Q: When I make out with my girlfriend, I end up ejaculating. What can I do about it?

I'm 22 years old, and I'm not interested in having sex until I'm married. Our making out doesn't really involve anything sexual, mostly just kissing. I don't want to not make out with her, but I don't like the coming part of it. Karan, Mumbai

A friend of mine suggested yesterday that men are “bigger masturbators” than women.

“A man holds the world record for masturbation – nine hours and something,” he said defiantly. “Men are just hornier than women. And so they’re more keen on masturbating,” he added. Is that true? If it is, is it the only reason why are women missing out on the safest, easiest form of sex?

“When I first watched it, I never thought I'd like porn,” 24-year-old Seema says, admitting she now enjoys it on a regular basis.

Studies worldwide show that the market for female-oriented porn is on the rise. However, it will still be a while before the secrecy around this form of self-indulgence disappears, the Mumbai-based advertising professional says.

Sex toys put the fun into safe sex, say the owners of Nepal's first sex shop 'Sweet Secret' in Kathmandu.

Sex toys are a tricky topic in South Asian countries. In India they’re officially banned – though there’s a lively black market trade, and vibrators are often sold as ‘massage’ products. But meanwhile across the border in Nepal, the authorities take a more positive attitude.

Q: Auntyji, I really need your help. I’m 18 years old and I masturbate at least once a day.

I’ve been told this is an illness and that I can make myself sick. One friend warned me that if I carry on I won’t be able to satisfy a woman. What can I do to stop? I feel worried and guilty but I can't help myself!
Nishant, Hyderabad

Sex addiction is now one of the top three addictions in the Netherlands, according to addiction specialist Dick Trubendorffer.

The problem is reaching epidemic proportions, he says. It’s perfectly natural to think about sex pretty often. But some people apparently have such an unhealthy obsession they find it hard to get on with a normal life.

It’s a disease which mainly seems to affect conservative men. The symptoms may seem alarming, but there’s a simple cure: more masturbation.

We talk to Dr. Hussein Ghanem, sexologist at Cairo University about this surprisingly common “illness” and how he deals with it.

Sex toys are banned in India. But stroll through Mumbai's Fort area and it won’t be long before a street vendor asks you discreetly, “You want some pleasure items?”

Show a bit of interest and he'll reveal a range of dildos, vibrators, sprays, gels, aphrodisiacs and studded condoms. Top sexologist Dr Prakash Kothari says the ban on ‘obscene objects’ makes no sense.

“I discovered masturbation by accident,” says Marion. Till the age of 16 she didn’t even know that what she was doing was considered masturbation.

As US National Masturbation Month draws to a close, we hear how Bangalore-based Marion first learnt to take matters into her own hands. “I mean I knew what ‘masturbation’ meant when boys did it, but honestly I didn’t think girls could do it.”

Masturbation doesn’t cause sexual or physical weakness, says Pakistani sex expert Dr Syed Mubin Akhtar.

It’s not a sin either, he says, at least as far as one strand of Islam is concerned. But many in his country believe it is. Even he was worried sick about contracting horrible diseases by masturbating, until he found out they were all fairy tales.