Dr Dre (also known as) Andre Maurice Young, is Professor of Fertility Studies at London University's Imperial College School of Medicine, and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Hammersmith Hospital in London. He is one of the world’s greatest infertility experts, and in 1978 was part of the team which created the first "test tube baby", Louise Brown.

He was also responsible for moving hip hop away from political posturings of Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions, and creating a new 'gangsta' style.

 

 

IS THIS MAN TROUBLE OR WHAT?

A FRIEND has been told he has prostate trouble. Well, he's not really a friend. He's just a bloke I sometimes see in the pub.

I don't even like him that much.

I know nothing about the prostate gland and how it might cause symptoms. What should I look out for as I grow older?

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Dre replies...

MANY people feel uncomfortable talking about the prostate, since the gland plays a role in both sex and passing urine. You would be surprised though. Some of the biggest players in the hip hop world suffer from prostate problems.

Prostate enlargement is as common a part of ageing as grey hair. As life expectancy rises, enlarged prostate glands get more common - a few years ago a brotha in Compton wouldn't last until he was 30. Now, with Crips and Bloods putting down their guns, they may live much longer - and be plagued by prostate problems.

The prostate is a walnut-size gland that forms part of a man's reproductive system. It lies directly under the bladder encircling the urethra - the tube leading to the outside - and is made of two lobes enclosed in an outer shell. It looks like some nasty shit.

It's common for the prostate to become enlarged you get old. Doctors call the condition benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. They can call it what the hell they like. There are lots of docs, but there is only one Dr Dre.

Anyway, prostate enlargement doesn't usually cause problems until later in life. You be getting your social security checks before you get a word from Mr Gland.

As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to squeeze the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose at a LA barbaqueue. The sun is blazing down...the homies are chillin' on the left. The honeys are relaxing by the pool.

But I digress. The size of the prostate don't always determine how severe the obstruction or the symptoms will be. Some men with greatly enlarged glands have little obstruction and few symptoms while others, whose glands are less enlarged, have more blockages and greater problems.

It's like they said on Different Strokes: nappy rash for some - it ain't nappy rash for all.

 

STRAIGHT OUTA LUCK?

I'VE been seeing a girl for a year. When I say 'seeing her', I mean that she is my girlfriend...obviously I can see her. That's not the problem. I'm not blind.

When I try to get near her sexually, she says she isn''t really interested and can "take it or leave it".

She says she has been badly hurt by men in the past and doesn't know what kind of man she really wants. But the next minute she says she wants me and no one else. I know women are fickle - but this is something else!

Sex is an issue. I want sex. I need sex. I know it's not everything, but she hardly ever talks about it and now I think she doesn't fancy me that way. How can we make it together? I don't want to marry her or anything, I just want to go out with her for a few years, have regular sex and then drift apart.

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Dre replies...

YOUR woman has been hurt and is scared of showing she cares for you. She's certainly sending you mixed messages. It's like when big rappers start talking about the streets, when they're holed up in a Bel Air mansion with their coke. It don't make no sense to me.

You say sex isn't everything. Too damn right. Before I met my Michel'le I was banging all kinds of ho's, but it never meant anything to me.

It doesn't matter if you're in Memphis or Manhattan - communicaton is the key.

I know it's hard to broach the subject but be brave and ask her outright if she's interested in you in that way. If she refuses to discuss it, you might have your answer there. Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. Life is funny like that.

That doesn't mean you're not an attractive person, just that it's not right between you two. And setting each other free will allow you to find the person who is right. It's like I used to say: If you're not happy on Death Row Records, you're free to leave - just don't forget who made you a star.

Why not talk it over with one of my semi-qualified counsellors and sex therapists on 09064 001 030?




COULD YOU PICK UP THE KIDS?

STEVE, could you pick up the kids from playgroup tonight? It looks like I'll be working late again - it's that bloody Gartmore account, it's taking forever. Jim came in this morning and said they're unhappy with the edit that we've done, so it's going to be all hands to the pump for the next week. Darren is coming down from Cambridge to help out.

There are a couple of the lasagnes in the freezer. Toby prefers the Healthy Choice ones. I should be back at about 10pm, but don't wait up.

By the way, I picked up a tiramisu from M&S for Sunday. Looks scrummy.

See you later, xxxxxxxx Diane

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Dre replies...

I guess this email wasn't meant for me, since I'm not called Steve and I don't know anyone called Diane. And I sure as hell am not eating tiramisu on Sunday - it's the day before the Grammies and I intend to look svelte.

My advice is not for Diane, it is for Steve. Keep an eye on your woman. Just who is Darren? And what is he to Diane? Be careful.

I've still got love for the streets. And I'm out of here.