My wife and I just got married, but we are not financially prepared to bring a child into the world. Is it possible to get pregnant if we have intercourse during her menstrual cycle? What are the days that are safe to do it in order to prevent pregnancy? We do not want to use condoms or pills.

Ramon, Northern Virginia

Dear Ramon,

First and foremost, remember that sperm can live inside a woman's body for five days after its initial release, so even if she has her period, there is a chance that she could get pregnant. In every month, there is usually only 24 hours in which a woman can get pregnant, the impossibility is knowing which day.

It is likely that you should be most careful two weeks after her last period and before her next. Your best bet is to use the withdrawal method, which means that when you're about to ejaculate, pull out your penis and release yourself on her stomach (or what have you), as long as you don't release your sperm inside of her. But keep in mind that even with this method, it's still possible to slip one past the goalie.

Although my partner and I have great sex together, lately I've become rather bored having sex with the same person and my eyes are beginning to wander. We watch X-rated movies together and we are free and open when it come to touching and exploring each other.

We have spoken about bringing in a third person -- either a man or woman is fine -- but when we go out to look for that new person, my partner tends to balk. I love him very much and do not want to lose him, but how can we reinvigorate our sex life so that the fire remains?

Wandering woman, New York, NY

Dear Wandering,

First off, if you and your boyfriend are simply in this relationship for sex, then having a third party would be no problem, but if you're noticing that he seems to back out the second you take initiative to find that third person, then maybe you should forget the idea altogether.

Secondly, human beings are not monogamous by nature, rather monogamy is a conscious decision that we choose to abide by. Perhaps you're bored because you require more than one sexual partner. You said yourself that the sex is very good and that you have open communication.

Perhaps, if you really want to stay faithful, the two of you can begin role-playing.

I would like to know if a blood test is the only one needed to check for all STDs. Is it possible that there are other STDs that cannot be detected via blood?

Also, are there STDs that a man can carry without showing symptoms, and can still spread to his partner? How long can one of those diseases remain in the body before actually realizing that you contracted something? 

Sam G., Point Lay, Alaska

Dear Sam,

Blood tests are used mostly for HIV and Hepatitis tests; other STD tests require urine or discharge samples. There are diseases such as Chlamydia and even HIV that both sexes can carry and spread, but do not necessarily show symptoms of themselves. 

It is recommended to visit a doctor and get checked out every six months, and if you've had unprotected sex, more often than that. If you have a disease like Chlamydia and you wait too long, you could become sterile.

What is the benefit of doing kegel exercises if you are a guy? I know it makes you shoot further, but that doesn't serve any real purpose for me.

I have been doing them for the past month or so 3 times daily (first 3 seconds, then 5, now 10) at 30 reps. I just want to know what I should be looking for. Thanks and your site rocks!

Brad, Michigan

Dear Brad,

You'll know that your kegel exercises have paid off when you're able to withhold your urine midway through going. That means that your muscle is very strong, which not only helps you "shoot further" as you so eloquently put it, it also helps you better control your orgasms. Use this to your complete advantage and keep on kegeling !