http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:59:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 © aschweig@indiana.edu () aschweig@indiana.edu() 1440 Just another WordPress weblog 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/hooking-todays-rewards-1960s-sexual-revolution/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hooking-todays-rewards-1960s-sexual-revolution/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:12 +0000 Eric Anthony Grollman (M.A.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/hooking-todays-rewards-1960s-sexual-revolution/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hooking-todays-rewards-1960s-sexual-revolution/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1278 http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-put-small-items-anus/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-put-small-items-anus/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:07 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1258 http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-put-small-items-anus/feed/ 1 2:31 Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to put small round items ndash; such as ben wa balls or golf balls ndash; directly into ... Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to put small round items ndash; such as ben wa balls or golf balls ndash; directly into the anus. Unlike the vagina, which is only a few inches long and ends at the cervix, which has a very tiny opening, the anus leads into the rectum, where objects can get more easily lost. Losing Objects in the Rectum The rectum is S-shaped so itrsquo;s not just the size, but the shape of this part of the body, that makes it challenging to get objects out once they have gone inside the body. People commonly get even larger items lost inside their rectum ndash; items such as bottles, light bulbs and even salad tongs have been lost or lodged inside peoplersquo;s rectums and have required visits to the emergency room in order to have them removed by a doctor. Removing objects from a personrsquo;s rectum requires great care as the objects can cause harm to a personrsquo;s rectum if they are left inside too long, if they have sharp edges or if they are removed in difficult ways. Toys For Anal Play If you are interested in using objects for anal stimulation, consider using toys that are meant specifically for anal play. There are a variety of anal toys on the market such as butt plugs and anal beads. Because you are interested in round objects, you may find anal beads to be of particular interest. They come in a variety of sizes. Beads that come on cotton strings are best thought of as single use items as it is impossible to clean the string in between uses. Other styles of anal beads are made of silicone or other materials and are easier to keep clean. More Information To learn more about sex toys and safer, more comfortable anal pleasuring check out The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex or Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-masturbate-times-day/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-masturbate-times-day/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:42 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1257 http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-masturbate-times-day/feed/ 0 2:21 There is no one frequency of sex or masturbation thatrsquo;s considered normal and masturbating two to three times a day is certainly within the typical ... There is no one frequency of sex or masturbation thatrsquo;s considered normal and masturbating two to three times a day is certainly within the typical range of frequencies that are reported by young men who are about your age. Many Reasons to Masturbate People tend to masturbate more often when they are feeling highly aroused or sexually excited, whether or not they have a partner or are in a relationship. In your case, you are in a relationship with a woman but shersquo;s not physically near you. Perhaps you talk to her on the phone, text each other or just think about her and feel sexually aroused. And then maybe at times you decide to masturbate to release any sexual tension you may have, because it feels pleasurable, because you enjoy fantasizing about your girlfriend, or to help yourself fall asleep. There are many different reasons why men and women masturbate. Some couples even masturbate together. In long distance relationships, some couples enjoy participating in phone sex in which they talk about their sexual fantasies or what they wish they could do together. Other times, couples tell each other about how they may have masturbated earlier in the day or the previous night thinking about their partner. There's Nothing Harmful About Masturbation Fortunately, masturbation is not bad for a personrsquo;s health. Masturbation can help people to feel calm or relaxed and it can also just be a lot of fun, whether itrsquo;s done alone or with a partner. Additional Resources To learn more about masturbation, check out The Big Book of Masturbation. To learn more about solo masturbation, partnered masturbation or different types of sex play with a partner, check out The Guide to Getting It On. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No 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/regain-erection-quicker-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/regain-erection-quicker-orgasm/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1253 http://kinseyconfidential.org/regain-erection-quicker-orgasm/feed/ 0 3:24 Men Vs. Women Although menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s bodies are similar in many ways (both sexes have two eyes, two ears, a nose, two legs, etc) there ... Men Vs. Women Although menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s bodies are similar in many ways (both sexes have two eyes, two ears, a nose, two legs, etc) there are also some key differences. For example, not only do males and females vary in terms of their genitals ndash; the whole ldquo;boys have a penis and girls have a vaginardquo; ndash; but our genitals and sexual response work in different ways too. Refractory Period Unlike women (who are capable of multiple orgasms), men have whatrsquo;s called a refractory period which is the time between one ejaculation and their ability to ejaculate again. Young men, particularly those in their teens and twenties, can often have more than one ejaculation in a short period of time. Sometimes after sex that ends in ejaculation, a guy can keep having sex with only a slight decrease in the firmness of his erection. Mostly, though, it takes time for a man to get a second erection after he has already ejaculated (whether that ejaculation was from masturbation, oral sex, mutual masturbation, vaginal sex or anal sex). Sometimes it may only take a few moments but often it takes at least 15 or 30 minutes for men ndash; even young, college-aged men like yourself ndash; to get a second erection after they ejaculate. Welcome to your refractory period! As men age, their refractory period typically lengthens meaning that it often takes longer for men to get a second erection after they ejaculate. Some men may need to wait hours before they can ejaculate again or get a second erection. Other men may need to wait a day or longer. Can It Be Changed? There is no way to change onersquo;s refractory period and no special technique to being able to have multiple ejaculations in a short period of time. Some men pay attention to how their particular bodies work and may notice that itrsquo;s easier for them to become erect again if they are working out, eating well, getting sufficient sleep, abstaining from cigarettes or alcohol (both of which may impair menrsquo;s erectile function), or if they are feeling extremely mentally or physically aroused. Other times, men find it difficult to pinpoint any specific pattern to the way their erections work. Other Ways To Enjoy Each Other The good news is that pleasurable, enjoyable sex doesnrsquo;t always require an erection. Pleasurable sex isnrsquo;t always about intercourse or what some may think of as ldquo;normalrdquo; or ldquo;standardrdquo; sex. If you want to keep exploring each otherrsquo;s bodies, then whether or not you have a second erection, you and your partner can continue to kiss, to stimulate each othersrsquo; genitals with your hands, to massage each otherrsquo;s bodies all over, to play with sex toys or to lay in bed and talk and laugh. More Information You can learn more about menrsquo;s sexuality, including erections, ejaculation and enhancing sex play with a partner, in The New Male Sexuality. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/break-before-second-round-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/break-before-second-round-sex/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:32 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1242 http://kinseyconfidential.org/break-before-second-round-sex/feed/ 0 2:31 As long as two people are feeling comfortable and ready to have a second round of sex, there is no need for them to wait ... As long as two people are feeling comfortable and ready to have a second round of sex, there is no need for them to wait any certain length of time before they have sex again. If your partnerrsquo;s body feels tender, sore or irritated then you may want to delay having sex until another day when she or he is feeling more comfortable, ready and interested in having sex again. That said, if your partner wants to jump back into a second round of sex only moments after the first time that you two had sex, thatrsquo;s okay too. Erections Can Stay Firm When men are younger, such as in their teens and twenties, they are often able to get an erection that is firm enough for intercourse even minutes after they have sex. On occasion, they may not even become soft again after they first ejaculate ndash; they may maintain some level of hardness for several minutes or longer and continue having sex. Again, if you and your partner are able to have sex a second or third time in a short period of time, and you both want to, then there is no reason that you have to wait. Tools of the Trade If you use condoms to reduce your risk of pregnancy or infection, make sure to have multiple condoms on hand in case you decide to have sex more than once. If sex lasts for a long time or you anticipate having sex more than once, you may want to keep a bottle of lubricant on hand to help make sex more comfortable and pleasurable for your and your partner. Find Out More Sex can be enormously fun and it can be exciting to have sex more than once in a short period of time. Some couples feel as though they cannot get enough of each other and the chance to re-connect physically can feel very pleasurable. To learn more about sexual pleasure, choosing lubricants and sex techniques, check out Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-long-should-sex-last/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-long-should-sex-last/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:59 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1237 http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-long-should-sex-last/feed/ 0 3:12 Many men feel pressure in regard to their sexual performance with a partner. As a result, one of the more common questions that we get ... Many men feel pressure in regard to their sexual performance with a partner. As a result, one of the more common questions that we get about sex has to do with learning to last longer during sex. Masturbating to Pornography Yoursquo;re not alone in feeling as though your quick ejaculation during masturbation while watching porn may be influenced by years of feeling as though you had to hurry up so that you didnrsquo;t get caught. Quite a lot of men attribute their quick ejaculation to feeling as though they needed to come quickly before someone found them masturbating or watching porn. How Long Sex Lasts The fact that you can last as long as 5 or 10 minutes during masturbation without porn is encouraging. In spite of common myths about sex, itrsquo;s common or sex to last for less than 15 minutes. Some couples spend 1 or 2 minutes in intercourse, others spend closer to 5 minutes, and some last for 10 minutes, 20 minutes or longer. With experience and practice, men often find that they can increase their control over the timing of their ejaculation. Exercises to Try At home, you can practice the stop-start and squeeze techniques during masturbation. This is how they work: begin by stimulating yourself as usual. Then, just before you get to the point of no return ndash; when you will ejaculate no matter what ndash; either stop all stimulation to your penis by removing your hand (for the stop-start technique) or gently squeeze the head of your penis (for the squeeze technique). Then, as your arousal starts to subside a little, begin stimulating your penis again and then repeat the cycle. As you try these exercises, pay attention to the sensations in your penis, scrotum or in other parts of your body. What types of feelings do you notice as you get closer to feeling as though you are going to ejaculate? Some men notice a twitch in their leg muscles or a feeling in the area of their scrotum. Others notice their penis getting exceptionally hard as their excitement builds. With practice, you can learn to notice these sensations and then back off a little during masturbation or sex by staying still, stopping all stimulation ndash; or when having sex with a partner ndash; by removing your penis and taking a few seconds off before re-inserting it or trying a new sex positions. Learn More You can learn more about ejaculation and menrsquo;s sexuality in The New Male Sexuality which highlights several additional tips and techniques for lasting longer during sex. You can learn more about this book and others on our Kinsey Confidential web site. Content,Type,,Homepage,Featured,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No 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/vaginal-pain-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-pain-sex/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:07 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1235 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-pain-sex/feed/ 1 3:04 Many Women Deal With Vaginal Pain As many as 10 to 15% of women experience chronic genital pain issues which can greatly impair daily activities, such ... Many Women Deal With Vaginal Pain As many as 10 to 15% of women experience chronic genital pain issues which can greatly impair daily activities, such as riding in a car, wearing tight clothing or sitting down at work all day. Genital pain can also make sex feel very painful. Some women who experience genital pain only feel pain at the moment of sexual penetration whereas others feel it during a range of sexual activities. Even genital touching or cunnilingus can be painful for some women. Doctors Are Still Learning Unfortunately, many healthcare providers have not received adequate training in issues related to genital pain. Research related to genital pain is relatively new with the vast majority of the research having been conducted only in the past decade. As a result, women who experience genital pain may be best served by seeing a healthcare provider who has significant expertise in diagnosing and treating conditions such as vulvodynia, which means ldquo;vulvar painrdquo;. The vulva is the word use to describe the outside parts of a womanrsquo;s genitals. Find More Information The National Vulvodynia Association is a patient advocacy group that supports research related to genital pain. They also maintain a list of healthcare providers who have experience diagnosing and treating women with such problems. You might try contacting the NVA through their web site, which is www.nva.org, to find out if there is an expert in your area that your wife can go to see. In addition, although there are real, physical causes of genital pain, therersquo;s no doubt that genital pain can have difficult influences on a couplersquo;s relationship. Many women feel guilty for being unable to pleasure their partner in the way that they would like to. Often times, womenrsquo;s partners feel frustrated at the lack of intimacy, too, and may find it difficult to let go during sex lest they end up unintentionally hurting their partner. Sex therapy can help couples communicate in helpful ways about sex and work together to find ways of being intimate in pleasurable, connecting ways. You can find a sex therapist in your area through the web site of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research which is www.sstarnet.org. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/chemical-emotional-intimacy-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/chemical-emotional-intimacy-sex/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1209 http://kinseyconfidential.org/chemical-emotional-intimacy-sex/feed/ 1 2:48 Womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s bodies go through a variety of physical and chemical changes during sexual excitement and at the time of orgasm. Specifically, at orgasm, ... Womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s bodies go through a variety of physical and chemical changes during sexual excitement and at the time of orgasm. Specifically, at orgasm, womenrsquo;s and menrsquo;s bodies release peak levels of a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin - The "Bonding Hormone" Although more research is needed to understand the relationship of oxytocin to our emotions, some people have described oxytocin as a sort of ldquo;bonding hormonerdquo; in that it may possibly influence us to feel more emotional or to feel closer or more connected to others. Women and men also release more prolactin at the time of orgasm, which is associated with feelings of contentment or satisfaction. Prolactin And Orgasm Again, we need more research to understand the role of prolactin in orgasm, both physically and in regard to our emotions, but it may be that the release of either of these hormones ndash; or other changes that happen at the time of orgasm ndash; may contribute to your emotional response. Many people, whether or not they feel sexually excited or experience orgasm as part of sex, feel overwhelmed for other reasons. They may connect sex with feelings of love, closeness or intimacy in ways that feel very emotional for them. Perhaps you enjoy being physically intimate in ways with your partner that bring up a range of feelings for you. Some women and men tear up, cry, or laugh during or after sex. Others smile uncontrollably or feel very sad, calm, relaxed or even excited. Not The Same For All Women And Men Not all women or men, for that matter, share the same feelings about sex, intimacy or orgasm. Also, sometimes peoplersquo;s experiences change over time or with different partners. Sometimes sex may feel very emotional or connecting with one partner, or at a certain time in a personrsquo;s life, and at other times it may feel invigorating, fun, lonely, exciting, sad, or neutral. Recommended Reading To learn more about physical and emotional experiences related to sex, check out The Science of Orgasm. Content,Type,,Homepage,Featured,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-cleanliness-pain/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-cleanliness-pain/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:00:32 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1181 http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-cleanliness-pain/feed/ 0 3:00 Although many women and men engage in anal sex, it is still considered a taboo topic in many social circles. As a result, people rarely ... Although many women and men engage in anal sex, it is still considered a taboo topic in many social circles. As a result, people rarely talk to each other about anal sex, which can leave many people feeling confused or uncertain about how to try this particular sexual behavior about which they may feel curious. Because anal sex involves the rectum, some people ndash; like you ndash; have concerns about cleanliness. You may want to take your time to ease into anal play so that you can become more comfortable sharing this part of your body with your boyfriend and making sure that you both feel comfortable with what you are doing. Many couples, for example, experiment with using their fingers for anal play before ever trying anal sex, involving a manrsquo;s penis. By starting with finger penetration, you can take the time to become comfortable not only with the feelings and sensations related to anal penetration, but you can also explore issues related to cleanliness. Cleanliness Often, people find that it is enough to take a shower before having anal sex or to gently dab their anal area with a soft, wet cloth. Other people feel more comfortable using an enema before they have anal sex. This involves inserting fluids into the anus in order to expel feces from the body. Enemas can often be purchased from local drug stores or on the internet. If you decide to experiment with anal fingering first, consider putting a lubricated condom on over your own or your partnerrsquo;s finger before inserting it into your or his anus. Many people find that it is more comfortable if they add additional water-based or silicone-based lubricant to their condom covered finger. As you become more comfortable with anal fingering, you may feel more comfortable trying anal play using sex toys or anal sex involving your partnerrsquo;s penis. Learning More Itrsquo;s important to know that anal sex should not be painful. If it is painful, you should stop. You can also try it again later that day, on another day or not at all depending on your interests and those of your partner. To learn more about safer, pleasurable anal play, check out Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/masturbation-premature-aging/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/masturbation-premature-aging/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:05 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-masturbation-premature-aging/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/masturbation-premature-aging/feed/ 0 2:57 Fortunately, there is no truth to the rumors that masturbation causes one to get sick, go blind, grow hair on their hands, or age very ... Fortunately, there is no truth to the rumors that masturbation causes one to get sick, go blind, grow hair on their hands, or age very quickly. It is common for teenagers and adults to masturbate, whether they are male or female, and there is nothing about masturbating that would cause you to look much older than you are. A Time of Many Changes Adolescence is a time of many body changes. It is not unusual to look in the mirror one day and wonder if you look a great deal older than you are. Also, some people ndash; due to genetics ndash; do look older or younger than friends their same age. Among young men, those who grow facial hair at younger ages or in greater amounts than their peers may find that they look older than their friends. Other people look older than their friends for other reasons, such as if they have spent a lot of time in the sun without wearing sunscreen, if they have smoked cigarettes or if they are losing some of their hair, which is often related to genetics. Discuss Your Concerns If you have concerns about your health or your appearance, discuss them with your healthcare provider. There may be little that you can do about how old you look given that much of it may be related to genetics. However, you might also talk to your friends to see what they suggest: perhaps a new haircut or different clothes might help you to feel as though you look closer in age to your friends. Recommended Reading If you feel uncomfortable or guilty about having masturbated, you may find it helpful to learn more about masturbation. The Big Book of Masturbation is a book that is filled with information about how masturbation has been described by medical doctors, psychologists, anthropologists and even writers, poets and comedians. It details the many myths about masturbation, including the now-outdated idea that masturbation could make one look older than they are. It also identifies many of the benefits of pleasuring onersquo;s own body, such as learning what feels good for oneself or, among men, learning to control the timing of ejaculation. There is even some research that suggests that masturbating as a young adult may be associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer later on. If you enjoy your masturbation, you can do so knowing that it wonrsquo;t make you look any older (or younger) and that it is often a pleasurable experience for many men and women throughout their lives. Content,Type,,Homepage,Featured,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-fitted-collar-sexual-fantasy-alarm-bells/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-fitted-collar-sexual-fantasy-alarm-bells/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:00:39 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-fitted-collar-sexual-fantasy-alarm-bells/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-fitted-collar-sexual-fantasy-alarm-bells/feed/ 0 2:45 Without talking directly to your partner about his idea to get you fitted for a collar, it is difficult to know whether he was making ... Without talking directly to your partner about his idea to get you fitted for a collar, it is difficult to know whether he was making a joke, expressing a sexual desire or fantasy, sincerely making plans to get you a collar and involve you in sexual role plays (such as slave and master role plays) or something else. Talk To Your Partner Given how curious, if not uncomfortable, his comment seems to have made you feel, I would recommend talking to your partner about it some time when you are not having sex or about to have sex and asking for more information. Using your own words, you might say something like, ldquo;Recently you made a comment about getting me fitted for a collar, which surprised me. I didnrsquo;t know how to respond at the time, and Irsquo;m not sure what you meant by that, but Irsquo;d like to talk with you more about it now so that I can understand where yoursquo;re coming from.rdquo; By asking him about his ideas or intentions, it gives him the opportunity to be more clear. It also gives you an opportunity to share any concerns that you have about his desires, fantasies or intentions and it gives you more information to use if you truly are thinking about ending your involvement with him. Are There Other Issues? The fact that you are wondering if you should stop seeing a man because of a comment he made does make me wonder if there are other aspects of your involvement that feel uncomfortable for you. Are there issues related to your age differences or the fact that you feel your relationship mainly centers around sex? Are there other concerns you have about the ways that he treats you, or your ability to feel comfortable talking to him about your concerns or worries? Share Your Feelings With Others If you would like to talk to someone about your relationship with this man, you might find it helpful to share your feelings with a close friend, family member or a counselor. You can find a counselor near you through the web site of the American Psychological Association. Content,Type,,Homepage,Featured,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/glass-pyrex-sex-toys-safe/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/glass-pyrex-sex-toys-safe/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:20 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1091 http://kinseyconfidential.org/glass-pyrex-sex-toys-safe/feed/ 0 2:41 Even though research suggests that more than half of women and nearly half of men have used vibrators, there has been strikingly little research related ... Even though research suggests that more than half of women and nearly half of men have used vibrators, there has been strikingly little research related to the toxicity of sex toy materials. However, the little that we do know about sex toy materials suggests that toys made of glass, medical grade silicone or hard plastics are likely among the least toxic. Keep in mind that even the toys that are thought to be made with more toxic materials, such as many Jelly toys, are unlikely to cause any significant or long term harm under normal use conditions. Consider Using A Condom If you are very concerned about sex toy materials, consider putting a condom over any sex toy that you put into your body. That way, the condom can act as a barrier between your body and the sex toy. You should still plan to clean your toy before and after using it. One study related to sex toy materials suggested that a water based lubricant may be safer to use with sex toy materials compared to oil based lubricants, as oil based products may cause a greater release of chemicals from the more toxic sex toy materials. Know Where The Toy Came From Also, if you want more information about sex toy materials, you might consider purchasing toys that are manufactured in countries that have strict standards about chemical processing. It may take more time to learn where your favorite sex toys are manufactured but if this issue is important to you, it may give you more peace of mind. Recommended Reading You can learn more about how to shop for sex toys, types of lubricants to use with sex toys, and sex toy materials in my new book Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction, which also has tips for how to use sex toys alone or with a partner. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:42 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/feed/ 0 2:56 Thank you for your question. It is unusual to hear of such extreme muscular contractions to the extent that sex is painful for a woman's ... Thank you for your question. It is unusual to hear of such extreme muscular contractions to the extent that sex is painful for a woman's partner. Some people describe vaginismus, a condition that makes vaginal penetration difficult or impossible for some women, as being characterized by uncontrolled muscular spasms that are painful and prevent penetration. However, in research, these muscular spasms have not quite been identified even though womenrsquo;s experience of pain in very real. We do know that ndash; under normal, healthy conditions - women's pelvic muscles contract during orgasm, however these contractions are usually not painful for either partner. Some women and men have unusually strong contractions and it may be that physical therapy would be helpful for your friend. Consider Physical Therapy Some physical therapists actually specialize in pelvic floor issues so your friend may want to contact a physical therapist for more information, or start with her healthcare provider just to make sure that she is generally healthy. The National Vulvodynia Association and International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease may also be able to provide referrals to physical therapists who specialize in this area or for other vulvovaginal specialists who could be of help. Explore Other Ways Of Being Sexual In the mean time, your friend and her husband might try to explore other ways of being sexual. For example, they might explore a range of positions to see if the clamping occurs in all positions or just one or two. If the painful clamping occurs only during orgasm, then perhaps they could enjoy intercourse for the experience of pleasure but bring her to orgasm in other ways such as from oral sex, the use of a vibrator or hand stimulation. It may even be that the clamping is reduced or helped by learning to relax during sex. Recommended Reading If so, they may find that a book such as For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy, can be helpful by presenting various sexual exercises, tips and techniques for satisfying sexual exploration. Content,Type,,Pleasure,amp;,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No