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/sex-bleed-lot/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-bleed-lot/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1318 http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-bleed-lot/feed/ 0 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/healing-time-genital-cuts-tears/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/healing-time-genital-cuts-tears/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:05 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-healing-time-genital-cuts-tears/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/healing-time-genital-cuts-tears/feed/ 0 2:44 Irsquo;m sorry to hear that yoursquo;ve been in such pain and that the pain has gotten in the way of your sexual activities. Usually A Few ... Irsquo;m sorry to hear that yoursquo;ve been in such pain and that the pain has gotten in the way of your sexual activities. Usually A Few Days Genital and anal cuts and tears usually heal within a few days, though it can depend on their size and severity as well as how you care for the cut or tear as it is healing. Irsquo;d recommend calling your healthcare providerrsquo;s office and asking to speak with a nurse who may be able to provide you with specific suggestions about how to care for the tear. Sometimes genital cuts and tears require special treatment, such as specific types of antibiotic creams, to prevent against infection given how close they are to the anus and any bacteria that may be in the area. Check In With Your Healthcare Provider If the cut or tear does not heal, or if you find that you are relatively prone to genital or anal cuts or tears, I would highly recommend checking in with your healthcare provider. Some people have certain skin conditions that result in sensitive, fragile skin that can easily be torn or irritated. There are treatments available for some of these conditions that help to make onersquo;s skin stronger again and less likely to tear. Modify How You Have Sex Irsquo;m not sure how you got the cut in the first place, but if you originally got it during sex, then you might consider whether there are ways that you can modify your sex to make cuts and tears less likely. For example, you might consider using a water-based lubricant during sex to reduce friction or try positions or intensities of sex that are more comfortable for you. Recommended Reading Finally, you might find it helpful to read The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health which provides information about genital health, including genital tearing. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-itching-burning-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-itching-burning-sex/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:00:28 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-genital-itching-burning-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-itching-burning-sex/feed/ 0 2:29 Womenrsquo;s genitals are quite sensitive; as a result, itrsquo;s not uncommon for women to occasionally notice genital itching or burning. Depending on the details of this ... Womenrsquo;s genitals are quite sensitive; as a result, itrsquo;s not uncommon for women to occasionally notice genital itching or burning. Depending on the details of this sexual encounter, you may have experienced vaginal burning for any number of reasons. Condoms and Lubricants Some condoms, for example, contribute to vaginal burning or irritation. Nonoxynol-9 is an ingredient that is used in the lubricant of spermicidal condoms ndash; which some men and women use in hopes of further reducing their risk of pregnancy ndash; and yet this chemical can sometimes contribute to genital irritation. If you used a lubricated condom or if you added lubricant during sex, it may be that the lubricant contained other ingredients that your body is sensitive too. Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) You also might check in with your healthcare provider, as some sexually transmissible infections ndash; or STIs ndash; can cause vaginal burning. You didnrsquo;t mention how soon after having sex you experienced vaginal burning, but some STI symptoms may show up within days or a week or two after infection. Other STIs have few, if any, symptoms. Friction Vaginal burning can also be sparked by the friction involved in sex. If the sex you had was particularly rough or vigorous, then the act itself may have irritated your sensitive vaginal or vulvar tissues. That happens! However, if vaginal burning continues for several days, if it worsens or is associated with pain, or if you simply have questions about it, please check in with your healthcare provider. Learn More You can learn more about vaginal and vulvar health by reading The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits 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/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/sex-during-period-increased-bleeding/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-during-period-increased-bleeding/#comments Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:17:07 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/07/25/qa-sex-during-your-period-and-increased-bleeding/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/sex-during-period-increased-bleeding/feed/ 0 2:46 No, although it may seem like it. Herersquo;s why: Menstruation occurs when a woman's body breaks down and releases parts of the endometrial lining ndash; which ... No, although it may seem like it. Herersquo;s why: Menstruation occurs when a woman's body breaks down and releases parts of the endometrial lining ndash; which is the lining of a womanrsquo;s uterus - that has built up during the previous weeks. This includes both blood and tissue. Since that is what is being released, sexual activity won't "create" any new tissue to be released and it therefore won't make a woman bleed more during those few days of her period. Blood Or Tissue Released All At Once That said, various factors related to sexual activity that a woman experiences by herself or with a partner may cause more blood or tissue to be released all at once, or may give her the perception that her period is heavier than usual (even if it really isn't). For example, sexual activity that is arousing or orgasmic and therefore involves contractions of a woman's uterus may cause more menstrual blood or tissue release at once. Sexual activity that includes penile thrusting close to the cervix (which is the opening to the uterus) might cause more menstrual blood or tissue to release at that time as well. Some women can feel this pressure on their cervix and may find it pleasurable, whereas others feel that it is painful. Other Fluids Involved In Sex In addition, the fluids that are involved in sex can be tinged with blood as it flows out of a woman's body. These fluids include vaginal lubrication, store-bought lubricant, the lubricant from a condom, semen if no condom was used, and such. That might make it look as though a woman is having a heavier period, even though she isn't really bleeding any more than usual. Relief of Menstrual Cramping On the plus side, women sometimes find that sexual activity, either during self-masturbation or with a partner, can help to relieve menstrual cramping. The bottom line is that the total amount of blood/tissue over several days isn't changing, but some women might find the timing or appearance of one's bleeding makes it seem as though that's the case. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No 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/qa-how-can-i-have-an-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-how-can-i-have-an-orgasm/#comments Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:55:29 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2006/09/27/qa-how-can-i-have-an-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-how-can-i-have-an-orgasm/feed/ 0