Dear Abby: This is in response to "Hot in Hot Springs, Ark.," who got angry when her adult stepson asked her to turn off a television program dealing with sexual dysfunction. I suspect he may have that problem and she failed to realize what a sensitive issue this is with most men.
I'm only 35, and it happened to me. At first, I was too embarrassed to get professional help, but when I finally did, I left the urologist's office feeling much relieved, and now I'm functioning very well.Abby, I learned that there are more than 10 million men in the United States who suffer from impotence or some other type of sexual dysfunction. I also learned that smoking can compound sexual problems. Men who want to continue to be sexually active in their later years should quit smoking, keep their weight down and exercise regularly.
Please urge "Hot in Hot Springs" to ask her husband to encourage his son to see a urologist immediately for evaluation and possibly treatment.
- Been There, Doing That Again (Happily)
Dear Been There: Thanks for writing. Your letter will be appreciated by many men - and women, too.
Since 1983, Impotents Anonymous , a non-profit, self-help program of impotent men (fashioned after AA), and I-Anon (which is similar to Al-Anon) for their partners, has provided newsletters, brochures and support groups. To contact them, send a long (business-size), self-addressed, stamped (32 cents) envelope, plus $1 to cover printing costs, to: Impotence World Service, 119 S. Ruth St., Maryville, TN 37803.
Dear Abby: The holidays are here, which poses a big problem.
What do you do when very close relatives invite you to a meal at their home, and your husband refuses to go? Here is the reason: My sister and brother-in-law let their dog eat off the same plates that the guests have been served on. The dog licks the plate clean!
They don't see anything wrong with this, but it just turns my stomach, and my husband refuses to eat another meal at their home.
What can I do? We can't have the holiday meals at my house all the time. We left town for Thanksgiving, but we have to be here for Christmas.
I have even taken paper plates to use at their house when we are invited for birthday parties, but you can't use paper plates for Christmas dinner.
Please help.
- Holiday Dilemma
Dear Holiday: Who says you can't use paper plates for Christmas dinners? Shop around. There are beautifully decorated paper plates especially designed for Christmas parties - which spares the hosts the "chore" of kitchen duty after the festivities are over.
The alternative is leveling with your sister about why your husband is absent.
Dear Abby: Why is the U.S Postal Service honoring Richard Nixon with his picture on a U.S. postage stamp?
Nixon was forced to resign for unethical behavior in office. Please poll your readers.
- G. Johnson, Duluth, Minn.
Dear G. Johnson: Postmaster General Marvin T. Runyon Jr. was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying that he already had fielded several objections to the Nixon stamp.
He explained that traditionally every president is honored with a stamp after his death, and he had no intention of changing tradition by denying the Nixon family the honor of having his picture on a postage stamp.