A wonderful vignette, from Showtime’s “Weeds,” Season 5, courtesy of our colleagues at Planned Parenthood of NYC. Alannis Morissette stars as an unflappable ob/gyn and Andy (Justin Kirk) is as charming as ever, jumping protestor lines to get himself a date. Click on Alannis to view 2 minutes of “Laugh with the Sinners”
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There are different types of pregnancy tests – blood tests and urine tests.
A blood test can be accurate 8 to 10 days after ovulation – but you have to know when ovulation occurred. A woman with a very regular menstrual cycle usually ovulates about 14 days before the first day of her period. A blood test has to be administered by a health care provider, who will be looking for the “pregnancy hormone” hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
A urine test can be done by your health care provider or can be bought at a drug store, over the counter. Most urine pregnancy tests are most accurate after a woman has missed her period-then they are about 99% effective. If a test is done before a missed period it may still be effective – but not as conclusive.
Pregnancy tests on the market differ slightly. Some offer high effectiveness a few days before a missed period while others detect various levels of the hormone hCG to determine the answer. All range between $10 and $25.
Some over the counter pregnancy tests are digital – others offer name recognition. You will notice that some come in multi packs – in case the first test is inconclusive or you need to test again the following month.
If you think you are unexpectedly pregnant and are undecided about a pregnancy, the best thing to do is get an accurate test as soon as possible.
Caution: If a woman’s period is late and the pregnancy tests are negative but there are other symptoms synonymous with pregnancy – see your health provider.
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
According to the Telegraph, there is now an iPhone app that lets you measure your passion.
“Users simply start the programme, strap the phone to their arm or belt, and press ’stop’ when lovemaking is over. The programme then gives a rating from ‘bad’ to ‘perfect’ on three criteria – duration, activity, and orgasm.”
I am wondering if there isn’t a conflict of interest between being passionate and having to say “Babe, just give me a minute. I have to strap on my…iPhone.”
This just raises a bunch of questions: Have low battery iPhones given a non-orgasm result and started a lover’s quarrel? Can you send results to your Facebook page? Tweet them? What if I have a Blackberry? Will “I really liked him, but I looked at his passion app, and it turns out he didn’t really measure up” be heard on the dating circuit?
For now, a good old-fashioned romp, without graphs, technology & measurable results, with blissful exhaustion as a sufficient indicator, may what most of us have to settle for.
Consensual Text is featured on Twitter, along with other information relating to a range of topics.
Scented tampons are not good to use. Commercial tampon manufacturers use artificial fragrance to create flowery fresh scents. The perfumes used can irritate vaginal walls and it’s also an easy way to get a yeast infection. Although scented tampons are marketed, they are not recommended.
It is best to use unscented tampons.
Scenting is also unnecessary-there shouldn’t be a bad odor from your period. If you think there is, try changing your tampon more often. If the odor continues, call your health care provider.
Ideally, you would also use tampons made of organic cotton.
According to Seventh Generation, there are some pretty good reasons for this:
“…an incredible 55 million pounds of pesticides are sprayed on cotton fields each year in the US… The World Health Organization classifies many of
these pesticides as “extremely or highly hazardous”. Five of the nine most commonly used cotton pesticides have been identified as possible human carcinogens. Others are known to damage the nervous system and are suspected of disrupting the body’s hormonal system.”
Not something you want near your fun parts.
On other related tampon questions,we are often asked: “can you masturbate with a tampon in your vagina?”
Yes, you can … if it’s comfortable for you, then there is no problem.
Some basic tampon advice:
If you have any problems with odor or irritation, have it checked out.
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
An interesting alternative to traditional sex toys: a vibrator that cranks, then vibrates. No batteries needed! Made from non-toxic, recycled materials, no less.
I have to admit, initially I was skeptical because my partner owns a flashlight with the same crank mechanism. My personal cranking experience has not been great: picture a woman with a full bladder huddled in a rainy tent with this flashlight, cranking away until I thought my arm would fall off from the exertion, to then enjoy 3 minutes of mood lighting while I try to find a bush where there are no wild animals who are waiting to pounce on me.
That said, apparently this vibrator has more advanced crank technology. The site claims just 4 minutes of cranking will get you…well…cranking for 30 minutes.
All this for around $90.
If you own one, or are rushing to get your credit card ready and will own one, please email goddess@ppnne.org and let us know how it goes!
Consensual Text is featured on Twitter, along with other information relating to a range of topics.
Consensual Text is featured on Twitter, along with other information relating to a range of topics.
First off, let’s say the term “cock ring” lacks elegance. It is also sometimes referred to as a C-ring. That said, men use cock rings to make their penis larger and harder and to keep their penis erect for a longer period of time. Men also use them to change the way ejaculations and orgasms feel.
You put a cock ring on when the penis is soft (over the shaft and the testicles – it will stay in place). A well-fitted cock ring can also be removed from a hard penis (using lube can help when putting it on or taking it off). They need to fit properly–if not, they can be harmful. Beginners should seek out cock rings that are softer and made of leather or rawhide. These products can be adjusted and won’t get as tight as a metal or a rubber cock ring. If it is too tight, it can cut off circulation and be hard to remove. This is not good! If a cock ring does not feel comfortable, take it off. Also, don’t leave it on for a long time–30 minutes is the suggested duration.
Not everyone likes wearing a cock ring because there is a certain sense of pressure that is not comfortable for some men. For others, the sensation feels good.
Cock rings can be purchased at most adult sex toy stores, and cover quite the spectrum. You can get velcro, vibrating or even high-end cock rings that are serious BLING!
And one that counts thrusts! (A Thrust-o-meter??) 
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
Enjoy this review of futuristic “ladyproducts” by Amanda Schaffer of DoubleX, featuring, discussing, and rating six products ranging from the vibrators above, to “smart Bras”, that can sense a possible abnormal growth in the breast. Pleasure, pms, breast cancer and a bunch of other technology seems to be in the works. Don’t miss the girly gadget slide show!
Anyone rushing out to look for these products on the shelves? What “ladyproduct” would you like to see”?
Consensual Text is featured on Twitter, along with other information relating to a range of topics.
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It’s not technique – it’s chemistry.
Once you feel that chemistry – you’re almost there. Then find out what your lover’s sexual likes are.
Being a good lover is all about getting to know what your partner desires and how her/his body responds sexually. People respond differently to stimulation, to touch, to movement. What one person likes might not work for someone else.
Some starting points: A good, lasting, sensuous kiss is vital. Being able to use your lips and tongue to tell your partner how much you desire her or him will set the stage. It brings on desire and can be the start of a great sexual or love relationship. Go ahead – -hit it out of the park with a passionate kiss your lover won’t forget.
Finding a way from gently touching the eye lids to massaging the neck and shoulders can heighten relaxation and create a sexual connection that arouses. Find erogenous spots … enjoy her or his body … watch how your lover responds … let your lover touch and find the places where your body responds … relax, go slow, and be in that very moment.
Communicate about what might be more arousing, if they are enjoying themselves. Listen to the answers and be willing to answer questions like that yourself. How else can you find out? Be attentive at times when you are not in the throes of sex or love-making – let your lover know you have been thinking about her/him. Have conversations about sex when you are not having sex. Talk about what you liked, what you’d like to do next, other ways that can turn you on, and what you’d like to try next. Talk about it!
Remember – being a good lover with one person doesn’t mean you will be a good lover for someone else. Each new partner will respond similarly to some things and differently to others. Start with the kiss.
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
Eat your veggies, floss, look before crossing the road and have an orgasm.
I wonder how this would go over in American schools.
Erogenous zones are those great areas of the body that, when stimulated, create sexual arousal. There are many parts of the body, including your skin, that can be erogenous zones. The stomach is a particularly sensitive area for both women and men – with gentle touch on the stomach you can easily arouse your lover. Nerve endings are also key … so ear lobes, behind the knee, the mouth and lips are spots can accentuate sexual arousal when touched.
Use fingers, feathers, silk, kitchen whisks, or warm oil as an added stimulant on those erogenous zones. Please – let’s not forget the hottest zones … the breasts, penis, clitoris, perineum, inner thighs, and the areas closest to them. (`They are the usual and predictable suspects)
Heightened sensitivity differs depending on the person and perhaps, how that person interacts with their lover. Genitals are the most obvious parts of the body that respond sexually when stimulated.
One last thought – the mind is a huge erogenous zone so be that lover that can use touch and words.
Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.
Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org
