Dr Hetal Gosalia addresses common concerns across ages: a 14-year-old boy experiencing normal puberty-related spontaneous erections, a newly married woman faking orgasm due to lack of satisfaction and advised open communication with partner, and a 43-year-old man facing reduced erections, reassured as common and advised patience, support, and medical consultation if persistent.

I am a widow, and my 14-year-old son complains of unexpected erections. He feels odd. How to deal with this? KB, Khar West

You need to talk and explain to him. Unexpected erections are some of the most unwelcome ones, which make a boy feel embarrassed too. It marks his puberty changes at the same time. It can happen any time: standing for a school bus, walking down the street, talking with a girl, reading a magazine, or in sports class. A boy may not be thinking about sex at that time, but his body will send random nerve signals to his penis to get an erection. Remember that it happens to everyone during adolescence and it is absolutely normal. The erection will go away in some time.

I am newly married and, to make my husband feel good, I fake orgasm. But I myself feel bad now. Please guide. JD, Ghatkopar East

The ability to read each other’s body language and mind, and what gives pleasure to the partner, is the key to sexual success. And for this to happen, partners must communicate their needs and desires openly. Some women, and men too, are unable to reach orgasm and may fake it to make their partner feel good. According to a recent survey, women fake at least sometimes, if not always.