Revealed - How sex makes you more intelligent

 

Sex not only helps decrease stress levels and burn away calories, but boosts your intelligence too!

 

Love-making proved to greatly increase the creation of new neurons located within the hippocampus – an area of the brain that is responsible for the formation of long-term memory, say researchers.

 

‘We discovered that even though there had been the production of new neurons, the cognitive abilities acquired during the experiment decreased once the mice were subjected to long periods without sexual activity,’ psychologists from the University of Maryland in the US were quoted as saying. Read more about reasons why your sex life may have fizzled out.

 

Increased sexual activity floods an individual’s brain cells with oxygen, they noted. Another study by Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea, provided further substantial evidence. According to the Korean study, sex increases intellectual functions. Sexual activity buffers the creation of neurons in the hippocampal region of the brain, which acts against detrimental functions caused by extreme stress. Older couples that are more sexually active have less odds of getting dementia which is due to a variation of complicated reasons, said a report in Glamour magazine.

 

Other health benefits of sex

Besides making you intelligent, sex has some other health benefits too that you probably didn’t know about.

 

1. Makes you look younger

Yes! Believe it or not, sex can make you look younger. According to a study conducted by Dr David Weeks of Royal Edinburgh Hospital, people who had sex more than 4 times a week, felt as much as 10 years younger. Besides having sex, you can do the following things to look younger.

 

2. Boosts your immunity

While eating fruits and vegetables are known to boost your immunity, having sex can have a similar effect. A research conducted at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, revealed that people who had more sex had 30% higher levels of the antigen immunoglobin A, as compared to people who didn’t. The higher levels of antigen improves our body’s defence against cold and flu. Read more about the health benefits of sex.

 

Categories: activity, Health Benefits, higher levels, nbsp, sexual, sexual activity, university, younger

Four Health Benefits of Sex (As If You Needed an Excuse!)

Everyone enjoys sex, but is that where the benefits to your wellness end? Absolutely not! Let’s take a look at some of the scientifically proven ways in which sex is good for you:

 

1. Exercise: Sexual health expert and private GP Dr Arun Ghosh argues that sex is ‘not emphasised enough as a really good form of exercise.’ If you make it last long enough, Graham Jackson, a consultant cardiologist and president of The Sexual Advice Association, asserts that sex could form part of your overall, varied fitness programme. ‘A typical game of tennis or squash is around 40 minutes of sustained cardiovascular activity,’ he points out. ‘So to compare these to sex in fitness benefits you would need to perform your peak periods of sex for around the same amount of time.’ A vigorous 30 to 40 minutes means ‘you could get a good cardiovascular workout during sex,’ Dr Jackson adds. ‘Sexual activity is meant to compliment other more sustained forms of exercise. You can’t say, “I have sex, I won’t exercise”.’

 

2. Brain Function: Scientists at the University of Maryland found that rats’ brain function improved after long periods of sexual activity, specifically in the hippocampus area where new memories are formed. According to Dr. Ghosh, ‘A huge amount of brain stimulus occurs during intercourse. It’s why we feel so overtaken when we orgasm. When researchers do MRI scans on people in orgasm, they observe both sides of the brain being stimulated, including parts of the brain we wouldn’t normally use.’ However, as the study was done on rats, we still don’t know if the same results would be found in people. Dr Simon Ridley, of the Alzheimer’s Research Council, notes, ‘Plus, any improvements in brain power were lost once the animals’ sexual activity stopped, so we can’t assume any benefits to their brains will be long-term…There’s as yet still no compelling evidence to support the idea that regular sex can help stave off dementia or cognitive decline in humans.’

 

3. Stronger Pelvic Floor: Not only does a strong pelvic floor make sex itself more enjoyable; Andrew Hextall, a consultant who specialises in genito-urinary medicine at Spire Bushey Hospital, points out that, a stronger pelvic floor can help reduce your risk of prolapse of the womb, which affects half of women over 50, and your risk of stress incontinence, which affects one in four women over 40. Mr Hextall explains, ‘During intercourse, the muscles in a woman’s pelvic floor naturally contract and squeeze. This increases muscle tone in the area, as the pelvic floor is like any other muscle, it responds to use by getting stronger. The recommendation for exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor are to squeeze the pelvic floor only eight times at any one time. It’s likely that during sex you will be contracting your pelvic floor at least that many times, so there’s no need for prolonged sex sessions to get these benefits.’

 

4. Lower Anxiety and Depression: A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour discovered that young women felt more depressed the longer they hadn’t had sex. Stuart Brody, professor of psychology specialising in sexual behaviour at the University of the West of Scotland, surmises that this could be because of the vaginal absorption of hormones in semen such as prostaglandins, testosterone and luteinizing hormone, which improves women’s moods. Dr Ghosh details, ‘Routinely now, when our patients – male or female – are diagnosed with depression or anxiety we encourage them to maintain their sex lives because it’s so beneficial for mental wellbeing’.

Categories: brain function, depression, dr ghosh, exercise, floor, Health Benefits, pelvic, pelvic floor, sexual, sexual activity, sexual behaviour, stronger pelvic

Bisexuality: What Does it Mean and How Does it Happen?

Orientation plays a huge role in your sexual wellness, with much sexual health research dedicated to studies on both heterosexuality and homosexuality. But what about bisexuality? As it stands, very little research has been conducted on bisexuality, and so less is known about how being bisexual affects your wellbeing. However, we’ve looked around for all the available information, so you can be in-the-know about bisexuality.

 

The Sinclair Intimacy Institute states, ‘Bisexuals are men and women who achieve sexual or erotic attraction to members of both sexes. Usually, but not always, the bisexual person engages in sexual activity with partners of both sexes. Slang terms referring to bisexuals are “AC/DC” (based on the term used to describe two types of electrical current), “switch-hitters” (a baseball term describing a batter who hits from either side of home plate depending on who’s pitching), or people who “swing both ways” (another baseball phrase, but may also relate to swinging as sexual behaviour).’

 

While little research has been done on bisexual behaviour, the studies that have been conducted show some fundamental factors involved in being bisexual. To clear up a few assumptions, let’s look at what bisexuals are not:

 

1. Bisexuals are not fundamentally homosexual but have a bit of heterosexual sex on the side.

 

2. Bisexuals are not fundamentally heterosexual but have a bit of homosexual sex on the side.

 

3. Bisexuals do not, at one point in their lives, engage in sexual behaviour with one sex and then, at another point, engage in sexual behavior with persons of the other sex. This is known as transitional bisexuality.

 

On a fundamental level, if you are bisexual, this means that you are sexually attracted to people of both sexes during the same general time period in your life. But how do you become bisexual? According to the Sinclair Intimacy Institute, ‘It is thought that people develop and experience bisexuality in a number of different ways. For some it begins as a form of experimentation that adds a spark to their sex lives, but it does not become the main arena of sexual activity. For others it is a deliberate choice to participate in whatever feels best at the moment.’

 

When it comes to bisexual behaviour, there are three particular sets of circumstances that have been thought to be conducive to bisexuality:

 

1. Friends with Benefits: The Sinclair Intimacy Institute notes, ‘Sexual experimentation in a relationship with a close friend is quite common among women and can also occur between two male friends or a male homosexual may develop a sexual relationship from a previously casual but friendly relationship with a woman.’

 

2. All Together Now: ‘Group sex is another avenue for bisexual experimentation,’ says the Sinclair Intimacy Institute.

 

3. Mind-Body Connection: ‘Some people adopt a bisexual philosophy as an outgrowth of a personal belief system,’ the Sinclair Intimacy Institute explains. ‘For instance, some women who have been active in the women’s movement find they are drawn closer to other women by the experience and translate this closeness into sexual expression.’

 

While these are common behaviours for bisexuals to experience, there is still a gender difference to bisexuality. The Sinclair Intimacy Institute details, ‘Men who are bisexuals are likely to experience homosexual attraction and engage in homosexual experiences before they become aware of their bisexuality. For women, on the other hand, the trend is to experience heterosexuality first. Although persons with a bisexual orientation do not fit simply into any one mould, there are a few patterns that may apply to many bisexuals. Some men and women seem to alternate their choice of sex partners randomly, depending on availability and circumstances. Some have committed relationships in this fashion, seeking a partner of the alternative sex when the current relationship ends.’

Categories: bisexual, bisexual behaviour, bisexuality, bisexuality nbsp, intimacy institute, men and women, nbsp, Research, sexual, sexual activity, sexual behaviour, sinclair intimacy

Vibrators and French Ticklers: Let’s Talk Sex Toys

If you’ve been reading through your copy of Fifty Shades of Gray recently, you might have developed a bit of a curiosity about sex toys. But what exactly are sex toys and how do they benefit your sexual health and wellness? According to the Sinclair Intimacy Institute, ‘Sex aids or sex toys are devices made to vary or enhance pleasure during sexual activity. They are used primarily on the genitals or around the genitals, but some can be used on other parts of the body as well. People use them when they are on their own or with partners. On the whole, people who use sex aids do not use them every single time they engage in sex nor do they always use the same aid on each occasion. The list of sex aids is a long one. They are usually sold in special erotica shops or through mail order catalogues.’ So what sex toys are out there?

 

1. Vibrators: The Sinclair Intimacy Institute explains, ‘Vibrators are electrical machines powered by batteries or plugged into electrical outlets. They come in different sizes and shapes; some have variable speed controls to allow the user to personalize the intensity of the stimulation. The more popular kinds of personal vibrators are battery powered, cylindrical or penis shaped in different diameters and lengths, and sometimes come with attachments for different parts of the body. The sexual sensations produced by a vibrator can be both intense and rapidly felt. Vibrators must be used gently on sensitive body tissue. Some people use a towel between the skin and the vibrator to cut down on the intensity of the sensation. Using a water-based lubricant can also make a vibrator more comfortable and stimulating.’

 

2. Ben Wa Balls: ‘This device, which originated in the Orient, consists of a set of two metal balls,’ the Sinclair Intimacy Institute states. ‘One is solid and is placed in the vagina near the cervix; the other one is partially filled with mercury and is also placed in the vagina, near the first one. Any movement causes the mercury filled ball to hit the deeper one, spreading vibrations through the vaginal area. Women primarily use them on their own, but they can also be incorporated into sexual activity with a partner.’

 

3. Cock Rings: The Sinclair Intimacy Institute notes, ‘A cock ring is a metal, leather, or rubber ring-shaped device, usually from one and a half to two inches in diameter. The testicles and the erect penis are slipped through the ring, which fits tightly, putting pressure on the dorsal vein of the penis. The idea is that the cock ring will keep the blood that has engorged the penis from flowing out. The man will therefore retain his erection longer and, theoretically, be able to prolong his sexual activity. Some men also wear cock rings when they want their genitals to look larger under their pants. Proper fit is important so that the penis and testicles do not get bruised. Caution is needed not to wear the rings too tightly or for an extended period of time, since they act as a tourniquet limiting blood flow and can cause severe damage to the genitals.’

 

4. French Ticklers: ‘French ticklers are devices that fit over the penis and are designed to tickle and increase sensation in the vagina during intercourse,’ the Sinclair Intimacy Institute detail. ‘These devices are pre-shaped (unlike condoms, which come rolled up) and their surfaces are equipped with ridges and small probes. French ticklers can be reused after thorough washing. It is important to note that while they fit over the penis in a fashion similar to condoms, they are NOT birth control devices.’

Categories: cock ring, cock rings, french ticklers, intimacy institute, penis, sex aids, Sex Toys, sexual activity, sinclair intimacy

Study Finally Gives Guidelines for Identifying Sex Addiction

Sexual health experts have debated the existence of sex addiction for many years, in large part because, when it comes to identifying and diagnosing true forms of the condition, there has been a distinct lack of methodology. According to Rory Reid, an assistant professor and research psychologist at UCLA, sex addiction may still affect your wellbeing, and his study may have found a way to identify it using specific guidelines. In a statement, Reid commented, ‘The criteria for hypersexual disorder that have been proposed, and now tested, will allow researchers and clinicians to study, treat and develop prevention strategies for individuals at risk for developing hypersexual behaviour.’ So how do you identify sex addiction?

 

‘Identifying characteristics of sex addiction disorder is an important step in creating a definition for the condition, says award-winning wellness writer Hope Gillette, who points out the definition ‘entails more than just the desire to have sex frequently. The inability to break away from sexual activity may be one of the defining characteristics of sex addiction.’ However, the study researchers were keen to avoid turning common behaviours – such as watching porn or having sex often – into classifications of a disorder. For Reid, individuals with hypersexual disorder, ‘might consider the consequences momentarily, but somehow feel their need for sex is more important, and choose sex even in situations where such choices might cause significant problems or harm.’

 

For the study, 207 individuals who had been referred to a mental health clinic –152 of whom had been referred for a sexual behaviour problem, 35 had other psychiatric issues, and 20 individuals were referred for substance abuse – were interviewed. The researchers defined hypersexual disorder as ‘recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, sexual urges, and sexual behaviour’ and noted that patients were required to be under distress or unable to maintain aspects of a normal life because of these sexual urges, in order for a diagnosis to occur. The participants were asked about their frequency of participating in sexual behaviours, such as going to strip clubs, engaging in telephone or cybersex, having sex with other consenting adults, masturbating, and watching pornography.

 

‘Using the established criteria, Reid’s team identified 134 of the patients with sexual behaviour issues established as hypersexual disorder,’ Gillette details. ‘Eighteen of the original 152 patients with sexual disorders were found to have a different mental health issue or no issue at all. The majority of other patients in the study not originally there for a sexual behaviour issue were diagnosed with their original condition or a condition other than sexual addiction. In addition to being able to positively identify hypersexual disorder, researchers found study participants who were diagnosed with sex addiction disorder also indicated masturbation and pornography viewing was considered problematic, so much that some individuals had lost their jobs because of the behaviours.’

 

Moreover, if you have a sex addiction disorder, you’re more likely to perform disruptive sexual behaviours despite knowing the consequences. Reid explained, ‘It’s not that a lot of people don’t take sexual risks from time to time or use sex on occasion to cope with stress or just escape, but for these patients, it’s a constant pattern that escalates until their desire for sex is controlling every aspect of their lives and they feel powerless in their efforts to change.’ If you’re concerned that you may have a sex addiction, you need to identify with a number of the following factors outlined in the study:

 

• Recurring pattern of sexual fantasies


• Urges and behaviours lasting a period of six months or longer, that is not caused by other issues or disorders.


• Pattern of sexual activity in response to unpleasant mood states or to cope with stress


• Failure to reduce or stop sexual behaviour even when known as problematic. Reid added, ‘As with many other mental health disorders, there must also be evidence of personal distress caused by the sexual behaviours that interfere with relationships, work or other important aspects of life.’

Categories: addiction disorder, hypersexual disorder, identifying factors, Mental Health, Research, Sex Addiction, sexual activity, sexual behaviour, sexual behaviours, sexual fantasies

No Interest in Sex – Could You be Asexual?

Are you sexual or asexual? The answer to this question could help to explain a whole host of human behaviour, and could help to identify issues affecting the wellness and wellbeing of many different types of people.

 

Asexual generally refers to a low level of sexual interest or even the complete absence of sexual activity. The sexual union of male and female cells is a way of reproduction that is standard across many different species. Many organisms reproduce in asexual ways, however, such as with spore formation, budding and fission. This means that the organisms produced in this way are also asexual.

 

Asexuality can also refer to a person who has either a lack of involvement or a lack of interest in sex. Some religions, for example, require their leader (such as priests) to abstain from sexual intercourse. It may be that those who participate in the religion have normal sexual urges, but they do take a vow of abstinence which means that they agree not to act on the urges. Over time, not being involved in any sexual activity may lead to a lowering of sexual interest.

 

Asexual behaviour such as a lack of interest in sex may also be caused by sexual dysfunction. It may be that there is a psychological condition that blocks sexual responses, and that a man with a complete lack of desire actually has a sexual desire disorder, as clearly this is not a ‘normal’ state of things in a species which is biologically designed to reproduce.

 

This can lead to the avoidance of sex and sexual intimacy. There are ways to treat these types of conditions, however, both with drugs and with intensive therapy. If the disorder is serious, however, it can be harder to treat, and some individuals may actually be biologically incapable of feeling any sexual interest.

Categories: asexual, Disorder, interest, lack, nbsp, nbsp asexual, Sex, sexual, sexual activity

How Important Are Hormones to Female Sex Drive?

Everybody knows that most women feel particularly sexual at a certain point in their cycle. This is because the hormones involved with ovulation start telling the body to effectively ‘mate’. But to what extent do hormones control the sexual wellness and wellbeing of a woman; is it the sole driver of sexuality, or do other factors come into play?

 

Unlike other mammals, humans tend to have sex on a regular basis throughout the month. Other mammals (and indeed animals in general) only tend to mate when they are fertile – sex is generally used purely for reproduction and not for pleasure. Humans are different, because they engage in sexual intercourse for pleasure at times and in ways where conception could not occur.

 

There have been many studies into whether ovulation plays a strong role in sex drive, but they have tended to rely on guesswork about when ovulation occurs, by counting the days from the last menstrual cycle in the woman. This is wildly inaccurate as women ovulate at different times, and can even ovulate at different times each month, making the results very questionable. For this reason, some studies seemed to show that the ovulation hormones were linked to sexual activity and other studies showed no correlation or very little correlation between the two things.

 

Now, a new study has been carried out which uses ultrasound technology to pinpoint the exact time of ovulation in nearly 2000 heterosexual women aged between 18 and 40. No women in the study were using artificial birth control and all women kept a diary of their sexual activity. The study found that women tended to engage in sexual activity (including masturbation) more frequently around the time of ovulation, showing that hormones were playing a strong role in these women’s sex drives.

Categories: drive, hormones, ovulation, Sex, Sex Drive, sexual, sexual activity, strong role, study, Women

Teen Sex: Protecting Your Kids against Pregnancy and STIs

As a parent, nothing wreaks havoc on your mental wellness more than the idea that your teenagers are having sex. Unfortunately, however, teen sexual health is a pressing issue, with research showing that many teenagers are sexually active by the time they reach high school. This means that your child’s wellbeing is at great risk to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the emotional consequences of having sex. Therefore, you have to get proactive with your teen, and discuss the importance of contraception before sexual activity begins.

 

When having “The Talk” with your teenager, abstinence is still a valid subject to discuss. Whether you feel strongly against the idea of sex before marriage, or you just want to make sure your son or daughter is ready to have sex, explain how you feel to your teen. It’s easy to fall into the trap of telling your teen what to do, without letting them know your reasons for doing so. Share the reasons behind your beliefs, rather than just laying down the law, and you’ll give your teenager something to think about and, hopefully, believe themselves.

 

That is not to say you should ignore your teenager’s own values – far from it. You should ask your teenager to think about their values and hopes for the future, and how sex might affect these things. Adolescents are particularly prone to risky sexual behaviours, and the only way to absolutely prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections – such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes and HIV – is to practice abstinence from all forms of sexual activity. Plus, having sex makes break-ups all the more emotionally damaging, so remind your teen that there are many nonsexual ways he or she can show feelings for someone.

 

That said, you can’t stop your teenager from doing what he or she wants to do. However, you can make sure they practise safe sex. It’s important for everyone to understand birth control, whether your teenager has decided to wait for sex or not. One day, he or she will need to know how to prevent pregnancy and protect himself or herself from sexually transmitted infections, and the only way to ensure they gain this knowledge is to give it to them. When talking about contraception, don’t be vague but go into all the methods available. This includes:

 

1. Condoms: While other contraceptives prevent pregnancy, your teenager needs a barrier method in order to guard their wellbeing against STIs. Make sure your teen understands the importance of always using condoms during sex, as well as the correct way of using them.

 

2. Prescription birth control: There are various contraceptive methods your teenager can get on prescription to prevent pregnancy. This includes combination birth control pills, the contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal ring (NuvaRing) and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera). Your daughter will need to visit a doctor, who will review her medical history, conduct a pelvic exam, and go over the risks and benefits of different types of birth control. While these methods can be extremely effective in preventing pregnancies, make sure your teen knows that prescription birth control doesn’t offer protection from STIs.

 

3. Emergency birth control: While it’s important for your teen to make a decision about birth control before having sex, emergency contraception — such as the morning-after pill (Ella, Plan B One-Step or Next Choice) — can help prevent pregnancy if your teen doesn’t plan ahead or contraception fails. You need to tell your teenager that emergency contraception must be started as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and within 120 hours to be effective.

Categories: Birth Control, Emergency contraception, pregnancy, prescription birth, prevent pregnancy, sexual activity, sexually transmitted, STIs, teen, teenager, Teenagers, transmitted infections

Teen Sex: Protecting Your Kids against Pregnancy and STIs

As a parent, nothing wreaks havoc on your mental wellness more than the idea that your teenagers are having sex. Unfortunately, however, teen sexual health is a pressing issue, with research showing that many teenagers are sexually active by the time they reach high school. This means that your child’s wellbeing is at great risk to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the emotional consequences of having sex. Therefore, you have to get proactive with your teen, and discuss the importance of contraception before sexual activity begins.

 

When having “The Talk” with your teenager, abstinence is still a valid subject to discuss. Whether you feel strongly against the idea of sex before marriage, or you just want to make sure your son or daughter is ready to have sex, explain how you feel to your teen. It’s easy to fall into the trap of telling your teen what to do, without letting them know your reasons for doing so. Share the reasons behind your beliefs, rather than just laying down the law, and you’ll give your teenager something to think about and, hopefully, believe themselves.

 

That is not to say you should ignore your teenager’s own values – far from it. You should ask your teenager to think about their values and hopes for the future, and how sex might affect these things. Adolescents are particularly prone to risky sexual behaviours, and the only way to absolutely prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections – such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes and HIV – is to practice abstinence from all forms of sexual activity. Plus, having sex makes break-ups all the more emotionally damaging, so remind your teen that there are many nonsexual ways he or she can show feelings for someone.

 

That said, you can’t stop your teenager from doing what he or she wants to do. However, you can make sure they practise safe sex. It’s important for everyone to understand birth control, whether your teenager has decided to wait for sex or not. One day, he or she will need to know how to prevent pregnancy and protect himself or herself from sexually transmitted infections, and the only way to ensure they gain this knowledge is to give it to them. When talking about contraception, don’t be vague but go into all the methods available. This includes:

 

1. Condoms: While other contraceptives prevent pregnancy, your teenager needs a barrier method in order to guard their wellbeing against STIs. Make sure your teen understands the importance of always using condoms during sex, as well as the correct way of using them.

 

2. Prescription birth control: There are various contraceptive methods your teenager can get on prescription to prevent pregnancy. This includes combination birth control pills, the contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal ring (NuvaRing) and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera). Your daughter will need to visit a doctor, who will review her medical history, conduct a pelvic exam, and go over the risks and benefits of different types of birth control. While these methods can be extremely effective in preventing pregnancies, make sure your teen knows that prescription birth control doesn’t offer protection from STIs.

 

3. Emergency birth control: While it’s important for your teen to make a decision about birth control before having sex, emergency contraception — such as the morning-after pill (Ella, Plan B One-Step or Next Choice) — can help prevent pregnancy if your teen doesn’t plan ahead or contraception fails. You need to tell your teenager that emergency contraception must be started as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and within 120 hours to be effective.

Categories: Birth Control, Emergency contraception, pregnancy, prescription birth, prevent pregnancy, sexual activity, sexually transmitted, STIs, teen, teenager, Teenagers, transmitted infections

Sex Headaches: Are You Dreading Your Next Orgasm?

Everyone’s heard of the “Sorry, I have a headache” gambit when you’re just not in the mood, but did you know that a special kind of headache could affect your wellness after you have sex? Any kind of sexual activity can negatively impact your wellbeing, but orgasms are especially well-known for causing sex headaches. These headaches can be a serious dampener on your sexual health; after all, would you want to get intimate if you knew a nasty headache was to follow? Let’s take a closer look at the causes of sex headaches, and what you can do to prevent and treat them.

 

Most sex headaches are nothing to worry about, but if you don’t understand the signs as they’re happening, you may be a bit concerned. Sometimes, sex headaches begin as a dull ache in your head and neck, often on both sides. You might also find that your neck and jaw muscles might tighten up. Then this pain builds over several minutes as your sexual excitement increases. However, the most common form of sex headache is a sudden, severe pain just before or during orgasm. Though this can hurt, sex headaches are usually no more than a general annoyance. However, some sex headaches can be a sign of something serious, such as problems with the blood vessels that feed your brain.

 

Generally speaking, a sex headache will last for a few minutes, but some can linger for a few hours. For most people, sex headaches will occur in clusters over a period of a few months, and then they’ll disappear for a year or more. While we’ve already established that sex headaches aren’t usually a cause for concern, if you do experience a headache during sexual activity, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. This is especially true in the case of headaches that begin abruptly, or if it’s your first headache of this type. No matter the kind of sexual activity – be it masturbation, anal sex, oral sex or intercourse – you should speak to your doctor.

 

If your sex headache comes on abruptly, it may be associated with:

• Intracranial aneurysm: This is a widening or bubble in the wall of an artery inside your head.


• Arteriovenous malformation: This is an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in your brain that bleeds into the spinal fluid-filled space in and around the brain


• Dissection: This is a case of bleeding into the wall of an artery leading to your brain.


• Stroke


• Coronary artery disease


• Use of some medications: This includes birth control pills


• Inflammation from certain infections

 

As well as these underlying medical conditions, there are some nasty side effects that can come along with sex headaches. Accompanying symptoms of sex headaches include loss of consciousness, vomiting, stiff neck, other neurological symptoms and severe pain lasting more than 24 hours. If these occur alongside your sex headache, this means that it is more likely to be due to an underlying cause. You’re also more likely to get a sex headache if you’re a man or your generally prone to having migraine headaches. However, sex headaches can affect anyone. If you want to prevent sex headaches, stopping sexual activity before you reach orgasm can help, as can taking a more passive role during sex. For those who have a history of sex headaches and there’s no underlying cause, your doctor may recommend that you take preventive medications regularly. These may include daily medications, such as beta blockers, or occasional medications like indomethacin (Indocin) or one of the triptans.

Categories: Brain, headache, headaches, Medications, orgasm, severe pain, sex headache, sex headaches, sexual, sexual activity, Underlying Conditions

What Are The Characteristics Of Sexually Healthy Adults?

When we think about sexually healthy adults is can be difficult sometimes to ask ourselves whether it is a category that we fall into. For many people the worries about this sort of thing can be overwhelming as we can easily begin to consider that our behaviour is abnormal or that we are doing things the wrong way. But to live a happy and healthy life there are certain things that we look for with regards to sexual health. These are the characteristics that are associated with all sexually healthy health adults and they can be broken down into distinct categories. Indeed there are many different aspects of life we need to look at to establish normalcy.

 

So one of the first thing that it is important to look at is communication. If you can be considered sexually healthy it is usually true that you will be able to communicate with both genders in appropriate and respectful ways. You should also be able to communicate effectively with family and friends, as well as being able to talk to other adults about sexual issues. When it comes to the act of sex, it is true that you should be able to accept refusals of sex without hostility but also that you should be comfortable about not wanting to have sex and be able to express it properly.

 

Indeed this goes even further when we think about the concept of communicating about sex with your partner. You should be able to discuss limits, contraceptive and condom use and other issues regarding what happens between you sexually. When you do this you should be able to accept the limits that your partner asks for and also feel confident in setting limits that you are happy with.

 

It is important too that you are able to develop friendships that do not have a sexual agenda and that you can enjoy without the need for a sexual aspect. You will also need to be able to avoid exploitative relationships and choose partners who are responsible, trustworthy, safe, giving and loyal. You should also be able to be sexually intimate without being physical. It’s also true that sexually healthy people will be able to express yourself physically without going to the point of intercourse including things such as holding hands and kissing your partner. But one thing that is especially important is being able to take responsibility with your own boundaries.

 

Self-esteem is an important issue in everyone’s lives. When we think about sexually healthy adults it is a serious issue and there are a number of key issues. You should be able to respect your own body and be able to touch your own body without feeling ashamed. You should be able to feel happy about sexual experiences that you choose. It is also true that you should have a sense of who you are and to be able to accept yourself for the person that you are. Perhaps most important is that you should be comfortable with your sexual identity and orientation.

 

You should be able to accept and understand the consequences of sexual activity. You should also be able to respect the things that other people enjoy. And knowing your values is an important aspect of this. Beyond knowing your own values and living your life by them it is also true that you should be able to accept the values of other people. You should not feel threatened or worried by the values of others if you are to lead a happy life that you enjoy.

Categories: accept, adults, Healthy, healthy adults, sexual, sexual activity, sexually, sexually healthy

Worrying Sexual Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment

Sex might not be something that is really on your mind at all when you’re faced with the prospect of cancer treatment. After all, treatments for this condition are renowned as some of the most invasive and problematic in the world, with a huge range of side effects and issues – it is only natural that you’re going to be worried and think about it an awful lot. Treatments such as chemotherapy have side effects such as causing your hair to fall out and nausea and sickness, so it’s no surprise that sex would not be on your mind if you are going through this.

 

But after this initial shock and troubles with cancer treatment, it doesn’t take long to get more comfortable and start returning to your normal schedule and routine. And this undoubtedly puts sex back as an important issue in your life – for many women the return to sexual intimacy represents normality returning to their life with cancer and it can be a very positive step forward. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that sex with cancer treatment doesn’t have some complications. Some women are more at risk than others and it can cause a huge variety of problems for both your sexual health and the quality of the cancer treatments on offer.

 

There are certain types of cancer that put women at a greater risk of having sexual complications or problematic side effects from their treatments. This includes those being treated for bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer and a number of others. Treatment for any of these cancers can cause physical changes in the body but it is also worth remembering that treatment for cancer can also cause enormous changes in your emotions as well. Clearly these can cause serious problems for your ability to have sex in the way that you are used to.

 

There are a number of commonly experienced sexual side effects and whether you experience will depend on the type of cancer that you have and the stage of treatment that you are at. But some of the most regularly experienced side effects include a difficulty in reaching sexual climax, less energy during sexual activity, a lack of desire for sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, pain during penetration, a reduction in the size of the vagina and vaginal dryness during sex. These problems can clearly cause a number of difficulties and discomforts when you are attempting to get back into sexual activity.

 

With treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy there are a number of additional problems that can make sexual intercourse something that you might not feel like a lot of the time. With chemotherapy in particular you can experience problems such as fatigue and nausea that might make you not feel like you want to have sex – then there are additional problems such as weight loss or weight gain and hair loss, and these can have the effect of making you lose confidence in your appearance and therefore becoming self-conscious about the act of sex.

 

If you are worried about the potential side effects of cancer treatment on sex or you are experience problems in having sex during your cancer treatment then it is well worth going to your doctor and having a talk about the different aspects of the treatments and what you can do to improve your sexual experience while you are taking the treatment. This can be a boon to you both in the fact that you can learn more about it and find different ways you can counteract the problems you’re experiencing.

Categories: additional problems, cancer, cancer treatment, experience problems, problems, Sex, sexual, sexual activity, sexual intercourse, treatment

The Facts Of Sexual Satisfaction For Older Women

We often consider that our youth is the right time to feel satisfied with our sex lives. Indeed perhaps it is common to believe that when we are young it is the only time that we are going to feel satisfaction sexually. But this does not necessarily need to be the case in fact there is increasing evidence that a healthy love life is very beneficial to us as we get older and it is something that can be a part of all of our lives. It is even true that a healthy sex life is beneficial to us as we get older and can get us cope better with aging. We only need to look at celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Joan Collins to see examples of women doing this.

 

Apparently this holds true even as the amount of sex you have decreases. This all comes from a report that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society; the researchers looked at 1,235 women between the ages of 60 and 89. One of the major finding from the study was that older women had sex a lot less frequently than younger women – this might not seem like anything especially ground breaking, but what is perhaps more so is the suggestion that older women still reported being at least moderately or very sexually satisfied. It was also true that this had a massive effect on overall quality of life.

 

“Sexual satisfaction was not significantly associated with age,” according to one of the researchers, Professor Thompson of the University of California San Diego “although the levels of sexual activity and functioning did vary significantly, depending on the woman’s age, their perceived quality of life, successful ageing and sexual satisfaction remained positive.

 

“What this study tells us is that many older adults retain their ability to enjoy sex well into old age. This is especially true of older adults who maintain a higher level of physical and mental health as they grow older. Furthermore, feeling satisfied with your sex life – whatever your levels of sexual activity – is closely related to your perceived quality of life”

 

One interesting fact about sexual satisfaction among older people is the fact that sex among older people is still a taboo subject. For a huge number of reasons both younger and older people seem to strongly dislike talking about sex among the older generation. This can lead us to believe that older people never have sex and that therefore they feel that sexual satisfaction must naturally diminish as we get older.

 

But clearly this is not the case in fact many people as they become more mature with age are more able to have excellent sexual experiences. What’s more, having sex can also have a number of genuine health benefits that can really make a difference for us as we get older. For example it is well known that having sex can reduce stress. Stress can be a real problem as we get older and it is good to relieve it as it is linked with a greater risk in a huge number of illnesses.

 

Sex is also known for a number of other benefits including the fact that it can improve the health of your heart, help you to get more sleep and even to burn off calories. So clearly we can see that even as we get older sex has a role to play in our lives and even if you are having it less often it does not mean that you cannot get satisfaction from it.

Categories: life nbsp, older, older adults, older people, older women, perceived quality, satisfaction, Sex, sex life, sexual activity, sexual satisfaction

The Facts Surrounding Sex After a Baby is Born

After going through childbirth many women find that they don’t feel the need or urge to have sex for a little while. Perhaps this is not surprising, after all the act of giving birth and indeed the nine months of pregnancy have meant drastic changes in the body and a new mother may still be getting used to her body. Of course once there is an awkwardness surrounding sex for a couple after the birth of the baby this can only serve to make the matter more complex. But a new study shedding more light on the issue has revealed some of the facts behind sex after childbirth.

 

Some women go for a long time without wanting to have sex while for others the process is a fairly quick and simple one. There is no right answer; it is just whatever feels right for you. But this new research has shown that much of the desire to have sex for women after childbirth comes not from physical factors, but from psychological ones. Indeed it seems that factors such as spousal support and the new baby’s sleeping habits play a far more integral role in the sex life of new parents than physical issues such as birth trauma. Doctors tend to recommend a sex-week waiting period before having sex after childbirth due to the damaging nature of giving birth, but many women find that feelings of sexual desire return long before then.

 

“One interesting thing is that women performed oral sex on their partners and engaged in masturbation earlier than they received oral sex or engaged in intercourse,” said Sari van Anders, who is a behavioural endocrinologist at the University of Michigan and one of the key figures in the study. “People have frequently assumed that women just aren’t interested in sexuality early in the postpartum period and that the sexual activity they do engage in is for the sake of their partners, but the rates of masturbation suggest that many women are feeling sexual”. This definitely suggests that it is not so much an issue of women not wanting to have sex, but rather than they do want to, but are following the advice of their doctor.

 

We all know that the period straight after having a baby can be very stressful and difficult for parents. This specifically includes periods of very little sleep which can have a very series knock-on effect on the lifestyle of the parents and can cause other problems. Lack of sleep is known to lead to irritability and a number of other problems. This is thought to be one of the key factor in why couples don’t have sex rather than being anything to do with the women not wanting to have sex – with the baby waking so often and needing constant attention it can be very difficult to find the time to be intimate. But many people instead blame this lack of intimacy on the actual effects of childbirth itself, but this is generally not the case.

 

Interestingly there was still some suggestion in the study that many women feel the need to resume sexual activity early to benefit their partners’ needs and desires. But the women’s level of social support and physical and psychological experiences during childbirth were other major factors in determining how long they took to resume sexual activity. Previously it had been thought that physical problems such as fatigue and trauma might be the major factors in determining when women want to have sex again, but it appears that this is not actually the case.

Categories: Baby, childbirth, giving birth, major factors, oral sex, resume sexual, Sex, sexual activity, surrounding sex, Women

Senior Citizens: Why Sex is a Great Way of Keeping Healthy

Older people can still be sexual, and recent studies have shown that engaging in sexual activity can be the best way to boost their wellness and wellbeing. One study in particular has shown that older married couples who have sex on a regular basis are more likely to be happy (both with their lives and with each other) than those who have sex infrequently or not at all.

 

Carried out at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, the research has revealed the importance of sexuality for those aged 65 or older. Highlighting the importance of the link between happiness and sex will help wellness organisations to help the older generations enjoy and explore their sexuality.

 

This research is based on a large group study, carried out in the last couple of years. In the study, it was found that sexual activity was directly linked to marital happiness and general happiness. Only 40 percent of those who had not had sex in the past 12 months said that they were ‘very happy’ with life, whilst of those who had sex once or more per month, around 60 percent said that they were very happy.

 

Likewise, 59 percent of those who had had no sex in the year prior to the study said that they were happy in their marriage as opposed to around 80 percent of those who were having sex frequently. For the purposes of the study, sex referred to any kind of sexual contact such as oral, anal or vaginal, and the results were only looked at after making adjustments for other influencing ‘happiness factors such as gender, age, health and finances.

 

Of course, the study could be correlational, and it could mean that older couples who have more sex are happier, or happier older couples have more sex!

Categories: nbsp, old, older, older couples, percent, senior, Sex, sexual, sexual activity, study

Is Your Diabetes Wreaking Havoc on Your Sex Life?

Diabetes is more of a health concern than ever, as new research suggests that the condition could take its toll on your sexual wellbeing. According to the study, which was funded by the US government, middle-aged and older women with diabetes are less satisfied with their sex lives than are women without the blood sugar disease. The same is said of diabetic men, as it has long been established that diabetes makes blokes more prone to sexual wellness problems such as erectile dysfunction. However, it was less well-known how the disease affected the sex lives of women – until now.

 

Lead researcher Dr. Alison Huang of the University of California, San Francisco, commented, ‘It’s an area that is very understudied, particularly in older women.’ Therefore, Huang led a team of researchers to analyse a survey of nearly 2,300 California women aged 40 to 80 years. The findings, which are published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynaecology, revealed that more than a third of women who are on insulin treatment answered “moderately” or “very” when asked how dissatisfied they were with their sex lives. The same was answered by a quarter of diabetic women who weren’t on insulin, but less than one in five non-diabetic women answered likewise.

 

Huang explained, ‘It’s not that diabetic women are not interested in sexual activity. The diabetic women in the study had more sexual problems, but they were just as interested in sexual activities and had a similar level of sexual activity as women without diabetes.’ Sexually active women who took insulin were more likely to complain of problems with lubrication and orgasm compared to non-diabetic women, while those with complications related to the condition – such as heart and kidney disease – were the least likely to have sex at least once a month.

 

According to Huang, following a diabetic diet and getting regular exercise will help you to reduce your problems between the sheets. ‘I think these results do suggest that if you are a diabetic woman, preventing complications may help prevent development of sexual problems,’ she said. However, the team did find one perplexing result; women with elevated blood sugar levels were less likely to report low sexual satisfaction. Nonetheless, Huang noted, ‘I don’t think it’s likely that very poorly controlled blood sugar leads to better sexual function in women.’

Categories: Blood Sugar, Diabetes, diabetic, diabetic women, dissatisfying sex, older women, sex lives, sexual, sexual activity, sexual problems, Women

How to Resume Your Sex Life After a Heart Attack

If your well-being has been affected by a heart attack, you may be too embarrassed to inquire about your sexual health. But when is it OK to have sex again? And what’s the safest way to go about it? Now, new guidelines, published in the journals Circulation and European Heart Journal, are urging doctors to help their patients resume a healthy love life, and provide – for the first time – specific advice on enjoying sex safely after a heart attack, stroke, heart transplant or other heart condition.

 

This isn’t the first time that guidelines have discussed how long you should wait before getting back between the sheets, the new advice details exactly which sexual positions and activities you can engage in if you aren’t ready for the physical exertion of intercourse. According to Elaine Steinke, lead author of the statement and professor of nursing at Wichita State University in Kansas, ‘Patients are anxious and often afraid sex will trigger another cardiac event – but the topic sometimes gets passed over because of embarrassment or discomfort.’

 

The paper also recommends that you undergo some type of sex counseling, and discuss with your doctor the health risks of embarking on an affair. As having an affair has been shown to increase the risk of dying from heart problems, the guidelines urge doctors not to be embarrassed about fully discussing the issue. Professor Steinke commented, ‘We deal with the intimate parts of the body in many ways as health care providers. Those who want information are very much relieved that the health care provider has brought up this topic.’

 

If you’ve had no complications after your heart attack, and can walk briskly without experiencing chest pain or other symptoms, the guidelines state that you can typically engage in sexual activity after one week. However, if you’ve undergone heart bypass surgery, you need to wait for your incision to heal fully, and can generally safely resume sexual activity after six to eight weeks. This should be done gradually, and you might want to consider more PG stuff before you move onto the main event, Professor Steinke advised.

Categories: Attack, guidelines, health, health care, healthy sex life, heart, Heart Attack, positions, professor steinke, sexual, sexual activity

The Reality of Sex Among Teenagers

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that American high school students are having sex – it’s actually a fairly obvious fact. When you look at the combination of statistics, MTV reality shows and simply talking to teenagers, it is becomes blatant that there are a substantial number of high school students engaging in some form or another of sexual activity. Those who like to claim otherwise are often either in denial don’t want to admit the truth or aren’t interested in the facts. Well, here are the facts:

Every year, U.S. teens go through as many as 850,000 pregnancies and young adults under 25 suffer about 9.1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) according to the Advocates for Youth website. The website also reports that by the time that young people have reached the age of 18, 70 per cent of the females and 62 percent of the males have had sexual intercourse.

It is absolutely vital that high schools that don’t currently run sex education classes initiate programs teaching students proper condom usage, birth-control methods and advice for the proper precautions to take against contracting STIs and pregnancy.

Regardless of how any individual feels about teenagers having sex, no one can any longer deny that it is happening and that we need to educate young people so that if they are going to make this choice, they at least do it safely and properly.

People who try to convince themselves otherwise need to face reality and understand that the best action is to educate teenagers on how to protect themselves and be safe about their sexual activity.

Schools that now implement abstinence-only programs are not being realistic about what current teenage lifestyles. Although there are certainly many teenagers out there who choose to not have sex during high school, there are also plenty who are going to experiment sexually regardless of how strongly their schools ban it.

The Reality of Sex Among Teenagers

Categories: Education, high, high school, reality, school students, Sex, sexual, sexual activity, Teenagers, young, young people

Sex: Why It’s The Ultimate Headache Cure

In a new trial, neurologists looking into the effects of sexual activity have discovered that it can help to either partially or completely remove the symptoms of a headache or migraine. At the University of Munster in Germany, researchers found that contrary to using a headache as an excuse to avoid sex, it could actually be a better cure than painkillers! This is thanks to the release of hormones which occurs during sex, as well as the improved circulation which can help to cure headaches in some cases.

 

More than half of the patients analysed who were suffering from migraines found that their symptoms dissipated after sex, or at least their symptoms improved. One in five patients left the trial with no pain at all, whilst many others (particularly men) found that sex was used as a therapeutic tool to alleviate stress or anxiety. This is because sex releases endorphins which help to work as the body’s own painkillers by impacting the nervous system – this helps it to reduce or remove the pain associated with a headache. Sex also works to prevent attacks in some cases, which could spell great news for those who suffer with migraines.

 

As part of the study, researchers sent 800 random migraine patients and 200 cluster headache sufferers a questionnaire which asked for responses as to how sexual activity impacted their symptoms and whether it removed it at all. Two out of every three patients stated that their migraine was significantly improved after sex – three out of four reported that they felt complete relief from the headache, and a third stated that it got worse. With the cluster headache group, researchers found that 37 percent of those questioned said that their condition was improved with sexual activity, and 90 percent said they felt moderate or complete relief.

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Sex: Why It’s The Ultimate Headache Cure

Categories: migraine, new study, sexual activity