http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:03:39 +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/genital-fit-genital-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-fit-genital-size/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:00:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1108 http://kinseyconfidential.org/genital-fit-genital-size/feed/ 0 3:31 Although many people joke about the size of penises and vaginas, people rarely talk about genital size in ways that are helpful or informative. As ... Although many people joke about the size of penises and vaginas, people rarely talk about genital size in ways that are helpful or informative. As such, it leaves many people wondering if their own or their partnerrsquo;s genital size is normal. Genital Fit When discussing how sex feels, I find it helpful to start by talking about ldquo;genital fitrdquo; rather than either partnerrsquo;s genital size, given that both partnerrsquo;s genital size affects the overall fit. It seems that sex feels different to you now and you have attributed this to your wife possibly having a bigger or wider vagina than she did when she was younger. Changes With Age Menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s bodies both experience changes with age, and it is possible that her vagina has not changed but your erections may be what has changed. It is common for men to experience less rigid or reliable erections with age, which can translate into a somewhat smaller erect penis size with age. If your erections are even slightly shorter or thinner than they used to be, it could cause vaginal intercourse to feel more ldquo;looserdquo; or ldquo;roomyrdquo; than it used to. Then again, you are not the only person who has been getting older. Your wife, too, is aging as we all are and her body also bore your family two children. Even though both children were both delivered by C-section rather than through vaginal birth, the experience of being pregnant can weaken womenrsquo;s pelvic floor muscles, as may other things such as heavy lifting or medical conditions. Over time, as a womanrsquo;s pelvic floor muscles weaken or relax, they can make the vaginal feel wider or looser than it once did. Often times, this is associated with symptoms such as mild, moderate or severe urinary or fecal incontinence ndash; in other words, feeling as though one has to urinate or defecate without meaning to. Questions of Trust and Fidelity Again, given how little we talk about genital size in helpful ways, it is understandable that you wondered how it is that sex now feels different. However, it may also be that your questions about her fidelity or sexual practices have made your wife feel bad about her body or as if you donrsquo;t trust her. Try to consider ways that you can express your love and respect for her, and how you can approach your aging and changing bodies in open and accepting ways. If your wife is experiencing symptoms related to incontinence, she might find it helpful to talk to a healthcare provider, such as a gynecologist. Recommended Reading You and your wife may also find it helpful to explore each otherrsquo;s bodies in ways you may not have done in months or years. A book such as For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy is packed with tips and techniques for exploration and re-connection. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-enlargement-pills-average-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-enlargement-pills-average-penis-size/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:00:29 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=863 http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-enlargement-pills-average-penis-size/feed/ 1 2:55 First things first: 6 inches long is nowhere near small when it comes to penis size. In fact, several studies of penis size have found ... First things first: 6 inches long is nowhere near small when it comes to penis size. In fact, several studies of penis size have found that the average erect penis length is anywhere from 5.1 to 5.8 inches. That makes you above average in length. "Safe And Effective" Second, there are currently no ways to increase the size of a man's penis that are considered "safe and effective". Although you may notice many advertisements for herbs, pills and weights to increase the size of a man's penis, I know of no product that has been scientifically tested and found to actually work. To make matters more challenging, the vast majority of penis enlargement products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and are often sold as nutritional supplements. This means that even scientists and doctors don't often know what chemicals or ingredients are used to make herbal penis enlargement pills, and so it's very difficult - if not impossible - to know what types of health risks you might be facing if you were to take herbal pills for penis enlargement. Talk To A Healthcare Provider If you do decide to go forward and buy herbal pills that are marketed for penis enlargement, in spite of the fact that no scientific evidence supports such claims, I would strongly encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider. Show him or her the pills that you are thinking about taking as well as any ingredient lists or web site information related to the pills so that he or she can give you more informed feedback about what effects, if any, such pills may have on your health and well-being. Why Worry? Finally, you might spend some time considering why you are focused on your penis size. If you were worried that you didn't measure up to other men, perhaps you now feel reassured that your size is well within the normal range of penis sizes. If you have concerns about being able to please a sexual partner, you might find it helpful to know that sexual technique, knowledge, communication and a focus on mutual pleasure tend to be far more important to a couple's sexual satisfaction than penis size. Recommended Reading Books you might find interesting that are related to these topics include For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy and The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-pumps/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-pumps/#comments Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:27:15 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=899 http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-pumps/feed/ 5 http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-pregnancy/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-pregnancy/#comments Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:00:28 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=756 http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-pregnancy/feed/ 1 3:16 While I am not aware of any research that has specifically investigated the relationship between a man's penis size and his partner's fertility, I can ... While I am not aware of any research that has specifically investigated the relationship between a man's penis size and his partner's fertility, I can tell say that many couples have successfully become pregnant even without any vaginal penetration at all, or with only one or two inches of the man's penis being inside the woman's vagina. That suggests that even a man whose penis is an inch or two long, when erect, should be able to achieve pregnancy with his partner if they are fertile as a couple. The reason that we have this information is that some women have significant problems with vaginal pain, or with feeling as though it is impossible for their partner to penetrate them, such as occurs with a condition called vaginismus. They may try for months or years to have vaginal intercourse. For many couples, sex therapy can help them to have comfortable, pleasurable vaginal intercourse. However, in rare cases, either the couple decides that it is not a goal for them to have intercourse or the woman finds that she remains unable to comfortably have vaginal penetration. In some of these instances, the couples may want to become pregnant. Since they aren't having vaginal intercourse, their sex therapist or doctor may advise them to have sex in such a way that the man ejaculates right at the entrance to the woman's vagina, and that they try to get some ejaculate in her vagina if possible, using their fingers. Other times, the couple finds that they can comfortably get the first inch or two of the man's penis inside the woman's vagina, and it may be in that position that the man ejaculates into his partner's vagina. Couples have indeed become pregnant this way. If you are concerned about penis size, you might find it helpful to seek out more information about the wide variability among men in terms of their penile length and circumference. Although we often hear about average lengths, with the average erect penis length being about 5 to 6 inches long, in fact penis size is highly variable. Some men have an erect length of 1, 2 or 3 inches long and others have an erect length of 8, 9, 10 or more inches long. These are on the extreme ends, of course, and most men are somewhere in the middle. You might also find it helpful to learn more about sexual technique and communication with a partner, two characteristics that have much more influence on sexual quality and pleasure than penis size. You can learn more about these topics in books such as A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis and The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex. Finally, if you have questions about your personal health or fertility, please check in with your healthcare provider. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/side-effects-from-penis-enlargement-pills/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/side-effects-from-penis-enlargement-pills/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:05:03 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/09/15/qa-did-penis-pills-make-my-penis-stop-growing/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/side-effects-from-penis-enlargement-pills/feed/ 0 3:07 I donrsquo;t know what kinds of pills you were taking or what was in them, so I have no way of knowing what type of ... I donrsquo;t know what kinds of pills you were taking or what was in them, so I have no way of knowing what type of effect ndash; if any ndash; they may or may not have had on your body or your health. Not Scientifically Tested As far as I have read, there are still no pills that have been scientifically shown to increase the size of a manrsquo;s penis. Some men might think that it canrsquo;t hurt to take penis enlargement pills, but because we donrsquo;t necessarily know what is in many of these pills, and because most of them have not been scientifically tested for risks or benefits, it is a good idea to always check in with onersquo;s healthcare provider before ordering or taking any sort of pill, whether they are for penis enlargement or other issues. That said, your penis probably stopped growing for natural reasons. In fact, research suggests that many young men find that their penis stops growing at around age 17 ndash; or a little before or a little after depending on onersquo;s own particular body. Age 17, however, is fairly common for the penis to stop growing. Measuring Up Many cultures are perhaps overly obsessed with the size of a manrsquo;s penis which puts a lot of pressure on men to feel like they measure up to other men, or even to their own potential. Some men have heard that having a large penis is necessary in order to please or satisfy a sexual partner, but in fact sexual satisfaction is more often related to sexual communication, sexual skills and technique, onersquo;s expectations for sex, and the romantic or sexual relationship between two people. Other men have heard that having a large penis makes a man more masculine, but penis size doesnrsquo;t make a man more or less of a man. Neither, by the way, does the size of onersquo;s elbows, arms, hands or nose. These are all just body parts and they are what they are. Recommended Reading The book A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis by David Friedman details how various societies at different points in history of viewed the penis, and how some have prized smaller sizes and others have prized larger sizes and for different reasons. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/average-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/average-penis-size/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 13:00:54 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/05/19/qa-is-my-penis-large-enough/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/average-penis-size/feed/ 0 2:49 Oh, the pressure that we give men related to their penis size is enough to break my heart. Seriously, though! Men: if you havenrsquo;t heard it ... Oh, the pressure that we give men related to their penis size is enough to break my heart. Seriously, though! Men: if you havenrsquo;t heard it before, let me tell you now ndash; in all likelihood, your penis is enough to please another person. Will everyone in the world like it? Probably not. But not everyone in the world will like anything. Bigger Not Always Better As many women will tell you, bigger is not always better. There is only so much room inside a womanrsquo;s vagina, anus or mouth, and if a penis is longer or wider than is comfortable for a woman, then that can be really challenging for couples. Your penis ndash; at six inches long ndash; is on the long end of average. Given that many women enjoy sexual stimulation in the first few inches of their vagina, and often on the front wall, you have more than enough length to reach these parts of the vagina. Plus, sex is more than the size of a manrsquo;s penis or a womanrsquo;s vagina. Communication, relationship satisfaction, technique, an openness to exploration, and how two people feel about each other all have so much more to do with sexual satisfaction. If you are concerned about pleasing your girlfriend, consider talking to her about how crazy you are about her and how much you want to please her. Try to open up conversation in ways that encourage her to share with you what feels good to her, or what shersquo;d like to try. Together you can explore ways of touching, kissing, and having sex that feel good to both of you and that focus on what you both have ndash; rather than what you are worried about not having. Recommended Reading Both The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex and The Guide to Getting It On are two books that you may find interesting, as you try to learn more about each otherrsquo;s desires and pleasures. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-pumps-herbs-exercises-or-surgeries-really-work/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-pumps-herbs-exercises-or-surgeries-really-work/#comments Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:00:59 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/03/03/do-penis-enlargement-pills-pumps-herbs-exercises-or-surgeries-really-work/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-pumps-herbs-exercises-or-surgeries-really-work/feed/ 0 3:06 Not as far as science goes. We get many of the same emails that you probably get ndash; emails that promise bigger penis sizes or ... Not as far as science goes. We get many of the same emails that you probably get ndash; emails that promise bigger penis sizes or a guaranteed gain of two or three inches. Safe and Effective? However, as far as scientists can tell, there is no method of penis enlargement that has been scientifically tested and considered to be ldquo;safe and effectiverdquo;. Though companies sometimes advertise pills, herbs, or exercise systems to enlarge the penis, we do not have any evidence to suggest that these actually work. Penis Pumps and Surgeries Penis pumps may feel pleasurable or be used as part of masturbation, but they will not create a larger penis.nbsp; Because the penis is composed largely of spongy erectile tissue and not of muscle, it cannot be strengthened or "built up." It isnrsquo;t like going to gym. Even penile augmentation surgeries to enlarge the penis either in length or circumference are not considered ldquo;safe and effectiverdquo; by major American medical organizations. In fact, surgery may cause scar tissue to grow that can cause a painful or even a shortened erection. What Can You Do? Well, first, we recommend learning more about penis size. Many companies that are trying to sell men penile enlargement products are offering incorrect information about penis size. We have seen some companies suggest that the average erect penis length is 7 or more inches and that is just not true. Research generally finds that the average erect penis is about 5 to 6 inches long. Most men are within this range. Sometimes reassurance is not enough and men may want to feel or look bigger. As a result, some men trim their pubic hair in an effort to make their penis appear longer. Others find that weight loss, especially in the abdomen, results in more of the penis being visible, thus looking longer. Don't Worry About Penis Size All that said, it is important to remember that having a larger size is not always what itrsquo;s cracked up to be. Men with very long or thick penises often complain that they have difficulty finding a partner who can comfortably have vaginal, anal or oral intercourse with them. Rather than worrying too much about your size, what is most important is the sexual intimacy and connection that you and your partner are able to create together, sharing what feels good, and communicating with each other about your likes and dislikes. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size/#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:49:21 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/02/26/kinsey-confidential-qa-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-is-bigger-better-can-you-enlarge-a-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-is-bigger-better-can-you-enlarge-a-penis/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:02:33 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/02/13/qa-is-bigger-better-can-you-enlarge-a-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-is-bigger-better-can-you-enlarge-a-penis/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-shape-angle-age/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-shape-angle-age/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:00:14 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/02/05/qa-what-should-my-penis-look-like/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/penis-size-shape-angle-age/feed/ 0 2:39 Actually, yours is a very common question. Research suggests that many men and women feel anxious about showing their naked body to a partner. And ... Actually, yours is a very common question. Research suggests that many men and women feel anxious about showing their naked body to a partner. And that makes sense. After all, your body is private and personal. It may feel a little scary to put yourself out there ndash; physically and maybe even emotionally naked - in front of someone who you like and who you hope likes you back. Penises Vary It may help you ndash; and every other guy who worries about his penis ndash; to know that penises vary. There is no ldquo;standardrdquo; way that a penis should look. Just as men vary in how their ears, noses, chests and hands look, they also vary in terms of how their penises look. Every one is a little different ndash; even though in the end, they tend to work in similar ways. Some penises grow considerably longer or thicker when they become erect, while others donrsquo;t seem to grow that much, relatively speaking. Penis Angle and Change With Age In terms of angle, in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Dr. Kinsey found in his own research that erect penises may be curved, or they may point to the left, right, upward, downward or straight out in a 90 degree angle to the body. Like other body parts, menrsquo;s genitals may change with age. Teenaged guys may find that their penises are still growing, often until around age 17 or so. And as men get older, men may find that their penis points lower than it did when they were younger. Ask A Healthcare Provider Most of these characteristics, while they might not be what you expect, are typical and healthy. That said, you should check in with your healthcare provider if you have painful erections or ejaculation, if your erect penis seems so curved that it would make intercourse difficult or impossible, or if you have any other questions or concerns about your genitals. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/worried-penis-is-too-small/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/worried-penis-is-too-small/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:14:56 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/01/23/qa-i-am-worried-my-penis-is-too-small/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/worried-penis-is-too-small/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-can-you-reduce-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-can-you-reduce-penis-size/#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:51:45 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/09/24/qa-can-you-reduce-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/qa-can-you-reduce-penis-size/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/science-behind-erections-flaccid-penis-size/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/science-behind-erections-flaccid-penis-size/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:48:55 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/04/18/qa-is-it-normal-for-penis-size-to-change-a-lot-from-flaccid-soft-to-erect/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/science-behind-erections-flaccid-penis-size/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-work/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-work/#comments Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:00:12 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/01/17/do-penis-enlargement-pills-work/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/do-penis-enlargement-pills-work/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 http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-to-measure-your-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-to-measure-your-penis/#comments Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:00:44 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=745 http://kinseyconfidential.org/how-to-measure-your-penis/feed/ 0