Doing Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This can help you manage or prevent physical problems such as incontinence. Incontinence is leakage of urine (pee) or stool (poop) that you can’t control.
Even if you’re not thinking of having a kid any time soon, it’s still a good idea to get into a good routine of exercising them.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
Your pelvic floor muscles are quite an amazing collection of layers of muscle. The work they do also involves the bones of the pelvis (hip bones and lower end of the spine), ligaments and nerves. Together, they work a bit like a hammock across the bottom of your pelvis not only to keep your organs from sagging but also work in sync with your bladder, rectum (the last part of your large intestine) and the vagina, making sure urine and poo are stored and released when you’re ready for it.
You might not want a kid today (or ever!) and you might be of any gender – it doesn’t matter because keeping your pelvic floor muscles fit is good for now and the future. There is much less research on whether Kegels make sex more enjoyable or easier to orgasm, despite what you may have read online or heard from friends. However, what we do know is having a strong pelvic floor helps with sexual enjoyment after giving birth, and might also help men experiencing erection problems.
At the core of the 1960s sexual revolution was “female sexual empowerment.” It fell short of this goal. Specifically, while the revolution made women having intercourse before marriage acceptable, it didn’t lead women to have equally pleasurable sexual experiences.
This assertion comes from my vantage point as a sex researcher and educator. I teach human sexuality to hundreds of college students a year. As a teaching and research tool, I anonymously poll students regarding their sexual experiences and compare the results to published research. Both sources provide striking evidence of an orgasm gap between women and men. This spurred me to write a book to foster pleasure equality.
One study of college students found 91 percent of men and 39 percent of women always or usually orgasm during sexual encounters. While this study didn’t ask about the sexual context, another revealed that the gap is larger in casual sex than relationship sex. Women were found to orgasm 32 percent as often as men in first time hookups and 72 percent as often in relationships. This study didn’t specify that the sexual encounters include activities that could result in orgasm. When I specify this, 55 percent of male students and 4 percent of female students report always orgasming during hookups.
THE ORGASM GAP EXPLAINED
Some say the gap isn’t cultural but due to the elusive nature of women’s orgasms. Yet one landmark study found that when masturbating, 95 percent of women reach orgasm easily and within minutes. Four minutes was the average time that sex researcher Alfred Kinsey found it takes women to masturbate to orgasm. Orgasm isn’t elusive when women are alone.
It’s also not elusive when women are together. One study found that orgasm rates don’t vary by sexual orientation for men but do for women. Lesbians are more likely to orgasm than heterosexual women.
What do lesbian sex and female masturbation have in common? They focus on clitoral stimulation. One study found that when women pleasure themselves, almost 99 percent stimulate their clitoris.
Yet, when with male partners, especially casual ones, women forgo the clitoral stimulation needed to orgasm. A survey conducted by a women’s magazine found that 78 percent of women’s orgasm problems in heterosexual sex are due to not enough or not the right kind of clitoral stimulation. An academic study found that receiving oral sex and touching one’s clitoris during intercourse increases orgasm rates and that these behaviors occur more often in relationship sex than casual sex.
Women not getting clitoral stimulation, especially in casual sex, is a major reason for the orgasm gap. This leads to a more nuanced question: Why aren’t women getting the stimulation they need?
A DOUBLE STANDARD AND A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
The first reason is ignorance of the clitoris, fueled by our sex education system. Best-selling author Peggy Orenstein pointed out that sex education ignores the clitoris, teaching only about women’s internal organs. No wonder a study found that over 60 percent of college students falsely believe the clitoris is located inside the vaginal canal. Many of these students also mistakenly believe that women orgasm from intercourse alone. In actuality, only a minority can. Depending on the way the questions are worded, 15 percent to 30 percent of women say they orgasm from intercourse alone. When I ask students, “What is your most reliable route to orgasm?,” 4 percent answer penetration alone.
Yet, by failing to teach this in sex education, we leave people to rely on media images. Orenstein asserts that porn has become the new sex ed. One false image portrayed in porn, and mainstream media, is that it is normal, indeed ideal, for women to orgasm from intercourse. This false belief is a main culprit in women not getting the stimulation they need to orgasm.
But research tells us it’s not the only culprit. Knowledge of the clitoris increases women’s orgasm rate during masturbation but not during partnered sex.
THE ORGASM GAP CLOSED
On a surface level, closing the gap is important for equal access to pleasure itself.
On a deeper level, scholars connect pleasure equality and sexual consent. They say learning about sexual pleasure empowers one to communicate one’s desires to others, making it less likely to be coerced, or to coerce others, into unwanted sex. A number argue for sex education reform. A position paper by the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine also advocated for reform, saying abstinence-only education “reinforces gender stereotypes about female passivity and male aggressiveness.” While the position paper didn’t suggest teaching about pleasure in sexual education, others do.
Connecting sexual violence and the orgasm gap, one writer declared: “Let 2018 be the year we demand more than freedom from sexual harassment and abuse. This year, it’s time we demand pleasure.”
In the movie, Maclaine's character Eve Rand pleasures herself while on-screen husband Chauncey Gardiner, played by Peter Sellers, watches TV oblivious to what is going on.
Third in the poll, conducted by Website yesbutnobutyes.com, was the scene from 1974 horror spoof 'Young Frankenstein' in which actress Madeline Kahn's hair turns white after she experiences the monster's "schwanstucker".
Other movie scenes to make the top ten include, Woody Allen's portrayal of a sperm in 'Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sex', Ben Stiller's masturbation scene from 'There's Something About Mary' - in which his semen ends up in Cameron Diaz's hair - and the moment where Jane Fonda is sentenced to death by orgasm in cult sci-fi movie 'Barbarella'.
Top ten Hollywood Orgasms.
1. Shirley MacLaine in 'Being There'.
2. Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'.
3. Madeline Kahn in 'Young Frankenstein'.
4. Woody Allen in 'Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sex'.
December 22 is the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere, and what better way to celebrate than with a little hanky-panky?
Well, that's what a California couple would like you to do anyway.
Anti-war activists Donna Sheehan and her partner, Paul Reffel, want everyone in the world to have an orgasm today - not just for fun, but in the cause of world peace.
Theirwebsitesays they'd especially like people in "countries with weapons of mass destruction" to do their bit.
They've specifically targetted the solstice (winter in the northern hemisphere) but otherwise you can get down to business "at the time of your choosing, in the place of your choosing and with as much privacy as you choose".
This mass movement, they believe, will "effect positive change in the energy field of the Earth through input of the largest possible surge of human energy a synchronised global orgasm".
The website says that the science behind the idea is being investigated by theGlobal Consciousness Projectwhich runs a network of Random Event Generators around the world which record changes in randomness during global events.
"The results show that human consciousness can be measured to have a global effect on matter and energy during widely-watched events such as 9/11 and the Indian Ocean tsunami. There have also been measurable results during mass meditations and prayers."
In aninterviewwith the San Francisco Chronicle, Sheehan and Reffel point out that you can contribute even if you don't have a partner - all they want is for everyone to think of peace before or after participating.
You're the girl who truly gets along with other guys and they enjoy your company right back. Hanging out with them regularly is never forced, and have never even tried to sleep with you. You're the girl who forms genuine friendships with the opposite sex, and it feels natural. Take a look at this of signs that you're one of the guys.
You’re the reigning flip cup champ.
You pick pizza over salad any day.
You have more guy friends than girl friends.
Whenever you wear a dress, it’s like, a phenomenon.
People have asked if you’re a lesbian.
People like to call you dude, a lot.
You can drink, a lot.
Sometimes you hurt your female friend’s feelings with your brutal honesty.
You probably won't be caught wearing pink.
You quote Star Wars and other classic movies more than anyone you know.
Your guy friends always come to you for advice.
You not only choose beer over wine.
And you have a very extensive knowledge of beer.
And whiskey.
You’ve chest bumped before, and realized you may have crossed a line.
Whether you’re looking for a cool as hell outfit for a future photoshoot, some inspiration to push the borders of your typical Goth look or you’re looking for some simple outfits that’ll get you past that fetish club dress code, here are some super simple fetish inspired outfits that won’t cost you a fortune.
PVC Shorts
PVC Shorts are a simple way to add a fetish edge to any outfit. They’re tight, shiny and can totally fetish up any plain old band shirt – bonus points if the band shirt is ripped up beyond belief. For the fetish beginner PVC is preferably to latex because it won’t rip as easily and far costs less. Rock them with a pair of fishnets and some pointy boots and voila!
Harnesses
Woah, harnesses right? The word alone sounds rather intense. But don’t worry, harnesses are everywhere lately. Depending on how fetish you want t look you can rock a simple leg harness used as a garter, an elasticated pentagram over your chest or a full on leather harness that will make your C’s look like DD’s. If you’re a bit shy wear it over a simple white button down. A white button down already has that clean school-girl edge to it that is instantly transformed with a harness or two.
Leather
Leather is always in stores and can very easily be transformed from an everyday piece to totally fetish club appropriate. Take a leather skater skirt and wear it with your prettiest bralette. Or for the easiest outfit you can find a leather dress. The only problem is finding something that fitsjust right.
Bralettes
Speaking of bralettes, if comfort is your vice you need to try a lace bralette! They’re uber comfy, pretty, sexy and can be worn as an actual bra or as a top. Pair it with some thigh high stockings, lace up boots and your favourite pair of high-waist shorts.
Are you a fan of fetish inspired outfits? Let us know how you rock the fetish look in the comments below!
The age-old ‘the birds and the bees’ metaphor leaves out one important aspect of human sexuality: the orgasm. And as it turns out, there’s a entire world of amazing orgasms you could be missing out on that neither the birds nor the bees experience. Check out the 12 types of orgasms that research has revealed!
What types of orgasms have you had? Tell us in the comments!
G-Spot Orgasm:Some men swear it doesn’t even exist, but just because it’s difficult to find doesn’t mean it’s not there! To find this pleasure point, do a circular “come here” motion with your fingers inside, while simultaneously putting pressure on the lower abdomen.
Butt Orgasm:It’s easier for men to have an backdoor orgasm because of the stimulation to their prostate, but it’s also possible for women. The tight muscles and thin epithelial cell layer make the area extremely sensitive and subject to sensational, orgasm-inducing pleasure.
Urethra Orgasm:That may be where your pee comes out, but it’s also surrounded by your clitoris. Seriously, your clit is way bigger than you actually think, as it apparently goes three to five inches inside of you.
Kissing Orgasm:Your lips are full of nerve endings, similar to the outer vulva, nipples, and clitoris. Slow lip synching and playful kisses can build up your arousal, making it possible to achieve orgasm, though it’ll take a lot of concentration.
Nipple Orgasm:Studies have found that nipple stimulation activates an area of the brain known as the ‘genital sensory cortex,’ which is the same part that is activated during climax.
Boob Orgasm:Gentle stimulation of the breast can also light up the genital sensory cortex.
Mouth Orgasm:The inside of your mouth is also filled with sensitive nerve endings. And with some tongue rolling and oral performance, your arousal can go off the charts!
Anterior Fornix Orgasm:This orgasm is by way of stimulation of the front vaginal wall. It’s a great pressure point and can even be considered the G-spot for some women.
Posterior Fornix Orgasm:This area shares the same nerves as your butt, and it usually occurs when deep penetration is taking place. To some women, this kind of orgasm can be painful, though many report experiencing quite the opposite.
Clitoral Orgasm:This baby has 4,000 more nerve endings than a man’s penis, about 8,000! This is the easiest route for a woman to achieve orgasming, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the foreplay. It still needs to get turned on.
Yoga Orgasm:Sounds pretty wild, right? Well, a study found that 40% of women have experienced an orgasm induced from working out. Yoga can strengthen the muscles in and around the genitalia.
Dream Orgasm:Some women have reported reaching climax when having a naughty dream; this happens especially in women who are pregnant due to the shift of hormones.
