SimplySxy

Tag: Contraception

  • Natural Contraception: Know Thy Cycle, Know Thyself

    Natural Contraception: Know Thy Cycle, Know Thyself

    If you’re a heterosexual couple of childbearing age you’ve got to deal with the fantasy-crushing subject of birth control.

    There are certainly a lot of options and devices out there, but not many of them are good for your health.

    I won’t go into all the scientific links between the Contraceptive Pill and breast cancer here (you can read more in my Sex Column in Nature and Health magazine).

    What I will say is there are healthy ways of not getting pregnant while still enjoying a thriving sex life.

    This is such a thing as natural contraception.

    The kind of natural contraception that doesn’t mess with your hormones.

    Now there are a lot of half-truths out there around natural contraception – so please leave all your previous knowledge at the door.

    What I want to introduce you to is the Billings Ovulation Method which came about in the 1950s by a Catholic couple who wanted a method of birth control that would honour their religious beliefs.

    What they discovered through extensive research was that women, like every other female in the animal kingdom, would discharge certain secretions from the vagina outside of menstruation.

    Essentially what they found is that the cervix has a plug of mucus that stops anything, including semen, from entering apart from during menstruation and ovulation.

    This means you can actually learn which handful of days you’re ovulating and thus chart your fertility.

    What does this mean for your sex life?

    While every woman’s cycle will be slightly different, you can have sex like rabbits at least two weeks of each month without the fear of getting pregnant, without any other form of contraception.

    Sounds great doesn’t it?

    No condoms, no pill, just natural contraception!

    Now – do NOT, I repeat, do NOT try working this out on your own.

    There are Billings Ovulation Method instructors all over the world who can teach you and your partner how to learn your cycle and understand your body.

    I have trained up in this method and can now offer it as part of the one-on-one five month session program I offer.

    Learning the rhythms of your body really is something all women should invest time in doing.

    Since I’ve been practising the Billings Ovulation Method I’ve felt more connected to my body and really in touch with my womanly cycles.

    It’s so empowering to know your body this intimately, and is such an important part of being a women – to know herself inside out.

    What’s great about the Billings Ovulation Method is that is can be used to ‘get’ pregnant.

    When you are fully aware of your cycles and when you’re ovulating, you are much more in tune with when the right time is to be making love (and a bubba).

    If you’d like to learn more about your sexual health, please email tamra@gettingnaked.com.au to discuss more about our sexual health education options and courses, including natural contraception.

    This article is republished courtesy of Tamra Mercieca. Read the original post here

    Image courtesy of Shutterstock
    Have an amazing experience or tips you like to share on SimplySxy?  Drop us an email at editorial@SimplySxy.com!

  • Vaccinate your Teenager against Unwanted Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    Vaccinate your Teenager against Unwanted Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    With internet pornography and lack of healthy sexuality, a growing number of teens and young adults get most of their sex education from watching Pornography. 

    As a parent would you like your child to learn about sex from other teenagers?

    Parents can now vaccinate their children against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease with information!

    What makes this such a problem in Singapore is the generation gap between traditional views of sex on one side and the availability of pornography to teenagers on the other side.

    Parents are not comfortable talking openly about sex with their children and by the time the kids turn into teenagers, they have gotten most of their information from other teenagers or internet porn and not from mom or dad.

    “A survey was conducted in Singapore about the growing number of teenagers having unsafe sex.  The survey stated that because of a lack of knowledge among young people it could lead to dangerous behaviour that puts them at risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.  The incidence of sexually transmitted infections among teens rose from 238 cases in 2002 to 787 last year.”

    Parents need to learn how to talk to their children about sex when they are young, starting out with age appropriate materials done in a positive way.  The biggest challenge that most parents have is their own embarrassment with talking about sex.  One way to combat this embarrassment is to view it as knowledge that will vaccinate their children against unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases that could save their lives.

    Knowledge is power, and the more positive information that children learn about their own bodies, then they are less curious about searching for information that can be damaging or dangerous leading to unsafe sex.  Not talking about healthy sexuality or shaming a child for talking about sex is the most dangerous message that a parent can give to their child and teenagers!

    The process starts when a child is younger and curious about their own bodies, a parents’ feedback is crucial.  Never put negative connotations on a child’s body, use correct terminology, and call a penis a penis or a vagina a vagina.  When a parent sees a child touch themselves, don’t shame them, but understand that they don’t know the difference between scratching their arm or touching their penis/vagina.  Telling them to stop or saying something negative is only going to shame them or make them feel bad about their body.

    As children turn into teenagers, talk to them about sex, to respect their own bodies and if they have sexual urges to masturbate, it is the safest form of sex on the planet.  Talk to them about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases.  Explain to teenagers that touching, hugging and kissing can be fun, but that it does not have to lead to sex, and saying no is alright and if they say yes, to use a condom.  Prepare them for war and give then the armour that they need to survive!

    Parents have the belief that if they talk about sex with their kids, then they are telling them that it is alright to have it, and by not talking to them about it means they won’t have it…..WRONG! 

    With that belief, a parent has just sent his/her child out into the world naked, not prepared and will most likely end up being a victim of an early sexual encounter, learning about sex from other teens and porn.  Those are the teens that have the highest incidence of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease!

    Vaccinate your child with knowledge about healthy sexuality, the odds are that your child will not be among the odds but safe!

  • Putting It |ON|

    Putting It |ON|

    This is for the benefit of those ladies out there who are too shy to question and the men who never care to share.  It all started with a seemingly innocent statement when the mon ami and I were walking down the streets of Rueil-Malmaison  one evening.  I was checking out a condom vending machine by the pharmacy when he blurted that he would have to purchase some condoms for his friends as the ones in Singapore were not as comfy.  The wheels started turning in my head and before long, I was bombarding him on the types of condoms that are exclusive to Paris.  While I was vaguely aware of the selection that is available to the male population, I was never properly introduced to these.  Moreover, I had always assumed that those fanciful looking square boxes were simply mere products of marketing gimmicks and the condom is well … just a piece of very useful phallic-looking piece of rubber for preventing the holy mother of all accidents.  Hence, I embark on yet another great google-hunt.  This together, with some personal feedback that I have gathered will hopefully, add some variety to the bedroom.

    One of the most apparent difference is that of the diameter, with condoms sold in Europe and United States offering a bigger diameter for the better endowed while the Asian equivalent provides a snug fit.  In addition, condoms in Europe and the United States are available in premiums of 18 while the ones in Asia are usually limited to 12 a pack.  A number of condoms have also emerged as top favourites among Durex users.  Durex’s Super Safe is resistant to wear and tear, and perfect for those who like it rough.  On the other hand, Fetherlite is durable yet comfortable enough for one to forget the feeling being encased in a piece of rubber while having sex. The crowd-winning Pleasuremax comes in a bright pink box and even though it is slightly thicker than its counterparts, the dots and ridges aid in giving that little extra bit of stimulation and undeniable joy.  Durex Love is also widely popular as it is much thinner in comparison to its counterparts, hence providing that added sensitivity without slipping.

    Apart from these, there are a number of non-mainstream condoms such as Sir Richard’s natural latex condoms that are vegan and lack that offending latex flavor and smell.  In addition, tantric-style sheaths that are embellished with tattoo-esque designs not only served to maximize textured pleasure, but also instantly transform the penis into an exquisite looking shaft which I personally find to be rather disturbing but well, to each his own . With this knowledge, ladies no longer need to play a passive role when it comes to their partners’ selection of condoms. As for me, that very pack of Pleasuremax has been added to this weekend’s to-do list 🙂

  • Hold That Thought… For a Minute

    Hold That Thought… For a Minute

    The night starts out harmless enough.  Your new hottie is chilling on the sofa, drinking wine and watching the hottest new action film out on DVD.  You’re snuggled into his side, his arm wrapped around your back, comfortable and secure.  A light squeeze from him and you look up to find him staring down at you, a hint of desire blossoms, and bam!  His lips meet yours, tongues collide and dance together, spurring the relaxing night in an entirely new direction.

    By the time you rip your lips away from his for a breather, you’re straddling him, buttons are being popped open and hands are wandering.  Hearts pump faster, rushing the blood to the best parts of your body.  You’re lightheaded, heated, and ready to get naked.

    We’ve all been there and there’s no shame in embracing your sexuality.  And while the safest and most responsible answer would be to not have sex until you’re better acquainted, we live in the real world where our whacked-out emotions often overrule the “sensible” thing.  However, slowing things down for a few minutes to think about protecting yourself and your partner is important.

    When was the last time you were screened for sexually transmitted infections?  How well do you know your partner, and when was the last time he’s had a health screening?  Are you on birth control?  Until all these questions are addressed, safety is an absolute must.  There’s just no way around it.

    The very first thing I want to stress is the need to be open and honest with your physician.  In order to properly screen you for the correct diseases, they need to understand your sexual history, and I can almost promise you there’s nothing they haven’t heard before.  I’ve worked with these men and women, I even did a stint at a health clinic for a bit, and things happen to people in all facets of life.  In fact, sitting here thinking, I can’t imagine one thing a person could say to shock me.

    Different STIs (previously called STD’s) are identified through various methods: blood tests, urinalyses, physical exams, and fluid or tissue samples.  None of these are what I’d call exciting, but when compared to the symptoms of many STIs, a needle prick or pelvic exam seem downright enjoyable.

    Until both you and your partner have been screened and agree to a monogamous, committed relationship, protection should be a regular part of your sexual repartee.  Alone, birth control has a high efficiency rate of preventing pregnancy, but no matter what form: the pill, a shot, NuvaRing, IUDs, etc., will not protect you from STIs.  Condoms are the way to go.

    They make condoms for both men and women, though studies have shown men’s condoms to be the best choice for preventing diseases.  And hey, why not make using them half the fun?  Be creative.  Watch him roll it on, letting the anticipation build and excite you.  Or, slide it on yourself while giving your man a hand job, or get super creative and learn to apply it with your mouth?  After all, why would they make them flavoured if you weren’t supposed to give them a lick or two?  Just be careful of those teeth!

    Female condoms will provide a barrier of protection and help prevent diseases also, they just haven’t proven to be as effective as men’s condoms.  And dental dams can be used for oral sex to keep fluids and bacteria from being transferred between partners.  Different textures can be fun to experiment with… being safe doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

    We’ve all heard the “But it feels better without a condom” line.  Maybe it’s true, I’m not a guy and I’ve been married for 19 years, so I can’t honestly recall what having sex with a condom feels like, but I do remember enjoying sex before my husband, and I relished in the fact I could go into marriage disease free.

    And people, condoms need to be worn for every sexual act: oral, vaginal, and anal.  They need to be discarded after each sexual act, and another applied before going another round or switching from oral to vaginal, vaginal to anal, or any other of combinations you desire.

    So, now he’s wrapped, or you’ve secured a feminine condom in place; here’s your time to lose yourself in each other, experiment, and just have some all-out fun. After all, a few orgasms are good for one’s body and mood!