring on the penis or vagina. It is often unnoticed. The infection then spreads to the lymph nodes in the groin area and from there to the surrounding tissue. Complications may include inflamed and swollen lymph glands.

I disagree. Most people don't know the risks, especially statistically. And most people haven't heard of about 70% of sexually transmited diseases. There are new ones being discovered every year. And of the ones that already exist, as micro-biologists point out, they are constantly mutating in order to survive, so that some which were once easily curable are harder to cure, or even detect in some cases. People only know the obvious like HIV. Aks people about Chanceroid, Chlamydia and the effects of certain types of bacterial non-specific Urethitis on the Prostate - and hence the negative effect on libido/sex drive and energy levels (as Sinbad mentioned), and they've no idea. And that's just the men who are meant to be educated. The girls don't have a clue.

After listening to many of the Pattaya farangs talking in bars, I am surprised and disappointed by the number who try to persuade girls not to wear condoms. This is disgustingly irresponsible, immature, and dangerous. It just goes to show that these men do not give a shit about anyone but thmselves. They are nothing but scum. There are in fact over fouteen different types of sexually transmitted diseases. Although about two-thirds of these are easily cleared up once detected, many go undetected and the consequences, especialy for women, can be severe. For a handful, there is no cure. We all know about the obvious - HIV and syphillis - but there are others that can be fatal especially Hep B and Hep C (which are 30 times easier to catch than HIV). The other third of STDs can lie dormant for years and years silently causing damage, such as Herpes (most people don't know there are two types) that live in the spine, and of course syphilis. Some men use the excuse that they can't wear a condom because it desroys the feeling, or they can't get it up properly. These men never seem to get themselves frequently checked out, but yet they expect the girls to do so. ###### hypocrites. The worst type of man is aware of the dangers but still goes ahead, and worse, they try to persuade vulnerable girls, some who are too afraid to say no, or feel prssurised because of poverty. Take heed.

An elderly friend of mine recently died. He was single and the owner of a house, which was in his business name. He had a car and quite alot of money in his bank. He was not married, so nothing was in a Thai person's name, but he lost almost the lot to an appointed Thai lawyer. He didn't have a Will here because he hadn't found a lawyer he felt he could trust and he knew that many of the lawyers in Pattaya and some in Bangkok were not actually qualified lawyers at all. He knew many bad stories of friends who had fallen for scams and lost everything to those lawyers. His other mistake was that he left much of his Thai estate to people back home in the UK. It ended up with his beneficaries in the UK getting only a small portion of what he had intended them to get. His brother who was the Executor of his Will came over, but he had never been to Thailand before and it was such a headache for him that he was almost glad that the appointed Thai lawyer took everything. All his brother wanted to do was get back home. He didn't really know anybody so was completey lost, and didn't have a clue about the place. The point is, whether we like it or not, many of the long term expats among us are going to die here. So, money or possesions you want people to have back home send home now before you die, so its already there to be sorted out by the exectutor or family. Don't leave it here for them to have to try and collect. It's a terribly frustrating and often painfuly laborious process that often ends in tears. Don't be cruel and let people back home have to come over and try and sort it out. Like my friends brother they may have never been to Thailand before and end up walking into a frustrating nightmare, and then only to find that they can't get hold of anything, and you and them lose everything. They don't have the time or energy to sort it out, and the bad Thai lawyers know this. So, the advise is this: Send home now that what you want people to have back home, and just resign yourself to the fact you may lose everything left here unless it's either in a Thai's name, who will benefit, or put it in a good friends name of someone who already lives here and knows Thailand and can fight on their and your behalf and will also benefit. Vagin.