I am 18. I have been reading your column from I was 13. That is the reason why I buy the Star. I am having a problem. I have a boyfriend who is 20 and he is working. He is helping to send me back to school because I left school with only two subjects.

I love him world without end, but he is behaving like a sex maniac. Every time I go to see him, we have sex. One Friday evening, I went to see him and I was seeing my period and he forced me to have sex with him. I told him that I have never done that and he said nothing is wrong with it, as he has done it before with a much older woman.

I asked one of my friends if it is right for a woman to have sex while she is seeing her period and she told me no, that is nastiness. I didn't tell her that my boyfriend and I did it.

I want to know if it is the right thing to do.

T.H., Portland

Dear T.H.,

Some couples never stop having sex, so they consider that having sex even during a woman's menstruation as normal. On the other hand, some consider sex during menstruation as gross.

Some medical doctors insist that the practice should not be condemned. However, precautions should be taken to prevent pregnancy and STDs.

Dr Kellie Flood-Shaffer says, "Menstrual blood actually makes a very nice lubricant and may enhance sexual satisfaction for some couples." And some women have said that having sex while seeing their menses reduces menstrual cramps.

Please understand that I am not here to advocate or condemn what is obviously a very messy practice. I am only commenting on the topic as I understand it.

I refuse to believe that a man cannot exercise self-control for a few days while his wife goes through her period of menstruation. Such a man needs to learn how to exercise restraint.

Pastor