It was time, once again, for my annual physical with "Doctor Bob", as I called him. A genuinely nice guy who was always easy to talk to, but I nevertheless felt nervous about the questions I needed to ask. Given that I told him all about the unusual sex life that my wife and I share...I certainly had no reason to be shy about anything.
"The nurse indicated that you had another issue to discuss today, but didn't share the information with her. What's on your mind, Neil?" the Doctor asked, while checking my back for spots.
"Well...I'd like you to run the STD tests again. There's no reason to suspect a problem...just a precaution for peace-of-mind." I said, feeling both stupid and nervous.
"Sure...not a problem. Are you and your wife becoming active with other partners?" He asked, knowing that we had a history of mild swinging and an appetite for the unusual that would make most folks blush.
"Uh...no...not really. Becky's been playing with a girlfriend...it's not likely that her friend would want me around...just doing my part to make sure everybody stays healthy."
"Fair enough...I've always been pleased that you're willing to share the behaviors that might effect your health. I wish more of my patients were as forthcoming." The Doctor replied, while checking my ear canals. "But that's nothing we haven't been checking for years. Is there something else you'd like to discuss?"
"Um...yeah" I said, pausing and sighing deeply while gathering my thoughts. "Sometimes I can't seem to maintain an erection. Getting one is not a problem...but my ego took a major blow last month when I...well...couldn't finish."
"Neil...you're a very healthy, athletic guy...and at only forty-six years old, it's unlikely this is a major problem. At the risk of sounding like the TV commercials we're all bombarded with...this is more common than you'd think."
"I know that...and I know this kind of thing is usually mental, perhaps caused by stress." I replied, as the Doctor typed notes into the computer. "I don't want to make too much of this, and feel like I'm giving-in to non-stop advertising...but I can't really think of any reason for it. Becky has been great about the whole thing...and to be blunt, the occasional morning-wood is as "robust" as ever."
"That's a good thing...at least the plumbing is still in good shape." Doctor Bob said with an easy grin before looking back at my records. "It might be that the medicine we use to treat your high blood pressure needs to be scaled-down. Your problem there isn't severe, and is a trait of family genetics as opposed to your lifestyle. I'll get you a lower-strength prescription, but I want you to track your blood pressure for the next ten days. Your wife, however, will have to be a willing participant to see if anything else changes."
"Trust me, she'll love the idea of following "doctor's orders." I answered with a chuckle, finally starting to relax in response to Bob's calm and professional manner. "You really think it could be that simple?"
"It might be a factor...but not the entire issue. Perhaps things in the bedroom are getting routine for you? Given what you've told me, maybe the idea that Becky has opportunities outside your relationship...while you don't...has you feeling left out, or less desirable? I'm not a couple's therapist...but maybe it's something to discuss with your wife."
"Well...our close friends moved away almost three years ago, and our "adventures" have come to a halt." I said frankly, and suddenly felt mildly embarrassed for thinking-out-loud. "I'm sorry...that's more information than you probably care to hear. I just never considered being bored...especially not with Becky."
"I want you to feel comfortable telling me anything about your body and health that bothers you. I'm only five years younger than you...yet I've heard things that are far more embarrassing than anything you've ever told me." He said, tapping a rubber hammer against my knees. "Now to the highlight of the day for both of us...please stand in front of the table and turn your head to the side."
The comically sarcastic tone made the routine test seem less daunting. I hopped-down in compliance, paying little attention to the Doctor's gloved hand as he rolled my balls in his fingers and then shoved a digit upward, behind my sack. My mind was distracted with considering that things might be getting a little dull.
"Please cough...thank you...and again" Doctor Bob directed as I continued to be lost in my own thoughts. "Rest your elbows on the table...you'll feel a little pressure, but this won't take long."
The fact was, I really had been missing our friends, Don and Rachel. They were much like Becky and me...unafraid of sharing fun with trusted friends, but not really into expanding the circle too wide. It was a blow to all of us when Don was forced to relocate for his job. My mind was snapped-back to reality when Doctor Bob shoved a finger in my ass and quickly inspected my prostate.
"Your prostate feels smooth and normal, but a bit enlarged on one side. Nothing to be alarmed about, but if it stays that way...we may consider the medication that treats both erectile dysfunction and an enlarged prostate. Since you haven't had any bladder issues, I'd rather avoid those kinds of drugs. The side-effects can be troublesome, and they don't always play well with blood-pressure meds." The Doctor said, tossing me a box of tissues to wipe the slick goo out of my ass. "Still...I'll give you a sample-pack of the familiar blue pills. They will likely help...but I'd like you to try the reduced prescription, along with spicing things up with Becky, as a first solution." He said with a smile, before telling me I could get dressed.
"Thanks Doc...I hope this helps...I'm not much into taking a lot of pills." I answered, pulling up my briefs and stepping into my jeans. "I appreciate your demeanor...I was oddly nervous about bringing this up."
"Don't ever be nervous, Neil. This is always a no-judgment zone." Bob smiled as he typed a few more notes and then closed the computer file. "I know you have a blood-pressure monitor at home...just shoot me an email with about ten days of results, and we'll go from there."
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As expected, Becky was a very willing participant in our informal study of altering medication. My blood-pressure didn't change much with the reduced meds, but neither did my "problem"...although Becky's game of "naughty nurse" didn't hurt things for the short-term. I tried the blue pills, with good results, but they made my face feel warm and flushed. Besides, I wasn't thrilled about losing the sense of spontaneity that had made our love-life so exciting.
A couple of weeks later, me and Becky were at the local gym where I saw Doctor Bob finishing a game with his basketball league. We had seen each other there several times over the years and usually shared a polite nod as we passed in the hallway or locker room. I had just gotten off the treadmill, and was standing outside the yoga studio, waiting for Becky to get out of class when Bob stood next to me.
"Is your wife taking yoga? Lisa started a few weeks ago." Doc Bob said, wiping sweat off his forehead with a towel. "I gave it a try once or twice...but I prefer to sweat things out on the court."
"Yeah...Becky is a yoga addict. I like to think I'm fairly limber...but those poses can be a real kick-in-the-ass." I replied, as the class ended and people filed out of the room.
"Hi Honey...who's your friend?" Becky said, giving me a peck on the cheek before wrapping a towel around her neck.
