"She's baking a loaf of bread and I think it's sourdough"

Question:
How do I know if I have a yeast infection?

Answer:

What is a yeast infection?
Yeast Infection (Candidiasis) is a fungus that likes to grow in moist warm areas (i.e. your vagina).

What's going on down there?
Let's think of the vagina as a delicate eco system. It is best when it has a certain pH. Yeasts are found in the vagina normally but can overgrow if the eco system in the vagina changes. Kind of like when your lawn grows crazy after a good rain.

Symptoms
One of the most common symptoms is a thick vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese. Usually there is itching and irritation in and around the vagina. Some women report that they may have pain with sex or it burns when they pee.

Treatments
There are many over the counter treatments such as gels, creams, inserts etc... Which may help with the itching and burning but if the vaginal discharge lasts for more than 1 week, CALL YOUR DOCTOR!

How can I keep it from coming back?
The best way to avoid getting a yeast infection or agitating one that you already heave is to avoid scented body washes, bubble baths or douching. Actually let me take the time to say now DON'T DOUCHE! Avoid hot baths or hot tubs. During your period make sure that you are changing your pads and/or tampons regularly.

Vagercise?

Questions:
Can I exercise my vagina?

Answer:
You sure can! Have you ever heard of a Kegel exercises?

What is a Kegel?
Kegels are exercises for the pelvic floor muscles(PFMs). These muscles help support the uterus, bladder and bowels. These are also the muscles that rhythmically contract during orgasm.

How can I find mine?
The best way to locate your pelvic floor muscles is while you are urinating try and stop the flow of urine... those are your PFMs. Another way to locate them is to insert a finger into the vagina and to try and squeeze your vaginal walls around your finger the same way that you sopped the flow of urine.

Let's vagercise!
I'm sure that you have many questions, like How many reps should I do? or Do I need to get a sweat band for my vagina? The best way to go about vagercising is to build up. Try holding the contraction for 3 seconds, then rest for 3 seconds, repeat this 10 times. Next time try 4 seconds and try building up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds with 10 second rest intervals 10 times.

Benefits of Kegels?
Kegels have many benefits but I am sure that you are looking for the sexual health benefits. As mentioned before these muscles rhythmically contact during orgasm. Women who vagercise often report being able to have a more intense orgasm or able to have g-spot orgasms or women who previously could not orgasm can now orgasm. You can even try contracting your PFMs when you are being penetrated it may feel good to tighten your vaginal muscles around a penis or a toy or a finger(s). Now I know that it sounds like the miracle exercise just keep in mind that this may be great for some women and others it may not really have a sexual benefit but the other health benefits are worth it too.

Does my vagina need a gym membership?
No, the best part of these exercises is that you can do them anywhere. Try them when you are driving, stuck in traffic, riding the metro or subway. No one will know. In fact I am doing them right now as I type.... and 8... and 9 ..... and 10! woah what a workout!

Stay tuned for the next post on Ben Wa Balls....

My vajayjay looks like a disco ball!

Question:
What is Vajazzling?

Answer:
Funny you should ask.. vajazzling is the art of decorating your vulva with jewels....and no, I'm not kidding. Esentially bedazzling your hooha. When looking into this a little more I thought that you could just add jewels and sparkles to your public hair but it is actually adhering jewels directly to your freshly shaven skin. I have heard of dying your pubes a different color but this takes it to a whole new level.

There is nothing wrong with this unless you could get an infection from the adhesive that you are using or a renegade jewel gets lodged somewhere. If if makes you feel good about your lady parts I am all about it. The more people become comfortable looking at, touching or in this case decorating their "down theres" the better. My question is when is penisjazzling going to become all the rage?

So.... have fun and shine on vaginas!

He's going the distance, he's going for speed...

Question:
What is the average length of sexual intercourse really? What are most women happy with?

Answer:
Well it depends on who you are and who your partner is and what you both like. I am sure that answer is not what you are looking for so luckily The Journal of Sexual Medicine has done much research on the topic if you are looking for the hard numbers. The study (2005) states that the median time for sexual intercourse is around 7 minutes. Another study done by a cohort of sex therapist says that "good sex" lasts anywhere from 3-13 minutes. These numbers do not however include foreplay. So if you have 7 minutes of foreplay and add in the 7 minutes of actual penetration then your numbers just doubled!

What do women want?
Jeez if I knew the answer to this question I would be a millionaire but what I do know is that women like anyone else want to be pleasured. Don't get me wrong a quickie every once in awhile can be quite hot but just seeing how long you are lasting is not going to be good for anyone. Unless they are part of a sexual research study, I have not heard of people starting a stop watch at the beginning of sex to see how long things last. If you are still concerned there are some positions to try out that may help you last longer.

What's your position on positions?
Missionary position: This is a tried and true position for lasting longer as long as you keep it simple. As soon as she starts lifting hips or wrapping legs then it changes the feeling and may send you into over-drive. This is also good because you will be able to control the depth and speed of penetration.
Woman on top: This can either go one of two ways. It can either let you think about controlling your orgasms or it can make you blow it sooner than anticipated. Watching your woman bouncing up and down may not be the best way to hold out but if she can take it slow it may be beneficial.
Sexy spoon: This is also a great position to control the depth and speed of penetration.

The take away message here is to not worry. Unless you are having premature ejaculation which is anywhere from 30 seconds - 2 minutes you are probably getting it on the same amount of time as the average American. Most importantly focus on foreplay and try some new positions. As always have fun and enjoy!

The Porn Star Zone

Question:
So you talked about drinking having the effect on men of not getting it up. What about after drinking a guy can get it up, but cannot finish, or it takes a long, long, long, time to finish? I like to call that the Porn Star zone.

Answer:
It might be hard (pun intended) for people to understand why this is a problem. Well some partners may not enjoy a 2 hour session and it can also be frustrating to the person who is unable to finish if that is the intended goal. Just a reminder that sex can be enjoyable even if you don't finish, focus on the pleasure not the end point.

Why me?
Delayed ejaculation also known as retarded ejaculation can be a side effect of several drugs including alcohol. Since delayed ejaculation and erection problems are very common among excessive drinkers, the solution to this is pretty simple... limit drinking.

Sex 101
Ejaculation is an involuntary response (reflex) to sexual stimulation. In most cases the penis becomes hard due to stimulation (erection). This involuntary response involves the nervous system (brain and nerves) and the vascular system (blood vessels, etc...) Alcohol can slow and disable your senses and in turn delay or make ejaculation impossible. Sex relies heavily on your senses and alcohol desensitizes the body... it's a no win situation.

So what is the take away message.... If you want to avoid frustrations in bed and you aren't looking to become an alcoholic porn star I'd limit the alcohol and enjoy!