http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:23 +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/masturbation-frequency-common-myths/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/masturbation-frequency-common-myths/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:00:37 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-masturbation-frequency-common-myths/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/masturbation-frequency-common-myths/feed/ 0 3:14 In spite of many sex educatorsrsquo; and doctorsrsquo; best efforts to educate people about masturbation, it seems that many masturbation myths persist. In fact, we ... In spite of many sex educatorsrsquo; and doctorsrsquo; best efforts to educate people about masturbation, it seems that many masturbation myths persist. In fact, we get quite a lot of questions about whether itrsquo;s okay to masturbate. Nothing Wrong With Masturbating Most peoplersquo;s masturbation is within a normal, healthy range. There is nothing necessarily wrong with masturbating once, twice, or three or more times in a day ndash; and yes, even if that happens several times in a week or ever day in a week. Masturbation refers to the many ways that women and men pleasure their own bodies. Though most people stimulate their genitals during masturbation, some prefer to stimulate their nipples or inner thighs, and some rub against a pillow or bed or get creative in the shower or bath. Truly, there are countless ways that men and women learn to find pleasure through masturbation. Many Masturbation Myths In the 1800s there were many myths about masturbation that suggested that masturbation would cause all sorts of medical illnesses. In fact, masturbation is not harmful. It will not make people sick or unusually fatigued, nor will it make them grow weak or feeble. In fact, masturbation tends to help quite a lot of people to feel relaxed, to fall asleep or simply to feel content and satisfied. It can also be a helpful way to learn about onersquo;s own body and what type of stimulation feels good. In rare cases, people may masturbate so often ndash; or in such unusual ways ndash; that it gets in the way of their ability to hold a job, attend school or maintain a healthy relationship with another person. But thatrsquo;s not really a masturbation issue, as that can happen with any range of things ndash; for example, sex with another person can get in the way of these same things, as can someonersquo;s insistence on watching television for an excessive amount of time. If your masturbation routine is causing you distress or discomfort, you might find it helpful to speak about it with your healthcare provider or with a sex therapist. You can find a sex therapist through the website of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Further Reading In addition, The Big Book of Masturbation by Martha Cornog provides an often humorous look at how people have talked or written about masturbation from the perspectives of medicine, psychology, anthropology and even comics. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Include,in,Resources,,Podcast,,Special aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vibrator-pain/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vibrator-pain/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:27 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=882 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vibrator-pain/feed/ 0 2:53 There are numerous causes of pain during intercourse and this is definitely something that you should ask your healthcare provider about if the pain or ... There are numerous causes of pain during intercourse and this is definitely something that you should ask your healthcare provider about if the pain or discomfort continue, or if it bothers you. Vibrators are commonly used by women and men, and they are rarely associated with negative side effects such as discomfort, pain or injury. Negative Side Effects That said, vaginal sex, anal sex and masturbation ndash; with or without a vibrator ndash; can all result in negative side effects such as genital itching, burning, irritation or tearing. Mostly a personrsquo;s risk of such side effects depends not only on how they are having sex, but also what their personal health status is like. For example, some women find that they are particularly prone to tearing if they have certain genital skin disorders or if their genital skin is thin, as occurs during times of low estrogen, such as menopause. Vaginal Tears If you have accidentally caused tears in your vagina, they will likely heal on their own within a matter of days, provided you donrsquo;t keep irritating them through partnered sex or masturbation. Once vaginal tears are healed, however, women can usually return to their usual preferred sexual behaviors. The risk of getting small vaginal tears, often called micro-tears, can be reduced by spending more time enhancing your arousal before starting penetration, or by using a store-bought lubricant for masturbation or partner sex. That said, it could also just be a coincidence that you experienced pain around the time that you used a vibrator and then had sex. There are many different reasons why a woman might experience discomfort or pain, including medical conditions, and Irsquo;d encourage you to check in with your healthcare provider. Annual pelvic exams are recommended for all women who are sexually active or who are at least 18 years old, whichever comes first. Learn More To learn more about womenrsquo;s sexual health issues, check out Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-feel-like/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-feel-like/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:12 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=873 http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-feel-like/feed/ 0 3:41 Given the lack of information about sex that is available to many young women and men, many people arenrsquo;t sure what to expect when it ... Given the lack of information about sex that is available to many young women and men, many people arenrsquo;t sure what to expect when it comes to sex ndash; what to do during sex as well as what sex feels like. Yoursquo;re wise to begin seeking out information about sex well before you even have sex so that, by the time you do have sex, your expectations will be fair and reasonable. High Expectations Unfortunately, due to romanticized depictions of sex in porn, Hollywood movies, on television shows, and in books, some people have unrealistically high expectations of sex. These expectations can set the bar so high that no one can live up to them. Men may expect that erections will be easy to get or maintain, or that they will be able to last a long time before they ejaculate. Women may expect that sex will feel comfortable or that they will be able to orgasm easily, or from a certain position. Both women and men may have the expectation that sex will feel fantastic or, as is often said in magazines, ldquo;mind-blowingrdquo;. Different For Different People Any of these expectations can set the bar too high for sex. The reality is that sex feels different for people at different times. The first time that a couple has sex, it may feel a little bit awkward unless the two people have talked about sex, their feelings about having sex together, their concerns about pregnancy or infection, and what it means for their friendship or relationship. Even after communicating about sex, going forward with it can still feel awkward. When sex is something that both people want, and they take their time going into it and check in with each other to make sure they both still want to do everything they are doing, then they have a better chance at having sex that feels pleasurable. Itrsquo;s when two people donrsquo;t talk to each other about their sexual choices, and go into sex without having thoughts about how it might affect them personally or as a couple, that therersquo;s a higher likelihood of either having sex that feels unpleasurable, uncomfortable or even regrettable. How sex feels can also be influenced by a personrsquo;s mood, their partnerrsquo;s mood, how the relationship is going and whether one feels distracted by thinking about other things. The Physical Feeling Of Sex The way that sex feels, physically, depends on what type of sex it is. Since most people mean vaginal sex when they ask about ldquo;sexrdquo;, wersquo;ll focus on that. Vaginal sex can feel uncomfortable or painful for women the first few times that they have sex. Though part of this discomfort may be due to the tearing of a womanrsquo;s hymen, discomfort can also be caused when a woman feels nervous about sex or hasnrsquo;t spent much time in foreplay that would otherwise enhance her arousal. Spending time doing things that feel sexually exciting to her, or using a lubricant, can make sex feel more comfortable and pleasurable for a woman and her partner. Men, on the other hand, often describe vaginal sex as feeling warm and wet, and often a bit tight. If the fit of both bodies is uncomfortably tight, then, again, using a personal lubricant can help. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-sex-partner-large-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-sex-partner-large-penis/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:00:09 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=855 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-sex-partner-large-penis/feed/ 0 2:52 Yes, it is always possible that pain during sex is being caused by a physical problem or a medical condition. The best way to find ... Yes, it is always possible that pain during sex is being caused by a physical problem or a medical condition. The best way to find out what the cause of your discomfort might be is to check in with your healthcare provider for a gynecological exam. It is generally recommended that women who are 18 years old, or who have been sexually active, start having annual gynecological exams anyway, so why not start now? If you don't already have a healthcare provider, ask your mother, another female family member (such as an aunt or cousin) or a good friend for a recommendation. You can also find a local Planned Parenthood clinic in your area by visiting their web site and learning about their women's health care services. If your partner has a large penis, the discomfort and pain may truly be as a result of the fit between your two bodies. Often this can be eased by using a store-bought lubricant for intercourse. If you two are using latex condoms, you will want to use a water-based lubricant or a silicone-based lubricant, both of which are condom-compatible. Using a lubricant can reduce the risk of the condom tearing and at the same time, it can make sex feel more comfortable and more pleasurable. You can put a small dab of lubricant around your vaginal entrance. In addition, you might apply some lubricant to the outside of the condom once it is already on your partner's penis. If you are not using condoms, you can apply the lubricant directly to his penis before starting intercourse. Sometimes women find that choosing positions, such as woman-on-top, that provide a woman with more control over penetration can make sex more comfortable. Other times, spending more time in foreplay to promote sexual arousal, which creates more room in the vagina in terms of both length and width, can help to increase comfort, too. In some cases, however, vaginal pain is caused by a medical problem. You can learn more about vaginal and vulvar pain on the web site of the National Vulvodynia Association. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-during-sex-first-time/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-during-sex-first-time/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:28 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=485 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pain-during-sex-first-time/feed/ 0 3:25 A woman's first experience, or first several experiences, with vaginal intercourse are sometimes uncomfortable and, occasionally, may even be painful. If a woman has never before ... A woman's first experience, or first several experiences, with vaginal intercourse are sometimes uncomfortable and, occasionally, may even be painful. If a woman has never before had vaginal penetration such as with her own or a partner's fingers, a sex toy or even a tampon, then her vaginal entrance may be largely covered by her hymen. When the hymen - which is a thin area of tissue that is filled with tiny blood vessels - tears, a woman may or may not notice vaginal bleeding, and she may or may not feel discomfort or pain. Lack of Information The tearing of the hymen is not the only reason why a woman may feel discomfort or pain when she first starts having sex. Often times, women may experience uncomfortable sex due to a lack of information about sex. For example, by the time women first start having sex, they may have never learned that using a personal lubricant can make sex more comfortable or pleasurable. Or else they may not have learned that spending more time in foreplay before starting penetration can help a woman's body to create more natural vaginal lubrication, which can also make sex feel more comfortable and pleasurable. Ready To Have Sex? And while many adults often encourage young women and men to wait to have sex until they are older, until they are married or until they are in love, adults may not spend enough time talking to young women and men about some of the benefits of waiting until they are feeling ready to have sex. For example, when two people feel uncomfortable with each other and unsure how to talk to each other about sex, then the sex itself is perhaps less likely to feel comfortable or pleasurable. However, when two people feel comfortable talking to each other about sex, and have spent time considering the emotional and physical risks of having sex - and how they plan to deal with such risks - then they are better situated to experienced more relaxed, pleasurable, comfortable sex. Feeling Comfortable: Physically and Emotionally Before you begin having sex, you might consider ways that you can feel not just physically comfortable (such as through the use of a lubricant or taking your time to begin with gentle penetration), but also ways that you can feel emotionally comfortable with your sexual choices. You and your partner might ask each other about how having sex with affect your relationship, or your expectations for exclusivity, or your plans for reducing the risk of pregnancy or infection. Recommended Reading You can learn more about having sex and how to make it more comfortable by reading 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/clitoral-vaginal-dryness-vaginal-discharge/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoral-vaginal-dryness-vaginal-discharge/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:00:52 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=414 http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoral-vaginal-dryness-vaginal-discharge/feed/ 0 3:33 All women experience vaginal discharge, though the color, consistency and amount can vary over the course of a woman's menstrual cycle, as well as with ... All women experience vaginal discharge, though the color, consistency and amount can vary over the course of a woman's menstrual cycle, as well as with age or in relation to other health issues, gynecological or otherwise. If these changes are significantly different for you, I would encourage you to check in with a healthcare provider who can examine you and give you more personalized information about your health. A Range Of Smells The smell that you describe is also well within the healthy, normal range of scents that women notice in regard to their genitals. After all, most everything has a scent to it and the vagina is no different. Quite a lot of women feel that their vagina smells slightly sweet, slightly sour or even slightly yeasty. In fact, smell is such an important characteristic that healthcare providers sometimes use it as part of their diagnosis. Don't worry - that doesn't mean that a gynecologist gets in very close to smell a woman's vaginal odor, but in the course of doing an exam, they can often pick up cues such as odor that can help to inform their diagnosis. Vaginal Dryness As for your clitoris, it is unclear to me in what way you feel that it is dry, as you mostly talked about discharge that appears on your underwear which would be from your vagina rather than your clitoris. If your clitoris feels dry, itching or uncomfortable, these are symptoms that you can talk to your healthcare provider about. If the lack of vaginal moisture that you've noticed has become uncomfortable, you should also mention this to your healthcare provider who may suggest a vaginal moisturizer. If you experience discomfort during vaginal intercourse, but not at other times, then using a personal lubricant may be helpful. Recommended Reading To learn more about vaginal discharge, vaginal odor and the clitoris, you might read The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulovaginal Health by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-cuts-torn-frenulum/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-cuts-torn-frenulum/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:00:48 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=409 http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-cuts-torn-frenulum/feed/ 0 3:16 Whenever people are rough or forceful with their bodies, it is possible to have some risk - even slight - of damage or injury. In ... Whenever people are rough or forceful with their bodies, it is possible to have some risk - even slight - of damage or injury. In regard to sexual behavior such as masturbation and intercourse, most sex injuries are fairly minor such as small cuts or tears. For example, many women have had the experience of noticing slight bleeding from vaginal sex as a result of getting tiny cuts or tears in their vagina or vulva as a result of intense friction from sex. Men, too, may experience minor cuts or tears on their genitals from intense solitary masturbation, mutual masturbation, intercourse or other sexual activities. These cuts may be along any part of the genitals that are torn or stressed during sex, including the frenulum - which is on the underside of a man's penis, just below the glans. Both men and women can reduce their risk of genital cuts and tears from sex by using a personal lubricant during sexual activity. You and your partner may find that using a lubricant helps to make mutual masturbation feel more comfortable and pleasurable, while reducing the risk of tearing too. I'd also encourage you to talk to your partner and let him know that while you enjoy the way that he masturbates your penis, you sometimes feel some discomfort and worry that your frenulum will tear. You are the only one that can feel the discomfort, since it's your body, and it is important to give him this information so that he can be sexual in ways with you that are both enjoyable, sexy and as safe as can be . If you do develop a genital cut or tear, rest assured that most small genital cuts and tears heal within a day or two. If you develop any small cuts or tears, you may find that it is more comfortable to avoid or modify genital stimulation (such as masturbation) until the cut heals. Like cuts in other places on the body, it is important to keep genital cuts clean. If you develop cuts or tears that are larger, that are uncomfortable, painful, or that concern you, please always check in with your healthcare provider. Although sex injuries and complications are usually minor, sometimes they do require the attention of a trained healthcare provider and it is important to take care of your sexual health in this way. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/dry-vaginal-lips-itchy-vagina/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/dry-vaginal-lips-itchy-vagina/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:30:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/08/25/qa-preventing-dry-vaginal-lips/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/dry-vaginal-lips-itchy-vagina/feed/ 0 2:47 Itrsquo;s difficult to know exactly which part yoursquo;re talking about, because women and men use such a variety of words when it comes to talking ... Itrsquo;s difficult to know exactly which part yoursquo;re talking about, because women and men use such a variety of words when it comes to talking about womenrsquo;s genitals. Female Genitalia The vagina is technically the term for the birth canal, or the inside part where a penis or fingers may be inserted, or where a woman inserts a tampon. The word ldquo;vulvardquo;, on the other hand, refers to the external genitals of women and includes parts such as the labia majora and labia minora (also called the outer vaginal lips and inner vaginal lips), as well as the clitoris, clitoral hood and opening to the vagina. Womenrsquo;s labia ndash; also called the lips ndash; sometimes become dry because of certain skin conditions or hormonal conditions that a woman may have, or else they may become dry if her skin is very sensitive to laundry soaps, bath soaps or other products she may be using on her genitals. Still, other women may find that their labia rub up against each other when they walk, and that may cause chafing or discomfort. Check With A Healthcare Provider Consider checking in with a healthcare provider who can take a look at your genitals and give you some feedback about what may be causing your feelings of genital dryness and discomfort. Even though women often think about seeing a gynecologist for everything related to their genitals, sometimes dermatologists are particularly good choices too for genital skin issues because they specialize in the health and medical conditions related to skin, including genital skin. Recommended Reading You can learn more about the vulva and vagina, and related health and comfort issues, by reading The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart. Another book that includes a good deal of information related to womenrsquo;s genital health is Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Womenrsquo;s Health Book Collective, and which is available in both English and Spanish. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-with-virgin-bleeding/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-with-virgin-bleeding/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:35:35 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/07/28/qa-bleeding-the-first-time/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-with-virgin-bleeding/feed/ 0 3:41 It is true that sometimes a small amount of bleeding occurs during the first time - or first few times- that a woman has vaginal ... It is true that sometimes a small amount of bleeding occurs during the first time - or first few times- that a woman has vaginal intercourse. Usually the bleeding is due to tearing of a woman's hymen, which is a thin layer of tissue that's rich with blood vessels and may cover a portion of the vaginal entrance. The Hymen And Bleeding While nearly all girls are born with a hymen, the size of the hymen can vary greatly. Also, some women's hymens are gradually torn over the years due to self-masturbation, tampon use or sexual activities such as finger stimulation. As a result, by the time a woman first experiences intercourse, she may notice only small amounts of bleeding, or none at all. Others notice larger amounts of bleeding. Some couples continue with sex when bleeding occurs; others are more comfortable stopping and checking things out. Some women experience physical discomfort with early attempts at intercourse; others do not. These are reasons why it is important to continue checking in with each other. You might even choose to have sex on a towel or dark sheets if concerns about bleeding interfere with feeling relaxed and open to pleasure. Vaginal Tearing Bleeding can also be caused by vaginal tearing. A woman might notice this during sex or afterwards, or even the next. If at any time a woman feels discomfort, pain or has concerns about bleeding, she might consider checking in with her healthcare provider (which is recommended prior to becoming sexually active, anyway). Using Lubricant The risk of vaginal tearing may be reduced by using a store-bought lubricant during intercourse. It can be applied to a man's penis (over the condom) and to a woman's vaginal entrance, to make intercourse more comfortable. If you're using latex condoms, choose a water or silicone based lubricant. Lubricants can be incorporated into your sex play in fun, sexy, pleasurable ways. You can watch each other apply it to your own genitals, or take turns and apply it on each otherrsquo;s bodies. Safer, more comfortable sex can absolutely be enjoyable. Good Communication Regardless of your partner's level of experience, it can be good to ask each other questions like, Are you comfortable?, Shall we keep going?, Do you want to stop?, or How does this feel? Good communication can help you and your partner decide whether you want to continue sexual activities, try different things, vary your position or rhythm, or stop altogether. Before deciding to be sexual together, people often remember to ask each other important questions about sexually transmitted infections (STI) and condom use. However, they sometimes shy away from asking equally important questions about the emotional side of sex. Letting your partner know how you feel about sharing sexual experiences -- your values, expectations, excitement and concerns -- and asking how he or she feels in return can help deepen your relationship and bring you closer to developing the relationship you desire. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/semen-allergy/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/semen-allergy/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:42:37 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/06/30/qa-could-i-be-allergic-to-my-boyfriends-semen/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/semen-allergy/feed/ 0 3:16 Yes, it is possible to be allergic or hypersensitive to semen. Sometimes this is referred to "human seminal plasma allergy" or as a hypersensitivity. It ... Yes, it is possible to be allergic or hypersensitive to semen. Sometimes this is referred to "human seminal plasma allergy" or as a hypersensitivity. It is also possible there are other things going on, so checking in with your gynecologist or other health care provider will be important. Many Possible Factors Sometimes women react to the semen of a specific man even if they never reacted negatively to the semen of previous partners; other times women report a history of reacting to more than one man's ejaculate. There are women who report having skin or vaginal reactions to semen since the very first time they were exposed to ejaculate, whether through unprotected intercourse or their partner ejaculating on their stomach or back. In other cases, a woman may begin reacting to a partner's semen after years or decades without problems. Sometimes this happens after a hormonal change such as beginning a new contraceptive method, having a hysterectomy, pregnancy, giving birth or menopause. In other situations, the reaction has been linked to something that the woman's partner has ingested, like a food or medicine that the woman is allergic or sensitive to, such as walnuts or penicillin. Try Using A Condom If you think that you're sensitive to his ejaculate, you might try using condoms until you're able to get in to see your health care provider. That way, your boyfriend's ejaculate won't come into contact with your vagina. If you're still irritated even with the use of condoms, then perhaps something else is going on. For example, you might be reacting to the type of lubricant you're using (if any), or you might have a vulvovaginal condition that's causing discomfort. You may find "The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health" by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart and Paula Spencer to be of interest. Though the book doesn't provide much information on allergic or hypersensitive reactions to ejaculate, it might provide insight into other issues related to vulvovaginal health or perhaps other clues to your discomfort and irritation. Talk To A Healthcare Provider Telling your health care provider everything you can think of ndash; such as any lubricants yoursquo;ve used, types of sexual behaviors, other food or medication allergies, feminine hygiene products you've used -- might be useful in making a diagnosis or suggesting treatment. Plus, it's always a good idea to get tested for STIs if you've been sexually active, so good for you for looking into testing for yourself and for your partner. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-sensitive-after-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-sensitive-after-orgasm/#comments Thu, 22 May 2008 13:00:43 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/05/22/qa-my-girlfriends-vagina-becomes-sensitive-after-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-sensitive-after-orgasm/feed/ 0 2:57 Although not all women become very sensitive after orgasm, some do. Some women find that their clitoris becomes extremely sensitive following orgasm, or else their ... Although not all women become very sensitive after orgasm, some do. Some women find that their clitoris becomes extremely sensitive following orgasm, or else their vagina or other parts of their vulva may become sensitive. Sexual excitement and orgasm are full of different bodily changes and these sensations can change from the excitement phase to the orgasm and post-orgasm phase. Talk To Your Girlfriend If your girlfriend finds that she is very sensitive, perhaps you two can talk and find different ways of having sex that you both find enjoyable. Perhaps sometimes you can have sex the way that you often do now, and if she is too sensitive to go on, you can stop with intercourse and continue on to something else. Other times you might try other means of pleasure. Perhaps sometimes you could have an orgasm first and then perform oral sex on her, or stimulate her with your fingers or in other ways that feel good to her. Alternatively, she could have an orgasm through intercourse, you could move on to kissing and cuddling and other forms of sex play for several minutes, and then try intercourse again after a longer period of time. You may even try adding lubricant prior to entering her again. Thatrsquo;s because when a woman is very aroused, her lubrication often continues to build. But after orgasm, many women do not continue to produce much lubrication, if any at all. Adding some store-bought lubricant may help to make sex more comfortable and pleasurable for her. Not Necessarily A Cause For Concern Again, though not all women share this experience, some do, and so in and of itself it is not necessarily a reason to think that something may be wrong. However, if you or your girlfriend would like to ask a healthcare provider about this, we would strongly encourage you to do so ndash; especially because it is related to pain and discomfort for her, and it may feel reassuring or be important for her to mention this to her healthcare provider. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/amount-consistency-semen/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/amount-consistency-semen/#comments Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:01:53 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/03/04/qa-semen-has-become-more-clear-and-watery/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/amount-consistency-semen/feed/ 0 2:51 The color and consistency of a men's ejaculate (semen) can vary and often these changes are normal, may be associated with frequency of ejaculation, or ... The color and consistency of a men's ejaculate (semen) can vary and often these changes are normal, may be associated with frequency of ejaculation, or even diet or exercise and can also occur with age. Other times changes in the color or consistency of ejaculate may signal issues with one's testicular health, prostate health or other health issues. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in male sexual, urinary and reproductive health issues including issues relating to the prostate, testes and ejaculation. Check In With A Healthcare Provider Please consider checking in with a healthcare provider (a urologist would be a particularly good choice, but a general internist would be a fine choice too). This is particularly important when one is experiencing testicular soreness, which can sometimes be a sign of either trauma/injury, a bacterial infection or other issues. All cases of testicular soreness, "cracking" sounds or other discomfort should be checked out by a healthcare provider. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/new-sex-position-painful/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/new-sex-position-painful/#comments Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:38:20 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/11/07/qa-new-sex-position-is-painful/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/new-sex-position-painful/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/bend-penis-peyronies-disease/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/bend-penis-peyronies-disease/#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:41:59 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/10/24/qa-is-it-normal-to-have-a-bend-in-your-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/bend-penis-peyronies-disease/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/spinal-pain-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/spinal-pain-orgasm/#comments Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:19:56 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/02/07/qa-i-sometimes-have-spinal-pain-at-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/spinal-pain-orgasm/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/large-penis-pleasurable-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/large-penis-pleasurable-sex/#comments Thu, 26 Oct 2006 19:42:15 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2006/10/26/qa-he-is-too-big-for-me-what-can-i-do-to-make-sex-better/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/large-penis-pleasurable-sex/feed/ 1