Showing posts with label safe sex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safe sex. Show all posts

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Urgent Care (or the Tale of the Missing Condom)

Even though I was at BlogHer this year and attended several seminars and sat in on a few panels, I was not present for the reading of Knotty Yarn's Stuck in the Middle with You. Danielle read the entire blog post during her keynote speech and I am kind of glad I wasn't there cause I would've probably pissed myself from laughing so hard and then I'd end up telling everyone around me about the time that I had to go to Urgent Care for a similar situation (you know, to distract them from the fact that I had wet myself).

Oh hell, it's an awesome story and one that I can't believe has not been shared yet. So here goes:

It was the first time I had sex with this particular individual and it had been a long time for me (dry spell). I was incredibly turned on and it was completely-spontaneous-in-the-middle-of-the-afternoon type sex and everything was going well - until it was over.

After sex, I typically lay there in the afterglow and enjoy the sensation of being naked and not having a care in the world (as opposed to being naked in front of the mirror) but this time, that moment of calm was interrupted by what he said.

"I think the condom slipped off." He said it so casually that it took me a second to register what he was trying to say. Once I did, I could hardly relax. My first thought went to what day of the month it was, quickly followed by: Was I ovulating? Was the pill 99% effective with or without a condom? I couldn't remember and I was panicking and not even thinking about the sex anymore or how good it wasn't. All I could think about was, Could I be pregnant already?

As I stood up and looked at him (standing in front of me, naked, and with an odd expression on his face), I realized that he was more freaked out than I was. I started to get dressed and was thinking about the Morning After Pill and what I would have to do in order to get a hold of one, when I noticed that he was tearing the sheets off the bed. And that's when I realized that what he really meant to say was, "The condom is missing."

We both started to look under the bed and tossed aside the clothes that lay on the floor around us. "Where is it?" I said. "It's gotta be around here somewhere," he responded.

It was nowhere to be found. The only logical place it could possibly be was inside. Me.

I went to the bathroom to try and fish it out (seriously, Danielle, I feel your pain here). By the time I finally gave up on the search, my female bits were sore and I was seriously not in the mood to even face my new partner.

I was pissed. In fact, my partner would say (if we were still speaking), that he wanted to leave at that moment because I was acting like such a bitch. I was embarrassed, annoyed and freaked out (still thinking about the possibility of conception).

We went to bed that night with our backs to each other. I was not going to let him touch me again. After all, imagine what else could happen down there? I was seriously behaving like a child, blaming him for 'losing' the condom instead of laughing about such a crazy situation (which I laughed about the next day).

I went to Urgent Care the next morning although I made sure to call ahead. See, I've been there before and I know about that little window in the tiny waiting room that you're required to speak through when you check in. The receptionist asks you what you're there for and I was prepared to not have to explain it to her and the handful of strangers sitting there.

Over the phone, I told her why I was coming in. "I had sex last night and the condom disappeared. I think it's stuck inside me." I made sure to explain that I would not be able to say that out loud when I got there. I think she was laughing at me when she hung up the phone.

When I arrived, the woman behind the desk asked me what I was there for (I swear, she should've recognized my embarrassment), so I said, "I'm the one who just called. About the situation. You know. That I can't say." She nodded (fighting back a laugh) and said, "A nurse practitioner will be with you shortly." I sat down and everyone in the waiting room stared, wondering what I was there for and why it was too scary to say out loud and should they be sitting so close to me?

Apparently, getting a condom (or anything else) stuck inside you is sort of a big deal, cause I was called back pretty much right away and as I stood up, everyone in the room looked up at me, either thinking that they were glad they didn't have what I had or jealous because they still had to wait for their emergency care.

Once I was with the practitioner, I was much less concerned about an unplanned pregnancy and was sort of intrigued when she started telling me about "other" things that "people'' have gotten stuck inside them (notice how she didn't say 'women' or 'vagina'). My imagination was on overdrive as she removed the condom and provided it to me as evidence (I asked to see it) so I could relax and return to my regular scheduled program.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Position of the Day

Newsletters show up in my inbox every minute of the day and, oftentimes, it's the subject line that will determine whether or not the email will be read, ever. This morning was no exception.



The daily iVillage Love edition was my wake up call this morning, alerting me that my sex life is in need of an upgrade with the subject line: How to make anal sex more pleasurable (for YOU).

Anal sex was always a dirty word (ok, two words) but apparently, it's the new 69...or something. The article provides six tips to make this position more pleasurable, and more fun, for women (key word here being more).

If this position isn't up your alley (no pun intended), these other articles might suit your feminine needs (and desires):

Sexual Positions Women Enjoy
Perfect Position Selector
Sex Position Ideas for Every Type of Couple
4 Must Try Sex Positions
Position Secrets for a Faster Orgasm Every Time
6 Woman-Friendly Sex Positions

Alright. Now go have fun, and be safe.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Caught in the Act

I taught a class on sex last weekend and shared some rather intimate details about my sexual history. I believe that in order for parents to be comfortable talking to their children about sex in a healthy manner, they too need to feel comfortable talking about their own sexual history and experiences.

I still remember the day that I explained to my mom that touching myself (down there) felt good. I thought I was the first person ever to discover this. I was only five years old at the time. She turned white and immediately reacted by protecting me in every way possible since she had assumed that I had been sexually abused.

She assumed correctly, of course, although I'm not quite sure if that experience could've been classified as abuse, since the person who had "taught" me about sex was someone whom, I choose to believe, had not had a healthy introduction to sex himself (he was a friend's older sister's boyfriend).

As you can tell from reading this post, and many others found on this blog, I have never had a problem talking about my sex life, although I don't startle random people with too much information on a regular basis.

My son discovered my vibrator last night (and my stash of condoms) while I was preparing for my date. I had, up until this point, kept these things in a fireproof safe that is always locked. Even though the safe is kept at a low level in my room (under my nightstand next to my bed) I had no idea that my son would ever be smart enough to find the keys, let alone figure out what they were for.



As I'm doing my hair, I hear my son say, "Mom, what are these?" Immediately, I knew what he was referring to and I quickly removed the items from the safe before answering his question, or had a chance to pick up anything from inside. I simply told him that the things in there were not for children and I put them away, out of his reach. I made sure that he wasn't able to see where I put them but wondered when the right time would be to actually explain what these "secret" items really are.

Since he's nearly five, I too, want to protect him in whatever way possible, especially when it comes to protecting his innocence. I know there will come a time when I will have to talk to him about masturbation and sexual pleasure. For now, I want him continue to be a child, playing and learning as a five-year-old should be doing while I continue to keep my adult toys a secret.

Both of these stories came to mind when I discovered the Masturbation Tips on the Women's Health website. I have come a long way since the days when I thought that masturbation was an experience that was not to be talked about, let alone an activity that a young woman participated in.

I've grown to appreciate my body more and more over the years and I love discovering the ways that I can please others and show others how to please me. Being sexual is a normal and healthy part of being an adult. I have also come to have my favorite techniques when it comes to pleasuring myself, just as others do and I'm the first to tell people that the most intesne orgasms are the ones I give myself but if there's anything I've learned in my twenty+ years as a sexual person, it's that you can't expect someone else to be able to pleasure you if you are unable to pleasure yourself.

If you are looking for ways to heal from sexual abuse, I urge you to join a support group, find a therapist that specializes in sex abuse or share your thoughts anonymously in an online forum. There are many people who share these same experiences, unfortunately, and many others who are available to help you heal.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

How Open Are You?

While the article that is the most popular over at Tango | smart talk about love is about open marriage, I have to wonder why so many people are opposed to this concept (myself, included).

I have never really thought about an open marriage before (my ex and I were monogamous) and the only image I have of this type of relationship is from the swingers' parties that I've heard about and that are generally frowned upon.

I've spoken to a few people about their experience with having an open marriage. They have all said that it didn't work for them and either the couples experienced conflict and emotional damage from it, or they simply chose to live a monogamous lifestyle, after all.

The fact that so many people are clicking on this article says a lot about the sanctity of marriage (and helps to explain the divorce rate). I think many adults - married or otherwise - flirt with ideas that they're not quite sure about and haven't shared these type of fantasies with their significant other.



The idea of having a relationship which is all about open communication makes complete sense. But why have sex with another person if the goal is to enrich your relationship with each another? Why not talk about your fantasies and find out if your partner is willing to try something new?

The reality for most married couples - I have heard - is that their relationship lacks spark after a while and sex becomes monotonous. Change it up a bit, people. Watch an erotic film together or buy some edible underwear or engage in foreplay that involves whipped cream or body butter.

After all, you might not realize that you and your partner share the same fantasies if you don't ever share them with one another.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Sex Ed - Grown Up Edition

I'm working on writing a curriculum entitled, Let's Talk About Sex: Straight Talk Between Parent and Child. I'll be teaching this one-hour workshop to parents in the community in September. Incorporated in the workshop is a growing list of topics to help young parents educate their children so that they can - hopefully - make smarter, healthier decisions when it comes to their bodies and their sexuality.

STDs are top on the priority list as far as things I plan to cover. Some parents might want to know why my first concern is not "birth control," or discussing reasons to abstain.




Times have changed since my parents were teens. Times have changed - dramatically - since I was a teen. Sexually active people (no matter what their age) have always put themselves "at risk" for unplanned pregnancies, hence the name "birth control."

What amazes me is how little is known or discussed about STDs and the prevention of them. Sexually active individuals are more likely to have an STD, pass along an STD unknowingly or contract an STD than they are to conceive a child! This is the reality that young people, in particular, are having to deal with - unfortunately, from first-hand experience.


There have been many reports and discussions in the news about young people engaging in oral sex more often than the "sex" sex that most of us knew as teenagers. Yes, oral sex "existed" then, but there are many young people today who consider themselves virgins (and admit this proudly) even though they've participated in oral sex.

Times certainly have changed. With statistics being what they are, this type of ignorance is more dangerous to a person's health than they realize.

Let's start to educate ourselves and our children before it's too late.

Thank you to LOVE IN THE TIME OF HERPES for the inspiration behind this post. And a big thank you hug goes out to the blogger for her dedication to educating readers and allowing those of us who have an STD to "come out of the closet."

Friday, May 9, 2008

Let's Talk About Sex

Since my son is only four, I haven't felt the need to start worrying - just yet - about the sex talk, but I'm prepared for when the time comes to sit down with him and explain ways in which he can protect himself (and his partner) from not only unwanted pregnancy, but from STDs as well.

Now I'm not going to preach here or share with you my personal beliefs (or experiences) but I will say this: I was a teenager once.

Childhood is much different these days than it was when I was growing up. I'm sure things will change quite a bit more before my son reaches his teen years. Check out this startling new Safe Sex Passport that is meant to be provided to / from partners before sexual activity.

Luckily, there are several resources that will help give him the proper information while allowing him to explore these embarrassing and often-times, difficult questions on his own.

Thanks to the Daily Bedpost, I discovered that today is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Now, I realize that unwanted pregnancy is not something anyone (of any age) wants to deal with, but what about preventing STDs. Isn't that something to be even more concerned with?

Here are just a few sites I've discovered that provide factual information and answer questions many people may have: