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/pulling-sex-precum-pose-pregnancy-risk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pulling-sex-precum-pose-pregnancy-risk/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:23 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1572 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pulling-sex-precum-pose-pregnancy-risk/feed/ 0 3:19 Research on Pulling Out The withdrawal method ndash; also called ldquo;pulling outrdquo; ndash; has received a lot of attention recently thanks to a research study that ... Research on Pulling Out The withdrawal method ndash; also called ldquo;pulling outrdquo; ndash; has received a lot of attention recently thanks to a research study that suggested that it was just as effective at reducing the risk of pregnancy as male condoms. This finding was confusing for many people as it is commonly believed, by many women and men, that couples can become pregnant from a manrsquo;s pre-ejaculatory fluids, which are also called pre-cum. The truth is a little trickier than that. The Way It All Works Herersquo;s the deal: pre-ejaculatory fluids do not contain any sperm. They are clear fluids that come from small glands inside of a manrsquo;s body, including glands called the Cowperrsquo;s glands.nbsp;These pre-ejaculatory fluids are released into a manrsquo;s urethra when he becomes aroused and they help to lubricate the urethra. Some men produce more pre-ejaculatory fluid than others and they may be able to see it come out of their penis while they are aroused. Others donrsquo;t produce as much pre-ejaculatory fluid and it may not be noticeable to them at all. Because pre-ejaculatory fluid does not contain sperm, it cannot get a woman pregnant. Reasons to Avoid Unprotected Sex That said, most healthcare providers and sexual health educators still discourage people from having unprotected sex for several reasons. First of all, couples can still pass infections to one another. Second, just because a man plans to pull his penis out of his partnerrsquo;s vagina before he ejaculates does not mean that he will be able to. Many men ejaculate more quickly than they would like. Men may feel as though they have control over when and where they ejaculate, but they may suddenly feel very excited during sex or a certain position may stimulate their penis in a way they didnrsquo;t expect and they may come without meaning to. Therefore, the withdrawal method is not effective at preventing pregnancy for all men. It probably works very well for men who can routinely and reliably control the timing of their ejaculate. It probably does not reduce pregnancy risk for those men who find it challenging to control when and where they ejaculate. Finally, there is one last risk with pre-ejaculate and pregnancy. Although pre-ejaculate does not itself contain sperm, it can carry leftover sperm out of a manrsquo;s body. For example, if a man masturbates and ejaculates and then an hour later has sex with a woman without a condom, he could potentially get her pregnant even if he doesnrsquo;t come inside her if his pre-ejaculatory fluids carry his leftover sperm out of his penis and into her vagina. To flush out his leftover sperm, he could try peeing before sex. Learn More To learn more about condoms, the withdrawal technique and other methods of birth control, check out Planned Parenthood's website. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-fluids-taste-sour/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-fluids-taste-sour/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:00:48 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1281 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-fluids-taste-sour/feed/ 0 2:56 Great question! Each womanrsquo;s vaginal scent and taste are unique to her so although it is common for vaginas to taste or smell a bit ... Great question! Each womanrsquo;s vaginal scent and taste are unique to her so although it is common for vaginas to taste or smell a bit yeasty, acidic or like sour milk, a womanrsquo;s vaginal taste can change throughout her menstrual cycle or in response to her behaviors or her health. Taking Note of Changes It is also quite common for women to notice a change in the way that their vagina tastes or smells after they have unprotected sex with a man, as menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s sexual fluids can mix and cause scents of their own. Women may also notice that their vaginal fluids smell or taste different just before, during or after their menstrual cycle or after they have sex. In some cases, it can be important to take note of these changes. This is because some changes can signal a health issue. If a woman notices a very strong vaginal odor after she has intercourse with her partner, then it may signal a bacterial imbalance or infection that can be treated by a doctor. If you have questions about your personal vaginal scent or taste, please check in with your healthcare provider who can examine you and check for any bacterial or yeast problems. Growing Accustomed to Your Smell and Taste It may just be that your vaginal fluids have a sour or sharp taste to them. If the taste bothers you or your husband, you could try keeping a glass of water on hand to rinse your or his mouth or you could keep a damp washcloth nearby and briefly dab his penis prior to performing oral sex on him after his penis has been inside your vagina. Or you could sprinkle a little bit of flavored body dust on his penis prior to going down on him. Then again, you may get used to the taste over time, as it becomes familiar. You may even decide that itrsquo;s a taste that you come to enjoy. If yoursquo;re curious, you might try touching your finger to your vaginal at different points during your menstrual cycle to see if or how your taste changes over time. More Information To learn more about normal variations in vaginal scent and taste, as well as those that may signal health concerns, check out The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:20 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-preejaculate-pregnancy/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/preejaculate-precum-pregnancy-risk/feed/ 0 2:54 Many people are curious about pre-ejaculate. After all, educational messages about pre-ejaculate tend to follow the line of thought that suggests men and women are ... Many people are curious about pre-ejaculate. After all, educational messages about pre-ejaculate tend to follow the line of thought that suggests men and women are ndash; as they say ndash; ldquo;better safe than sorry.rdquo; Pre-ejaculate is fluid that comes from a manrsquo;s Cowperrsquo;s glands, which are small glands inside a manrsquo;s body, by his penis. This fluid helps to lubricate a manrsquo;s urethra. In some men, this fluid is noticeable even when he is sexually aroused ndash; a little bit might come out of his urethra during sexual excitement. In other men, pre-ejaculate is not noticeable. Usually Not Possible Regardless, there are no sperm in the fluids made by the Cowperrsquo;s glands. As such, unless there were already sperm hanging out in the urethra that were then carried out by the Cowperrsquo;s glands fluids, it is usually not possible to get pregnant from contact with pre-ejaculate. However, that doesnrsquo;t mean that itrsquo;s safe to have sex without a condom. Though pre-ejaculate usually does not contain many, if any, sperm (depending on whether any sperm were already in the urethra from a previous ejaculate), it still counts as a sexual fluid and both menrsquo;s and womenrsquo;s sexual fluids can pass sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. STI Risk By having unprotected sex with another guy, you put yourself at risk for STIs from him. As such, you might consider getting tested for STIs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Ask your healthcare provider about your risk for STIs and which tests would be recommended for you. If you have had oral, vaginal or anal sex with your boyfriend since having sex with the other guy, then you have also potentially put your boyfriend at risk for STIs. Talking to your boyfriend about cheating on him takes a good deal of courage, but it might be something yoursquo;ll want to consider. You might also want to examine the reasons why you cheated on your boyfriend and whether there are any lessons you can learn from the experience, including ways that you hope to grow closer to your boyfriend or whether your current relationship is one that you want to be in. Learn More To learn more about STIs, explore our STI sexual health resources pages or visit the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy,,Special,,flagged,-,still,needs,some,edits aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:00:35 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=841 http://kinseyconfidential.org/hiv-testing/feed/ 0 3:17 Yes and no. It was great that you got tested for HIV after having unprotected sex and, in fact, many people who acquire HIV will ... Yes and no. It was great that you got tested for HIV after having unprotected sex and, in fact, many people who acquire HIV will indeed test positive within a month of exposure. 3 Months Or More However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - also called the CDC - points out that some people may take longer to produce sufficient antibodies to the HIV virus and thus produce a positive result, if they are infected with HIV. As such, many healthcare providers would suggest getting another HIV test 3 or more months after unprotected sex. This is because most people who have HIV will test positive 3 months after infection. Different Types of HIV Tests As you may know, there are different types of HIV tests. The most common HIV tests are those that test for antibodies to the HIV virus. These tests are usually conducted using a sample's of a person's blood or even a sample of their mouth fluid, which is different from saliva. Depending on what types of HIV tests are available at clinics or testing sites near you, it is possible to have test results back in as little as 15 or 20 minutes or as long as about 2 weeks after testing. HIV Testing Options To learn more about testing options in your area, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, which is 1-800-232-4636. You can also learn more at the CDC's HIV testing and information website. At this writing, CDC recommendations for HIV testing vary based on a person's risk, so you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about how often you should get tested for HIV or other sexually transmissible infections, also called STIs, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and others. Since you had unprotected sex, you may be at risk for STIs other than HIV and it would be wise to ask your healthcare provider about getting tested for other STIs or how to more generally reduce your STI risk. Reduce STI Risk Women and men, both, can reduce their risk for STIs - including HIV - by abstaining from oral, vaginal and anal sex or, if they are sexually active, by limiting their number of sexual partners, communicating with their partners about their history of STI history and diagnosis, and using a condom for all acts of oral, vaginal and anal sex. To learn more about HIV and STIs, visit our sexual health and STI resource pages or the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pimple-on-penis/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pimple-on-penis/#comments Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:00:47 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=489 http://kinseyconfidential.org/pimple-on-penis/feed/ 1 2:58 I don't know if you have herpes or not, but I can tell you that it is extremely common for both men and women to ... I don't know if you have herpes or not, but I can tell you that it is extremely common for both men and women to have regular old pimples on or around their genitals. Not Necessarily An STI The genital skin, just like skin on the rest of one's body, can easily get clogged with dirt, sweat and oils and make pimples more likely to appear. That said, men and women tend to be more observant about their genitals when they start having sex, or in the days and weeks after they have unprotected sex, and they sometimes worry that lumps or bumps are signs of a sexually transmissible infection, or STI. Worth Checking With A Healthcare Provider Even though in many cases such symptoms are not signs of STIs, it is always worth checking in with one's healthcare provider if you have any doubts, questions or concerns about your genital or sexual health. Your healthcare provider can talk at greater length with you to learn more about your sexual behaviors and to help advise you on ways to reduce your risk, or when or how often you should get tested for STIs. Genital Herpes Genital herpes is a relatively common STI, with about 1 out of 5 Americans having it. Unlike Chlamydia and gonorrhea, there is no cure for genital herpes, although there are effective treatments available. Also, while condoms may reduce the risk of transmitting herpes, they cannot fully eliminate the risk, so all sexually active women and men should ask their healthcare providers about their risk for genital herpes, even if they use condoms when they have sex. Learn More To learn more about herpes and other STIs, visit our sexual health and STIs resource pages or the web sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Planned Parenthood. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/birth-control-effectiveness-unprotected-se/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/birth-control-effectiveness-unprotected-se/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:00:55 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=432 http://kinseyconfidential.org/birth-control-effectiveness-unprotected-se/feed/ 0 2:58 At some point in their lives, many women and men become interested in having sex without a condom either so that they can become pregnant ... At some point in their lives, many women and men become interested in having sex without a condom either so that they can become pregnant or so that they can experience sex in a way that may feel closer, more natural or more sensitive than sex with a condom. However, having sex without a condom opens a couple to greater risks, and you are wise to consider these. Birth Control Effectiveness If you have been taking your birth control pills consistently and correctly (as prescribed), then there is little chance of becoming pregnant if you have sex without a condom. Birth control pills are about 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use, and about 92% effective with typical use. You and your boyfriend are wise to consider pregnancy risk issues and to pay attention to your risk of sexually transmissible infections (STI), particularly since birth control pills don't protect against STI. Depending on when each of you was last tested for STIs, you may want to get tested again if needed. For example, HIV tests are often only considered absolutely accurate if a person gets tested 3-6 months after their last possible exposure. Issues To Consider Finally, before having sex without a condom, it may be worth thinking through a few other things in regard to your relationship. For example, if you were to unintentionally become pregnant, how would each of you feel about raising a child, adoption, or abortion? What are your expectations about exclusivity or monogamy? In what way might having sex without a condom affect your feelings for each other, your sense of closeness, or your anxiety about becoming pregnant? If you stop using condoms, how will you feel about assuming primary responsibility for reducing pregnancy risk? And how will you two share the cost of contraception? There are, of course, no "right" answers to these questions. Thinking about these issues, however, and talking to each other about these or other aspects of your relationship and sexual life together may help you to make decisions that you both feel comfortable with. And when couples feel comfortable with their sexual decisions, they also expand the possibilities for sexual pleasure and enjoyment. Birth,Control,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=424 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/feed/ 0 3:37 Many women experience vaginal bleeding during the first few times that they had sex. When the hymen tears, it does not necessarily tear all at ... Many women experience vaginal bleeding during the first few times that they had sex. When the hymen tears, it does not necessarily tear all at once. It may continue to tear gradually over time, and sexual experience, so it is indeed common to experience slight bleeding on the second or even third occurrence of sex. That said, if you continue to noticed bleeding or if you have any other vaginal symptoms such as irritation, itching, or burning, you should check in with a healthcare provider to rule out other health issues, including sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. All women who are sexually active, even if just once or twice, should have a gynecological exam anyway as a means of caring for their reproductive health. So if you haven't already done so, now may be a good time to make an appointment for a gynecological exam. This is particularly true now that you had unprotected sex with a partner. It is not true that you cannot get pregnant from sex if you bleed. In fact, a woman can absolutely become pregnant from unprotected sex, even if it is her first or second time having sex, and even if she bleeds. The blood, for example, does not "wash out" the semen. If this just recently happened, you might contact your healthcare provider immediately for information about emergency contraception (also called the "morning after pill") which can help to reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken very soon, such as within 3 days, of unprotected intercourse. As you know, many women and men find that alcohol can lower a person's inhibitions and affect their judgment, which can contribute to them doing things that they might not normally do. If you did not want to have sex with this person, or if you did not want to have unprotected sex, but did so because you were drunk, then perhaps this is an opportunity to re-evaluate your choices regarding drinking and sexuality. Some women and men make pacts with their close friends that at least one of them will remain completely sober and will not let the others do things that they say they don't want to do. In the future, perhaps you and your friends can discuss ways of keeping each other safe if you plan to drink. To learn more about women's sexual health, including issues related to safer sex, pregnancy risk and the relationship between alcohol and sex, you might read Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:55:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/08/04/qa-i-think-im-pregnant-but-im-afraid-to-go-to-the-doctor/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/feed/ 0 3:39 As scared as you may be, I really want to encourage you to check in with a healthcare provider to find out if you are ... As scared as you may be, I really want to encourage you to check in with a healthcare provider to find out if you are pregnant. Pregnancy tests are usually very accurate, especially when they are taken several weeks after unprotected sex. If you are feeling scared or in shock, please talk to a family member or a friend that you trust, and that is generally pretty responsible and caring of you, so that they can help you. You should also consider talking to your boyfriend about your concerns about the two of you possibly having become pregnant. If you are pregnant, you will need to learn more about your options and your health. If you choose to carry your pregnancy to term, you will want to learn about prenatal health care, which includes the healthcare visits that you will need from now until when your baby is born, to make sure that you have a healthy pregnancy. You will also have information to learn about special nutrition needs of pregnant women as well as lifestyle behaviors that are relevant to pregnancy, such as those related to smoking, drinking, exercise, sexuality, and even driving as you get further along in your pregnancy. The book ldquo;Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Childbirthrdquo; is a good resource for information. If it turns out that the pregnancy test was not accurate, and you are not pregnant, you might consider re-evaluating some of your choices to be sexually active if you are not yet ready to deal with the realities of pregnancy risk. That may mean postponing further sexual activity or it may mean asking your healthcare provider for more information about contraception, such as the birth control pill, condoms, or the birth control shot. You might also talk to your boyfriend about how yoursquo;re feeling about sexual activity and pregnancy risk. Emergency contraception is highly effective at preventing pregnancy ndash; but it isnrsquo;t a guarantee against pregnancy. It is about 89% effective when taken within 3 days after unprotected sex, but that means there are still times when it does not prevent pregnancy. Please donrsquo;t assume that just because you took emergency contraception that you cannot be pregnant. You have had unprotected sex, you have not had a period in about two months, and you have had a positive pregnancy test. Talking to someone you can trust and feel safe with, and checking in with a healthcare provider, are good next steps to consider. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/menopause-having-unprotected-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/menopause-having-unprotected-sex/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 15:30:52 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/05/05/qa-menopause-and-unprotected-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/menopause-having-unprotected-sex/feed/ 0 3:15 Thanks for your question. Though Kinsey Confidential started out as a service for college students, we do often get questions from women and men who ... Thanks for your question. Though Kinsey Confidential started out as a service for college students, we do often get questions from women and men who are out of the typical college age range. And we welcome them! (submit yours here) Menopause Menopause is a gradual process for women, and as such many women and their partners wonder when a woman can no longer be expected to have periods and is thus no longer able to become pregnant. Generally speaking, a woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has gone for a full year without having any periods at all. Women may go for years having periods only now or then, but that is a time that we call perimenopause ndash; or the time that is around and leading up to menopause. Even if a woman goes for a full year without having a period, she should check in with her healthcare provider who can perform tests to look at her hormone levels. All that said, this only addresses the issue of when a woman is likely done with periods, and thus not likely to become pregnant. That is not necessarily the same as when it is safe to have unprotected sex again. Having Unprotected Sex The decision to have unprotected sex ndash; by which I assume you mean, to stop using condoms or other forms of birth control ndash; depends on each of your comfort level, as well as whether you or she have other health considerations. For example, some women use hormonal contraception for reasons other than preventing pregnancy. And if either of you have other sexual partners, then that is an important consideration too. Talk To Your Wife As such, how will you know when itrsquo;s safe to have unprotected sex again? By talking with your wife about not only her periods, but about your and her feelings related to your experience of sexuality, and your individual concerns and expectations for sex. For some women, menopause brings a range of symptoms that may be best addressed with onersquo;s healthcare provider. Sexual desire may decline with menopause for some women, whereas others find that their desire increases as they no longer worry about becoming pregnant when they donrsquo;t want to become pregnant. Learn More To learn more about sex and aging, you might find the book Better Than I Ever Expected by Joan Price to be of interest. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-erections-physical-appearance/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-erections-physical-appearance/#comments Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:36:27 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2008/01/18/qa-condoms-erections-and-my-partners-physical-appearance/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/condoms-erections-physical-appearance/feed/ 0