Sexuality and Health

Sexual Fantasy

2009-10-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sexual fantasies can be expressed as any mental imagery that is erotic or arousing to the person having the sexual fantasy. A sexual fantasy could be an elaborate affair involving a harem, or a chorus line of pizza boys, or a sexual fantasy could be a fleeting thought about how great your partner looked in bed. Sexual fantasies might cause feelings of guilt but the key element is that the intention of it is to be arousing.

Men tend to fantasize more than women during masturbation and when not busy in sexual activity, but this is not the case for fantasies during intercourse, where the gender differences are minor (and some studies discover women engaging in sexual fantasy more than men).

Top Sexual fantasies
There is no single list of top sexual fantasies. Every survey of sexual fantasies produces a slightly different list of top sexual fantasies.

1. Having sex with your current partner
2. Having sex with a stranger or imaginary lover
3. Being forced or overpowered, or overpowering someone
4. Group sex
5. Reliving a previous sexual encounter
6. Different sex positions or locations
7. Doing things you would never do in reality

It’s easy to confuse sexual fantasy and reality, and many people be anxious that fantasizing about sex with someone else is akin to adultery. The good news is that what you do in your head isn’t the same as what you do in reality. But that doesn’t mean sexual fantasies never cause inconsistency in relationships.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, sexual fantasies, fantasy, group sex, sex positions, group fantasy, sexual fantasy

Medical Abortion

2009-09-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

Medical Abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after implantation. Surgical abortions are done by placing an tool into the uterine cavity and applying suction. This procedure is called vacuum aspiration. RU-486 (mifepristone) is an anti-progestin pill which causes a medical abortion. It is sometimes called the “French abortion pill.” It blocks the effect of progesterone on the inside layer of the uterus. It is followed by taking a prostaglandin called misoprostol in 2 dayslater. Shortly thereafter 95% of women will abort. Complete information about the use of mifepristone to terminate a pregnancy will be available from your clinician when this type of abortion is formally accepted and available for women.

Advantages of abortion
• This type of abortion may be done in the office of any clinician without surgical procedure. This may mean better privacy.
• It is safe, effective and can be done without an device being placed into the uterus.
• No anesthesia is needed.
• Many women do not have harmful feelings after an abortion but instead feel relieved.
• No tool is placed into the uterus.

Disadvantages of abortion
• Cramping and pain may occur. Bleeding after treatment lasts an average of nine days.
• Some people may feel guilty at having ended the pregnancy.
• RU-486 can only be used early in pregnancy, up to about nine weeks from the last period.

How to decide
• If you are pregnant and did not plan to be pregnant, you have a extremely important decision to make. If you choose to carry on your pregnancy, stop drinking, start taking folic acid immediately, and start seeing a physician or nurse midwife right away. It may be a hard decision. Speak to your clinician or family planning clinic staff about your concerns. If you choose to have an abortion, ask them where to have one done safely.
• You should decide to do what you, yourself, feel is right. You may want to discuss this decision with your husband, partner, counselor, friend or family member. Or you may want to keep this decision to yourself.
• The earlier in pregnancy an abortion is done, the safer and less expensive it is for you.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, abortion, medical abortion, advantages of medical abortion, disadvantages of medical abortion, uterus, abortion pill

Birth Control Pills

2009-09-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

The birth control pill can have important adverse possessions on sexuality and mood in a proportion of women, increasing the likelihood of early discontinuation, according to a study by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction issue of Contraception at Indiana University.

The team found that of the women in the study who started on the pill, (randomly assigned to either orthocyclen or orthotricyclen), 38% were still taking it after one year, 47% had stopped, and 14% had switched to another pill. The women who stopped or changed to another pill were 4 times more likely to report sexual, emotional and physical side effects than the women who continued with their oral contraceptive. Some of these effects included reduce in sexual thoughts, less regular intercourse and negative mood changes.

Despite 40 years of use, there is no way of predicting which women are likely to practice adverse mood or sexuality effects from oral contraceptives, nor which OC formulations are more likely to be responsible.

"Though studies on the male contraceptive pill, still in the developmental stage, have already included evaluation of possible effects on sexuality, women have not had the benefit of such information in making contraceptive decisions,". The authors call for further research to identify predictors of such adverse effects, and to know the hormonal mechanisms responsible for such effects. In the meantime, women should be fully informed and clinicians need to talk about potential effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and mood with their patients.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, birth control, birth control pills, pills, oral contraceptives, contraception

Female Ejaculation

2009-09-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

Female ejaculation is the g-spot's kissing cousin when it gets nearer to "is it real or is it fake" medical debates.

In one corner are the legions of doctors, who when asked, preserve that there is no way a woman can ejaculate. They point out that in their textbooks, and anatomy classes there are simply no structures to provide for this physiological experience. They say that if anything is happening, it's urination.

In the other corner there are arguably larger legions of women, women's health practitioners, sex activists, a few scientists, and thousands or tens of thousands of women who say that it does exist.

There are no standards or rules for this. Some women are worried that they have incontinence and that they are peeing during sex, or specifically throughout orgasm. Some women have always been "very very wet" during stimulation and climax, and like the way they respond. Because of the increased notice paid in the popular media to female ejaculation there are many women who want to know more, and are interested in trying to ejaculate.

The bottom line, as with all matters of sexual response and behavior is to avoid any sort of force to do something or experience something that doesn't feel right for you. If you do something that you think is ejaculating, and your happy with it, that's wonderful. If you're concerned that you are "too wet" during sex, you should know that there is a very normal variation in the amount of vaginal lubrication that women produce, and getting wet is probably just a sign of healthy arousal. You can always have a towel handy if it's a real concern for you. And if you're interested in learning more about female ejaculation then you should go for it. Just try and keep away from the pitfalls of performance pressure, and thinking that ejaculation is some magic bullet that will change your sex life from humdrum to super fantastic. Of course it might do that, but counting on it is a sure way to miss important learning and experience along the way.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, female ejaculation, ejaculation, vulva, clitoris, g-spot, stimulate g-spot

Vaginal Smell and Taste

2009-08-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

Can You Alter the Taste of Your Vagina?

Because most women are raised with pretty pessimistic messages about their bodies in general, and their genitals in particular they also often discover themselves worried about how “acceptable” they’ll be, and prone to feeling self-conscious.
Add to this the fact that there is much secrecy and precious little education for young men about women’s bodies, most men pick up more than a few negative stereotypes about the flavor and smell of a woman’s vagina.

The good news is that most adults who enjoy a healthy sex life, and for whom part of that sex life is the, expectantly frequent, experience of going down on a woman, end up loving the taste and aroma of their female partners. After all the smell and taste is one of arousal, desire…sex really. So for a lot of people it becomes a turn on, not a turn off.

Every woman has a somewhat different taste, and it is dependent on many things, including natural secretions, arousal fluid, sweat, diet, and certainly whether or not you have any sort of bacterial or yeast infections.

In terms of what you can do if you want to experiment with changing the taste of your own vaginal fluids, there does seem to be a lot of non-scientific conformity that diet can have an impact. That said, eating a lot of garlic (particularly raw garlic) will influence the way you taste.

You mentioned reading that parsley, alfalfa and wheat germ will make you “taste better” but the truth is that taste is largely subjective, so while they may alter the way you taste, the “better” part is really a judgment by you and/or anyone else you’re sharing your vaginal taste with! I hope this helps a little bit.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vagina, vaginal smell, vaginal taste, vulva, clitoris, changing vaginal taste, changing vaginal smell

Finding Your G-Spot

2009-08-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

The debate over the g-spot seems to never finish. Does it exist, is it vital, should it be talked about, does it have any worth? Definitive answers are rare, so while the experts debate, why not do your own investigation, and get to the heart of the matter. Many women can stimulate their g-spot using their fingers. Some people will find it easier using a toy that is curved, either a dildo or a vibrator.

You may find your g-spot instantly, or it could take several attempts. Don't pressure yourself.
Below are the tips how to find your g-spot.
1. Avoid performance pressure about the "magic spot".
People can become fixated on achieving a sexual goal such as multiple orgasms, simultaneous orgasm, g-spot orgasms. One thing I can promise is that this is the best way to NOT enjoy any sort of sexual encounter. Remember that sexual exploration is mostly about the journey, not the destination.

2. Turn yourself on.
The spongy region around the g-spot gets engorged with blood when you’re sexually aroused, so it is much easier to find and feel when you’re turned on.

3. Get comfortable and find the g-spot area.
Lie on your back, squat, or lie on your stomach. Place your palm face down on your vulva and slowly insert a finger inside your vagina you may use lube if you’re feeling a little dry, crooking it forward in a “come hither” movement. When you’re up to about the second knuckle you should feel a slightly bumpy or ridged area on the higher wall of your vagina.

4. Notice how the g-spot feels.
When you’re aroused it can expand, so feel it at different times during your arousal to get common with its contours and feeling. The g-spot responds to pressure, so press down and pull forward using that "come hither" action with your fingers.

5. Experiment with pressure and motion.
Some women will find pressure against the g-spot pleasurable, some women like the feeling vibration when a toy is pressing against the g-spot. Experiment and see if either feels fine for you. For most women, the g-spot responds to firm pressure. In the start, use your toy as if you were trying to scratch an itch—don’t pull the toy all the way out, but use small strokes, applying firm pressure, against the g-spot.

6. Vary the movements.
A circular or back-and-forth movement may be necessary to get you started, but you might soon adapt to a more vigorous thrusting. If you’ve got a vibrator, try playing with the vibrations both on and off to see which you like better.

7. Add clitoral stimulation to g-spot play.
You’ll know you’re hitting the spot as you feel tingly feelings, the urge to pee, and an overall elevation in your stimulation. When you feel the urge to come, stimulate your clitoris using your favorite method. Keep stroking your g-spot.

8. If you don’t at first orgasm, try again.
It can take several practices before you notice any build up. Try varying your position, using different toys, experimenting with breathing and kegel exercises. Because the g-spot is most responsive when stimulated, you may also want to try stimulating it after you’ve had an orgasm.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, g-spot, finding g-spot, vulva, clitoris, how to find g-spot, how to find your g-spot, gspot, g spot

Female Genital Anatomy

2009-08-16T01:50:00.000-07:00

Female genitals can be separated into two categories. There are the external genitals, which are easier to see and touch, and there are the internal sexual and reproductive organs, which you might be able to sense on your own or not. The best way to learn about your body is to have a look, on your own, at a time and place where you have lots of privacy. Not all of us can do this though. If you can, start by holding a mirror between your legs, spread your labia apart with your other hand, and have a look. If you are uncomfortable doing this, or actually can’t do it, you might be able to ask your doctor to use a mirror during a pelvic exam so you can see for yourself.

Vulva
The vulva is the collective term for the most easily visible parts of outer female genitals. It includes the mons pubis, the outer and inner labia, the clitoral hood, the urethral opening and the vagina opening. There is a great variation in the overall appearance (including size, shape, and color) of women’s vulvas.

Mons Pubis
It is the area of skin that lies above the pubic bone. It’s often rounded and there is a fatty pad of tissue under the skin. The mons is where most of your pubic hair grows. The mons is may be the least perceptive part of the vulva but many women will still enjoy the feeling of touching and massage or even vibration, as the stimulation can be felt throughout the area.

Labia
Coming down on either side from the mons are the labia. Labia is latin for “lips” and women have two sets of labia. The outer thicker labia, called labia majora, are what you see with no spreading your legs wide open. They will likely have hair on them and can be smooth or a bit ridged. In between the labia majora are another set of skin folds called the labia minora ("little lips"). These are much thinner and more elastic than the labia majora. The inner labia are often longer or seem to stick out more than the outer labia. There is a wide natural variation in form and size of labia.

Clitoris
The labia come together at the top into a tiny hood that covers the clitoris. The part of the clitoris which can be seen and sits under the top of the labia minora. In fact this is just the tip of the clitoris. It is often less than an inch long, but can be longer. It is made mainly of erectile tissue, which is spongy bodies that can fill up with blood, making it firmer and larger. What you won't be able to openly feel or see is that the clitoris extends into the body and down in two roots to either area of the vagina. This is referred to as the internal clitoral body and all of this can swell when sexually stimulated.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, genital anatomy, anatomy, vulva, labia, clitoris, clitoral body, pubis, mons pubis

What is Vulvodynia

2009-08-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

Vulvodynia is defined as chronic vulvar discomfort or pain, emerged by burning, stinging, irritation or rawness of the female genital region in cases in which there is no infection or skin disease of the vulva or vagina causing these symptoms. Burning sensations are the most familiar, but the type and severity of symptoms are highly individualized. Pain may be steady or intermittent, localized or diffuse.

Causes of vulvodynia:
There is no known cause of vulvodynia. Below are the several possibilities:
• Injury to, or irritation of, the nerves that innervate the vulva
• An abnormal response of different cells in the vulva to environmental factors (as infection or trauma)
• Genetic factors associated with susceptibility to chronic vestibular inflammation
• A localized hypersensitivity to yeast
• Spasms of the muscles that support the pelvic organs

Diagnoses of vulvodynia:
Vulvodynia is diagnosed in part by ruling out all other causes of vulvar pain. Doctors will likely take a whole history, do an examination of the vulva, vagina, and vaginal secretions, as well as perform fungal vaginal cultures to rule out contamination. They may do a “q-tip test” where they touch different regions of the vulva and vestibule to decide the location and severity of pain. They may take a biopsy of skin that looks suspicious.

Treatment of vulvodynia:
There is presently no "cure" for Vulvodynia. Treatments are bound for toward alleviation of symptoms and may give partial or complete relief. It is important to keep in mind that the cause of vulvodynia is unknown and each woman’s symptoms are unique; no particular treatment works all the time or is appropriate for every single patient. Some women respond very well to a particular treatment, while others react poorly or experience unacceptable side effects.
Some of the current treatments available include:
• Discontinuation of all topical medications, soaps, douches, etc., that can worsen irritation
• Tricyclic antidepressant medications (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine)
• Anticonvulsants (e.g., Tegretol, Neurontin)
• Interferon injections
• Nerve blockades
• Topical estrogen cream
• Pelvic floor therapy (for patients who have pelvic floor muscle abnormalities as measured by surface electromyography)
• Surgery (for vulvar vestibulitis syndrome only)

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, vulvodynia, vulvodynia disorder, vulvodynia disease, vulva, what are the treatments for vulvodynia, how is vulvodynia diagnosed, causes of vulvodynia

Using Female Condom

2009-08-14T04:25:00.000-07:00

Female condoms are soft, transparent tubular sheaths that are inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse and provide protection against both pregnancy and sexual diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The inner right at the closed end of the condom aids in placing and secures the device in place during intercourse, while the softer ring remains outside the vagina. They cannot be reused. Below are step by step instructions on using the female condom.

1. Check the expiry date of the condom.
2. Open the package and find the closed end of the condom. Hold the inner ring at the closed end of the condom, and squeeze it together in the middle, forming a figure eight with the ring.
3. Find a comfortable position to place in the ring. Most women will do it lying on their back, squatting, or standing with one foot on a chair...
4. With your free hand, spreads open the outer vaginal lips.
5. Holding the inner ring, push the ring up into the vagina as far as possible, past the pubic bone and covering the cervix.
6. Insert index or middle finger to insure it is in place. About one inch of the condom, including the outer ring will remain outside your body.
7. Once the penis enters the vagina this slack will decrease. However the outer ring should remain outside the vagina protecting the outer genitalia.
8. Be careful not to let the penis push the outer ring into the vagina. Also be sure that the penis enters the vagina in the condom.
9. To take out the female condom, hold the outer ring and twist before you pull out. This will keep any fluid (semen) inside the ring.
10. Softly remove the ring and throw it out.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, condom, female condom, using female condom, sexual intercourse, put on female condom, how to put on female condom

Lichen Sclerosus Disorder

2009-08-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

What is lichen sclerosus:
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that can affect mostly women, men, or children. It usually affects the vulva and the anal area. While lichen sclerosus appears predominantly in postmenopausal women, this skin situation is also known to improve on the head of the penis, almost exclusively in uncircumcised men. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus is seen on other parts of the body, especially the upper body, breasts, and upper arms.

Symptoms of lichen sclerosus:
Initially small, subtle white spots appear. These spots develop into bigger patches, and the skin surface becomes thinned and crinkled, skin tears easily, and bright red or purple discoloration from bleeding inside the skin. Some cases can produce scarring causing the inner lips of the vulva to shrink and vanish, the clitoris to become covered with scar tissue, and the opening of the vagina to narrow. When lichen sclerosus occurs on parts of the body other than the genital area, most often there are no symptoms, other than itching.

Lichen sclerosus is considered a rare disorder that can develop in people of all ages. It usually appears in postmenopausal women and primarily affects the vulva. It is uncommon for women who have vulvar lichen sclerosus to have the disease on other skin surfaces. The disease is much less common in childhood.

Overactive immune system may play a role. Some people might have a genetic tendency toward the disease, and studies suggest that abnormal hormone levels may also play a role. Lichen sclerosus has also been shown to emerge at sites of previous injury or trauma where the skin has already experienced scarring or damage.

Lichen sclerosus is not contagious.

Treatment of lichen sclerosus:
Patients with lichen sclerosus of nongenital skin often no need treatment because the symptoms are very calm and usually go away over time. The amount of time implicated varies from patient to patient. Lichen sclerosus of the genital skin should be treated, even when it is not causing itching or hurt, because it can lead to scarring that may narrow openings in the genital area and interfere with either urination or sexual intercourse or both.

Having sex with lichen sclerosus :
Women with severe lichen sclerosus may not be able to have sexual intercourse because of pain or scarring that narrows the entrance to the vagina. However, proper treatment with an ultra potent topical corticosteroid can help restore normal sexual functioning, unless harsh scarring has already narrowed the vaginal opening. In this case, surgery may be needed to correct the problem, but only after the disease has been prevented.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality, lichen sclerosus, lichen sclerosus disorder, lichen sclerosus disease, vulva, genetic tendency

Breast Feeding and Sexuality

2009-08-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

While women have long shared stories of how breastfeeding changes their sex lives, researchers have been slow to investigate the specific ways that breastfeeding impacts women’s sexuality.

The study surveyed 576 women who were breastfeeding their first child and followed them up to twelve months postpartum. While the study is limited due to the narrow group of women involved it still offers some important information about the experience of breastfeeding women and their partners when it comes to sex.

The first thing researchers discovered was that there are few, if any, generalizations to be made about the impact of breastfeeding on a woman’s sexuality. Women’s responses varied widely, and rarely was there a majority experience. About half of the respondents reported a decrease in sexual interest and about half reported no decrease. The same split was found for women reporting changes in sexual activity.

One of the only generalizations researchers found was that sex is important to women postpartum. 71% of the women surveyed said that it was important to them that sexual interest return soon after having a baby.

Through their review of the literature and their own research, the authors outlined the variety of ways that breastfeeding can impact a woman’s sexuality:
Physical changes that may impact sexuality:
* Changes in breast size and tenderness
* Healing perineum or abdomen after a vaginal or cesarean birth
* Milk leaking during arousal and sex play

Hormonal changes that may impact sexuality:
* Breastfeeding is associated with increases in prolactin and oxytocin, and decreases in estrogen all of which can have varied impacts on desire, arousal, and orgasm
* Decreased estrogen usually causes decreased vaginal lubrication which can impact sexual behaviors.

Fatigue:
This was the reason most commonly given for a decrease in sexual activity after the birth of a child. Fatigue can both impact sexual desire as well as overall sexual self-image.

Partner’s attitudes:
Much has been written about the sexualization of women’s breasts in North American society. While breasts serve an obvious function they are discussed more in the West as a sexual object to be “prized” in particular by male partners. Increased breast size, and milk production and expression (which often happens during sexual arousal) can impact the way a partner perceives their breastfeeding partner. These attitudes can have an impact on how a woman who is breastfeeding feels about herself.

Social attitudes:
Most women experience the sexualization of their breasts at some point in their lives. It’s inevitable given a culture that is, arguably, breast obsessed. When the breasts change in function and size, some women will experience a change in social attitudes as they breastfeed, particularly when they breastfeed in public, and these attitudes can also have an impact on the way a woman feels about herself sexually.

Reference:
Avery, M.D., Duckett, L., Frantzich, C.R. “The Experience of Sexuality During Breastfeeding Among Primiparous Women.” Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health Vol. 45, 2000 227-236.

Tags: Breast feeding, breastfeeding, sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, sexuality

Vaginal Dryness

2009-08-09T04:37:00.000-07:00

If your body isn’t producing enough natural vaginal lubrication you may experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can feel different for different women but generally feels like itching and irritation. For some women it can make sex painful or impossible.

Many women experience vaginal dryness and even live with the irritation and/or pain for many years without speaking to a doctor. Because vaginal dryness may be a sign of some underlying health concern, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about it, even if it's something that doesn't happen very often.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness
There are several possible causes for experiencing vaginal dryness. Figuring out what is causing vaginal dryness is a good first step to finding a solution.A decrease in estrogen is probably the main reason for vaginal dryness, a decrease in estrogen levels will reduce the amount of vaginal lubrication, as well as a thinning out of the vaginal lining, making it less elastic.

Medications That Cause Vaginal Dryness
There are a variety of medications that can cause vaginal dryness. Some medications lead to vaginal dryness by altering estrogen levels, while others can directly dry out the mucous membranes.
* Cancer treatments (e.g. Tamoxifen)
* Treatments for Vaginosis (e.g. Metrogel)
* Antihistamines (which dry out the mucous membranes)
* Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections
* Anti-depressants (e.g. Effexor)
* Medications for ulcers and high blood pressure

Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
While vaginal dryness may be one of the most common causes for pain during sex and can certainly decrease a woman’s interest in sex, the good news is that vaginal dryness is a problem that is usually very easy to resolve.
Some of the prescription treatments for vaginal dryness include:

* Topical creams
* Oral medications
* Rings and patches

Tags: Symptoms of vaginal dryness, Causes of vaginal dryness, Treatment of Vaginal Dryness, sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual helath, vaginal orgasm,vaginal dryness

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)

2009-08-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is a newly described disorder that is not yet fully understood or defined. It refers to the experience of persistent feelings of genital arousal (often described as “pelvic tension”) that are not associated with sexual stimulation of any kind, that don’t go away on their own, and that cause the individual pain or distress.

The disorder was originally called persistent sexual arousal syndrome (PSAS) in the literature. The change in terminology was recommended because strictly speaking the problem is not sexual; it’s a problem with the genitals. While PGAD was first written about in the clinical literature in 2001, it is likely something that has been experienced by women for many years in silence.

Symptoms of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
Researchers are still describing this phenomenon and no criteria are agreed upon for what is and isn’t PGAD. But the first article to describe PGAD suggests that it should include the following features:

* Experiencing physiological response similar to sexual arousal (such as genital sensitivity or engorgement) that lasts for an extended period of time (from hours to days) and does not go away on its own.
* Physical signs are not related to feeling sexually excited or sexual desire.
* Physical experience may be triggered by nonsexual events or by nothing at all.
* Physical signs of arousal do not go away after orgasm, or may require multiple orgasms to go away
* The experience is considered intrusive and unwanted; and when it persists, can create significant distress.

A more recent paper proposed an additional feature: The experience of spontaneous orgasms which are not brought on by sexual stimulation and are intense.

Treatment
In a review of PGAD, Sandra Lieblum, one author of the original persistent sexual arousal syndrome article, outlines four different courses of treatment that may provide relief. No single treatment has emerged, and it may be that treatments do not completely eliminate the condition. But they may help reduce pain, stress, and discomfort. Treatment options include:

1. Psycho-education and support.
Knowing that you are not alone in your experiences, and that it isn’t “all in your head” or something you should be “thankful” for can go a long way in reducing stress and even symptoms. The support group psas-support is an important resource for anyone living with PGAD.
2. Identifying triggers.
For some women, certain triggers make the pain or discomfort worse. Discovering what the triggers are can make it easier to avoid them.
3. Pelvic massage.
Stretching and pelvic massage which can relax the pelvic floor muscles and increase awareness of stress and tension, may help in reducing pain. A physiotherapist or other healthcare practitioner with experience in pelvic issues may provide some help in this area.
4. Medications.
Given that some medications may be related to onset of PGAD for some women, it is understandable that they may not want to pursue treatment. On the other hand, the experience can be so distressing that some women will take a “whatever works” approach. No single medications are recommended, and Lieblum suggests that finding one that works is a process of trial and error to be done with your physician.

How Common is PGAD?
The original study that analyzed data from women included 103 women, and the survey developed by the researchers has now been filled out by over 400 women online (as of October 2006). While it is likely that the experience of persistent genital arousal is rare, given the lack of emphasis put on sexual health in our culture, it’s possible that the disorder is more common than researchers think it is.

Sources:
1. Amsterdam, A., Abu-Rustum, N., Carter, J., Krychman, M. “Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome Associated with Increased Soy Intake” The Journal of Sexual Medicine Vol. 2, No. 3 (2005):338-40.
2. Leiblum, S.R. “Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder: What It Is and What It Isn’t” Contemporary Sexuality.Vol. 40, No. 10 ( 2006): 8-13.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual helath, vaginal orgasm, genital disorder, genital arousal disorder, pgad

Orgasm Types

2009-08-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

Descriptions of different types of orgasms, like definitions of orgasms are far from exact. There are no standard or universally identified types of orgasms and when you read about different styles or types of orgasms you are really just reading someone’s description of what they have either experienced themselves or observed in others.

Here are some ways people have distinguished types of orgasms.

Clitoral versus Vaginal Orgasms
This distinction was popularized by Sigmund Freud, who linked orgasm to our psychological development. A clitoral orgasm is brought about by clitoral stimulation and a vaginal one through vaginal penetration. Freud argued that clitoral orgasms were characteristic of the young and immature, and vaginal orgasms represented the healthy female sexual response. As such, a woman who could only have orgasms from clitoral stimulation was stuck in her development. This theory has been largely discounted, although there are still a few curious (and not surprisingly male) researchers desperately clinging to the idea. An additional problem with this distinction is that it doesn’t describe how the orgasms feel or what their detailed physiological or psychological effects are, it focuses on the method of achieving orgasm...

Pressure orgasms
This orgasm comes from indirect stimulation, no rubbing, but instead applying pressure (by leaning heavily against or on something). As children we may engage in this kind of self soothing and sex stimulating behavior even if it doesn’t result in an orgasm the way we think of them as adults.

Tension orgasms
This is the orgasm that comes from direct and intense stimulation usually while you are holding your body and muscles tight and tense, and holding your breath. Dodson considers tension orgasms the most common, favored because they are quick and dirty. She also calls them “peak orgasms” as they offer an intense build up followed by a sudden release. Tension orgasms could be our default because of early sexual experiences, which are often secretive and quick.

Relaxation orgasms
Dodson describes this type of orgasm as coming not from a build up of tension, but from deep relaxation during sexual stimulation, where you continue to release tension and relax your muscles and eventually the orgasm sneaks up on you.

G spot orgasms
The g spot debate is far from over, and while Dodson doesn’t discount them, she favors clitoral stimulation at least being in the mix, and offers a wary attitude to those who argue for orgasms that come from penetration alone. Nonetheless, many women report orgasms that come from g spot stimulation being fundamentally different from orgasms that come from other kinds of stimulation.

Fantasy orgasms
Idea of orgasms that result from mental stimulation alone (which is not surprising given her belief in the supremacy of clitoral stimulation). There is a tendency by many to see orgasms from fantasy as being less than other kinds of orgasms, but this attitude seems to come mostly from rigid thinking about the right and wrong way to orgasm, and less from people’s personal experiences.

Sources:

1. Dodson, Betty. Orgasms for Two. New York: Harmony Books, 2002.
2. Freud, Sigmund. Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. New York: Basic Books, 2000.

Tags:best orgasm, better orgasm, build better orgasm, building orgasm, building up orgasm, female orgasm, types of orgasms, orgasms, sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, orgasm types, vaginal orgasm, clitoral orgasm

Semen Allergy

2009-08-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

What are the symptoms and causes of semen allergy?

Semen allergy is a relatively rare allergic reaction where women experience symptoms including vaginal itching, burning and swelling in the genital area after unprotected intercourse. In severe cases of semen allergy, hives or swelling may appear elsewhere on the body and the woman may experience difficulty breathing. The allergy may be to proteins in semen or, less commonly, it women may be reacting to other allergic substances transmitted in semen, including the medications vinblastine, penicillin and thioridazine and some food and beverages, including walnuts and Coca-Cola.

How common is semen allergy?
The prevalence of the allergy isn’t known, but in a 1997 study of 1,073 women (who were experiencing symptoms and sought information) approximately 13 percent were determined to have semen allergy, which makes this more common than previously assumed. Because women may be using condoms most of the time, and the symptoms of burning and itching can be mistaken for other problems, it is possible that semen allergy is going undiagnosed.
What are the treatments for semen allergy?
If you have a semen allergy you should make sure to have a self-injectable epinephrine kit in the event of a severe reaction. This is not a treatment per se, but an important intervention in case of a several allergic reaction.

The easiest way to deal with a semen allergy is to use condoms. In fact condom use is the prime method of diagnosing semen allergy. If irritation goes away with condom use, semen allergy is considered a likely cause.

There are other treatments available for semen allergy which all work by desensitizing the person with the semen allergy to the semen.

One method, called Intravaginal Seminal Graded Challenge (ISGC), involved inserting samples of semen into the vagina beginning with very diluted samples and gradually building up. The technique is performed over the period of a few hours, introducing new semen every 20 minutes. It is advised that couples engage in regular sexual intercourse to maintain the desensitization.

A second method involves allergy shots, where a small amount of semen is injected under the skin over several weeks. Regular unprotected intercourse is again required to maintain immunity.

Dr. David J. Resnick, acting director, division of allergy, the New York Presbyterian Hospital, who has studied semen allergy recently presented an update on the topic to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In a prepared statement Dr. Resnick described additional features of semen allergy, including:

* 50 percent of women with semen allergy have other allergic diseases, such as skin allergy and allergic rhinitis (so-called “hay fever”).
* Most women experiencing semen allergy are between age 20 and 30, and 41 percent experience symptoms with their first sexual intercourse. “In most cases, symptoms gradually worsen and occur sooner with subsequent exposures,” he said.
* Symptoms usually occur within 30 minutes of intercourse, but in rare cases it may be hours or even days later.
* In some women, the reaction occurs with one partner while others are allergic to all partners, he said. There are also reported cases where women have “outgrown” the allergy without treatment.

Sources:
1. Bernstein J.A., Sugumaran R., Bernstein D.I., Bernstein IL. “Prevalence of Human Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity Among Symptomatic Women.” Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Volume 78 (1997):54–58.
2. Resnick, D.J., Hatzis, D.C., Kanganis P., et. al. “The Approach to Conception for Women with Seminal Plasma Protein Hypersensitivity.” American Journal Of Reproductive Immunology Volume 52 (2004):42–44.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual health, female sexual health, infections, allergy, sexual allergy, sexual allergies, sexual diseases, after sex, sex positions

Urinary Tract Infections

2009-08-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

Why do I get urinary tract infections after having sex?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections for women. It has long been thought that sexual intercourse (vaginal penetration) is a major contributor, if not cause, of urinary tract infections in women. The thinking about the relationship between urinary tract infections and sex is evident in the slang term for UTI, “honeymoon cystitis” since a woman may be even more likely to get a urinary tract infection after going a long time without vaginal sex, or having vaginal sex with a new partner.

Several studies have demonstrated the association including a 2000 study which indicated that sex is the greatest risk factor for urinary tract infections, and the risk increases for women who have had a new partner in the previous year...

It is thought that “bad” bacteria are more easily introduced into the urethra during penetrative sex by the rubbing of the penis, and they travel up the urethral tract and cause infections.
What can I do to avoid getting urinary tract infections after having sex?

There isn’t anything that can guarantee you won’t get a urinary tract infection after having sex. But a good preventative measure is to always pee just before and just after having vaginal penetrative sex. The thinking is that doing this will flush away and out bacteria that may be pushed into the urethra during penetration.

No one has published any research to date that compares different sex positions and risk for urinary tract infections, but if you are prone to urinary tract infections as a result of sex, you may want to try different sex positions that involve less friction and rubbing near the urethral opening.

Read more about urinary tract infections.

Read more about sex positions.

Sources:

1. Foxman, B., Marsh J., Gillespie, B. et al. “Condom Use and First-time Urinary Tract Infection.” Epidemiology Volume 8, (1997): 637–641.
2. Ronald, A. “Sex and Urinary Tract Infections.” The New England Journal of Medicine Volume 335 (August 15, 1996): 510-512.
3. Scholes D., Hooton, T.M., Roberts P.L. et al. “Risk Factors for Recurrent UTI in Young Women.” Journal of Infectious Diseases Volume 182, (2000):1177-1182.

Tags: sex tips, intercourse, pleasure, sexual helath, female sexual health, infections, urinary infections, after sex, sex positions

Sex for Pregnancy

2009-08-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to keep sex pleasurable when you're trying to get pregnant? Obviously the answer is going to be different for each person. And for some people the answer may honestly be no, I can't have excitement; I'm busy peeing on sticks and tracking my temperature, I'm way too stressed out. Regardless of where you find yourself on the fun-to-frantic range, if you are trying to get pregnant with a partner, below are some tips on having good sex while trying to get pregnant.

Remember where you came from.
If you're trying to get pregnant with a partner, you probably love each other and there was almost certainly a time when you were so hot for each other it hurt. It may have been how he looked, something he did in bed, the way he talks or moves.

Have sex when you want it, not just when it's time.
If you're trying to time the sex you have to your cycle you may feel as if you can only have sex when it's time, as if having sex at other times is a waste.

Do other kinds of sexual things together.
If you and your partner's only sexual connection is taking place during sex timed to ovulation, it can put a serious drain on your sexual relationship, and have negative repercussions to the relationship as a whole. Make sure you do other things together that are sensual or sexual, but don’t include having full on sex.

Be smart.
If you're feeling stressed or anxious about sex because you are timing it to ovulation or because you think it "isn't working" it can have an impact on natural lubrication. Any supplements or medications you may be taking that effect hormones could also impact lubrication.

Unleash the sexual fantasies.
When sex becomes work (which is how sex to get pregnant can feel at times) it is time to throw out the rule book and use what works, and what often works is a healthy dose of sexual fantasy.

Explore sexual variations.
On the one hand, introducing a new sexual act might not be the best idea when you're trying to get pregnant. On the flip, it might be the perfect time. The fact is that both of you are having sex timed to a schedule that is out of your control, which means that everyone is compromising. So why not take the opportunity to either start or finish with something else you always wanted to try? So-called "baby making sex" just means at some point there needs to be penetration and ejaculation, it doesn’t mean that’s all you can do.

How To Build a Better Orgasm

2009-08-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

It’s a happy fact that the more orgasms you have the more orgasms you’re likely to have in the future. Learning more about your orgasmic potential will likely bring satisfaction on numerous levels.
Nevertheless, the idea of “building” a better orgasm isn’t meant to make you feel like there is anything wrong with the orgasms you’re presently having. If you’re trying to develop your sex life to meet someone else’s expectations or because you feel pressured, you won’t get distant. But if you are interested in having better orgasms comes from personal need or curiosity, then you are going to find a few tips below to help you.

Here are a few warning to keep in mind as you explore:
• What’s “better” is only what’s better for you; there’s no comparing orgasms with others.
• You are the measure of orgasmic sensation. If you’re happy, that’s what matters.
• There is no right way to have an orgasm; whatever works for you is good enough.
• If it feels good, and no one's getting hurt, there are no wrong orgasms...
Before starting any sexual exploration, consider that many of us have had negative and disturbing sexual experiences in the past, including being abused or battered. Whenever you begin to explore a new sexual way, issues may come up related to these past practices. If you’re going to explore, you should try to have some support in place a partner or a counselor to help you progression anything that might come up as you discover. All of us need to take care of ourselves when we open up to a new experience. Having had a painful experience in the past doesn’t mean you can’t have great sex in the future - it just makes the need for support that we all have a little more understandable and pressing.

1. Breathing
Orgasm has the potential to be a full body experience, and breath provides the foundation of the practice. You can build on your orgasms by playing with your breathing. Start by concentrating to your breath during sex.

2. Moving Your Body
Moving your body may be an obvious part of having sex, but when it comes to orgasm, a lot of us tense up and hold ourselves almost still, which can get in the way of having a bigger orgasm. You can change your orgasm by changing how much you move and what parts of your body you move.

3. Finding Your Line
Our obsession with orgasms often means we’re in such a hurry to get there that we lose out on the build-up. Many people report that orgasms resulting from a slow build-up or arousal are more powerful than quickie orgasms.

4. Thinking Outside
If you’re looking for bigger orgasms you need to think beyond your genitals. It’s not that the vulva, clitoris, penis, and scrotum aren’t key players in the orgasm orchestra, but your body is full of nerve endings just waiting to be aroused, and orgasms can come from unexpected places.

5. Fantasies
Using fantasy to build better orgasms can be both a help and a hindrance. Fantasy is great if helps you “let go” and follow your erotic thoughts. If you’re someone who finds it hard to get aroused, fantasy can be a crucial first step. But some of us use fantasy as a way of staying outside our bodies and distracting ourselves from what we’re feeling.

6. Playing With Toys
Sex toys, vibrators in particular, are often the easiest and fastest way to an orgasm, and the kinds of orgasms you have when you play with toys can feel very different.

7. Getting Wet
Rushing water from a shower head or from a bathtub faucet offers strong and consistent stimulation that is very different from the stimulation of a hand, or rubbing against fabric or furniture and can result in a very different kind of orgasm. Try masturbating in the shower or bath. Playing in the tub is also an easy way to alleviate concerns about sex being too messy or wet, either alone or with a partner.

Tags:best orgasm, better orgasm, build better orgasm, building orgasm, building up orgasm, female orgasm, how to build a beter orgasm, orgasm, sex tips, intercourse, pleasure

Sex Positions with Animated Illustration

2009-08-01T02:20:00.000-07:00

Finding the best sex position needs creativity and experimentation. Lots of people are looking for new sex positions, inquiring about the most popular sex positions, or trying to find sex positions that are comfortable and efficient. Learning about sex positions can be made much easier by seeing images of sex positions.

The animated sex positions in below cover basic sex positions. Don’t forget that the best sex position is the one that is physically comfortable, and allows you do what you want.

Missionary Sex Position:The Missionary sex position is the most common first position people try, which is possibly related to its simplicity and the high level of intimacy experienced...

Doggy Style Sex Position:A lot of women say that this position eases stimulation of their g-spot through penetration better than other sex positions.

Side to Side Sex Position:This sex position offers a lot physical contact. Lying on your side and facing your partner who is also lying on their side facing you.

Spoons Sex Position:

Bended Knee Sex Position:

Bridge Sex Position:

Cowgirl Sex Position:

Deep Impact Sex Position:

Lotus Sex Position:

Rear Entry Sex Position:

See-Saw Sex Position:

Stand and Carry Sex Position:

Tags:animated sex, animated sex positions, intercourse, sex position, sex position pictures, sex tips, pleasure, sex position, visual sex positions

Animations adapted from sexinfo101.com

Masturbation for Women

2009-07-31T13:04:00.000-07:00

Masturbation is thought by many to be the fundamental of sexual health. Because you need to do it by yourself, on your own terms, it’s possibly the best way to discover what turns you on. Women are raised with little information about their genitals, and sex, containing masturbation doesn’t come in nature for everybody. Some women orgasm from clitoral stimulation, others like vaginal penetration or G spot stimulation. Remember, there’s no wrong way to masturbate; every person is different! You are going to find some information on how to masturbate for women in below.

1.Get yourself in the mood for masturbation.
Relax as much as you can. Take a warm. Find a relaxing position. Remove most or all of your clothing.

2.Fantasize for masturbation.
Recall an exciting past sexual experience or favorite sexual fantasy. If you need a stimulation, look at a sexy magazine, read an erotic story, or watch an adult video...

3.Explore all parts of your body.
Run your hands along parts of your body, especially lingering along parts that are more reactive to touch than others. Look at your genitals in a mirror. Find and touch your inner and outer labia, your clitoris, your vagina and your perineum.

4.Touch yourself.
Using one or two fingers, rhythmically stroke the different parts of your vulva, paying particular interest to your clitoris and labia. Try different types of pressure, speed and motion. Experiment with placing a finger on either side of the clitoris and stroking up and down, or placing two fingers on the clitoral hood and rubbing in a circular motion. ,

5.Breathe and rock.
Breathe deeply rather than hold it. This helps discharge the sexual energy, rather than struggle it. Rock your pelvis as you would throughout intercourse. Rhythmically clench and release your PC muscle (using a dildo for vaginal penetration can help).

6.Getting over the top.
If you're on the threshold of orgasm, but can't quite get over the hump, try changing you’re breathing, or focusing on a really hot fantasy. Give extra stimulation to yourself by using other fingers or a dildo in and out of your vagina.

7.Ride the Wave.
As you begin to orgasm, go on the stimulation during the orgasm. Lighten up on the stimulation during the first extremely sensitive moments but keep it going to enjoy those slight pleasurable aftershocks. Your first orgasm might feel like a blip or a blast, more practice will bring more variety you will experience.

Tags:how to masturbate, how to masturbate for women, masturbation, masturbation for women, masturbation, sex positions, masturbation tips, pleasure, pleasure for women, sex tips, intercourse, pleasure,