http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 2006-2007 aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) posts 1440 Just another WordPress weblog Kinsey Confidential Kinsey Confidential aschweig@indiana.edu No no http://kinseyconfidential.org/wp-content/themes/kinsey/images/kinsey-podcast-300.jpg http://kinseyconfidential.org 144 144 http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-delay-ejaculation-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-delay-ejaculation-sex/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:00:49 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1488 http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-delay-ejaculation-sex/feed/ 1 3:22 Condoms to Elongate Intercourse Condoms that are marketed to help men last longer often contain a gel or a cream inside the condom that has benzocaine ... Condoms to Elongate Intercourse Condoms that are marketed to help men last longer often contain a gel or a cream inside the condom that has benzocaine as an active ingredient. Benzocaine works by slightly numbing or desensitizing the skin on a manrsquo;s penis. By reducing sensation during sex, condoms with benzocaine may help men to last longer by several minutes. For men who come more quickly than they or their partner would like, this can be very appealing. Health Warnings Most men are able to use condoms that contain benzocaine without experiencing any negative side effects. However, some men may be sensitive or allergic to benzocaine or to other ingredients used in the cream or gel thatrsquo;s inside the condom. In fact, some case reports describe men who have experienced redness, inflammation or other irritation ndash; sometimes quite severe - to their penis. Unfortunately, sensitive or allergic reactions may last a few days or even as long as a week or two. If a man continues to expose himself to something he is sensitive or allergic to, perhaps because he doesnrsquo;t realize what is causing the problem, he may make the problem even worse. If you or your partner use these types of condoms and notice redness, irritation, itching, inflammation or swelling after using them, then stop using them and ask your healthcare provider about it. If you try these types of condoms and find that you do not experience any negative reactions ndash; again, most men do not ndash; then they may be part of a useful short term strategy to help you last longer during sex. Long Term Solutions Of course, these types of condoms are often not a useful long term strategy. Masturbation exercises such as the stop-start and squeeze technique may be more helpful for men to learn to control the timing of their ejaculate over the long run. In addition, some men are helped by visualization exercises, by learning to relax during sex or to focus on their own physical sensations during sex.nbsp;Others find that with time and experience, they learn how to last longer all on their own. Less commonly, some men find that certain prescription medications ndash; specifically, some SSRI antidepressants ndash; may help them to last longer. Men who are interested in medication options should ask their healthcare provider for more information. More Information To learn more about how to last longer during sex, check out The New Male Sexuality or Coping With Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner and Have Great Sex. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1485 http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/feed/ 0 3:06 Likes and Dislikes It may be helpful to know that not all women feel sexually excited from having their clitoris rubbed or their vaginal entrance licked. ... Likes and Dislikes It may be helpful to know that not all women feel sexually excited from having their clitoris rubbed or their vaginal entrance licked. Some women feel excited and lubricate when they engage in those behaviors; others do not. That does not mean that you wonrsquo;t feel physically excited by other types of sex or touch, though. Pregnancy It also does not mean that you canrsquo;t have a baby. A woman may become pregnant whether or not she lubricates or has an orgasm during sex. Your level of sexual excitement has nothing to do with your ability to become pregnant ndash; unless yoursquo;re avoiding sex because itrsquo;s not exciting. However, if you have concerns about your fertility or questions about how to improve your chances of becoming pregnant, check in with a gynecologist or your primary healthcare provider. Exploring During Sex I would encourage you and your partner to explore your sexuality in a broader, more expansive way and to pay attention to your emotional experience of sex rather than only your physical sensations. How does it feel when your husband touches your breasts, your inner thighs, or when he massages your back? How do you feel when you touch him on different parts of his body? You may find it pleasurable or informative to experience different types of touch together. Rubbing each othersrsquo; bodies with a massage cream or a lotion can feel very different, sensually speaking, than rubbing each other with dry hands. Using a slow rhythm can feel different than a quick rhythm. There are also clear differences between being touched or licked in ways that are gentle versus ways that are firm. As you two explore, you may find that you do enjoy being stimulated on your clitoris or around your vaginal entrance but that you prefer different types of touch or licks than you have previously been exploring. Or you may find that you donrsquo;t respond to genital stimulation as greatly as you respond to breast stimulation or to lots and lots of kissing. Thatrsquo;s okay. All women have different experiences from each other. More Information To learn more about exploring each otherrsquo;s bodies, as well as enhancing emotional intimacy, in ways that will promote more pleasurable sex, check out Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure or For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:24 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1362 http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/feed/ 0 3:40 A New Trend Over the past decade, an increasing number of American women ndash; mostly younger women in their teens, twenties and thirties ndash; have been ... A New Trend Over the past decade, an increasing number of American women ndash; mostly younger women in their teens, twenties and thirties ndash; have been removing more if not all of their pubic hair. Many men, too, have been following this trend and trimming, shaving or waxing off more of their pubic hair than in the past. Though this has become a more recent trend in the United States, there are at least a few other countries in which pubic hair removal is common. However, in most cultures, it is not common for adult women to remove all of their pubic hair. After all, pubic hair is one of the physical signs of sexual maturity. Who is Doing the Shaving Just how many women or men are removing all of their pubic hair, however, is unknown. There have only been a handful of studies on the topic and most have used convenience samples that donrsquo;t give us valid or reliable information about American women on the whole. As a result, we donrsquo;t know how many women or men remove all of their pubic hair in big cities versus small towns or at what age total removal tends to begin. Hairy Perks That said, not all women and not all men remove all of their pubic hair in the United States. Many of the college students I talk to say that they prefer to not remove all of their pubic hair. Some have tried it and found that they didnrsquo;t like the side effects that come with removing more and more hair, side effects such as razor burn from shaving or in-grown hairs that may be common with either shaving or waxing. Others, like you, just donrsquo;t like the way that it looks to be without pubic hair. Some women and men say that having no hair makes them feel like a child who hasnrsquo;t even gone through puberty. Also, some men have told me that they find it difficult to find a woman without pubic hair to be sexy as she looks more like a child than a grown adult woman. The Sexy Side of Pubic Hair Itrsquo;s also common for women and men to say that therersquo;s something they like about having even just a little bit of pubic hair. Some people find that it feels very sensual to have a little bit of pubic hair to tug on ndash; that it can enhance sensation during masturbation or partner sex. Others just like how it looks. Then again, some people prefer for their pubic area to feel smooth and hairless. Or they may find that they feel more comfortable giving or receiving oral sex when there is very little pubic hair or no pubic hair. I tend to encourage women and men to do what feels most comfortable for them and also to consider what kind of body they will feel most sexy in. Even if your partner finds a certain type of pubic hair style to be sexy, if you donrsquo;t, then it may inhibit you during sex to have a style that doesnrsquo;t feel right to you. Different Hair Styles A nice thing about pubic hair is that it can be removed with relative ease and unless you are using permanent removal or reduction techniques such as electrolysis or laser reduction, it grows back in relatively quickly ndash; with a few days or a week if yoursquo;ve shaved it off and within 2-4 weeks if yoursquo;ve waxed some or all of it off. As a result, people can experiment with different styles to see what feels right to them. Learn More To learn more about the pros and cons of different methods of pubic hair removal, check out The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health or Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure #38; Satisfaction. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/kinsey-gallery-review-private-eyes-amateur-art/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/kinsey-gallery-review-private-eyes-amateur-art/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:00:20 +0000 Kristen Mark (M.Sc.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1397 http://kinseyconfidential.org/kinsey-gallery-review-private-eyes-amateur-art/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:00:26 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1321 http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/feed/ 2 2:45 I think itrsquo;s pretty fantastic that you are looking at your own genitals and have a sense of what is normal or not normal for ... I think itrsquo;s pretty fantastic that you are looking at your own genitals and have a sense of what is normal or not normal for your own body. Not all women have seen their vulva even once or know the names of their genital body parts, so itrsquo;s impressive to me that you know these things. The Clitoris: The Basics The clitoris is bigger than it looks from the outside. Although about frac14; to frac12; an inch of the glans clitoris can be seen externally, there are two branches of the clitoris that go backward into the body. The glans clitoris ndash; the part that can be seen from the outside ndash; sometimes seems to fuse to the clitoral hood. The glans may even appear to be trapped inside the clitoris. Changing Bodies Changes to the structre of the vulva, whether to the clitoris or the vaginal lips, can occur as part of menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, or as a result of a genital skin condition such as one called lichen sclerosus. And while this commonly happens to adult women, it can also happen to infant girls or to children or teenagers. If you have questions about your genital appearance, I would encourage you to check in with a gynecologist or a dermatologist who has expertise in genital skin health and disease. You can find such a specialist through the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease's web site. What Can Be Done In some cases, treatments such as topical creams may be used to reverse changes to parts of the vulva. Treatments may be more effective if a medical condition is caught early or treated. In some cases, if a problem has been allowed to persist without treatment, it can be more difficult to restore through the use of creams. That is why I would encourage you to check in with a specialist sooner rather than later just in case. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriends-vagina-dry-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriends-vagina-dry-sex/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1311 http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriends-vagina-dry-sex/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/international-transgender-day-rememberence/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/international-transgender-day-rememberence/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:49:57 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1304 http://kinseyconfidential.org/international-transgender-day-rememberence/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/overdue-list-fun-interesting-sexuality-links/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/overdue-list-fun-interesting-sexuality-links/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:42:00 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/overdue-list-fun-interesting-sexuality-links/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/overdue-list-fun-interesting-sexuality-links/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/sins-invalid/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sins-invalid/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:57:50 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/sins-invalid-sexuality-disability-theater-meet-sf/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sins-invalid/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulvagraphics-honor-female-genital-diversity/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulvagraphics-honor-female-genital-diversity/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:29:31 +0000 Jennifer Bass (M.P.H.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1247 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulvagraphics-honor-female-genital-diversity/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/womantowoman-talk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/womantowoman-talk/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:30:06 +0000 Marie Metelnick (M.A.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1249 http://kinseyconfidential.org/womantowoman-talk/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/shape-explores-body-diversity/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/shape-explores-body-diversity/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:33:16 +0000 Jennifer Bass (M.P.H.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1219 http://kinseyconfidential.org/shape-explores-body-diversity/feed/ 2 http://kinseyconfidential.org/sexual-arousal-differences-men-women/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sexual-arousal-differences-men-women/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:42 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1211 http://kinseyconfidential.org/sexual-arousal-differences-men-women/feed/ 0 2:43 Like men, women may become sexually aroused when they see someone they are attracted to or desire sexually, whether that person is a woman or ... Like men, women may become sexually aroused when they see someone they are attracted to or desire sexually, whether that person is a woman or a man. After all, not all men are attracted to women and not all women are attracted to men. Key Differences There are some key differences in regard to menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s sexual arousal response, however. One of the biggest differences in many peoplersquo;s minds is that menrsquo;s erections are visible whereas womenrsquo;s arousal is more hidden. If a man becomes so mentally or physically aroused that his penis becomes partially or fully erect, then it may be noticeable to those around him. When women feel aroused ndash; whether by a man or another woman ndash; their bodies react in different ways. Like men, blood flow increases to their genitals when women feel sexually aroused. However, unlike men, the increased blood flow doesnrsquo;t cause an erection. Rather, sexual excitement and increased blood flow to the genitals in women helps to promote an increase in a womanrsquo;s natural vaginal lubrication. If yoursquo;ve ever heard of a woman becoming ldquo;wetrdquo;, the wetness being referenced is a womanrsquo;s vaginal lubrication. Inner Signs Unlike menrsquo;s erections, though, vaginal lubrication is typically not visible. Although lubrication increases during arousal, there is typically not so much of it that it soaks through a womanrsquo;s clothes. She may notice feelings of wetness in her underwear but no one else would notice. Women may also feel warm or tingly in their genital area when they feel aroused. Some women, like men, describe feeling physical sensations in their stomach, such as nervousness or excitement. Both women and men may also find it difficult to think about anything else except the person they long for and they may also notice changes in their breathing, heart rate or even in how warm their body feels. Recommended Reading To learn more about womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s sexuality, check out The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/cake-wrecks-meet-sex-stuff-uterus/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/cake-wrecks-meet-sex-stuff-uterus/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:55:52 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/cake-wrecks-meet-sex-stuff-uterus/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/cake-wrecks-meet-sex-stuff-uterus/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-tearing-intercourse-fingering/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-tearing-intercourse-fingering/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:00:18 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1191 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-tearing-intercourse-fingering/feed/ 0 3:13 Many young women and men have questions about having sex for the first time and losing onersquo;s virginity. In regard to your question, it is ... Many young women and men have questions about having sex for the first time and losing onersquo;s virginity. In regard to your question, it is indeed possible to experience vaginal bleeding from either fingering or penile penetration. Vaginal Tearing The vagina is made up of sensitive tissue. It can be easily torn from fingering as may occur during sex play. It can also be torn by little snags of a personrsquo;s fingernails. Penetration ndash; whether from a finger or a manrsquo;s penis ndash; can also cause the hymen to tear, either just a little or a lot. The hymen is a thin layer of tissue that partially covers a womanrsquo;s vaginal entrance. Although the size of the tissue is small, it is filled with blood vessels. As such, even if just a little bit of the hymen tears, a woman or her partner may notice blood on onersquo;s fingers, penis or on the sheets. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know whether the bleeding occurred from fingering or penetration. Slow Down However, the fact that you feel as though he may be taking advantage of your lack of experience is something to pay attention to. If you feel as though you donrsquo;t have as much power or control over the sexual aspects of your relationship, you may find that it is important to talk to your boyfriend about what you do or do not want to happen sexually and what you are or are not feeling ready for. It may be that you are more comfortable exploring at a slower pace or that you would like to learn more about sex before you continue to engage in such intimate sex play together. Also, keep in mind that vaginal penetration with a manrsquo;s penis ndash; even if itrsquo;s just a little bit ndash; can put a woman at risk for pregnancy or sexually transmissible infections, also called STIs. If you do not wish to become pregnant at this time, you may want to not engage in vaginal penetration or you may want to learn more about birth control options. Learning More You can learn more about sex by reading S.E.X.: The All You Need to Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College or The Guide to Getting It On. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-athletes-success-lead-questions-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-athletes-success-lead-questions-sex/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:00:58 +0000 Eric Anthony Grollman (M.A.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1149 http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-athletes-success-lead-questions-sex/feed/ 2