I have been married for many years to a wonderful guy, who travels a lot on business. Sometimes, he's away for a few weeks at a time.

I must confess that I do get a little bored while he is travelling, though I do have a part-time job, and I also undertake charitable work.

About a week ago a young man came to the house by appointment, to sort out some financial arrangements and to obtain my signature on some papers. He was a real sweet guy, and he seemed genuinely concerned to make sure that I understood everything in the documents.

I offered him coffee, and then when we had finished looking at the papers I gave him a stronger drink, and had one myself. This was a big mistake. We ended up spending the afternoon in bed. I must have been crazy, but that is what I did.

He kept telling me how wonderful and beautiful I was. He said he had never been with a mature lady before, and he thought it was great. As for me, I couldn't help being impressed by the fact that he was so active and virile.

Eventually, I got him out of the house, without any of the neighbours noticing (I hope).

Since then, I have been full of guilt. I feel terrible. What do you think I should do? In particular, should I tell my husband? Also, there is the question of possible pregnancy. Could I get that thing that I think they call the 'after-sex pill,' or something like that? How I wish I had not done this.

A. Well, I have heard similar stories many times. You are not the first wife to suddenly find herself in bed with somebody else while her husband is away.

Let us first look at the question of pregnancy. I am afraid that it is way too late for the 'after-sex pill' - which has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. You are also too late for the 'after-sex coil'- which has to be inserted within five days of sexual intercourse.

So, I regret to say that you will just have to wait and see if your next period arrives; let us hope it does.

Second, you should consider the question of sexually transmitted infections. Although this young man was very charming and 'respectable,' there is a chance that you might have caught something from him. So, I really feel that you should see a doctor for a check-up and some tests.

Should you tell your husband? My personal view is that it would be crazy to do so. Others may disagree. But I have often seen terrible reactions from men who find out that their wives have been unfaithful. Sometimes the revelation has provoked violence.

From clinical experience, I would say that it is a good idea to talk to somebody - for instance, a minister of religion or a counsellor, or a good friend whose absolute discretion you can rely on. This sort of human contact is often helpful in easing the turmoil in a person's mind.

The final point is that this young man obviously had a wonderful time with you. Unless he is a most unusual guy, he is probably thinking that he would like some more!

But, please, do not let him anywhere near you. To allow him to return to your house would be an act of utter folly. Please try to arrange your financial affairs so that he does not have to deal with them any more. Good luck in sorting out this difficult situation.

A. The operation itself does not hurt. But for a week or so after, you will feel quite tender and bruised. You will also be a little swollen. So for seven days post-operation, it is wise to wear some sort of athletic support.

However, you can have sex as soon as you like. Some guys have done it within a couple of hours.

But you must bear in mind that you will not be sterile until some time after the operation. Most surgeons ask you to send in a sample of semen about two to three months after surgery, to see if there are still any sperms in it.

A. No, that is not correct. HRT taken through the vagina - in the form of a cream, gel or pessary (tablet) - is very good for curing menopausal problems such as vaginal dryness.

But it does get absorbed into the rest of the body. So it may cause side effects, in the same way that HRT pills do.

A. Cystitis is strongly linked with sexual activity, and often starts after a vigorous bout of sex.

Personally, I think that it should always be treated by a doctor, who can do tests on the urine to see if the woman has fully recovered. I generally advise ladies not to have intercourse for about 10 days after an attack of cystitis.

A. Mere handling of the genitals is most unlikely to give a man any form of venereal disease.

I cannot see that what happened while you were drunk indicates that you are gay. However, you are the only one who knows what your sexual impulses are.

Do you really like women and enjoy the thought of having sex with them? If so, it is rather unlikely that you are homosexual.

A. The thyroid gland is in the front of the neck. If it isn't producing enough hormone - and that is quite common in women - the person feels sluggish, tired and cold, and keeps gaining weight.

Blood tests will reveal whether you really do have an under-active thyroid. If so, it can be treated successfully.