http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:20:29 +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/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,,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1180 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hpv-genital-warts-contagious/feed/ 0 3:10 HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and some of these strains are linked to problems with a ... HPV stands for the human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV and some of these strains are linked to problems with a womanrsquo;s cervix, including cervical cancer. Women and men who have certain strains of HPV may also get genital warts, which can be caused by the virus. People get HPV from sexual contact with other people. HPV can be transmitted during oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex. HPV can even be transmitted from ldquo;dry sexrdquo;, when people rub their genitals together but donrsquo;t actually have intercourse. HPV is extremely common and, although most sexually active women and men have been exposed to HPV from a sexual partner, not everyone who has HPV knows that they have it. For example, as of now we donrsquo;t have reliable HPV tests for men so most men who have HPV may not know that they have it unless they have a more obvious symptom, such as noticeable genital warts. HPV Transmission HPV can be passed to other people during sexual contact. Because of this risk, people who have HPV or genital warts should tell their current or potential sexual partners that they have HPV. Although condoms cannot fully protect against HPV, since HPV is transmitted from skin contact and condoms do not cover all of a personrsquo;s genital skin, using a condom can certainly reduce the risk of transmission. HPV is a very common sexually transmissible infection, or STI. Both men and women can get HPV and both men and women can pass it on to their sexual partners. With time, people who have genital warts often find that they have fewer outbreaks. Also, warts typically do not cause any discomfort or pain. Some healthcare providers do not recommend treating warts as they often go away on their own. Other times, healthcare providers may recommend treatments for genital warts. If you are interested in learning more about your treatment options, ask your healthcare provider for more information. Learn More You can learn more about HPV and genital warts from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrsquo;s web site. You can also learn more about STIs and other important sexual health information by reading Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Womenrsquo;s Health Book Collective. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/late-abstinence/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/late-abstinence/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:00:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-late-abstinence/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/late-abstinence/feed/ 0 2:43 Just as people have different definitions of what it means to ldquo;have sexrdquo; ndash; in other words, whether ldquo;sexrdquo; is defined as oral, vaginal or ... Just as people have different definitions of what it means to ldquo;have sexrdquo; ndash; in other words, whether ldquo;sexrdquo; is defined as oral, vaginal or anal sex, there are also varied definitions of abstinence. That said, a common understanding of abstinence suggests that one can absolutely be abstinent even if they have had sex in the past. How is this so? Well, technically the word ldquo;abstinencerdquo; comes from the word ldquo;abstainrdquo; which means to refrain or hold oneself back from something. Different Definitions For Different People Sometimes people say that they plan to abstain from sex until they fall in love, become engaged or get married ndash; or that they want to abstain from sex for other reasons, such as until they graduate high school or meet the right person. People who are making conscious choices to abstain from sex may have had oral, vaginal or anal sex in the past, or they may not have had any of these types of sex. If you have already had sex, you can still choose to abstain from whatever types of sex you want to abstain from and for however long you wish to abstain from them. It is never too late to choose to refrain from sexual activities that you donrsquo;t feel comfortable, ready or interested in being involved in. You can still date or have meaningful romantic relationships if you would like to, and you can still engage in the types of physical intimacy that feel right to you. Keep in mind, though, that sexually transmissible infections (or STIs) can be passed through oral sex, vaginal sex and anal sex whether or not you consider these types of sex to be ldquo;sexrdquo;. Communicate Your Choices Also, if you worry that someone will try to pressure you into having sex, talk to a parent, friend or trusted adult for ideas about how you can best communicate your choices to someone yoursquo;re hanging out with or dating. Some people find that talking to others about their choice to be abstinence early in a relationship is helpful so that the person they are interested in knows what they should or shouldnrsquo;t expect from them in terms of sex. Recommended Reading To learn more about abstinence, virginity and sexual choices, check out S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College by Heather Corinna. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:54 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=908 http://kinseyconfidential.org/gonorrhea-chlamydia-soda-cup/feed/ 1 2:51 Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmissible infections ndash; also called STIs ndash; and they are only passed between people through sexual contact. That means that Chlamydia ... Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmissible infections ndash; also called STIs ndash; and they are only passed between people through sexual contact. That means that Chlamydia and gonnorhea may be transmitted through oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex, but they are not transmitted by sharing drinks, by kissing or by using a public bathroom. False Positives In very rare instances, tests may come back with false positive results meaning that even though a test result comes back positive ndash; indicating that a person has an infection ndash; in reality the person does not have the infection. If your boyfriend gets tested and does not have either Chlamydia or gonorrhea, you might ask your healthcare provider whether it is possible that your test results were false positives. It is generally not recommended that a person has sex with an infected partner until their partner has also been treated, and both of you have been found to have cleared the infection. So if he hasnrsquo;t already been tested or treated, you two might speak with a healthcare provider about that possibility. Tests Are Usually Highly Accurate That said, it is rare to have false positive test results for Chlamydia or gonorrhea; these are commonly used tests and are highly accurate. I would encourage you to talk with your boyfriend about the possibility that he may have had sex with someone else. If you hadnrsquo;t been tested in years, it is even possible that he had sex with someone quite a long time ago. Even if he says that he has not had sex with other people, you might want to spend some time thinking about your relationship and the possibility that he has indeed had sex with other people. Transmission Risk Reduced Through Using Condoms If you choose to stay together or to continue having sex with each other, you might talk about whether you two want to use protection, such as a condom. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are relatively common bacterial STIs and their risk of transmission can be greatly reduced through the use of condoms. Learn More To learn more about STIs, explore the sexual health and disease section of our web site or the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:02 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=853 http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex-heterosexual-couples/feed/ 0 2:52 Even though anal sex is commonly depicted in sexually explicit films, very few research studies have examined issues related to anal sex among heterosexual - ... Even though anal sex is commonly depicted in sexually explicit films, very few research studies have examined issues related to anal sex among heterosexual - or male-female - couples. Little Research The little research that has been conducted suggests that about one-fourth of heterosexual-identified women and men have had anal sex, but that doesn't mean that one-fourth of heterosexual couples have anal sex regularly. In fact, research suggests that only about 10% of women and men have had anal sex in the past year. Reasons For Having Anal Sex There are, of course, many reasons why people might want to engage in heterosexual anal sex. Some women try anal sex because they want to experience intercourse, and yet they want to maintain what they consider to be their vaginal virginity - in other words, abstaining from vaginal intercourse. Other times, couples use anal sex as a way of being sexual together without the risk of pregnancy - that is, assuming that a man's ejaculate doesn't seep out from the anal opening and get near the vaginal entrance, in which case a woman could potentially become pregnant. Couples also try anal sex for reasons of pleasure or novelty, or because it is something that they have heard about from a friend or a partner, or have seen in a movie. While some couples try anal sex and find it to be uncomfortable, painful or not particularly exciting, others find that anal sex is quite pleasurable, enjoyable or even orgasmic. Anal Sex Does Not Have To Hurt Although some myths suggest that anal sex is painful, the truth is that - like vaginal sex - anal sex does not have to hurt. If it hurts, a couple should stop. Because anal sex is a high risk sexual activity, in the sense that it poses a high risk of infection in one or both partners has a sexually transmissible infection (or STI), couples who are interested in having anal sex should take steps to reduce their STI risk. For example, they can limit their number of partners, use a condom from the beginning to the end of sex, change condoms if they are switching between vaginal and anal sex, and use a water-based lubricant to reduce the risk of tearing. Recommended Reading To learn more about safe and pleasurable anal sex, check out Anal Pleasure #38; Health: A Guide for Men and Women. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Relationships,,Love aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:02:34 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=895 http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-anal-sex/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/#comments Mon, 26 May 2008 13:00:01 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/05/26/qa-common-sexually-transmissible-infections/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/common-sexually-transmissible-infections-symptoms/feed/ 0 3:15 Many sexually active adolescents and adults have, or have had, a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Two of the most common STIs are chlamydia and the ... Many sexually active adolescents and adults have, or have had, a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Two of the most common STIs are chlamydia and the human papillomavirus, which we often just call HPV. Most Common STIs Chlamydia is very common among 15-24 year olds. In fact, it is the most common bacterial STI in the United States. It can be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Then therersquo;s the human papillomavirus ndash; or HPV ndash; which about 60-80% of adults are thought to have been exposed to. HPV is the virus that can cause cervical changes or genital warts, though most women and menrsquo;s bodies seem not to experience serious HPV-related problems. There is a new HPV vaccine for women, Gardasil, which appears to be successful in protecting women against the effects of certain strains of HPV. The vaccine is associated with a reduced rate of certain cervical problems and diagnoses of genital warts. HPV can also be spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex, and it may put women and men at greater risk for genital cancers, anal cancers and mouth cancers. But just because you have HPV does not mean that you will get cancer. Most people get HPV, but these cancers are still relatively rare. Symptoms To Watch For In terms of symptoms you should watch out for, pretty much any genital itching, burning, discomfort, discharge, sores, bumps or lesions should be discussed with your healthcare provider ndash; even if you feel embarrassed! It is really important to take care of your own sexual health and that of your partner. Many people donrsquo;t notice genital symptoms or else they pass off their symptoms as something else. For example, sometimes women think that their genital itching is caused by a yeast infection or men or women may think they have razor burn when really they may have herpes. The bottom line is donrsquo;t assume that your symptoms are meaningless. If you notice changes in the way that your genitals feel or look, check it out with your healthcare provider. Some STI's Have No Symptoms Itrsquo;s also important to know that some STIs, such as Chlamydia, rarely have symptoms. But that doesnrsquo;t mean that STIs arenrsquo;t serious ndash; if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (among women) and fertility problems for both sexes. If you are sexually active, make sure you get tested regularly; check in with your healthcare provider to learn about the STI tests that are right for you. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/analingus-safe-anal-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/analingus-safe-anal-sex/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:00:29 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/04/28/qa-analingus-and-safe-anal-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/analingus-safe-anal-sex/feed/ 0 3:23 In recent years, anal sex has become a topic about which more and more women and men ask questions. Not all of them are having ... In recent years, anal sex has become a topic about which more and more women and men ask questions. Not all of them are having anal sex or engaging in anal play, but some are ndash; and itrsquo;s important to seek out reliable information about sexual activities yoursquo;re not certain you have all the facts about. Good for you for coming to us to learn more! Analingus (Oral Anal Sex) The term ldquo;rim jobrdquo; ndash; for those not familiar with it ndash; refers to stimulating a partnerrsquo;s anus with onersquo;s mouth, such as the tongue. It is also called ldquo;analingusrdquo;. It is true that sexually transmissible infections ndash; or STIs ndash; are not the only health risk of analingus. Your partnerrsquo;s fecal matter may contain a variety of bacteria and viruses that your body may not handle well. Men and women who engage in analingus would be wise to check in with their healthcare provider and to let them know of their interest in analingus. They may actually suggest certain vaccinations that can reduce your risk of acquiring a virus. Reducing Infection Risk You can also reduce your risk of problems associated with analingus by using a dental dam or a condom cut in half, lengthwise, as a barrier between your mouth and your girlfriendrsquo;s anal opening. Some couples add a small dab of lubricant on the side facing the partnerrsquo;s anal opening, which can make the experience feel more slippery and pleasurable. Safe Anal Sex As for anal sex, it can certainly hurt even if it is being done properly. Sometimes people find that it is difficult to relax, or that they may not feel like they can ask their partner to stop if it begins to feel painful or uncomfortable. And sometimes people simply think they are doing it properly but are not really taking all of the measures they might to ensure comfort and safety. For example, some couples donrsquo;t think to add lubricant when they have anal sex, and lubricant can greatly reduce the friction of anal sex and increase the pleasure and comfort for both partners. Like vaginal sex, anal sex that is very forceful or vigorous can leave one or both partners feeling sore, and can cause tears or cuts for the receptive partner. Communication is key for both anal and vaginal sex, as are comfort and relaxation and checking in with each other to make sure that sex feels good. Recommended Reading To learn more, consider reading Anal Pleasure #38; Health: A Guide for Men and Women by Jack Morin. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-anal-sex-play-anal-toys/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-anal-sex-play-anal-toys/#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:39:41 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/10/31/qa-safe-anal-sex-play/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/safe-anal-sex-play-anal-toys/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-analingus-oral-safety/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-analingus-oral-safety/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:42:23 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/12/18/qa-how-safe-is-analingus-oral-anal-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/anal-sex-analingus-oral-safety/feed/ 0