What you see on the outside is the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. Giving the skin its waxy, waterproof coating, the epidermis is the site of the melanocytes. These are the cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color.

Two other skin layers lie underneath the epidermis, namely the dermis and the hypodermis. The former is directly beneath the epidermis, containing the sweat glands and hair follicles.

New cells are built between the dermis and the epidermis. They move upwards to the surface, upon reaching which they die. The skin on the outside, therefore, is made of dead cells.

Skin diseases and conditions

Nearly all people in the world have gone through acne, the most common condition of the skin. Teenagers mostly get this condition, which is characterized by bumps known as pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. If a pimple becomes filled with pus, it is called a pustule.

Doctors generally call changes in the skin as rashes. Most rashes stem from a minor irritation, while others have underlying conditions. Psoriasis is one such underlying condition, an autoimmune disease characterized by scales on the skin. Rosacea is another such condition, which causes a telltale red rash on the face, oft-mistaken for acne. Viruses may also cause rashes, as in exantham, a common skin infection among children.

Eczema, a kind of skin inflammation, causes itchy rashes. Its most common form is atopic dermatitis.

In general, inflammation of the skin is called dermatitis. When the inflammation reaches the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, it is called cellulitis.

But dermatitis bodes less cause for worry than cancer of the skin. Skin cancer is dangerous and it frequently affects fair-skinned people. Its most hazardous type is melanoma, which arises from constant exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. But melanoma is far less common than the less harmful basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma, another type of skin cancer, is moderately common in comparison. Sun damage almost always triggers skin cancer but it may be caused by other skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis.

Cancers aside, fungi make for a very formidable skin enemy. One of the most common fungal skin infections is tinea or ringworm. More benign though is tinea versicolor, an infection that creates areas of reduced pigmentation in the skin.

Like fungi, viruses can potently undermine the skin. Certain viruses cause the skin, for example, to excessively grow, creating warts. Fortunately, a wart can be easily removed at home, using so much as a duct tape. Otherwise, the dermatologist can freeze it or apply chemicals on it. Some wart-like growths are actually seborrheic keratosis, which is a benign skin condition, though it can be itchy.

Shingles is a skin condition caused by herpes zoster or the chickenpox virus. Cold sores, recurring blisters around the lips and the sex organs, are caused by any of two herpes viruses (HSV Type 1 and HSV Type 2).

Allergies can also cause a variety of skin conditions. Among others, they cause hives: red, swollen patches on the skin, which are very itchy.

Insects cause a lot of skin conditions, too; scabies is one. In this condition, microscopic mites tunnel into the skin, particularly in the webs of fingers, and set up residence. As a result, an extremely itchy rash develops on the skin.

In all these conditions, the skin may develop abscesses or boils. A skin abscess, also known as furuncle, occurs when an underlying skin condition compels pus to accumulate under the skin.

A common hair condition, dandruff is actually a skin condition, affecting the scalp. It may be due to an eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis.

Treating skin conditions

An indispensable element of a healthy lifestyle is knowing how to take care of the skin. Every person should develop a healthy lifestyle skin regimen, which invariably includes a habit of cleansing, moisturizing and toning every day. As for skin conditions, the kind of treatment required depends largely on their causes.

If the skin condition arises from autoimmune conditions, then corticosteroids are the way to go. Often available in topical form, corticosteroids are designed to improve dermatitis. To an extent, immune modulators can treat an overly active immune system, in turn improving psoriasis and dermatitis in general.

Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial skin infections, especially those that cause cellulitis. Topical antifungal creams, meanwhile, can cure many forms of fungal skin infections, although oral medications may be necessary.

Patients may choose to be vaccinated against shingles. However, oral drugs are used to improve symptoms of most herpes viruses.

Itching, a symptom that almost always accompanies conditions of the skin, can be alleviated by taking oral or topical antihistamines. Just as well, emollients or moisturizers can prevent itching, as dry skin tends to be itchy and irritated.

Skin cancers necessitate surgical removal. Skin abscesses also need to be surgically drained.

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• RosaRex – homeopathic remedy that reduces facial redness, burning cheeks, flushing and bumpy texture

Tests for skin conditions

Doctors may order a skin biopsy, a procedure easy enough because the skin is an external organ. In this test, a medical examiner takes a tissue sample and scrutinizes it under the microscope.

To test if a condition is allergic in nature, a medical examiner simply applies certain substances, e.g. pollen, on the skin. Similarly, an examiner may inject the patient with protein derivatives of the TB (tuberculosis) bacteria to diagnose TB. This test is called a tuberculosis skin test.

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I had the good fortune of attending and presenting at the the Montreal conference organized by the New View Campaign, and am sad I can’t make this, their third conference. If you’re near Las Vegas or know folks who will be at the end of September, this will be well worth attending. From the New View website:

FRAMING THE VULVA: GENITAL COSMETIC SURGERY AND GENITAL DIVERSITY

OUR THIRD CONFERENCE COMING SOON: Las Vegas September 26, 2010

THE NEW VIEW announces its THIRD Conference, to be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Sunday, September 26, 2010.

FRAMING THE VULVA: GENITAL COSMETIC SURGERY AND GENITAL DIVERSITY
While the vulva surgeons are holding a conference on the Las Vegas strip, the New View, in collaboration with the UNLV Women’s Studies Department and Petals, will hold a counter-symposium to examine the personal and political complexities of the new female genital cosmetic surgeries.

Our one-day conference will include a morning plenary session on the emerging issues in genital scholarship, activism, and art, and an afternoon of experiential and discussion workshops for participants to share strategies and build connections. The event will conclude with an evening reception, photography and craft exhibition, and film showing at the Erotic Heritage Museum.

Areas covered will include:

• Cosmetogynecology and the new genital perfectability industries
• The rhetoric vs. the realities of Western genital surgeries vs. “FGM”
• Collaborative models of activism
• The revival of “cunt art” in craft, film, photography and painting
• Sex education and the challenges of body anxiety
• The latest body modification trends, from Vajazzling to Vatooing
• Disease-mongering, marketing, and body surveillance
• Critical health studies perspectives on cosmetic genital surgery

Confirmed plenary speakers include:  • Virginia Braun, University of Auckland, New Zealand  • Leonore Tiefer, NYU Medical School, NYC   • Vanessa Schick, Indiana University, Bloomington * Laurenn McCubbinn, artist, Las Vegas   • Lynn Comella, UNLV, Las Vegas  *Fiona Green, University of Winnipeg, Canada

Afternoon experiential workshops will include Arts and Crafts as Resistance; Clinical Reflections on Vulva Disgust; Empowerment through Vulva Photography; Classroom Exercises around Body Hair; Introduction to Theory of Critical Health Psychology, etc.

Fees (includes evening reception at Erotic Heritage Museum, Las Vegas):

$10 student (before Sept 15, 2010)


$25 non-student pre-registration (before Sept 15, 2010)
$35 non-student on-site
$100 all day for exhibitors (book and craft sales), 6 ft. table ($75 for 3 ft. table)

For general information contact Rachel Liebert, rachel.liebert@gmail.com

For REGISTRATION, contact Tash Wong, meilun@gmail.com. Give your name and indicate if you are a student (specify the school). Please write “Las Vegas Conference” in the subject line.

To reserve an exhibit table, contact Larry Ashley, larry.ashley@unlv.edu

We have reserved a block of discounted rooms at the Tuscany Suites in Las Vegas.To make a reservation, you must call 877-887- 22261 and say you are with the New View group.

Continued here:
A Different Kind of Vulva Story: Las Vegas New View Conference

Although statistics support the correlation of erectile dysfunction with age it may be attributable to the willingness of older men to seek medical treatment for other symptoms relating to erectile dysfunction. Hence, the incidence erectile dysfunction seems to increase with age.

However, research shows that erectile dysfunction usually has a physical cause, such as a disease or illness (e.g., diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurological diseases); an injury (such as damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues); or as a side effect of drugs (i.e., blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and anti ulcer drugs).

Actually, any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis could be a potential cause of erectile dysfunction.

Smoking, being obese or overweight, and living a sedentary lifestyle have also been identified as possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure also account for about 10 to 20 percent of erectile dysfunction cases.

Unfortunately, not a lot of men will admit to be suffering from erectile dysfunction or to even at least feeling the symptoms, because admitting to being impotent is deemed very damaging to their “machismo”.

What would probably be a good indication that quite a lot of men, young and old, are experiencing problems related with erectile dysfunction is the “warm reception” and high demand accorded to Viagra when it was launched by Pfizer in 1998.

Viagra became an overnight sensation, so to speak, because of the glimmer of hope it offered to men suffering from erectile dysfunction “in silence”. Despite the prohibitive price, men were willing to try it out for the sake of reviving their sex lives and being able to perform to the satisfaction of their partners – and who can blame them? Next to psychological incapacity and money issues, sexual incapacity is probably the next major reason for couples to experience relationship friction.

Some even resort to buying Viagra illegally because it is a prescription drug. Unknown to these “underground” buyers, Viagra has potentially lethal side effects. Unsupervised use of Viagra have been known to cause headaches, facial flushing, an upset stomach or possible eyesight-loss and heart palpitations, which could occur within minutes of ingesting the pill. Reports of death were also recorded when Viagra was used without the proper medical check-up and corresponding prescription by men with heart problems.

Aside from the side effects, the prohibitive cost of Viagra is another reason for men to look for alternatives to this “sexual performance-enhancing” drug.

herbal viagra is one such alternative that has been proven to be as effective as Viagra without the side effects and prohibitive costs. What makes herbal viagra a more desirable alternative to Viagra is the fact that it does not require a prescription or any prior medical consultation – because the ingredients are all-natural.

What’s more, you can order herbal viagra online through www.have.co.uk and have it delivered in a discreet packaging right at your doorstep. No one has to know that the secret to your renewed sexual prowess comes in a little blue pill – and no one will know except if you tell them. The thing is you don’t have to.

So, go ahead, surprise your loved one and be assured of a stronger and deeper love connection in your relationship – courtesy of herbal viagra.

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One of the effects of being exposed to thousands of people’s sex lives is that you lose the ability to pretend that sexual pleasure is a simple proposition. There’s no telling what will turn someone on, and great, or even good sex, is near impossible to predict.

At the same time, I’m convinced that what I have learned are the half a dozen things you can do to make sex less fun, less pleasurable. Even these won’t work be true for all, but for most, bad sex is, I believe, easier to foresee.

But experience can be a good teacher, and over the years About.com readers have shared their tales of bad sex. Read on, and give something back, tell us how you define bad sex.

Reader’s Respond - What’s Bad Sex?

Related – 10 Ways to Screw Up Your Sex Life

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Link:
What’s Bad Sex?

“So, ladies, you say you want a raise? How should you go about getting it?

First, you have to figure out how to compete with the guy in the next cubicle. After all, he went to a school almost as good as yours. His grades were nearly as good as yours, too. He works hard. In fact, most mornings, he’s the second person in the office. You know this, because you’re always first. He is young, ruggedly good looking, and he washes his balls with a manly but fresh sandalwood soap.”

The post, which is a kind of funny-because-it’s-sad-because-it’s-true, goes on to present a full page ad found in Women’s Day magazine for a company best known for those “when you don’t feel so fresh” douche commercials from the 70s. The ad is about finding your confidence, and eight things to do to get a raise at work. Number one is to douche. Actually, since this is a site about sexuality and the body I should point out that they don’t seem to be selling a douche product here, it’s an external body wash, and as such the headline should really read “Want a raise? Wash your vulva.” But that’s hardly the point. It’s an offensive, ridiculous ad, and Daily Kos conveniently includes the phone numbers for Women’s Day and Summer’s Eve, so you can let them know what you think of their career advice.

Read more – Daily Kos: Want a raise? Wash your vagina.

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Continue reading here:
Want a raise? Wash your vagina.

Measuring one foot in length, the aorta has four divisions. In its first 2 inches, the aorta ascends from the left ventricle, branching out along the way into coronary arteries. After this comes the aortic arch, whose branches send blood to the brain, arms and neck. The aorta then curves down towards the chest, where it branches out to deliver blood to the ribs and nearby body parts. Finally the aorta ends up in the abdomen and diverges into two iliac arteries, which supplies blood to the vital organs.

Every heartbeat entails the heart to pump blood into the aorta. Three leaflets, collectively called the aortic valve, regulate the flow of blood into the aorta.

As is the case in every artery, the wall of the aorta is composed of three layers. The innermost layer, called the intima, has an even surface, allowing blood to race across it. Directly above the intima is a muscular layer called the media, which lets the aorta contract and expand with every heartbeat. The adventitia, the third layer, fortifies the aorta.

Aorta diseases and conditions

Sometimes, the wall of the aorta can deteriorate. This condition leads to an aneurysm, wherein a part of the aorta inflates like a balloon. When it bursts, an aneurysm becomes life-threatening.

Likewise, the three layers comprising the aorta wall can detach from each other, often due to high blood pressure. This condition, called an aortic dissection, is also fatal.

If not fatal, an aorta condition may lead to a stroke. This happens especially with an aortic atherosclerosis, when plaque due to high cholesterol levels accumulates in the aorta.

All but a compromised aortic valve can have disastrous consequences. An incompletely closed aortic valve brings about aortic regurgitation or insufficiency, wherein blood flows back into the left ventricle. Common causes include Marfan’s syndrome and endocarditis. Autoimmune diseases may also cause regurgitation, as well as aortitis (inflammation of the aorta).

Rather than close incompletely, the aortic valve may hamper blood flow. This condition causes aortic stenosis. It typically results from rheumatic fever and exhibits symptoms like chest pains and trouble breathing.

Some people are born with an aortic coarctation. This is a defect where the aorta narrows down in the area where it branches out to supply blood to the legs and arms. There are even rarer cases when individuals are born with a bicuspid aortic valve, or a valve with two instead of three leaflets. This defect may worsen into stenosis or aortic regurgitation.

Treating aorta conditions

Heart surgeons play an immense part in treating aorta-related conditions. Many aortic conditions, e.g. aortic aneurysm, coarctation and dissection, require surgery.

In the case of an aortic aneurysm on the verge of rupturing, the surgeon may do an abdominal incision and replace the damaged part with an artificial mesh. This procedure is called an endograft.

If the aortic valve is significantly compromised, the surgeon may replace it with an artificial one or that of a swine.

Tests for aorta conditions

Tests typically involve the injection of a contrast material into the blood to make the aorta visible on X-ray images. This test is known as an angiogram or aortogram.

Another aorta test, called transthoracic echocardiogram, involves placing an ultrasound probe on the chest. However, the breastbone or sternum tends to block the view of the aorta as to make effective diagnoses from this test.

More doctors, then, try to use transesophageal echocardiograms if possible. This involves advancing an ultrasound probe towards the esophagus, via the mouth. It is a good test, insofar as it offers unobstructed views of a part of the aorta. For parts of the aorta near the abdomen, no more than a basic ultrasound is needed.

MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT scans (computed tomography) also go a long way in diagnosing conditions of the aorta. Such tests, let alone regular checkups, make for healthy lifestyle prevention measures against these afflictions.

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Only the size of a fist, the heart is virtually a pump for blood. To that end, the heart – which is located just left of the breastbone – has two sides, each with a pair of chambers.

Oxygenated blood from the lungs enters the heart through its left side, in the chamber called the left atrium. It then passes through the heart’s strongest chamber, the left ventricle, which controls the body’s blood pressure. With its forceful pumps, the left ventricle pumps blood to the entire body, via arteries.

From the body, blood travels through veins towards the right side of the heart. The right atrium accommodates the blood, before pumping it to the right ventricle. Afterwards, the right ventricle pumps the blood towards the lungs, where it is infused with oxygen.

Every heartbeat happens this way; first, blood fills the heart, and then the organ contracts to squeeze it out. The heart, which is an involuntary muscle, beats 24 hours a day.

Heart diseases and conditions

When the heart ceases to function completely, you die. An abrupt loss of heart function, called cardiac arrest, may be caused by a wide gamut of conditions. Not the least among them is cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular or heart disease takes many forms. One of its most dangerous incarnations is coronary artery disease, which puts you at risk for a myocardial infarction or heart attack.

This disease starts when plaques, formed by cholesterol, accumulate in the arteries, constricting them. Eventually, the constriction leads to blood clotting, before turning into a full-blown blockage, which causes a heart attack. Moreover, if the blood clotting spreads to the lungs, pulmonary embolism would certainly follow.

Constricted coronary arteries can lead to angina pectoris, a condition characterized by chest pains when doing physical activity. An angina pectoris that occurs even when you’re not exerting is termed “unstable” and may lead to a heart attack, if not cardiac arrest.

Vulnerable as it is vital, the heart is also open wide to inflammation. When its muscle is inflamed, often due to viruses, the heart is said to suffer from myocarditis. When the pericardium or its lining is inflamed, the heart is said to have pericarditis. Pericarditis may progress into pericardial effusion, when fluid builds up in the inflamed pericardium.

Sometimes, the muscle of the heart may abnormally expand, grow thicker, or become stiff. This condition, known as cardiomyopathy, impairs the organ’s blood-pumping function. You suffer from a congestive heart failure from this.

Heart valve disease, meanwhile, occurs when the valves between the chambers becomes impaired. One of these, the mitral valve, tends to go backwards due to the force of blood. The valves, in general, are prone to inflammation or endocarditis, which may also cause congestive heart failure.

There are many cases when the heart deviates from its normal rhythm because its electrical activity is altered. This condition, known as dysrhythmia or arrhythmia, can be life-threatening. One of the most common arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation.

Heard through a doctor’s stethoscope, the heart often emits a “murmur” suggestive of heart disease.

Treating heart conditions

Exercise, if there is any healthy lifestyle tip you must follow to keep a healthy heart. Plan your exercise with your doctor though, if you have cardiovascular concerns.

If things get awry, i.e. the patient undergoes cardiac arrest, the doctor uses an automated external defibrillator (AED). An AED sends electric shocks to the heart, in hopes of reviving the patient.

A similar device may be implanted surgically in arrhythmia-prone patients. This device, called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), can also dispatch electrical shocks to the heart.

In the same way, the surgeon may implant a pacemaker in the patient. This device makes the heart beat properly by giving it an electric current time and again.

A number of procedures ca be done while doing cardiac catheterization, a test which checks for blockages in the coronary arteries. For instance, the doctor can perform angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) to prevent heart attacks. In this procedure, the doctor blows up a balloon within a narrowed coronary artery to return it to its normal width. If necessary, the doctor may also leave a metal stent to further widen the artery.

If stenting is impossible, the doctor may take to drugs instead. In the procedure called thrombolysis, the doctor may intravenously inject the patient with drugs designed to dissolve blood clots. This method can also abort heart attacks.

Notwithstanding its triteness, aspirin is actually a potent drug against blood clotting. Clopidogrel, on the other hand, is recommended for patients implanted with stents.

Statins are medicines that lessen your risk for heart attacks by reducing cholesterol and lipids in the blood. If you have already experienced a heart attack, you may take angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to normalize your blood pressure.

Out in the market are a plethora of medicines made to stabilize heart rhythm, helping manage dysrhythmias. Among them are beta-blockers, which are designed to reduce the heart rate.

Commonly used to compel urination, diuretics are also used to alleviate heart failure.

Related natural remedies:

• HighRite – Helps maintain blood pressure already within normal range, plus promotes complete cardiovascular health
• AquaRite – Helps maintain healthy water balance in the body, hypertension and blood pressure control
• CholestoRite – Help control LDL (bad cholesterol), maintain healthy HDL levels and reduce risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke
• CircuLive – Supports healthy circulation naturally

Tests for heart conditions

An ECG or electrocardiogram checks the electrical impulses of the heart, making it a very effective test for heart ailments. Even better, an echocardiogram or heart ultrasound provides detailed images of the organ, giving insights about its current pumping capacity among others.

In diagnosing coronary artery diseases, the doctor may request a cardiac stress test. With this test, you are usually made to run on a treadmill, with the purpose of forcing your heart to pump to its full capacity.

If arrhythmia is suspected instead, the doctor may make the patient wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours straight. During this period, the monitor gauges the rhythm of the heart. If the patient is suspected of infrequent arrhythmia, the doctor may recommend the more portable event monitor.

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I was born in the US but my parents are Swedish and we had a family bed for many years, and no discomfort with nudity. I feel like my comfort with sex came from the way I was raised, never to feel ashamed or embarrassed about my body.

I’m now a mother myself (of a 6-year-old boy) and my partner was raised in a very different kind of house, where no one was ever naked in front of each other and doors were closed all the time. She’s never been as comfortable as I am with nudity and feels like now that our son is getting older, it isn’t appropriate for us to be naked in front of him anymore. I think this is ridiculous, but am wondering if there is an age when you’re supposed to stop being naked in front of your kids?

This is a great question, and I’m surprised how often it comes up when I’m talking with new parents about sexuality. Parental nudity can be a controversial subject to raise. There will always be people who incorrectly confuse nudity with sexuality and think that you are talking about sexual activity in a family. Obviously this is not what you’re asking about, and it isn’t what I’m addressing.

Maybe one of the reasons it remains controversial is that there is a huge divide between the theory and the research on this subject. You don’t have to go far to find “parenting experts” and theorists who believe that it is wrong to be naked in front of your kids, and that family nudity can lead to all sorts of problems. And, as you’ve described, people often feel strongly about this based on their own experiences.

On the other hand, research doesn’t support the idea that nudity leads to problems. While there hasn’t been very much research on this topic, and most of it relies on adults remembering their childhood experiences, overall the research doesn’t point to any grand negative impact of parental nudity in the home.

So how does a parent decide what to do, and when to change a family practice like being naked in the home?

There is no one way to deal with the situation, and I’d argue that what’s most important is that you (and in this case your partner) think about your own values and beliefs, how you want to raise your children in terms of these values and beliefs linked to nudity, and then do it in a way that’s consistent and understandable to your kids. Here are some things I’d be thinking about if I were trying to work through this question:

Be genuine.

Don’t force yourself to be more open or closed than you actually feel. If you’re raising children with a partner you’ll need to negotiate this, but you don’t have to feel or act in exactly the same way. Having different adult opinions isn’t a problem per se. But if you betray your own feelings and force a behavior on yourself your children will subtly pick up on this, and the last thing you want to be teaching your kids is to mistrust their own judgment and boundaries.

Be consistent.

Don’t feel pressured into acting a certain way because you think it’s the “right” thing to do. Research indicates there aren’t any right and wrong answers here. If you’re comfortable with nudity that’s great. If you’re not, then establish where and when you want privacy. What’s important is that you are consistent in the way you model behavior for your kids.

Be able to explain your feelings and actions without judgment.

Regardless of what you do, if your children ask you about it, you should be able to respond without being judgmental. For example, if they ask why you always keep your door closed, or why they’re not allowed to come into the bathroom when you’re getting ready, you should be able to explain why without making them feel badly about their body and without being negative about your body. Saying “because it’s not right” is sending a vague and judgmental message about your body and by extension, about all bodies. Saying “I close the door because it’s private time for me” is a very different way of explaining a boundary without resorting to judgment. If your child asks why you walk around your bedroom naked when he knows that doesn’t happen in his friends’ homes, you should be able to explain your beliefs without putting down how nudity is dealt with in other homes.

Use difference as a positive, not a negative.

If you’re raising your children with a partner and your partner doesn’t feel the way you do about nudity, don’t force a single solution. It’s okay for each of you to behave in a way that feels right as long as you can each explain your feelings. This approach offers your children the opportunity to see that nudity can be handled in many ways, and not one way is correct.

Pay attention and check in with your pre-teen and teenage children.

If your comfortable with nudity in the home, but aren’t sure if there is an age when it should stop, it is likely that your children will let you know when they want something to change. But they might not be comfortable saying something direct, so pay attention to your children and how they are reacting to your nudity. If they start spending more time in their room with their door closed, encourage them to know that’s okay, but also talk to them about what’s going on. Don’t force them to talk, but make sure they know you’re available and open to discussion. You may also want to offer that you can keep your door closed if that would make them more comfortable (or you may not want to offer this option, depending on your beliefs).

Take advantage of these opportunities to talk about bodies and sex.

Even though nudity isn’t the same thing as sex, in our culture the two are strongly equated. Talking about being naked opens up the opportunity to see if your children have any questions about sex. You never want to push your kids to talk to you about sex, but this may be one more chance to let them know that if they have questions, you’re open to answering them.

See all Sexuality Q & A’s

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Excerpt from:
Sex Question of the Week: Is Nudity Bad for Our Kids?

I first came across the term “uncircumcising” when I saw the cover of the book The Joy of Uncircumcising!. It was 1999 and I was a researcher for a show called Sex TV. The pressure to come up with story ideas for 26 episodes a year (two or three stories per episode) necessitated an exponential expansion of my sex radar, and while I was familiar with the world of body modification constructed as “modern primitives” I had no idea men were a) so upset about losing their foreskins, and b) trying to get them back without the use of surgery. I was ignorant but hopefully respectful, and I got schooled quickly by anti-circumcision activists more than willing to share their stories and their outrage at what they experience as mutilation on par with female circumcision, but without any mass public outcry. Before I knew it we were in the apartment of a man who was in the process of uncircumcising.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, basically uncircumcising refers to the attempt to alter a circumcised penis so that it appears, and/or feels, as if the foreskin which was surgically removed, has been restored. It’s a practice that needs to be understood in context. If you’re curious you can find a complete definition, and definitions to many greater and lesser known sex terms, in our glossary.

Sex Definitions: Uncircumcision

More:

• All Sex Definitions from About.com
• Read more about sexuality and circumcision.
• Readers Respond: Does Circumcision Affect Your Sex Life?

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  Read more from the original source:
  Sex Definition: Uncircumcising

  ]]> http://www.healthforsex.com/sex-definition-uncircumcising/feed/ 0 http://www.healthforsex.com/human-anatomy-%e2%80%93-vagina-2/ http://www.healthforsex.com/human-anatomy-%e2%80%93-vagina-2/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 01:10:54 +0000 admin http://www.healthforsex.com/human-anatomy-%e2%80%93-vagina-2/ A vagina is the female sex organ. As the organ of sexual response, it accommodates the penis during copulation. The infant goes through it during childbirth. Furthermore, the organ serves as the passageway for menstrual fluids from the uterus.

  A vagina links to the uterus, a pear-shaped hollow organ situated between the rectum and the bladder. The cervix, which serves as the channel between the vagina and uterus, projects into the vagina.

  External structures, known as the vulva and labia, front the vagina. A superficial layer of tissue, called the hymen, partly constricts the vaginal opening. But it can be torn apart by sexual activities and exercising.

  

  Vagina diseases and conditions

  As is the case with males, the vagina is susceptible to many sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs or STDs).  One of the most widely recorded is gonorrhea, an STI caused by bacterial infestation in the cervix, and chlamydia, brought about by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Five out of 10 women show symptoms of these infections, which often include vaginal discharges.

  Trichomoniasis is another notorious – but easily treatable – sexually transmitted vaginal infection. Still another common STI is the incurable herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and leads to ulcerous growths on the vagina.

  Another notable virus is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which targets the vulva and the vagina. It manifests itself with vaginal warts.

  Meanwhile, bacterial vaginosis happens when the acidity of the vagina strays beyond normal levels, destabilizing the growth of healthy flora or “good bacteria” in the vagina. As a result, the vagina emits a certain stink and releases discharges. Causes of vaginosis include douching and sexual intercourse.

  If a vagina comes under a yeast infection, it can get inflamed, a condition known as vaginitis. Inflammation of the vagina results in discharges, itching and reeking.

  Childbirth and several other factors can weaken the pelvic muscles, causing the uterus to press on the vagina. This condition is called a vaginal prolapse. In its worst cases, prolapse causes the vagina to jut out the body.

  As a point of comparison, vaginal prolapse is more common than cancer of the vagina. Telltale symptoms of this cancer are bleeding and discharges from the vagina. Surgery may be necessary.

  During sexual intercourse, the vaginal muscles may involuntarily undergo spasms. This condition, termed vaginismus, is said to be caused by emotional apprehensions about sex and other factors.

  Treating vagina conditions

  Surgery may be required to treat a vaginal prolapse. Otherwise, the doctor may place a vaginal pessary inside the vagina to realign prolapsing organs.

  With a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent vaginal prolapse by doing Kegel exercises. Whenever you urinate, stop your flow every ten seconds or so. Doing so exercises the pelvic muscles, thereby preventing vaginal prolapse.

  As for STIs, antibiotics are prescribed by doctors against infections of bacterial nature, while antiviral drugs are used against herpes and other sexually transmitted viruses. Yeast infections can be treated by antifungal or antimicrobial medications.

  There is a wide array of available treatments for removing vaginal warts. They include laser, freezing, electricity and chemicals.

  Estrogen supplements may be necessary for menopausal women. In general, the vagina and all other female organs reciprocate well to estrogen.

  As an alternative approach, here are some recommended natural remedies:

  • MellowPause – helps maintain balanced moods and healthy sleep patterns during menopause
  • Dong Quai – promotes hormonal balance and helps keep estrogen and progesterone levels within the normal range
  • Mens-Reduce – natural treatment of menorrhagia and heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Fertile XX – promotes effective female reproductive system support for fertility
  • Vagi-Soothe – homeopathic remedy relieves vaginal itching, burning and discomfort
  • FemaLube – supports healthy lubrication, maintain vaginal tone and elasticity
  • Candidate – supports normal levels of systemic Candida and balanced probiotic flora in the body to reduce and prevent Candidiasis, Candida and Yeast Infections
  • Thanda Passion Booster – promotes a healthy libido and sexual pleasure

  Tests for vagina conditions

  A Papanicolaou smear, or simply a Pap, should be done as a healthy lifestyle habit. This test looks for symptoms of vaginal cancer, but it is also used to determine cervical cancer. If the Pap smear yields suspicious results, the doctor may order a biopsy.

  A pelvic exam can also identify many vaginal conditions. During a pelvic exam, the doctor uses a tool known as a speculum to scrutinize the vagina, vulva and cervix. While at it, the doctor may test the strength of the pelvic muscles and take a swab of the vagina and cervix for a lab culture.

  In colposcopy, a doctor uses a microscope in the pelvic exam to spot cancer and other vaginal concerns.

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