OK call me a prude, but am I alone?

Also because something hasnt happened to you doesnt mean it doesnt impact people in different ways. That's quite bizarre thinking. I have had two pregnancies with no particular issues, that doesnt mean I dont believe women cant experience terrible problems in pregnancy.

There are so many factors at play. I recall a friend deep in grief in menopause because to marked the end of her childbearing life, whereas I thought, brilliant, no need to worry about birth control any more etc. It can impact on marriages also, in ways we wouldn't choose to discuss here TMI wise.

I wouldn't wish my menopause experience on anyone ,it was so bad I almost lost my marriage and contemplated taking my life.Consequently I'm on HRT for life ,with yearly checkups with a gynaecologist .
The HRT has made a massive difference but even with it I still have irregular bleeds and often night sweats at 69.I can live with those .I cant stand the smug women who tell me they sailed through it as if it was my choice to have the issues I did .
All experiences are valid so the "whingers" need heard ,just as my 11 year old GD who has very heavy periods needs heard and help at the other end of the joy of periods

We took DGD to a professional performanc of 'Twelfths Nighf when she was about 12. The performance showed, quite subtly the Sea Captain's care and kindness of Sebastien as being homosexually motivated

DGD noticed this and asked about it. I explained truthfully, she accepted it and I let her parents know. they were quite happy about what she saw and how I had dealt with it.

My rule has always been to answer questions when asked. I have been so successful that when DD was 16 she came home and described me as a useless parent. It seemed she and her college friends, sitting round the table in the college cafe were discussing all the hilarious things their parents did to avoid talking about sex or answering questions on the subject. She complained that she could contribute nothing to the conversation because if she wanted to know anything on sexual matters she just asked me and got an answer and she couldn't remember when she hadn't known the basic facts of sexual reproduction.

paddyann54 Thank you That's exactly what my experience was too - and I also vividly remember being dismissed by various doctors when I had horrendously heavy and painful periods almost from the word go, being told "It'll be better once you have a baby". Not much help to a young teenager. More understanding at both ends of the menstruation/menopause experience would go a long way.

Menopause can happen at any age. My daughter's friend was 15. My Aunt was in her 20's and my DIL is only mid 30's but it is looking like she is heading that way. It is an awful thing to go through for them and has an impact on their mental health with future health problems on the way with an increased chance of osteoporosis.
How anyone can be dismissive of women going through this is beyond me. I have not suffered much but can no longer have a healthy sex life with my husband because of the pain. I have used all the usual creams and am on HRT. Fortunately he is understanding but it could have been the start of a rocky road for my marriage.
Most Dr's no longer prescribe Viagra, you are expected to buy in over the counter. These adverts inform men where they can buy it safely. Your Dr will normally prescribe a stronger dose if you need more than the OTC strength.

I’m sorry if I upset people who have had horrendous times with with the menopause. That was not my intention at all. I know I was lucky, although the continuous heavy bleeding that led up to my having an endometrial ablation that stopped my periods was no picnic. I have every sympathy for women who have awful experiences. My point was that I get fed up with hearing celebrities banging on about theirs. We all have different crosses to bear. At the moment, I have terrible, debilitating depression along with chronic fatigue symptoms so I am probably not making myself as clear as I should be.

Musicgirl, that sounds awful. I do understand where you are coming from about celebrities but they do give a lot of women who don't do a lot of reading an insight into symptoms they might be experiencing. I hope you feel better soon. My daughter suffers from chronic fatigue and it has such an impact on her life.

I can guarantee that a ‘lesbian kiss’ is no more sexual or obscene than kiss between a man and a woman. If you think it is, you’ve got a problem.

But then you’re biased.

icanhandthemback Most Dr's no longer prescribe Viagra, you are expected to buy in over the counter. These adverts inform men where they can buy it safely. Your Dr will normally prescribe a stronger dose if you need more than the OTC strength.

Don't you think people with such issues can figure out how to find an over the counter location, without young children being exposed to viagra ads at 3 in the afternoon or other time children are usually awake?

I'd suggest if truly interested they'll find a way.

Germanshepherdsmum

But then you’re biased.

I’m not biased, and I agree with AmberSpyglass. A kiss is a kiss, whoever is doing it. It’s a good thing (providing, of course, that both parties want it).

suelld

JaneJudge

bizarrely someone gave me some viagra towels and they are still going strong years later

What is a Viagra Towel? Advertising or something I’m ignorant of?

I asked a few pages back, but nobody has anawered yet!

answered

I dont know if I am biased or not but I agree a lesbian kiss is no different in terms of 'acceptability' than a straight kiss.

Norah

icanhandthemback Most Dr's no longer prescribe Viagra, you are expected to buy in over the counter. These adverts inform men where they can buy it safely. Your Dr will normally prescribe a stronger dose if you need more than the OTC strength.

Don't you think people with such issues can figure out how to find an over the counter location, without young children being exposed to viagra ads at 3 in the afternoon or other time children are usually awake?

I'd suggest if truly interested they'll find a way.

Many don’t want to go into their local pharmacy to buy it because they are embarrassed. Being open about it on tv will take the embarrassment out of the whole thing which will help those in that situation.

Well Google always knows the answer so I asked him to look for a Viagra towel and here they are. Literally a towel showing the molecular structure of Viagra. So unless someone knows any different that is what I presume they are.

I think we've missed the point to Maw's post.

Of course people kiss, may make love, may take viagra, are hetero, LBGQT, go through menopause; do we want to talk about any of that with small children - aren't those talks the work of parents?

This GP wants no part to difficult talks. I've done my time, I'm a GP for the fun bits, decidedly not a parent for the hard bits. Done!

Norah, so what would you do in the event that a grandchild did ask an 'awkward' question? Just dismiss them and say ask your parents?

Blondiescot

*Norah*, so what would you do in the event that a grandchild did ask an 'awkward' question? Just dismiss them and say ask your parents?

I've said "that's a wonderful question for your mum" let's eat biscuits.

I've no idea what the precise answer my children want given to their children on many topics, when in doubt - punt.

Blondiescot

*Norah*, so what would you do in the event that a grandchild did ask an 'awkward' question? Just dismiss them and say ask your parents?

Adding to my answer. Depending on age, I've answered the hard questions - but not to the over-inquisitive 8 year olds. As stands, talk is a never ending discourse - but why, but what, he does what, how does that happen. And we have a GS - totally willy oriented - no thank you very much, ask your Mum.

I would answer the questions of every child. Including the penis orientated over-inquisitive 8 year old.

M0nica

I would answer the questions of every child. Including the penis orientated over-inquisitive 8 year old.

Works for you.

As I said I've no idea what my children may wish to have conveyed to their children on sensitive matters - I quite kindly change willy talk to biscuits.

I've no personal knowledge of Lesbians or Viagra (Maw's posted examples of inappropriate afternoon adverts). I'm not even sure to answers - punt.

I don’t know what punt means, I thought a punt was a flat bottomed boat.
But I would answer questions if they arose, on a penis or any other matter, as I know my daughter shares my views on being open and honest whilst being age appropriate. After all, it’s how I brought her and my son up.

M0nica

I would answer the questions of every child. Including the penis orientated over-inquisitive 8 year old.

That's what I've always done too - with my own children and will continue to do so with GS.