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/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:42 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/qa-vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-clamping-reaching-orgasm/feed/ 0 2:56 Thank you for your question. It is unusual to hear of such extreme muscular contractions to the extent that sex is painful for a woman's ... Thank you for your question. It is unusual to hear of such extreme muscular contractions to the extent that sex is painful for a woman's partner. Some people describe vaginismus, a condition that makes vaginal penetration difficult or impossible for some women, as being characterized by uncontrolled muscular spasms that are painful and prevent penetration. However, in research, these muscular spasms have not quite been identified even though womenrsquo;s experience of pain in very real. We do know that ndash; under normal, healthy conditions - women's pelvic muscles contract during orgasm, however these contractions are usually not painful for either partner. Some women and men have unusually strong contractions and it may be that physical therapy would be helpful for your friend. Consider Physical Therapy Some physical therapists actually specialize in pelvic floor issues so your friend may want to contact a physical therapist for more information, or start with her healthcare provider just to make sure that she is generally healthy. The National Vulvodynia Association and International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease may also be able to provide referrals to physical therapists who specialize in this area or for other vulvovaginal specialists who could be of help. Explore Other Ways Of Being Sexual In the mean time, your friend and her husband might try to explore other ways of being sexual. For example, they might explore a range of positions to see if the clamping occurs in all positions or just one or two. If the painful clamping occurs only during orgasm, then perhaps they could enjoy intercourse for the experience of pleasure but bring her to orgasm in other ways such as from oral sex, the use of a vibrator or hand stimulation. It may even be that the clamping is reduced or helped by learning to relax during sex. Recommended Reading If so, they may find that a book such as For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy, can be helpful by presenting various sexual exercises, tips and techniques for satisfying sexual exploration. Content,Type,,Pleasure,,Orgasm,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/yeast-infection-oral-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/yeast-infection-oral-sex/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:00:48 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=388 http://kinseyconfidential.org/yeast-infection-oral-sex/feed/ 2 3:27 Great question - and one that's on the minds of many men and women. In most cases, oral sex performed on a woman does not ... Great question - and one that's on the minds of many men and women. In most cases, oral sex performed on a woman does not raise her chances of getting a yeast infection. Saliva and Yeast Infection Risk But for some women who are prone to yeast infections, it does. Another sex act that can increase the odds of having a yeast infection - as you hinted at - is having vaginal intercourse with a man after one has just performed oral sex on him. In both cases, it's the saliva that can raise the yeast infection risk. That said, it is completely possible for one but not both of these sex acts to contribute to a woman's yeast infection risk. Maybe your saliva on her genitals interacts with her body in a way that promotes yeast overgrowth whereas her saliva on your penis, which then goes into her vagina, does not have the same effect. That is certainly a possibility. And while this used to not be a problem for you two, it's also true that women who never used to get yeast infections can become more prone to them at different points in their lives, particularly due to hormonal changes. Check In With A Specialist If your wife is particularly prone to yeast infections, or finds that her body doesn't always respond easily to treatment, she might consider checking in with a specialist in vulvovaginal health. You two can also learn more about yeast infections, sex and other vaginal health issues in The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health. The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease is another good resource for information about vulvovaginal health and you can also contact them to locate healthcare providers who specialize in vaginal health issues, like yeast infections, in your area. Satisfying Sex And Communication Having a satisfying sex life in the midst of dealing with yeast infections is definitely possible, though you might find that communication becomes even more important. If you're feeling disappointed about not being able to perform oral sex on your wife, this is something that you might try talking with her about so that she can reassure you that it's not about you, but about her body. And there may be other ways to work around the situation, such as using a dental dam or condom cut in half as a barrier between your mouth and her genitals. That way you might be able to occasionally indulge in oral sex without putting her at risk for an uncomfortable or painful yeast infection. Content,Type,,Health,,Disease,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/water-vagina-bathing-swimming/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/water-vagina-bathing-swimming/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:11 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=379 http://kinseyconfidential.org/water-vagina-bathing-swimming/feed/ 0 3:09 Many women have questions about what's normal or not when it comes to their vagina, particularly because we're not often taught that much about women's ... Many women have questions about what's normal or not when it comes to their vagina, particularly because we're not often taught that much about women's genitals. Many kids aren't even taught the word "vagina" until they are significantly older, and instead are often used to hearing people refer to women's genitals with vague names like "down there" or "down stairs". This general avoidance of talking about vaginas is highlighted in Eve Ensler's book and play "The Vagina Monologues". You're Not Alone You're certainly not alone in your experience - other women sometimes notice that after taking a bath or going swimming that some time later, they may find that some water leaks out from their vagina and wets through their underwear or clothing. Here's what can happen: the vagina is a soft muscular tube that extends backward into the body at an angle. If you've ever inserted a finger inside your vagina to learn what it feels like, you may have noticed the soft, ridged folds of tissue that make up the vaginal walls. The back of the vagina is wider than the front part, almost like a little pouch. This area can be difficult to feel with one's own fingers even though it's just several inches back inside the body. When your pelvic area is under water - as in a bath tub, swimming pool, or lake - some water may make its way toward the back of your vagina. Even after you step out of your bath tub, water may still be inside given that your vagina rests at an angle, or that some water may have made its way back into the pouch. Going To The Bathroom Can Help Some women find that going to the bathroom shortly after coming out of a bath helps to let gravity do its job and get some of the water out. Other women even squat a little or insert a finger inside their vagina to encourage some of the water out. That said, there is no sure-fire way to get it to come out. If this continues to be something that bothers you, and the water soaks through your underwear and onto your clothes, consider wearing darker clothes after a bath so that it's unlikely to show through. Another option is to take baths at night before you go to sleep. Learn More To learn more about the vagina and vulva, check out The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health by Dr. Elizabeth Stewart. And if you have any questions or concerns about your body, do check in with your healthcare provider for person health information. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:49:08 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/09/24/curious-about-the-clitoris/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris/feed/ 0 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulva-puppet/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulva-puppet/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:00:33 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/09/19/vulva-puppets-educational-and-fun-combined/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vulva-puppet/feed/ 0 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/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/painful-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/painful-sex/#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:16:14 +0000 Kinsey Confidential http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/blog/2007/10/03/qa-sex-is-painful-for-my-girlfriend/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/painful-sex/feed/ 0