Safe Sex

It seems that women aren't afraid to carry condoms in their clutches.  For the first time EVER, the number of women carrying condoms is the same as the number of women taking the pill.

I remember buying the condoms for all my girlfriends and my brother.  Everyone was so scared of walking up to the Duane Reade register condoms in hand.  And they didn't know which ones to buy either (lambskins don't protect you from the nasties). 

Who knew that the Pill could effect our sexual preferences?  A new study has found that hormones in the oral contraceptive suppress a woman's interest in masculine men making boyish men much more attractive.  Here's how it breaks down: as a woman, you're attracted to nice, boyish men BUT when you're ovulating there's a distinct shift and you find yourself more attracted to masculine men who are more assertive.  However, when you're on the pill you never ovulate; hence, you find Johnny Depp much more attractive than Clive Owen.

Another wrinkle to this study has to do with male sexual preferences. 

Birth control details are as important to me in sex education as sex technique and connection. I was talking with Olivia the other day, discussing our plan to steer clear of pregnancy for her despite the fact that we have sex part of the month without condoms. First, Olivia is on birth control, however, we're aware that birth control is not perfect, so we still follow the pattern of her cycle, called popularly, the rhythm method. We have sex without condoms, as you saw in my last blog post with her, after her menstrual flow has stopped, which for her cycle, is the first seven days or so of the month. Then we switch to condoms until that time again next month.

Can you imagine what would happen if they had a vaccine that could prevent the transmission of HIV?  There would be a sexual revolution like we've never seen.  We're almost there.

Researchers in Thailand combined 2 earlier experimental HIV vaccines and gave it to 16,000 people.  They found that the chances of catching HIV were 31.2% less for those who had taken the vaccine.  YAY!

A global vaccine is still a ways off but this is exciting news.  Do you think we can get Betty to start throwing group sex parties again?

Once again sexual health is all about STDs with no mention of sexual skills or sexual pleasure *sigh*

Channel 4 Education has commissioned independent developer Zombie Cow Studios to create a PC download game about sexual health.  Aimed primarily at young males, the game will take a light hearted approach to advice on sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy.

Speaking at a briefing today, Channel 4 Education commissioning editor Matt Locke revealed that Privates will be a "spoof on the Space Marine genre", in which players enter a young man's privates to shoot down infections.

This week, Germany is releasing a new ad that may sway viewers to protecting themselves when they engage in highly "risky" sexual activity. The advertisement in question features a man and a woman having very hot sex in a bedroom. As they reach an orgasm, the man is revealed to be Adolf Hitler. At the end of the commercial, the slogan, "AIDS is a mass murderer" appears onscreen.

I don't know about you; but, AIDS was far from my mind. In fact, I was pretty aroused by watching Hitler bump and grind with his sweaty, lustful lover (Who looks Jewish, by the way).

Before I begin I want to make it clear that I am -not- HIV positive, to eliminate any confusion below.

Here's a story I tell most of my lovers, present and past, at some point in our relationship:

The current HIV test, the antibody test, is in my opinion and for my body and sex partners, not good enough. The major downside to the test is it can take at least three months or up to a year for some people, from the last time you had sex with a partner who could possibly be infected with HIV knowingly or unknowingly, to get an accurate test result via the antibody test. This is the test they use in free clinics and doctor's offices and is covered by insurance.

Here is some info from www.mercola.com, a favorite health site of mine run by a doctor, on gardasil and the dangerous and deadly reactions stemming from it, in some cases, which are increasing every day. It also addresses an sexually transmitted disease that I have had profound concerns about.

Eric Amaranth's Blog

Eric Amaranth's Bio and Feature Article in Marie Claire Magazine.

Long story, but reduced our prices significantly on our Skyn non-latex condom and the Kimono Micro-Thin Large. :)

Here is a repost of the info I wrote in the copy for these incredible condoms. I've used them with my lover Olivia and she cant get over the feeling of me inside her lubricated with our Sweet Almond Oil. A whole new feeling for her. 

Fear not, these condoms are safe to use with oil. Read on:

Throw this 3-pack of condoms into your cart and experience for yourself this brand new condom that's non-latex, but not the same as Avante polyurethane non-latex condoms. The LifeStyles Skyn is much better. I tried it with several lovers and it was a big hit for vaginal and expecially anal intercourse.

How perfect for mother's day weekend?  Today marks the anniversary of the FDA's approval of the pill ushering in the new era of intentional motherhood. 

Margaret Sanger, totally unaware that her lifelong dream had become reality, spent the day at her home outside Tucson, Ariz. Since 1914 she had battled ridicule and rigid laws, even gone to jail, all in pursuit of a simple, inexpensive contraceptive that would change women's lives-and save some as well. Now she was 80 and retired from her globe-trotting efforts.

Many women cannot tolerate the incidental effects-nausea, cramps, weight gain ... But before [the pills] become a matter of widespread practical concern the industry would have to do something about production and prices. The pills are in short supply and cost about 55 each.