http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:33 +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/defining-sex-addiction-legitimate/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/defining-sex-addiction-legitimate/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:00:05 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1493 http://kinseyconfidential.org/defining-sex-addiction-legitimate/feed/ 2 3:34 Scientific Definition Many research scientists who study sex struggle with the concept of sex addiction. Although the term ldquo;sex addictionrdquo; is often used in the media, ... Scientific Definition Many research scientists who study sex struggle with the concept of sex addiction. Although the term ldquo;sex addictionrdquo; is often used in the media, it is not used as commonly among scientific circles. Thatrsquo;s not to say that sex researchers and therapists donrsquo;t encounter people with problems related to sex. In fact, itrsquo;s quite clear that a small proportion of people ndash; more so men than women ndash; experience their sexuality in a way that may feel out of control or addictive to them, even if it is not a ldquo;truerdquo; addiction. Addictive Behaviors? Some researchers feel that there is a gray line between describing something as an ldquo;addictionrdquo; versus a bad habit or a behavior that has gotten out of control in someonersquo;s life. For example, some years ago the media used to talk a lot about ldquo;shopping addictionsrdquo;. These days, people may describe themselves as having an addiction to their technology such as to their Blackberry, iPhone or Facebook. However, feeling obsessed with or tied to something is not the same as an actual addiction. If someone had to go a few days without shopping or checking their online profile, they may not like it but they wouldnrsquo;t exhibit the signs of withdrawal that people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol do. The Rules of the Relationship The idea of sex addiction is also challenging because it seems to be influenced by what is acceptable behavior within a personrsquo;s relationship or social circle. For example, some women say that they feel their husband has a sex addiction because he continued to masturbate even after they got married. Others have expressed concern that their partner has a sex addiction because he or she watches porn regularly even though theyrsquo;re in a relationship. However, just because someone doesnrsquo;t like or approve of their partnerrsquo;s behavior does not make it an addiction. After all, someone else might accept or even feel turned on by the idea that their partner masturbates on their own or watches porn. People differ. So, is the problem the behavior or how a couple negotiates and communicates about the behavior? Legitimate Concerns That said, there are other cases that are more extreme in which people find it very difficult to stop a sexual behavior that is causing them great distress or problems in their personal or professional life, or even legal problems. Some people develop a strong urge, that may even feel uncontrollable, to masturbate in public or to masturbate throughout the day, even while at their desk at work. Others may find it difficult to stop having sex with strangers, or to stop having affairs, even though they want to stop. Finding Help If a sexual behavior is causing distress or is problematic in a personrsquo;s life, a sex therapist can often help. Though some sex therapists use the term ldquo;sex addictionrdquo; others describe it as hypersexuality or as an impulsive-compulsive behavioral issue. The term, however, is less important than seeking quality help from a trained professional when needed. You can find a sex therapist in your area through the web site of The Society for Sex Therapy and Research. Common,Problems,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1485 http://kinseyconfidential.org/turned-husband-rubs-clitoris/feed/ 0 3:06 Likes and Dislikes It may be helpful to know that not all women feel sexually excited from having their clitoris rubbed or their vaginal entrance licked. ... Likes and Dislikes It may be helpful to know that not all women feel sexually excited from having their clitoris rubbed or their vaginal entrance licked. Some women feel excited and lubricate when they engage in those behaviors; others do not. That does not mean that you wonrsquo;t feel physically excited by other types of sex or touch, though. Pregnancy It also does not mean that you canrsquo;t have a baby. A woman may become pregnant whether or not she lubricates or has an orgasm during sex. Your level of sexual excitement has nothing to do with your ability to become pregnant ndash; unless yoursquo;re avoiding sex because itrsquo;s not exciting. However, if you have concerns about your fertility or questions about how to improve your chances of becoming pregnant, check in with a gynecologist or your primary healthcare provider. Exploring During Sex I would encourage you and your partner to explore your sexuality in a broader, more expansive way and to pay attention to your emotional experience of sex rather than only your physical sensations. How does it feel when your husband touches your breasts, your inner thighs, or when he massages your back? How do you feel when you touch him on different parts of his body? You may find it pleasurable or informative to experience different types of touch together. Rubbing each othersrsquo; bodies with a massage cream or a lotion can feel very different, sensually speaking, than rubbing each other with dry hands. Using a slow rhythm can feel different than a quick rhythm. There are also clear differences between being touched or licked in ways that are gentle versus ways that are firm. As you two explore, you may find that you do enjoy being stimulated on your clitoris or around your vaginal entrance but that you prefer different types of touch or licks than you have previously been exploring. Or you may find that you donrsquo;t respond to genital stimulation as greatly as you respond to breast stimulation or to lots and lots of kissing. Thatrsquo;s okay. All women have different experiences from each other. More Information To learn more about exploring each otherrsquo;s bodies, as well as enhancing emotional intimacy, in ways that will promote more pleasurable sex, check out Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure or For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/majority-swedish-young-women-report-fluid-sexualities/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/majority-swedish-young-women-report-fluid-sexualities/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:00:02 +0000 Eric Anthony Grollman (M.A.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/majority-swedish-young-women-report-fluid-sexualities/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/majority-swedish-young-women-report-fluid-sexualities/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriend-feel-bad-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriend-feel-bad-sex/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:00:02 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1314 http://kinseyconfidential.org/girlfriend-feel-bad-sex/feed/ 0 3:12 Real Life Sex Sex is a curious thing that people react to in very different ways. Unfortunately, we donrsquo;t often see sex portrayed in very ... Real Life Sex Sex is a curious thing that people react to in very different ways. Unfortunately, we donrsquo;t often see sex portrayed in very nuanced ways in movies or on television. Sex is often shown as very erotic in movies or as highly exciting or sensation- or performance-focused in much mainstream porn. And yet in reality, people may experience many different emotions in connection with sexual expression and for any number of reasons. Being sexual with another person can make some people feel extremely vulnerable. After all, it involves taking off onersquo;s clothes, and for some people, sex can tap into the depth of their emotions. If they expect a lot of emotional closeness and donrsquo;t get it, they may feel lonely or sad. If they donrsquo;t or expect emotional closeness but their partner expresses emotions theyrsquo;re not ready for or feel able to deal with, they may feel uncomfortable or avoidant. The experience of sexual pleasure and orgasm can also tap into peoplersquo;s brain chemistry in ways that, as scientists, we donrsquo;t fully understand yet. There may be key physical differences that influence how some people feel during or after sex.nbsp; I have heard, for example, from several people who describe sadness associated with sex for reasons they donrsquo;t understand. Getting Help My suggestion would be to consider connecting with a trained sex therapist. Your girlfriend may find it helpful to speak with someone about her emotional experience of sexual expression. She can find a sex therapist through the Society for Sex Therapy and Research's website. She might also find it helpful to speak with a healthcare provider to determine if there are other mood or anxiety issues that may be bothering her more generally, even outside of sex. Expanding Your Repertoire In the meantime, you two might consider exploring a range of being intimate to better understand what helps her to feel good and what doesnrsquo;t. Perhaps there are certain types of physical intimacy, such kissing, cuddling, bathing together, or sensual touching, that will allow her pleasure without sadness. Also, although many women masturbate, some do not ndash; and thatrsquo;s okay. If shersquo;s not interested in self-pleasuring, thatrsquo;s alright. Many women have satisfying experiences of sexuality without incorporating masturbation into their lives. Finally, you two may enjoy reading For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy for tips on connecting in pleasurable ways. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Relationships,,Love aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-fantasize-sex-random-women/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-fantasize-sex-random-women/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:00:18 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1373 http://kinseyconfidential.org/normal-fantasize-sex-random-women/feed/ 0 3:17 Everyone Does It Yes, it is very common for women and men to fantasize about people other than their own partner. In fact, a study published ... Everyone Does It Yes, it is very common for women and men to fantasize about people other than their own partner. In fact, a study published in 2001 in The Journal of Sex Research found that, among 349 women and men ages 18 to 70, all of whom were in relationships at the time of the study, 98% of men and 80% of women said that they had fantasized about someone other than their partner over the previous 2 months. Why fantasize about someone else? Some people find it very stimulating to think about having sex with a friend, a co-worker, a classmate, a total stranger or even a celebrity. These fantasies may occur alone during masturbation or even in the middle of having sex with onersquo;s partner. Bucking the Routine The 2001 research study also found that sexual fantasies about other people are more common as people tend to stay together longer. This makes sense: as much as people may feel committed to each other, sex does tend to change in long term relationships. Couples tend to have sex less often with each other and, when they do have sex, it may feel more routine or less exciting than it did at first. As they look for ways to enhance their arousal and pleasure, they may find that fantasizing about others helps or is fun to do. Mental Infidelity Whether you consider this to be ldquo;cheatingrdquo; or not is more up to you than me. People have their own definitions of what cheating is so it is important for couples to communicate and decide what is or is not okay in the context of their own relationship. Most people would probably not consider fantasizing about others to be cheating ndash; particularly as most women and men do fantasize about people other than their partner. However, some might feel that it feels wrong or inappropriate to them. Fantasy vs. Real Life Sexual fantasies allow people to explore their sexual feelings in often very safe ways. In fantasy, you can explore sides of yourself without having to worry about what is politically correct or who is or is not actually available to you in real life. People can act out romantic sexual fantasies or very explicit no-feelings-involved sexual fantasies. They can be powerful or submissive, have sex with one person or many, or approach a stranger or even a long lost, high school love for sex, massage, making out or to become pregnant. Then, in the blink of an eye, one can turn the fantasy off, return to regular life or return to thinking about onersquo;s own partner. More Information To learn more about sexual fantasies and exploration, consider reading The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex or The Guide to Getting It On. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Relationships,,Love aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:24 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1362 http://kinseyconfidential.org/young-american-women-pubic-area/feed/ 0 3:40 A New Trend Over the past decade, an increasing number of American women ndash; mostly younger women in their teens, twenties and thirties ndash; have been ... A New Trend Over the past decade, an increasing number of American women ndash; mostly younger women in their teens, twenties and thirties ndash; have been removing more if not all of their pubic hair. Many men, too, have been following this trend and trimming, shaving or waxing off more of their pubic hair than in the past. Though this has become a more recent trend in the United States, there are at least a few other countries in which pubic hair removal is common. However, in most cultures, it is not common for adult women to remove all of their pubic hair. After all, pubic hair is one of the physical signs of sexual maturity. Who is Doing the Shaving Just how many women or men are removing all of their pubic hair, however, is unknown. There have only been a handful of studies on the topic and most have used convenience samples that donrsquo;t give us valid or reliable information about American women on the whole. As a result, we donrsquo;t know how many women or men remove all of their pubic hair in big cities versus small towns or at what age total removal tends to begin. Hairy Perks That said, not all women and not all men remove all of their pubic hair in the United States. Many of the college students I talk to say that they prefer to not remove all of their pubic hair. Some have tried it and found that they didnrsquo;t like the side effects that come with removing more and more hair, side effects such as razor burn from shaving or in-grown hairs that may be common with either shaving or waxing. Others, like you, just donrsquo;t like the way that it looks to be without pubic hair. Some women and men say that having no hair makes them feel like a child who hasnrsquo;t even gone through puberty. Also, some men have told me that they find it difficult to find a woman without pubic hair to be sexy as she looks more like a child than a grown adult woman. The Sexy Side of Pubic Hair Itrsquo;s also common for women and men to say that therersquo;s something they like about having even just a little bit of pubic hair. Some people find that it feels very sensual to have a little bit of pubic hair to tug on ndash; that it can enhance sensation during masturbation or partner sex. Others just like how it looks. Then again, some people prefer for their pubic area to feel smooth and hairless. Or they may find that they feel more comfortable giving or receiving oral sex when there is very little pubic hair or no pubic hair. I tend to encourage women and men to do what feels most comfortable for them and also to consider what kind of body they will feel most sexy in. Even if your partner finds a certain type of pubic hair style to be sexy, if you donrsquo;t, then it may inhibit you during sex to have a style that doesnrsquo;t feel right to you. Different Hair Styles A nice thing about pubic hair is that it can be removed with relative ease and unless you are using permanent removal or reduction techniques such as electrolysis or laser reduction, it grows back in relatively quickly ndash; with a few days or a week if yoursquo;ve shaved it off and within 2-4 weeks if yoursquo;ve waxed some or all of it off. As a result, people can experiment with different styles to see what feels right to them. Learn More To learn more about the pros and cons of different methods of pubic hair removal, check out The V Book: A Doctorrsquo;s Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health or Because It Feels Good: A Womanrsquo;s Guide to Sexual Pleasure #38; Satisfaction. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-orgasms/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-orgasms/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:00:30 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1360 http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-orgasms/feed/ 1 http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:00:26 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1321 http://kinseyconfidential.org/clitoris-vulva-fusing/feed/ 2 2:45 I think itrsquo;s pretty fantastic that you are looking at your own genitals and have a sense of what is normal or not normal for ... I think itrsquo;s pretty fantastic that you are looking at your own genitals and have a sense of what is normal or not normal for your own body. Not all women have seen their vulva even once or know the names of their genital body parts, so itrsquo;s impressive to me that you know these things. The Clitoris: The Basics The clitoris is bigger than it looks from the outside. Although about frac14; to frac12; an inch of the glans clitoris can be seen externally, there are two branches of the clitoris that go backward into the body. The glans clitoris ndash; the part that can be seen from the outside ndash; sometimes seems to fuse to the clitoral hood. The glans may even appear to be trapped inside the clitoris. Changing Bodies Changes to the structre of the vulva, whether to the clitoris or the vaginal lips, can occur as part of menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, or as a result of a genital skin condition such as one called lichen sclerosus. And while this commonly happens to adult women, it can also happen to infant girls or to children or teenagers. If you have questions about your genital appearance, I would encourage you to check in with a gynecologist or a dermatologist who has expertise in genital skin health and disease. You can find such a specialist through the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease's web site. What Can Be Done In some cases, treatments such as topical creams may be used to reverse changes to parts of the vulva. Treatments may be more effective if a medical condition is caught early or treated. In some cases, if a problem has been allowed to persist without treatment, it can be more difficult to restore through the use of creams. That is why I would encourage you to check in with a specialist sooner rather than later just in case. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/gspot-magic-myth-researchers-myth/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gspot-magic-myth-researchers-myth/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:00:01 +0000 Eric Anthony Grollman (M.A.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/gspot-magic-myth-researchers-myth/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/gspot-magic-myth-researchers-myth/feed/ 6 http://kinseyconfidential.org/attracted-trans-genetic-women-bisexual/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/attracted-trans-genetic-women-bisexual/#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:00:41 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1316 http://kinseyconfidential.org/attracted-trans-genetic-women-bisexual/feed/ 2 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/connection-sex-abuse-urge-pee-sex/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/connection-sex-abuse-urge-pee-sex/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:00:24 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1288 http://kinseyconfidential.org/connection-sex-abuse-urge-pee-sex/feed/ 0 3:11 Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you were abused as a child. Many women and men who have been sexually ... Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you were abused as a child. Many women and men who have been sexually abused as children wonder how their abusive experiences may have impacted their sexual experiences as a teenager and adult. And, of course, there are a range of ways that abuse can affect a personrsquo;s later romantic relationships and sexual experiences. It can be confusing to know if something is abuse-related or not when it comes to sex given that sex is often a taboo topic and therefore not openly talked about. When we donrsquo;t talk about sex openly, itrsquo;s difficult to know what is common and what is not. Clitoral Complex As it turns out, it is not uncommon for women to feel as though they have to pee in relation to sexual arousal or sexual behavior. The clitoris, vagina and urethra (which connects to the bladder) are so closely connected that some scientists have suggested that we use the term ldquo;clitoral complexrdquo; to refer to these interconnections. Stimulation of one of these parts often affects the others. As such, when women are touched on their clitoris or vagina, they sometimes feel as though they have to pee ndash; even if they donrsquo;t. Other women notice these sensations as they become more aroused and closer to orgasm. Sex on a Full Bladder Women vary in how they respond to these sensations. Some choose to pee before they have sex. Others stop sex and get up to pee, then resume having sex. Still, other women try to concentrate on their pleasurable sexual sensations rather than think about the sensations that feel as though they have to urinate. And then there are the women who prefer to have sex on a full bladder because they find that the sensations enhance their feelings of pleasure and arousal! Getting More Information All of this is not to say that your sensations are totally unrelated to your abuse. If you have a sense that your experience is related to your childhood abuse, you might want to discuss these concerns with a trained sex therapist who you can find through the Society for Sex Therapy and Researchrsquo;s web site, which is www.sstartnet.org. However, rest assured that this is a common enough experience that is shared by many women ndash; some with abuse histories and some without. You may also find it helpful to read the updated edition of Becoming Orgasmic which includes a section related to moving on from sexual abuse. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Sexual,Assault 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/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://kinseyconfidential.org/?p=1278 http://kinseyconfidential.org/women-easily-achieve-orgasm/feed/ 2 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-bigger-giving-birth/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-bigger-giving-birth/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 14:00:00 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=1038 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vagina-bigger-giving-birth/feed/ 0 3:01 Although not all women notice changes in the way that sex feels after having been pregnant or given birth, some women do. Itrsquo;s not uncommon ... Although not all women notice changes in the way that sex feels after having been pregnant or given birth, some women do. Itrsquo;s not uncommon for us to hear from women who have questions about their vaginal tightness or about partner slippage issues in which the penis keeps slipping out of the vagina during intercourse. Kegel Exercises Kegel exercises have long been recommended to women for a variety of reasons including improving bladder control as well as enhancing orgasm and arousal. However, they are not effective for all vaginal conditions and, unfortunately, they cannot always improve onersquo;s perceptions of vaginal tightness. Relaxation Of The Vaginal Walls In some cases, women may experience what is sometimes called a relaxation of the front or back vaginal wall. Sometimes the relaxation of the vaginal walls can be so pronounced that, from a healthcare providerrsquo;s view, the bladder appears to be pushing down on the front wall or the rectum may appear to be pushing against the back wall. The former may be associated with feelings of having to urinate frequently or without warning. The latter may be associated with feeling as though you are going to pass a bowel movement with little warning or control. These conditions appear to be more common among women who have had either difficult births or who have given birth multiple times, as the pressure of late-term pregnancies and birthing can put a woman at higher risk for muscle weakening in the pelvic area. Gynecologists frequently hear from women who experience these types of issues. I would recommend checking in with your healthcare provider to learn more about whether there are physical issues, such as front or back wall relaxation, that may be influencing the way that sex feels for you now. Try Different Positions In the mean time, you may find that certain positions that allow for more control or body closeness will be easier in terms of keeping your partner inside your body. For example, the coital alignment technique is a position that involves more pelvic grinding than thrusting, and thus it may be a particularly helpful or pleasurable position for you. In addition, keeping a towel nearby to dab each otherrsquo;s genitals at times may help to enhance friction and thus enhance feelings of a tighter fit between your two bodies. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:01:34 +0000 Natalie Ingraham (M.P.H.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=959 http://kinseyconfidential.org/female-safer-sex-pack/feed/ 0