Direct from Mars and Venus, our sex columnists Ziad and Zeina get to the bottom of your most intimate questions. Got a problem? Email getnaked@timeoutbeirut.com

Q: Dear Zeina and Ziad, I have a problem I really need some perspective on! I just started having sex with my boyfriend. It’s the best sex I’ve ever had, but he refuses to wear a condom. The first time we had sex I let it slide – everything was going perfectly and I didn’t want to ruin things. But now he’s gotten used to the idea. I swear I’m not normally this stupid. I’ve had relationships before. In all other areas he’s really educated, intelligent and careful. So how can I get him to change his ways and start using some protection?!
PS Thanks for all the advice, I love reading your column!

A: Zeina says... One little question: what were you thinking? You’re either completely stupid or suffering from a severe case of sexual amnesia. Let me spell it out for you - if he’s not wearing a condom it’s a serious risk to your sexual health. And if he’s had unprotected sex before that risk is tenfold. Herpes, hepatitis, HIV... these are just a few of the diseases beginning with H you may have exposed yourself to already. Even if you are taking the pill (and it doesn’t sound like you are), this only protects you from pregnancy. I suggest you and your simpleton boyfriend get checked out immediately (Baabda Hospital and Helem offer tests for free).
Ziad says... Wow. There are two lies men always rely on when trying to escape sexual responsibility. The first is ‘I gave all my girlfriends an orgasm before, what’s wrong with you?’. The second, ‘none of my girlfriends have made me wear a condom before’. This may be one of those very few situations where it’s okay to use a relationship ultimatum. Tell him that a condom is not a request, it’s an absolute requirement if he wants to be with you. Make sure to have the conversation over the phone, sexual attraction can be mightily distracting when talking in person.

Q: Hello Z and Z! I am a nineteen-year-old uncircumcised male and I’ve never had sex before. My problem is that after masturbating I notice tiny cuts on my foreskin and sometimes a little blood. Please don’t ask me to get circumcised. Will this affect my ‘first dance in bed’? Help! Douglas, Jal El Dib

A: Zeina says... I think I’ll leave this one for Ziad to answer. He’s definitely had more ‘research’ in this field.
Ziad says... This may be a case of balanitis, an infection that causes your penis to swell up and makes it hard to pull the foreskin back. It’s extremely common among uncircumcised males. I suggest seeing a ‘foreskin friendly’ doctor as soon as possible. If diagnosed, he’ll prescribe you with a light cream and perhaps some antibiotics. If it’s not balanitis however, then stop abusing the fella – the penis should always be treated with respect. The tiny cuts (and blood - ouch!) are from believing your foreskin is more supple than it is. Get used to pulling it back bit by bit – take a long bath and practice stretching it back over the shaft. You’ll see it gradually get looser (and easier to clean) over time. Otherwise you may cause yourself some permanent damage, meaning you’ll have a long wait until that ‘first dance in bed’.