Q: My twin sister recently found out she had rhesus negative blood. We are not identical twins but could this mean that I am rhesus negative too? Sidra, Karachi
A: Since you are non-identical twins it is possible for you both to have different blood groups. Your parents' blood groups determine the various permutations of blood group that you could inherit. However, it is possible that you too could be rhesus negative. Your rhesus status assumes importance if you need to receive a blood transfusion. If you are rhesus negative you should only receive blood that is also rhesus negative otherwise a transfusion reaction could occur due to blood incompatibility. Also, if you are rhesus negative this could have implications for the future if you were pregnant with a child that was rhesus positive.

Q: Is it possible to remove the ovaries without removing the womb? I suffer from recurring ovarian cysts. Shaista, Lahore
A: It is certainly possible to remove the ovaries and leave the womb behind. However, this would trigger an early menopause since the ovaries are the organs where oestrogen is manufactured. This would necessitate the taking of hormone replacement therapy in order to compensate for the lack of oestrogen.

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