Vibrator Use Linked to Better Sexual Health

Two Indiana University surveys suggest that vibrator use during sexual encounters is common among American men and women and is linked to better sexual health.
Dr. Debra Herbenick and colleagues surveyed 2,056 women between 18 and 60 years old and found that more than half of the women (52.5%) had used a vibrator, with nearly 1 in 4 having done so in the past month.

Women who used vibrators were more likely to have had gynecologic check up within the past year and were also more likely to have performed a genital self-exam within the past month.

In addition, women who used vibrators, and particularly recent users, reported more desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm, and less pain.

Most women (71.5%) said they never had any side effects associated with vibrator use and side effects that did occur were generally not severe or long-lasting.

Dr. Michael Reece and colleagues surveyed 1,047 men, also between 18 and 60 years old and found that, for both solo and partnered sexual activities, 44.8% of the men had used a vibrator at some point in their lives, with 10.0% having done so in the last month, 14.2% within the past year, and 20.5% at some point more than a year ago.

"Men who used vibrators, particularly those with recent use, were more likely to report participation in sexual health promoting behaviors, such as testicular self-exam," Reece and colleagues report.

In addition, men who reported recent vibrator use scored themselves higher on sexual desire, erectile function and satisfaction with sex and orgasms, than men who did not report recent vibrator use.

In an Indiana University-issued statement, Herbenick said: "The study about women's vibrator use affirms what many doctors and therapists have known for decades -- that vibrator use is common, it's linked to positive sexual function such as desire and ease of orgasm, and it's rarely associated with any side effects."

"The study about male vibrator use," Reece added, "is additionally important because it shows that vibrator use is also common among men, something that has not been documented before."

"Also, both studies help us to further understand the way in which American consumers are turning to the marketplace for products that promote their sexual health," Reece said.

The surveys, which were sponsored by condom manufacturer Church & Dwight Company, appear in the latest issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

SOURCE: Journal of Sexual Medicine, July 2009.  (Reuters Health)

Great Sex Starts with Your Own Body

A healthy sex life starts with a healthy understanding of your own body.  Here are some tips to get better acquainted with your own body, and make it easier to share with others.

Touch Yourself -- Touch yourself everywhere.  Concentrate on how different parts of your body feel under your fingers.  Start at the head, and go to the toes.  As you explore you'll learn a little bit about how your body feels to others, plus how you feel about being touched.

Look at Yourself -- Get a full-length mirror and stand in front of it in the nude.  Now move around and see what positions are attractive, and probably discover positions that are not attractive.  This helps you understand how others see you.  Now grab a small hand-held mirror.  Examine your body thoroughly.  He'll understand how others see you at more intimate times.

Expose Yourself -- Expose yourself to different stimuli.  Use all of your senses; vision, taste, touch, hear, and smell.  Discover what stimuli turn you on, and turn you off.  Do ice cubes feel good on your body?  Does pornography excite you or make you blush?  Are you aroused by the sound of thunderstorms?  Does the smell of chocolate make you warm?  Would you rather hear dirty talk or sweet whispers?

Excite Yourself -- Masturbation can be enjoyable and educational.  Discover ways to create arousal and eventually reach climax.  Try to learn more about the journey than the destination.  Try bare hands, lotions or oils, or even sex toys.

By really understanding what makes you a sexual being, it makes it much easier to communicate those feelings to others.  The best sex you'll ever have is when another person has discovered the things that drive you crazy.  Point them in the right direction and ask them for a map to their body too.

3 Sexy Reasons to Head to the Grocery Store

If you are looking for something to heat up your sex life, head to the grocery store. Experts say everything from hormone production, stamina levels, and libido are all connected to the quality of nutrition that supports your nervous and circulatory systems.

1. Chili Peppers - While it might sound cliche to spice up your sex life with actual spice, there is a reason for it. Chili peppers stimulate the nervous system and enhance libido.

2. Granola - A quality mix of complex carbohydrates, as well as poly and mono-unsaturated fats, is a great way to heat things up anytime. The complex carbohydrates will give you sustainable energy. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are essential to hormone production. A critical vitamin, L-Arginine, helps erectile response through improved circulation.

3. Soy - Soy is sexy in the bedroom. It binds estrogen receptors that help the vagina region remain lubricated. It also combats menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. For men, it benefits the prostate.

How early can HIV show up on a test?

According to Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, a psychologist specializing HIV at New York University "Most HIV tests can only detect the virus starting three to six months after infection -- so you should ask about your partner's sexual history for the past six months"

It's important to have the following information about a new sex partner prior to jumping into bed.

• When was their last HIV test? 
• How many sex partners have they had since the test or in the past six months if the test is recent? 
• Have they ever been diagnosed with another STD? 
• Are they willing to use condoms regardless of HIV status? 
• Are you using any form of birth control? 
• What sexual activities do you want? What don't you want?

These questions may sound more like an interrogation, but opening lines of communication are critical when having a healthy sexual relationship.