Sexy Bites

Protect Baby, Protect Mom

2008-06-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Every pregnancy is a risk for both the baby and it's mother, and it is only essential for parents to consider potential medical benefits such as Cord blood banking. Some (if not all) might be wondering why, and many might doubt it, but facts say that saving Cord Blood is just important as getting your health insurance. Or even better. Good thing we have sites like Cryo-cell.com that helps us to easily enroll ourselves to America's most established Family Cord Blood Bank.

So why should we bank it?

U-Cord (umbilical cord blood), remains in the placenta and the umbilical cord during the time of birth. Typically, this blood is discarded following delivery. That was until the scientists had discovered it's use serving as a rich source of stem cells which are viable substitutes to bone marrows used in numerous "successful" transplants. That important, but choosing the right stem cell bank for your family is not that easy of a decision. Making sure is the best move, and making sure needs good facts to compare. Something Cryo-cell.com is known for.

So what makes Cryo-Cell different?

The answer is actually very easy. Cryo-cell.com brings "quality" service, with a great "value", meaning something that won't make it impossible for you to acquire. This pretty much includes a lot of special offers that you would enjoy, and might want to avail with.

It's basically not just helping, it's called quality helping.

Matters of The Heart

2008-06-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Be it love or be it health, it is always essential for us to take care of the single part of our body that mattered the most. The heart. But, despite the care, circumstances still occur and place our hearts at risk medically. One of these circumstances may even require the need of a mitral valve replacement.

The hearts mitral valve is the "inflow valve" that allows blood to flow from the left atrium, to the hearts main pumping chamber, the ventricle. But in many cases, conditions like "stenosis" or "regurgitation", or the narrowing or leaking (respectively) of these valves happen. And this is where a replacement or repair of valves can be taken into consideration.

Certain medical centers actually provide mitral valve repair services, and a lot of testimonials about the success stories of such surgeries are available to serve as references for such decisions. Taking care of our heart is like taking care of or life. A life with love, and it would only be good, if such a decision ocmes from the heart.

Online Shoppers' Good News

2008-06-13T00:37:00.000-07:00

If you're a heavy on-line shopper and wanted to buy the latest office-mate recommended beauty and health product but can't seem to figure out the name or the brand, then usually you go to search engines. Which by the way give you a lot of results, and not everything involves shopping, which means you're going to have to settle for hours of searching to find (if lucky) that latest beauty lotion, of facial foam, or skin exfoiliant cream that your office mate suggested.

But not with sites like Shopwiki, on-line shopping is just a easy as searching the net. It's the total shopping search engine, which actually gives results like search engines does, but mainly focuses on shopping. If you're looking for a good bath and shower product for a gift, all you have to do is search for it, then it shows options (for men, for women, teens) and price ranges for your budget, making it shopping and internet friendly.

I've tried searching for a lot of products, which includes digital cameras (my frustration), and I saw more results than my first normal search in the net. It shows the product, a photo, the price, relevant informations, and the number of stores which you can see it sold. Unlike other shopping sites, where they only feature those who paid to be featured. Now that's gotta be cool right?

So worry no more, and tell your office-mate you got the product, and more. Shop now.

Life with Lockers

2008-06-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

For every student, comes School Lockers. A place where they leave their books, shoes, and other things they tend to bring in school, and ironically some of the best memories of unforgettable conversations happen just infront of these lockers.

Now, with the realization of its simple, yet very useful purpose, almost all relevant places contain different kinds of Lockers. Offices, sports gym, train station, terminals, banks, and a lot more to mention, and with the wide variety of lockers availabe in the market today, it won't be ahrd to choose which locker compliments a place.

But, like any other useful things, a locker also has a partner to go with. things they call Locker Benches, which are actually normal benches usually seen where there are locker rooms, making it as much a part of the locker as it's own parts.

Meal Replacement Shake ....

2008-06-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Sure looks refreshing right?

But what if I tell you this could be your meal. Or better yet, this could be a healthy meal. Would you believe me? If you've heard of Herbalife and it's products, then I guess you would.

Herbalife International has been the leading distributor of of weight-loss, nutrition, and skin care products using multi-level or networking techniques proven to be effective in the distribution of products worldwide, and they have develop proven and tested products to help you look good, and feel good.

Among the widely accepted products of most Herbalife Distributor is the incomparable "health shake" which can boost up your protein intake, while you loose those unwanted weight in your body. All in all, it's like having to replace one full meal with a refreshing "health shake" that's not only refreshing, but with health contents too.

Online Pharmacy

2008-06-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

With a large number of people having to face ostomy ( the surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of body wastes) nowadays, it can only be practical to give as much accessibility of special medical supplies like colostomy bags and other ostomy supplies to those who are in need.

Online pharmacies have been an instrument of this concept, and it has helped give convenience to a lot of people with colon problems. The good thing is, a lot of companies try to help provide ostomy products as well, making buying supplies online more useful and probably the easiest way to shop for supplies.

Now, with this kind of services, you don't have to go through all the hassles of rushing on to the nearest pharmacies. All you need to do is get online, and look through all the options you have. From colostomy bags to ostomy skin care products, everything is pretty much online.

Blog For Fun. Blog For Money.

2008-05-31T02:34:00.000-07:00

Blogging is definitely fun, and the best thing about it is the way you can Make Money from it. And it's not even hard to do.

With sites like Bloggerwave, money making with the use of your Blog is even made easier. Al you have to do is register your qualified blog, and wait for opportunities that will suit you preferences in writing. Easy right?

f you ask me what's the easiest thing to do to make money? I'd say it have to be blogging.

Got The Looks? Join Now!!!

2008-05-31T01:59:00.000-07:00

Got the looks? Have Confidence? Want to go to Paris, New York, or Milan?

If these three things make what you think is You, then you might want to join the latest Beauty contest at http://www.lookoftheyear.com, and who knows, you might be the next premiere model to do the catwalk on Paris.

We all are beautiful, and the world needs to see it. This could be your lucky day.

Look of the year. Where pretty, young, and aspiring models dream comes true.

We Have... Rehab.....

2008-05-25T02:30:00.000-07:00

One of the major problems that the society faces nowadays is the influence of drugs. It's the evil among the people, yet the number of users still grow everyday regardless of the age. There have been many attempts to solve this problems, and a number of drug rehab facilities have been established for this purpose alone, but still the problem remains uncontrollable.

More and more people's lives are being destroyed by drugs because the lack of support, guidance, and understanding about what addictions can result to. These are things a drug rehab can provide to the society, and it has already saved a lot of lives, hoping to give the message of hope to those who have been acquainted with the deadly drugs.

There are actually a lot of services that shows an intention to take care of deadly drug victims, and a lot of projects are made to give a clear message of hope to those who are in the influence of drugs. A drug rehab is actually just one solution to the problem, and if they only knew that a lot of people are willing to help, maybe they will have hope.

Drugs is all around us, but a lot of people also want to tell the world that... "We Have.. Rehab.."

Spock You Way To The Net

2008-05-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

Whats the best way to find friends in the net?.... The answer is SPOCK.

Spock is the latest people search site in the internet today, and believe me when I say, it's by far the easiest way to find people, and friends in the internet. And one more thing that makes it so special, is the comfort of the whole experience having to navigate through the site. Even people not so familiar with how websites work will have an easy time with Spock.

Joining this new people search engine is not hat hard. All you need to do is "sign up", which by the way is a very convenient process cause and the only things they really need are the ones that really matter (Name, Surname, Email, gender, & password) and that's it. Now this makes it easy, comfortable and convenient. These things alone already make it the best people search engine.

But it doesn't end there.

When people look for things, topics (like pregnancy), or other people in the internet, completeness of information is a very essential factor. And this is where it gets better with Spock. If you type any name or information in it's search bar, a lot of results would appear, and these results are concisely complete ithall the relevant information and even photos. And guess what? You can easily save them to your profile with just one click cause every result comes with a save button. And if you want to widgets that provide information, like the ones you see above, you just have to click the widget word in the upper right part of the page and the code appears for you to embed.

Now it makes it easy, comfortable, convenient, complete, and effective. Everything you need for a good people search.

Masturbation In Relationships

2008-05-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

It’s the middle of the night, and you are sound asleep. You become vaguely aware that the bed is moving, and open your eyes. Is it an earthquake? A truck rumbling by? You turn to ask your partner, only to find that the earthquake IS your partner -- masturbating in bed. “What are you doing?” you ask, perhaps a bit louder than you would have liked. “Nothing,” your partner says, “Go back to sleep.”

Masturbation is among the most taboo topics relating to sexuality. This concept baffles many sexuality professionals, since the vast majority of people do masturbate at some point in their lives – and many, throughout their lives. Others do not, and the conventional wisdom is that it is normal if you do, and normal if you do not. For those who do masturbate, it can be comforting to know that masturbation is a perfectly healthy, normal behavior that cannot harm a person in any way. It cannot cause a pregnancy, nor can it cause a sexually transmitted infection. It does not cause hair to grow on the palms (or anywhere else), affect a person’s eyesight, or cause any kind of psychological disorder. It can, however, release tension, and provide comfort and relaxation. Yet there is still a wide range of beliefs about masturbation. Even when a person has nothing against self-pleasuring, it may be seen as acceptable only when it is done on one’s own, in private – or only when a person is not in a sexual relationship with another person.

Many of us grew up with metaphors for sexual behaviors that were seen as sexual “bases.” Each base represents a particular behavior, from kissing (first base) to sexual intercourse (a home run). This view of sexual behaviors as a progressive ladder implies that once a person has moved up the rungs from kissing to touching to dry sex to oral, anal or vaginal sex, there’s no going back. Further, when it comes to masturbation -- a sexual behavior that is not usually a part of the “bases”-- this viewpoint suggests that once a person is in a sexual relationship with another person, she or he should no longer still “need” to masturbate. This idea can serve to limit individuals’ and couples’ sexual expression – and to create problems where there may not be any.

Take the example listed above. When a person wakes to a partner masturbating, she or he may have any number of reactions:

- Shock, particularly if this person does not masturbate and did not know that her or his partner did. - Arousal, wondering whether she or he could join the masturbating partner and do something sexual together. - Disgust, if the person feels that masturbation is wrong, or that masturbating when someone else is in the room is inappropriate or strange. - Dismay, wondering whether the partner is masturbating because she or he is dissatisfied with the couple’s sex life.

Masturbation really should be treated like any other sexual issue where the partners are not necessarily on the same page. It needs to be discussed, and both people’s feelings need to be explored. On the one hand (sorry), masturbation does not necessarily involve another person – so why, the masturbating partner might ask, should she or he have to make any adjustments? Conversely, when people do something that affects their partner, they need to at least stop, reflect on their partner’s feeling, and if possible, consider making some compromises.

If, for example, Jeff is shaking the bed so much that he is waking up his partner, he is being just as inconsiderate as if he were watching a late-night sports game and yelling out loud when his team scored while his partner was trying to sleep. At the same time, however, Jeff’s partner needs to also respect his privacy. But what about the partner? Shouldn’t Jeff be able to go into another room? Perhaps there isn’t another room – or perhaps Jeff doesn’t want to risk getting semen on a piece of furniture in a common area, and so on. Clearly, this involves more than one partner saying, "I want you to do this," or "I don’t plan to stop doing that."

From a relationship standpoint, couples should be able to talk openly about masturbation, just as they should be able to talk openly about any other sexuality-related topic. Some concerns that may be shared might include, among others:

- Are you masturbating because you’re not happy with our sex life? - Are there some times when I can join you? - How would you feel if I chose to masturbate at the same time? Or if I chose not to? Or if I needed some private time to do this?

It is best for these discussions to take place during a neutral time, rather than in the moment of discovery or right before or after doing something sexual. Otherwise, the discussion can become too vulnerable. Discussing differences in sexual tastes, behaviors, and comfort levels can be very sensitive. A relationship in which one person cannot understand or support a partner’s masturbation would do well to take their concerns to a couple’s counselor so that the masturbating partner can do what she or he wants without feeling guilty – or making her or his partner feel inadequate, hurt or left out.

Breastfeeding And Increased Intelligence

2008-05-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (May 6, 2008) — The largest randomized study of breastfeeding ever conducted reports that breastfeeding raises children's IQs and improves their academic performance, a McGill researcher and his team have found.

In a new article, Dr. Michael Kramer reports the results from following the same group of 14,000 children for 6.5 years.

"Our study provides the strongest evidence to date that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding makes kids smarter," said Kramer, a Professor of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology & Biostatistics in the McGill University Faculty of Medicine and lead investigator in the study.

Kramer and his colleagues evaluated the children in 31 Belarusian hospitals and clinics. Half the mothers were exposed to an intervention that encouraged prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding. The remaining half continued their usual maternity hospital and outpatient pediatric care and follow-up. This allowed the researchers to measure the effect of breastfeeding on the children's cognitive development without the results being biased by differences in factors such as the mother's intelligence or her way of interacting with her baby.

The children's cognitive ability was assessed by IQ tests administered by the children's pediatricians and by their teachers' ratings of their academic performance in reading, writing, mathematics and other subjects. Both sets of measures were significantly higher in the group randomized to the breastfeeding promotion intervention.

"Although breastfeeding initiation rates have increased substantially during the last 30 years, much less progress has been achieved in increasing the exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding," the authors conclude.

"The effect of breastfeeding on brain development and intelligence has long been a popular and hotly debated topic," says Dr. Kramer. "While most studies have been based on association, however, we can now make a causal inference between breastfeeding and intelligence -- because of the randomized design of our study."

Smarter ladies have worse sex...

2008-04-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

BRAINY babes find it harder to have an orgasm – because they are too busy thinking, a study claims.

The German survey found that the more educated a woman was, the less likely it was that she would be satisfied by sex.

In the study 62 per cent of women who had completed their education said they often had problems achieving orgasm.

Only 38 per cent of women with a lower educational qualification said they had such problems.

The study conducted by a German lifestyle website surveyed over 2,000 women between the ages of 18 and 49.

Sex - The First Time Around

2008-04-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

There can be lot of pressure to lose your virginity - that is, to have sexual intercourse for the first time. Having sex with someone just because you want to lose your virginity, or because you think all your friends are doing it, is something you may regret later.

You might feel lots of anxieties, especially the first time you 'go all the way' - have sex. You may feel embarrassed about how you look without your clothes on, or worried about your privacy being disturbed. It's natural to feel some worries but good communication will really help to prevent you feeling embarrassed or worried. You should be able to talk to your partner about how you feel about having sex for the first time, and about any concerns you may have. Your partner might be worried, too. Being relaxed and able to share things with your partner will really ease the tension. And if you're too shy, or you're not able to talk about these things with your partner - then you probably shouldn't be having sex!

Having sexual intercourse - when a boy's hard penis goes inside a girl's vagina, or even just touches the outside of her vagina - is what leads to pregnancy. So, before having sexual intercourse you should think about whether you need to use contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and condoms to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Can a girl become pregnant the first time she has sexual intercourse?

Yes, a girl can become pregnant the first time she has sexual intercourse. So, you must use contraception the first time you have sexual intercourse, if you don't want to risk becoming a parent.

What about the law?

The age of consent, that is the age at which it is legal to have sex, depends on which country you are in, and in the United States the law is different in different states (see our teens, sex and the law page for further details).

In England and Wales, the law says it's illegal for a boy or a girl to have sex with a girl or a boy who is under sixteen.

Sex and love

For some people sexual feelings are bound up with love and close relationships. Some people think sex should only happen within marriage. For some people sex and love are two different things.

What is important is that you feel good about yourself and what you are doing, and that you keep yourself safe. Being safe means not only thinking about physical risks such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). But also emotional risk such as the regret you may feel afterwards.

When are you ready for sex?

There is no absolute right age to start having sex. What matters is whether it is the right time for you. It also depends on what you mean by 'having sex'. There are many ways in which you can give and receive sexual pleasure without having sexual intercourse.

Giving each other massages, kissing and hugging can be very passionate. It's a way of sharing and showing love. For some people these activities can be more fulfilling than sexual intercourse.

You get pressure from people talking about sex. You think, 'I've got to go and see what it's like'. It's hard, but you've got to resist and do what you want.

It's very important not to feel pressurised into having sex when you don't really want to. Just because your friends say they are 'doing it' doesn't mean they are.

Thinking through all the implications of having sex can be a useful way of helping you arrive at a decision. There are lots of reasons why people don't want to have sex. You may feel that you are not ready emotionally. Being pushed into having sex could mean you regret it later on. Some people have quite strong religious or cultural beliefs. Others just want to wait.

Some people call this decision to wait 'abstinence'. The decision to abstain from having sex can be either a long-term decision or a short-term one. Some people decide that they do not want to start having sex until they are married or in a significant long-term relationship. Other people may decide that having sex isn't the right thing for them at this particular time. Later on they may meet a person who they want and feel ready to have sex with. The decision whether to have sex or not is an important one. You should do what is right for you. It should be an informed decision, and not one based on fear or pressure from others.

But when a boy and girl do decide they want to have sexual intercourse, they should think about using a contraceptive unless they want to become parents. Gay men should also think about using condoms. Condoms can help stop infections like HIV as well as reducing the risk of getting pregnant.

If you're thinking about having sexual intercourse, why not read our ten question checklist to help you decide if you're ready?

Will first time sex hurt?

Many boys and girls are concerned that it will hurt the first time they have sexual intercourse. It can hurt and some girls do bleed a little bit. The bleeding usually occurs because the girl has a hymen which breaks the first time she has sexual intercourse.

The hymen is a small piece of thin skin which goes across the opening of the vagina and protects it when she is young. It has some gaps in it where the blood can come out when she has her period. Sometimes a girl might already have broken her hymen without knowing about it. For example, this can happen as a result of playing sports or horse riding.

It's all about the calories...

2008-04-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Having a boy or a girl depends on the Calorie intake of the mother before conception.

The sex of new babies is influenced by the mother's diet before she conceives, a new study suggests. According to a survey of 740 British mums to be, a high-calorie diet is more likely to lead to a baby boy in nine months' time.

Researchers led by Fiona Mathews of the University of Exeter collected data on the pre-conception dietary habits of pregnant women, and found that 56% of women in the highest one-third of calorie intake had male fetuses. In the lowest third, only 45% bore boys.

The women, who were attending maternity clinics, were asked to compile a 'retrospective diary' of their food intake in the weeks before they fell pregnant. Mathews and her colleagues then analysed the results to look for a relationship between food intake and the sex of their offspring.

The level of calorie intake was the main dietary factor that affected offspring sex, say the researchers, who report their research in Proceedings of the Royal Society B ¹. Overall, women in Matthews’s study who produced sons ate an average of 180 calories more per day than those who had daughters — "the equivalent of eating a banana", she says.

Intriguingly, a major difference seemed to be between women who routinely ate breakfast cereals and those who didn't, Mathews adds. Among those who ate breakfast cereals almost every day, 59% gave birth to boys. In contrast, 43% of those who claimed to eat breakfast "rarely or never" produced sons.

Sugar babies

The researchers are unsure of why this happens, although they suggest that it could be to do with levels of glucose in the blood. Male test-tube embryos generally require a more glucose-rich growth medium to survive in the lab — Mathews suspects that a similar process may operate in the uterus, so women with higher sugar levels are more likely to nurture a male embryo as it is implanted in the womb lining.

Mathews even suggests that the prevalence of dieting in young Western women might be skewing the sex ratio towards more baby girls. She cites studies from the United States showing that average energy intake in adolescent women has declined by 17% between 1965 and 1996.

It is not clear how overeating may affect gender selection, however — the new study excluded obese women because of the other health complications involved with being severely overweight.

The results seem to fit with the biological theory that many animals, perhaps including humans, tend to produce male offspring when food and resources are in plentiful supply. This is thought to be a strategy to maximize genetic returns, as successful, healthy sons can go on to produce far more grandchildren than daughters.

What mum eats

It's an interesting theory, although far from proven, says Paul Haggarty, an expert on nutrition and reproduction at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, UK. “There are some plausible biochemical mechanisms, although what they have done is pretty limited,” he says — it was a rather small study, he points out.

Haggarty adds that his own database of dietary habits in some 1,500 Scottish mothers shows no evidence that diet can affect the gender of their offspring. “But who knows, we may well come up with something very interesting in bigger data sets,” he says.

Nevertheless, evidence is emerging that not only is it true that ‘you are what you eat’ — but also that your mother’s or even your grandparents’ diet can affect your health. Previous studies of mice have shown that coat colour can be determined by a mother's diet during pregnancy, and that children’s risk of diabetes can be raised by chemical changes to DNA that resulted from their grandparents’ poor diet when pregnant with the children’s parents.

Haggarty would also like to see more conclusive, large-scale studies that address the effect of food supplements such as folate, which is crucial for healthy embryonic development, on the gender or health of babies. Pregnant women, and those hoping to get pregnant, tend to take far more supplements than the general population, he says.

Although Mathews and her team did not collect data on food supplements, she suggests that trace nutrients such as potassium in the diet might also affect the sex of babies, perhaps by raising the acidity of the womb, which might make it more welcoming for a male embryo.

Breast Cancer Gene - "Fingerprint" Found

2008-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

A genetic fingerprint that reveals the breast cancer patients who are at high risk of the deadly spread of the disease has been found, a discovery that also reveals a new target for treatments. A pattern of gene activity that can predict individual risk for breast cancer metastasis, when the disease disperses through the body, has been found by a team at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.

The short term use of this discovery will be in diagnostic tests but the team also found that the pattern is controlled by a single gene called bromodomain 4 (Brd4) and by inserting this gene they could suppress tumour growth and metastasis in studies of mice, suggesting that a drug to mimic this effect could help treat the disease.

"These findings are exciting," says Dr Kent Hunter of NCI's Centre for Cancer Research, one of the team that reports the work in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "For the first time in mice, we have a candidate gene for what drives an entire gene signature. This should allow a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancer progression in humans."

Normal Brd4 activity is involved in important cell processes including cell proliferation and DNA replication. Defects in these processes are well documented in human breast cancer and the new findings indicates that activation of Brd4 reduces tumour growth by influencing the response of tumour cells to signals from the area immediately surrounding the tumour.

Taking the knowledge gained from the mouse studies, Dr Hunter's team identified a set of 379 genes in humans that are similar and found that the level of activation of Brd4 within a tumour was an important determinant of relapse and survival. Brd4 seemed to drive the use of many of the genes present in the signature.

Although the team does not yet know how central this is gene to the spread of the disease, the find did enable the team to predict survival and relapse of breast cancer patients.

"The results of this study and other work in our laboratory suggests that people with inherited differences in Brd4 and the proteins that it induces have a genetic predisposition for developing cancer metastasis," he adds. "A better understanding of this gene may lead to improved methods of diagnosing and treating cancer."

As for when a test could be available, he said that depended on the outcome of more research to establish how often this gene plays a central role in spreading. In the longer term, it may lead to drugs too, but he says much work has to be done to identify those with the right action: "We are currently unaware of any drugs that mimic Brd4."

Sad Sex Facts - Depending on Location

2008-04-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Good Sex Lasts Minutes... Not Hours

2008-04-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Erie, Pa. – Satisfactory sexual intercourse for couples lasts from three to 13 minutes, contrary to popular fantasy about the need for hours of sexual activity, according to a survey of U.S. and Canadian sex therapists. Penn State Erie researchers Eric Corty and Jenay Guardiani conducted a survey of 50 full members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, which include psychologists, physicians, social workers, marriage/family therapists and nurses who have collectively seen thousands of patients over several decades.

Thirty-four, or 68 percent, of the group responded and rated a range of time amounts for sexual intercourse, from penetration of the vagina by the penis until ejaculation, that they considered adequate, desirable, too short and too long. The average therapists’ responses defined the ranges of intercourse activity times: "adequate," from three to seven minutes; "desirable," from seven to 13 minutes; "too short" from one to two minutes; and "too long" from 10 to 30 minutes. "A man's or woman's interpretation of his or her sexual functioning as well as the partner's relies on personal beliefs developed in part from society's messages, formal and informal," the researchers said. "Unfortunately, today's popular culture has reinforced stereotypes about sexual activity.

Many men and women seem to believe the fantasy model of large penises, rock-hard erections and all-night-long intercourse. " Past research has found that a large percentage of men and women, who responded, wanted sex to last 30 minutes or longer. "This seems a situation ripe for disappointment and dissatisfaction," said lead author Eric Corty, associate professor of psychology. "With this survey, we hope to dispel such fantasies and encourage men and women with realistic data about acceptable sexual intercourse, thus preventing sexual disappointments and dysfunctions." Corty and Guardiani, then-undergraduate student and now a University graduate, are publishing their findings in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, but the article is currently available online. The survey’s research also has implications for treatment of people with existing sexual problems. "If a patient is concerned about how long intercourse should last, these data can help shift the patient away from a concern about physical disorders and to be initially treated with counseling, instead of medicine," Corty noted.

Surprising Sex Facts

2008-04-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

We can all recite the mantras of modern sex advice: Tell your partner what you want; focus on how your body feels; relax. Since it's only natural, goes this idea, great sex is a matter of getting over your hang-ups, loving your partner and "letting go."

Yet something doesn't add up, as the huge market for self-help books and advice columnists proves. As a nation, we're not getting any. We crave sexual bliss—but all our relaxing and getting-in-touch isn't helping most of us. When the standard advice doesn't work, you feel like a failure: Too uptight. Not "in your body." Worse, maybe you're not really in love.

While the "relax and connect" advice isn't wrong, it's just a first step, addressing mechanics rather than the deeper dynamics at the heart of sexuality.

Many people don't really want great sex. Good sexual experiences can be emotionally overpowering—mind-blowing, rather than warm and comforting. Lusty sex requires you to confront all kinds of worries—getting so close to your partner that he or she overwhelms you, or being rejected at an intensely vulnerable moment. It may even put you in touch with your own mortality, reminding you that your partner won't always be around. Great sex requires inner reserves to tolerate the angst.
It gets better with age. Even though young people get aroused more quickly, amazing sex is a specialty of people in their 40s and 60s, contends Schnarch. In youth, women struggle to be sexual but not "cheap"; men are easily threatened. Midway through life, you have a stronger sense of self and are less self-conscious and insecure.
Compromise may not work. Trade-offs (I'll do this if you'll do that) may seem egalitarian, but in practice, each partner rules out anything that makes him or her uptight. The couple is left with a limited repertoire that guarantees boredom, not to mention scorekeeping and resentment when one partner is less enthusiastic than the other. Better to take the initiative and challenge yourself to try something new.
Women like hot sex. Women are often much more interested than men in talking about "fucking"—horny, lusty, intense sex—Schnarch reports. But in bed, they often hold back out of shame or fear of making their partner feel inadequate. A lot of couples think that married sex is supposed to be gentle, affectionate "making love"—and feel guilty if they want to get nasty.
Sex isn't a skill. The hoopla about techniques is a red herring. If you think of sex as a set of talents, you're going to wind up focused on doing it right, rather than on who you're doing it with. Likewise, giving your partner a technical playbook (there but not here, this way and not that way) leads to mechanically proficient, predictable and emotionally dead sex. You may also not know exactly what you want—it changes! Pushing your own limits by organically exploring new sexual styles fosters more sizzle.
Cancel the orgasm derby. More orgasms don't equal better sex. Lots of people can perform in bed—all the parts work just fine—but are never really satisfied, because they're too emotionally disconnected. That's usually said about men rather than women, but both sexes are capable of being physically aroused without getting any erotic charge, and both can have orgasms without really enjoying the sex. Instead of focusing on orgasms, pay more attention to the emotional and physical connection: Can you become intensely aware of your partner during sex? Can you make contact?
Tune in—don't space out. Shutting down your brain, focusing on your sensations and going into a trance state, or fantasizing about others, all of which sex therapists often recommend, may help you have decent sex, since it can jump-start your engine. But by zeroing in on your body or your thoughts alone, you've tuned out your partner. You're also vulnerable to distractions: The mood can easily be shattered by a car alarm. Shifting your focus to include your partner can make the experience much more intense.

Last Longer In Bed....

2008-04-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

The act of making love is one of those unforgettable moments shared with your special someone, and in these moments, there really is no need to rush things. So here are some points you might want to know to make that special moment last a little longer.

Master masturbation. Masturbate with a woman's orgasm in mind, not your own. In other words, take your time: Work up to 15 minutes. Bring yourself close to the point of no return, but don't let yourself ejaculate until time is up.

Squeeze.If you're overheating during sex, stop and squeeze right below the head of your penis, focusing the pressure on the urethra — the tube running along the underside of the penis. This pushes blood out of the penis and momentarily represses the ejaculatory response.

Pinpoint ejaculatory inevitability.The process of sexual response has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. The trick is to recognize the spectrum of feelings throughout the process. Rate your sexual excitement on a scale of 1 to 10. Try keeping yourself at 7.

Sexercise.A Kegel is an exercise that helps tighten muscles responsible for ejaculatory control. Become familiar with them by cutting off the flow of urine and then starting and stopping it repeatedly. Once you have the exercise down, practice your Kegels anywhere: at your desk, behind the wheel. Tighten your muscles and hold for a count of 10, then release.

Press, don't thrust.Press the end of your penis into her clitoral head. Linger in her vaginal entrance, where the most sensitive nerve endings are. When you do have intercourse, focus on small, shallow movements that penetrate the first 2 to 3 inches of her vagina.

Show a little courtesy.Ladies first, gentlemen — and we're talking about more than just holding the door open. When you help her have an orgasm first, it relieves you of some of the pressure to please and the psychological anxiety that feeds into PE.

Go for a second round.Shrug off an early emission with some extra attention to her arousal (yes, it means staying awake), then getting back in the saddle. Most men last much longer the second time around. And the more you practice, the longer that first time will last.
Let her climb on. When she's on top, your penis is less stimulated. And ask her to go slowly — long and fast thrusting is hazardous to a man's endurance.

Stop thinking of your orgasm.The area of the brain responsible for triggering orgasm is engaged whether you're trying to have one or halt one. The more attention you give it, the more likely it is to arrive. Focus on what's happening now — her silky thighs on your hips, say — and you'll diffuse pleasure throughout your whole body.

Birth Control Pills - For Men

2008-04-06T23:01:00.001-07:00

A birth-control pill for men is now a reality, according to an international consortium of physicians who revealed their formula for "safe, effective and reversible" hormonal contraception for males.The preparation includes progestin, a key ingredient found in women's birth-control pills, and the male sex hormone testosterone. Progestin, a synthetic version of a hormone produced in a woman's ovaries, helps suppress ovulation when used in an oral contraceptive. It appears to function in an analogous fashion for men, suppressing "both rate and extent" of sperm production.

"Reliable and timely contraception is a reasonable expectation for a wide range of couples of differing ethnicity, age and other characteristics," the researchers stated yesterday. "The rate of suppression is comparable to that achieved after vasectomy."
The team included 18 endocrinologists from the United States, Australia, Germany, China, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland, who based their conclusions on 30 studies conducted from 1990 to 2006, including data from the World Health Organization.

Most studies charted the efficacy of such treatments and the effects on the health of men given hormonal birth-control treatments by mouth, injection or through a skin patch for at least three months.
Birth control remains a feminine affair for the most part. In developed countries, 73 percent of contraception worldwide involved "female methods," according to the United Nations" Population Division, which surveyed women of reproductive age in 160 nations. Condoms accounted for 13 percent and vasectomies 6 percent.

Some say men are ready for more participation, however.
"Men are already using the only two contraceptives they have — condoms and vasectomy — in great numbers. At least in the United States, the idea that men aren't willing to participate is clearly out of date," said Elaine Lissner, director of the Male Contraception Information Project, a California-based nonprofit interested in nonhormonal methods.

"We used to talk about men 'sharing the burden' of contraception. But these days, many men talk about wanting 'control.' Men want to control their own destinies," Ms. Lissner said.
Potential solutions were showcased in the "Future of Male Contraception" conference in September, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Washington.

Among the proposals from assorted researchers: testosterone gel combined with the female contraceptive DepoProvera, an "Intra Vas Device" which literally blocks sperm movement with plugs, and drug therapy that lowers a man's supply of vitamin A — and thus his fertility.
The researchers, however, did not predict when male birth-control pills will be available to the public — though Dr. David Handelsman, another researcher on the team, has estimated a wait of about three years. They are clearly optimistic, though.

"Considerable progress has been made," said Dr. Peter Liu, an endocrinologist with UCLA and the University of Sydney who directed the latest research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
However, the team might not be able to benefit from the muscle of drug manufacturers.

Lacking proof that male contraceptives could be profitable, major pharmaceutical companies remain "mostly interested spectators," according to Dr. Handelsman.

"The big dollars are really elsewhere," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

10 Plus 1 Tips For Kissing

2008-04-04T21:59:00.001-07:00

1. Be kissable. Use lip balm, especially if your lips tend to get dry and chapped. Soft lips are simply more inviting. Most importantly, nobody wants to kiss someone with a stinky mouth, so carry some breath mints or gum with you, especially if you’re out on a date. Tip: Use Breath mints .

2. Stay well hydrated; a dry mouth usually will smell worse. Of course, make sure you don’t have anything stuck in your teeth, either.

3. Test the waters. Pay attention to signals that the other person is into you and is ready for a kiss. Does he or she seem comfortable touching you? Do they brush up against you or frequently enter your personal space with playful, innocent touches? Has the subject of kissing come up in conversation? If you haven’t noticed any of these signals, but the person does seem “into you,” try discreetly and innocently breaking the touch barrier (guys will generally be very receptive to this, many girls will not) or bringing up kissing when you’re talking. The key is to be subtle and to watch the other person’s reaction.

4. Wait for the right moment. There’s usually no hurry for a kiss, especially a first kiss with someone, so be patient and wait until the mood is right. Some good times are at a romantic movie after or during an on screen kiss, walking in the moonlight, or during a particularly intimate conversation. Wait until the two of you are alone so that the other person will feel more comfortable and so that nobody will see if your attempt to kiss is rejected.

5. Get permission for the kiss. You usually don’t have to ask if you can kiss someone, but you do need to make sure your partner is willing to kiss you. The easiest way, of course, is to ask, but it just makes things awkward so don't . Ask “May I kiss you?” or say “I’d like to kiss you,” and lean in right away. Many girls (and guys) don't want to be asked: they prefer that you be confident enough to take a risk and just go for it. One way to do so is to stop whatever you’re doing and silently look into the person’s eyes for a moment or two. If your partner's eyes drift down to your lips that’s a pretty good sign that he or she is ready for a kiss—chances are the reaction may be subtler, however. Another good way to get permission is to just lean in and try to kiss the person or gently pull him/her toward you for a kiss. If the person pulls away at any time, he or she is not ready for a kiss.

6. Approach for the kiss. Approach slowly and smoothly. Depending on your starting position you may need only to turn your head, or you may need to lean in a bit. You may want to use your hands to gently urge your partner’s body or head into position—you just want to guide his or her movement a little, you don’t want to forcibly move any part of his or her body or hold your partner in an uncomfortable position—but in general you just want to position yourself correctly and let your partner meet you. As you near your partner’s lips, maintain eye contact. You may want to close your eyes after your lips meet to heighten the sensuality of the kiss (and to avoid staring at the pores on his or her face).

7. Kiss gently. There are many kinds of kisses, from quick pecks to sweet, passionate kisses. There’s a time and place for all of these, but your first kiss with someone should be gentle and romantic. Don’t press your mouth onto your partner’s--just let your lips meet--and don’t try to push your tongue into his or her mouth. A soft, closed-mouth-to-closed-mouth kiss is perfect. Break the kiss for a moment, keeping your head close to your partner’s, and if your partner moves to kiss you back or seems to like it and doesn’t pull away, go in for another, longer, but still gentle, kiss.

8. Make the kiss the reason for the kiss. A lot of people (mostly men) seem to treat kisses as nothing more than a prelude to something else, and will try to quickly move into French kissing or start putting their hands in inappropriate places. Good kissers concentrate on the kiss, and they kiss, at least seemingly, expecting nothing more. Enjoy the experience, and don’t move too fast.

9. Let your partner participate in the kiss. Good kissing requires give-and-take, so read your partner’s body language and pay attention to clues (sighs or moans) that tell you you’re doing something he or she likes. Let your partner kiss you back, and move with him or her as long as you’re comfortable with what he or she is doing.

10. Breathe. If you’re kissing for an extended period, it’s easy to forget to breathe. Believe it or not, gasping and turning blue is not romantic. Take small breaths through your nose as you kiss. You do not forget how to breathe!

11. Use your hands. While you should keep your hands polite, especially on a first kiss, you don’t necessarily want them just dangling at your sides. Embrace your partner, cup his or her face very gently in your hands, or run your hands through his or her hair. Another turn on for the first kiss is to gently caress their shoulder while you kiss. It shows you are comfortable with him/her. Don't forget your manners!

And four things you need :

o Mint
o Partner
o Self Confidence
o Alertness

Sexy Bite Of The Month - Priscilla Meirelles

2008-04-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

The worthy "Sexy Bite" for the month of April is non other than the Brazilian beauty, and Miss Earth 2004, Priscilla Meirelles. Standing just 5'10'' feet tall, this girl is every beet a beauty queen. Froim the looks, the body, the shade, the smile, and like I said, just about everything.

No wonder why she's chosen to be the firs Cover Girl for the first issue of (also the first) Playboy Philippines.

Eversince she was crowned Miss Earth in the Philippines, her face became a beauty not to be forgotten by the filipinos.

Now, she can be seen everyday as she stars on both Nescafe and Carefree commercials.

See here featured on the site http://3critical.wordpress.com

More photos here.

Injectible Collagen For G-Spot Enhancement

2008-04-02T02:06:00.000-07:00

So what are they talking about? The answer is, the "G-Shot".

A collagen injection which is designed to enhance women's pleasure around the G-spot is being launched in the UK. The collagen is made under local anaesthetic and takes about half an hour to effect.

A specially designed speculum is used to help direct the injection into the G-spot, with effects lasting around four months, temporarily enlarging the G-spot to the size of a 10p in width and a quarter of an inch in height.

This makes the G-spot easier to locate and highly sensitive, which it is claimed could enhance sexual arousal and gratification.

The UK Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Centre in London's Harley Street says it is the first in the UK to offer the jab.

Professor Phanuel Dartey, from the centre, said he was offering the jab in response to growing demand.

He said: "We explain the whole procedure to them and tell them how to examine themselves.

"They lie down and find it in the comfort of our own room.

"Once they find it, we have got a special speculum and light source and we get the woman to let us know when we have reached the area."

Prof Dartey said the jab was now being used worldwide and he has treated about five women so far at his clinic. "Obviously the British are a bit conservative but the results are fantastic," he said.

Prof Dartey said US studies have suggested that 87 per cent of women who had the jab reported enhanced sexual arousal and gratification. This included more orgasms that last longer, multiple orgasms and a heightened libido.

A spokeswoman for the clinic said the G-Shot does not provide the answers for women who are unhappy with their sex lives or who are incompatible with their partners in some way. She said it was not being offered as a "cure" for women who did not enjoy sex or who could not achieve orgasm.

Article from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/31/ncollagen131.xml

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pre-Marital Sex

2008-03-30T18:39:00.001-07:00

What are the advantages and disadvantages of premarital sex?

The change in the 20th century of American society in the scope of premarital sex is the dramatical increasing of premarital sex behavior. According to the survey data, in the past, premarital sex rate was low, and premarital sex will often lead to marriage. Women born in the 1900's, only 8% had premarital sex before the age of 20; women born from 1910 to 1919, the rate of premarital sex increased to 23 %.

According to the 1974 National Survey data, adults, 25 years of age, 97% of men and 81% of women had premarital sex. France in 1972, the survey indicates that 29 years of age, 75% of men and 55% of women have had sexual relations before marriage. The most extreme figures from Sweden, the ratio of men and women that have premarital sex experience is as high as 99%. In other words, in Sweden, people enjoy the high degree of sexual freedom and gender equality.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Premarital Sex

Premarital sex experience benefits us both physically and psychologically--conducive to health, because of the urgent need, not towed until adulthood. According to psychological studies, it shows that when the organs of our body become mature because of hormone secretion. Psychologically, people will, accordingly with the changes, have sexual desire, which is normal. If the desire cannot be satisfied, it will affect people's work, learning, and life.

However, it varies according to the different people - some are very strong, and some are very weak. When people are with a strong desire, the so-called "sexual energy", they can temporarily alleviate the sexual energy produced by having sex, which can give them a happy feeling, and a sense of achievement.

The Side Effects of Premarital Sex Experience

Many modern young women do not mind the long-term relationship. They think that as long as men love them, they do not care about if it is a long relationship. In fact, these women can only see the surface. They do not know what would happen later actually. Premarital sex in general have occurred in the students and those without a stable source of community among the youths. They have sex because sex is something curious for them, and they will not be responsible, or in any obligations.

When the sexual desire is gone, and something unexpected happens, some of them have the psychological fear, inferiority. Because premarital sex occurred in the majority of those who lack the knowledge of sex and experience, they may be pregnant after having sex, which may do great harm to these women physically and psychologically. Some of the disease once infected, there is no way to treat the disease, such as AIDS.

According to analysis and what we discussed above, I think premarital sexual experience has pros and cons, and by and large, the benefit of premarital sex is far less than the disadvantages. How to solve the problem of premarital sex behavior still remains an arduous task and a problem for us to tackle.