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Bring your own boyfriend

Posted by :jprokop On : May 15, 2012
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Category: Culture

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I believe that every girl should have a BOB—a battery operated boyfriend. I don’t mean that women should replace men for this, but rather to enhance their sexual pleasure, increase self esteem and improve their own body image.

Enhancing sexual pleasure is the most obvious claim for a toy. Men, don’t be afraid or worried about a toy. It’s there to—and I stress this—enhance, not replace. It is a lot more difficult for women to climax or achieve the same pleasure, and this can keep you on the same page.

Increasing self-esteem and body image are a little less obvious. I include these because using a toy on your own or with someone can help you be more aware of your body and what you like. Many women don’t feel comfortable with their bodies while having sex. Confidence in yourself can make a big difference in your enjoyment. Think of it this way: orgasms relieve stress. To orgasm well, you must know your body. Experimenting with different stimulators allows you to get to know your body and understand it. The better you understand your body, the more pleasure you can achieve. The more pleasure, the better you feel about yourself and the more comfortable you can be in your own skin.

Vibrators come in different shapes, sizes and textures. Many are waterproof for use in the shower and easy cleaning. A basic vibrator is slender, smooth metal, and can be long or short. This type’s primary use is to stimulate the clitoris not the inside of the vagina. For inside use there are more comfortably designed vibrators. These are textured differently—usually silicone or plastic—and are thicker than the simple vibrators. These can come with a curved tip for G-spot stimulation, ribs or veins, and can be in the shape of a penis. Length and width can vary.

Bullets are small, oval shaped vibrators that are used on the clitoris and are attached by a wire to the controller. A spin off of this is a bullet encased in silicone with or without ridges that has a ring on the end to be placed around a man’s penis. Another option that is more expensive (more than $100) is easier to maneuver around is the We-Vibe. The We-Vibe is a flexible, U-shaped vibrator that is designed for couples. One end is inserted into the vagina with the other placed on the clitoris. A tiny button to turn the toy on and off and to adjust the intensity or rhythm identifies the outside end. The toy gently hugs to stay in place and doesn’t come out during intercourse. The entire toy vibrates so he will feel it, too.

If a man isn’t available, there is a vibrator to remedy that. “Rabbits” are a style of vibrator that are designed to stimulate everything. The head of the toy spins inside the vagina, while its namesake, a small vibrator in the shape of a rabbit or some other animal, extends out to reach the clitoris.

There are many resources for toys, especially online. One popular retailer is Adam and Eve. It provides quality goodies like the We-Vibe. A more cost-friendly choice is DearLady.com where it constantly has sales on random items. Buying online can be tricky, though. To view and feel the toys before you buy them there are “Adult Stores” and “Megacastle.” Or contact a Pure Romance consultant or attend a party.

Keep in mind that when you buy a toy it must be cleaned. Find a good cleaner and use it after every toy use.

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Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

 

Size shouldn’t weigh in

Posted by :jprokop On : April 30, 2012
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Category: Culture

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Size matters… Or does it?

In short, no, it does not. Penis size is a big focus for men, when in reality, size plays a small role for women.

Porn has given many men the idea that the average penis size is much bigger than it really is. One of the most famous men in the porn industry, Ron Jeremy, is reported as having a penis more than nine inches long. This idea of average can make men feel inadequate.

Firstly, the men are in those videos because they have a big penis, just like the women are in them because they are skinny with big, fake breasts.

Secondly, ouch!

The average length penis is between two and four inches while flaccid, and five and six inches when erect: much smaller than Ron’s.

There are also different penis shapes. Some can be slightly bigger at the head, circumcised or uncircumcised, and they can bend in different directions. Bending has nothing to do with how a man places his penis when he puts clothes on. The bend is natural and can even be helpful in some positions.

Why doesn’t size matter? Women are more mentally stimulated when it comes to sex. The way her partner talks to her and makes her feel will do more for her in the end.

Also, the average depth of a woman’s vagina is three to four inches. If a man’s penis is too long, it can hit the cervix, possibly causing pain to the woman.

Additionally, if the penis is too wide, it can cause painful stretching of the vaginal walls.

Physically, women are stimulated mostly in the first two inches of the vagina, where there are more nerve endings. Think outside the vagina. Most women are stimulated more or only by the clitoris.

There can be size differences that prevent a couple from feeling much on both sides. This is where sexual fitness comes in. Find a position that will angle the vagina differently. Try raising her hips by placing a pillow under them. With the man behind the woman on her knees, she can relax her head and upper back all the way to the floor. The man can also angle his penis to rub against the wall of the vagina.

All in all, it’s the motion of the ocean that can make the difference for both partners. And that is the long and short of it.

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Bailey can  be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

Freshen up with morning sex

Posted by :jprokop On : April 24, 2012
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Category: Culture

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I feel it is my duty this week to inform you about a little known fact regarding starting your day off right.  I should warn you that we have been misled for centuries in regards to this question.

As most lies and unhealthy cultural influences regarding sexual health in America can be traced back to the ignorance of the Puritans, I feel compelled to blame them for the misleading.

In trying to figure out how best to start their miserable and sexually oppressed lives every morning, they found that it was best to start it on the right foot.

Starting your day off on the right foot might seem best, but actually there are greater health benefits to starting the day off on a different body part; your back.

Before we delve in deeper I want to assure you that the rest of this article, unlike this current paragraph, is factual and based on reliable sources like the Centers for Disease Control, Men’s Health and possibly Cosmo.

It is not unusual for people to spend between 30 minutes to an hour getting ready in the morning, especially for those who apply makeup and style their hair. But why waste all that time on something that can be done in just 15 minutes?  Morning sex is the answer.

You may be saying to your self, “Certainly sex is all well and good Dr. Donnolly, but the morning is not the time for it.”

I understand your hesitance, but I have faith that, as well-educated college students, you can find a way of getting around the problem of your partners morning breath.

I have heard that positioning yourself behind it might be the best solution for keeping a safe distance from it. The fact is that sex causes vasodilation and releases hormones that give us that perfect glow we are all after. It will flush your cheeks, brighten up your eyes, give your lips that perfect color and your hair that conditioned shine.

It has also been shown to slow the signs of aging, including reducing wrinkles and revitalizing your skin.

According to sexpert Mary Jo Rapini, M.Ed, L.P.C., “You end up being functionally younger … it’s a consistent effect.  If a woman has an average sex life, her real age can be two to eight years younger than the number on her driver’s license. It also lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, depression, suicide and mood changes.”

You will be able to sleep in longer, save money on cosmetics and stay physically and mentally healthy.

So in the name of health, science and finance, grab your partner first thing in the morning and help them look and feel his or her best all day. It might just be that early morning orgasm that gives them the edge they need in a job interview or exam.

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Ethan Donnolly  can be  reached at linfieldreviewculture@gmail.com.

Decision swayed by abortion controversy

Posted by :jprokop On : April 30, 2011
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Category: Opinion

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The United States birth rate in 2009 hit a record low for the century. This is partly because people decided to have children later in life or not to at all, which may have been prompted by the recession.

However, teen pregnancies have been on the rise. The Center for Disease Control reported that a third of girls will be teenage mothers. Whatever the cause, family planning practices are important and need to be available for them to be effective.

The bill to cut to family planning practices funding, such as that to Planned Parenthood, has now gone through the House of Representatives and Senate twice. In the second time through, the House passed the bill, but the Senate continued to deny the cut.

While the Senate believes in funding the necessary medical assistance people turn to Planned Parenthood for, the House seemed to be focused on false rumors about abortion practices.

Many rumors have led people to believe that the money provided to Planned Parenthood is funding abortions and that these procedures comprise the majority of the services performed. The funding received by Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions. Money for abortions comes from private funds.

Abortions are also not a major part of their services; they make up about 10 percent of what people go to Planned Parenthood for.

Getting an abortion is no easy thing. It is a very difficult decision for anyone to make, be they a mother or father. It is a painful process physically and mentally. Women who receive abortions are strongly encouraged to receive counseling after their experience.

Even years later, dealing with the tragedy can be difficult and is something no one should have to go through. Women often become depressed or feel regretful afterward. They can also face ridicule from others if they decide to share their experience with loved ones.

Abortions can be the right decision for some people, and we are lucky enough to live in a country where we can make that decision. In Ireland, for example, abortions are not legal even if the woman’s life or the baby’s life is in danger. Not everyone feels it is the appropriate decision.
There are other options for women with unwanted pregnancies, such as having and keeping the baby. Another option is putting the child up for adoption. There are multiple ways to handle the situation.

Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

Get to know your options: Plan B pill provides pregnancy prevention

Posted by :jprokop On : April 1, 2011
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Category: Opinion

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“As a woman, do I need a prescription to get the morning-after pill? Do I have to be 18 years old? Does it work? What happens if I wait more than 24 hours; can I still take it, and will it be effective?”

To get emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill or Plan B, you do not need a prescription if you are at least 17. You will have to go to a pharmacy counter and ask for it but don’t worry, you’re not the only person who has done this.

You should call ahead to make sure that it is in stock.

Plan B is one brand of the morning-after pill. It requires you to only take one pill while others require two. You have up to 120 hours to take the pill but it is 89 percent effective if taken after 72 hours. After those first 72 hours, the effectiveness of the pill decreases. The sooner you take it, the better.

The second pill in brands that contain two pills is taken 12 hours after the initial pill.

The morning-after pill is not the abortion pill. It does not affect existing pregnancies in any way. Plan B and other brands are essentially a large dose of the same hormone found in birth control pills-levonorgestrel. This prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus preventing the sperm from joining the egg.

This type of contraception should not be used regularly. It is hard on your body and may make you sick for a few days after it is taken. Symptoms could include nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, breast tenderness and changes in your period.
Use a method of contraception or birth control that works for you, but if you have intercourse and that method fails (the condom breaks, you forget to take the pill for a day or two, etc.), then resort to the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy.

Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

Take Planned Parenthood off of the chopping block to save sex education

Posted by :jprokop On : February 25, 2011
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Category: Opinion

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Dear Bailey,

Planned Parenthood (PP) provides more than abortions, right?
Sexual education is something that I care about, and it should be important to us all. I write a column about sex and sexual education. Sex is something we all have or will have in common.

Someone asked me during the break what I did for work. When I told him that I write for The Linfield Review about sex, he was so excited. He told me that he had a customer come in with her mother, and the mother wanted him to tell her daughter that sex was bad. After repeated comments from Mom, he finally looked at the daughter and said, “I’m not going to tell you that sex is bad. It’s a great and wonderful thing, but it is extremely dangerous.”

The danger sex presents is what makes preventative care and screening so important. Last week, a bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives to cut funding for these health needs. If this bill is put into effect, organizations such as Planned Parenthood will not have the funding to provide easy and affordable access to these health care needs.

The funding to PP began in 1970. Why would the government want to pull it now and risk all the recent progress our society has made?

President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin were interviewed on CNN. Abortion through PP is a big concern for many people, but Richards said that the funding is for the “95 percent of Planned Parenthood services, which are preventive care: cancer screening for cervical and breast, birth control, STD testing and treatment.”

Abortions are not paid for with federal funds, and isn’t the first step to preventing abortions going to the source and providing preventive care?

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts is pro-life and says he does not have many friends in the PP community, but he knows that PP has done more to prevent unintended pregnancies than any other organization and that this is the wrong way to fix the issue.

Richards added that 60 percent of patients only have PP to go to for the basic care that they need:

“If this bill becomes law, millions of women are going to lose their health care services,” she said.

Moore suggested that it is a double standard to cut PP and attempt to pull Woman, Infants, and Children without providing access to family planning. Reading through the comments under the video of the news story on the CNN website displays how misinformed people can be about the situation and sex. One person said that when he was young, his parents taught him morality and that tax payers’ money should not be used for younger people to continue with their immoral behavior.

Unfortunately, many people subscribe to this line of thinking, and the reality is that places like PP are about so much more than birth control and abortions. They have saved lives. In my own experience, PP has made a difference in my life and in the lives of many other people I know.

More than half a million women have signed a petition to continue funding and thousands have sent in their stories of how PP has affected their lives. People have until March 1 to show their support. If you are interested in showing your support, please visit the PP website or visit it on Facebook.

I would like to encourage people to write in with general questions or comments about sex throughout the rest of the term.

My e-mail is linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.
Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

Cancer-causing STD requires additional protection, caution

Posted by :jprokop On : November 5, 2010
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Category: Opinion

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As a woman, if I have a partner with HPV can I get it if we use condoms? If we are both participating in oral sex without a condom, do I risk getting HPV orally? If I have HPV will I get cervical cancer?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly spread sexually transmitted disease. There are more than 40 types of HPV. More than half of sexually active Americans will have one version of this virus at one time or another. It is possible for someone to carry the virus for years without
exhibiting symptoms. Because of this, routine testing is important. HPV can cause genital warts and certain cancers.
Condoms can reduce the chances of contracting HPV when used properly and every time sex occurs. This includes oral sex. HPV can be spread during sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex and with simple genital-to-genital contact. With oral sex, the virus can infect the mouth and throat.
There are also vaccines that prevent common types of HPV. Cervarix and Gardasil are vaccines that can be used for women, while only Gardasil is available to men. These shots for women also protect against cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is rare but extremely dangerous. Every year, about 12,000 women are diagnosed with this type of cancer, and 4,210 women die each year from it. If it is not caught early enough, the chances of effective treatment and survival are significantly decreased.
HPV can cause other cancers as well, some rarer than cervical cancer, including vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile and some head and neck cancers. Approximately
17,300 of cancer cases a year are caused by HPV.
While the vaccine route is an excellent decision, there are some risks that accompany that choice. Some become sick, and some deaths have occurred as a result of the shots, but both occurrences are rare. If you are interested in receiving the shots, do some research and talk to your doctor about the risks before making an appointment.
This information and more about HPV, prevention, and cancers linked to HPV is available at www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html.
Finally, a quick note about my last column: It was brought to my attention that I didn’t mention the local source for victims of abuse: the Henderson House at 610 SE 1st Street. Its crisis line is 503-472-1503 or 877-227-5946 and more information can be found online at www.hendersonhouse.org.
When looking up crisis information, always be careful. Use a public computer if you feel that your abuser is keeping track of your computer use.

Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbaily@gmail.com

Students should be wary of domestic violence warning signs

Posted by :jprokop On : October 22, 2010
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Category: Opinion

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October may be one of the most outstanding months out of the year. It has Halloween with tons of candy and dressing up, and it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In addition to these, October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, “a pattern of abusive behaviors including physical, sexual and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship.”
Domestic violence doesn’t happen to only a specific group of people. It can happen to anyone, especially if you don’t know what classifies domestic violence.
The article “Domestic Abuse Can be Subtly Sinister” on OregonLive.com reports that in November 2009, 14 people, six of whom were abusers who committed suicide, died from domestic violence.
Most people understand what a physically abusive relationship entails, but the emotional, sexual and economical abuses are not always so obvious. Signs of emotional abuse are much harder for people outside the relationship to notice.
The most telling signs are when the abusive partner tries to isolate his or her partner, monitors his or her calls or contacts and acts overly possessive. Sometimes the abuser will threaten to kill themselves if the victim leaves.
Economical abuse (whichI never would have thought of until doing the research) is a form of abuse that is also easily hidden.
In this case, Finances are taken over by the supposed abusive partner and an allowance is given to the victim. This doesn’t mean that one person paying the bills and keeping track of finances is abusive. That is financial responsibility and can save money for the couple. Abuse occurs when one partner takes all the money, spends it and gives his or her partner little money for necessities.
Sexual abuse is not easy to spot. Besides rape, sexualabuse can include beingguilty or pressured to have sex when one doesn’t want to, ignoring a partner’s feelings about sex or insulting a partner in a sexual manner.
Frequently, abuse will happen to women, and they will not be aware of it or won’t accept that it has happened. Many women may think that violence against women is the norm and that it is OK once in a while. But it is not OK for these women, and it is hard for them to change their views on treatment, especially when they have been in an abusive situation for a long time.
If you think that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please go to either the Domestic Violence Awareness Project at dvam.vawnet.org or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE.
Remember: It is never the victims’ fault; it is the fault of the abuser.
Make sure that you and your friends are aware of the signs of abuse in a relationship.
It is important to be safe in your college relationships. This is the beginning of your adult life.

E-mail your questions to Bailey at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

I am new to the college experience, in high school I was always taught abstinence. I didn’t get to learn much about condoms, let alone different types of contraception. Are condoms the best route to go?

Posted by :jprokop On : October 9, 2010
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Category: Opinion

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Contraception and birth control are the perfect subject to begin with. There is a slight difference between the two.
While both prevent pregnancy, birth control is not always contraception (like a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle isn’t a square.) Birth control prevents the beginning of pregnancy when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. Contraception prevents the meeting of the sperm and egg altogether.
The most effective method is, of course, abstinence. Again, this is not always the common practice. Even if abstinence until marriage was something that everyone practiced, what about after the wedding?
I know I mentioned this last time, but not everyone wants children right away. More and more couples are choosing to have babies later in life. Some couples don’t want children at all. And some people don’t even want to get married. What then?
The most popular contraception — which I hope everyone knows about — is the condom. They represent 18 percent (one third) of the contraception used in the United States today. Male condoms are 98 percent effective and female condoms are 95
percent effective only when used properly. In reality, they are 85 percent and 79 percent, respectively, as a result of error in usage.
Follow the directions, ask a friend or look up diagrams (no, seriously) to make sure you are using condoms
properly. And put them on before intercourse, not after. When the condom is too loose, use a smaller one. If it is loose because of post-sex flaccidity, semen can still spill out, so lingering is not the best idea. These are some ways of not using them effectively.
While hormonalbirth control has its advantages, condoms are probably the best for college students or anyone who isn’t in a
monogamous relationship. They are provided for free inside the health services center in Walker Hall. Who could pass that up?
Condoms not only prevent conception, but they prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infection
and STDs. So think about that when choosing a method. Of course, they can always be combined with hormonal birth control.
There are tons of options in terms of condoms. There are lubricated and non-lubricated, flavored, glow-in-the-
dark, textured, fire and ice, female and male, etc. There are condoms with spermicide in them, but these are no more effective than regular condoms. In fact, they may be worse for preventing the spread of STIs.
Keep in mind that not everything is 100 percent. People have still become pregnant using birth control or condoms. Be sure you know what your risks are, and be prepared. Communicate with your partner. Birth control is most effective when there is open communication about its use, no matter what type is chosen. While some people are aware of this information, others may not be. Awareness and safety is the key.
Send in any questions to linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com or to Dear Bailey at #A115.
Bailey can be reached at
linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.

Sexual health column aims at informing students

Posted by :jprokop On : September 25, 2010
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Category: Opinion

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The Linfield Review has a brand new column: It’s essentially a “Dear Abby” column where you write in with questions, and I answer them. But instead of the overused “Abby,” I’ll use “Dear Bailey.” (My name is not Bailey, and to anyone actually named Bailey, I am sorry.)
If the name change wasn’t an exciting enough reason for you to write in, then maybe the subject will get your attention: This advice column isn’t about just anything. It’s about sex.
This isn’t high school, and abstinence isn’t the theme of human health courses, sexual education or of everyone’s sexual practices. Understanding sex and practicing healthy habits is the goal now.
You’re an adult and sex will follow you throughout the rest of your life. How is abstinence going to work if you get married and don’t want children for a while or at all? As college students, you should be informed of what you want to know about sex, sexual health and anything you don’t understand about sex.
Let’s stop here for just a second. This is not a relationship column or a how-to guide. I want you to feel free to ask questions about sex and healthy relationships, but this column does not deal with whether you should ask out so-and-so or how do I do such-and-such position. Go buy a Kama Sutra or “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Amazing Sex.”
Questions can, of course, be asked in Dawn Graff-Haight’s Human Sexuality class or in the health department. But for what
ever reason, not everyone feels comfortable with that approach. Reasons people don’t ask questions are often increased because sex is, unfortunately, such a hushed subject. Getting information is difficult when asking a question feels embarrassing or is in front of other people.
I won’t know who you are; you won’t ask me your questions in person. Some
one else most likely has the same question that you do. This column is to help every
one, and no one is going to get answers if no one asks.
Questions can be e-mailed to me at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com, or if you would rather be completely anonymous, you can write to “Dear Bailey,” at Unit #A518.
As a personal disclosure, I am not telling anyone to engage in sex or any other sexual activities. I am just providing information and facts that I have attained through research. The more questions you ask, the more answers everyone will get.

Bailey can be reached at linfieldreviewbailey@gmail.com.