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An important aspect of being a good partner is doing your part to keep you both healthy. Don't feel embarrassed to ask questions when you're unsure about issues related to your sexual health. It shows you are mature and thoughtful.
SEX DURING PERIOD
Q. Can I have sex while I have my period? I use tampons; what do I do about that?
A. As long as both of you are comfortable having sex during your period, then of course you can. Since you use tampons, remove the tampon before having sex or you can use pads around that time. Keep in mind that you can get pregnant even while you are having your period.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS MASTURBATING
Q. Are there any long-term effects of masturbating? Will I still be able to father children?
A. There are people who never masturbate, those who masturbate two or more times a day, those who do it a couple of times a year, and everything in between. Many people masturbate throughout their lifetime -- yes, even married people -- without any side effects, besides pleasure or relief from tension. If masturbating is not interfering with your life, the amount you are masturbating isn't hurting you. If you feel sore from masturbating too much, than that is too much for you. Yes, you can have children. Masturbating does not interfere with your ability to produce sperm.
AUTOEROTIC ASPHYXIATION
Q. What is autoerotic asphyxiation?
A. Autoerotic asphyxiation is the practice of intentionally depriving your brain of oxygen through self-applied suffocation methods while masturbating. Forensic scientist Lawrence Kobilinsky of John Jay College of Criminal Justice reports that approximately 1,000 deaths occur annually in the United States from this dangerous form of masturbation. Most commonly performed by young males, it almost always remains a secret until they die accidentally.
The interference in blood supply to the brain brought on by autoerotic asphyxiation can intensify sensations. Lack of oxygen in the brain can produce giddiness, exhilaration or a self-induced high. It's also believed that the self-endangerment inherent in the practice enhances the person's sexual gratification. Of course, the same self-endangerment that may provide a thrill to the person carrying out autoerotic asphyxiation also weakens his self-control and judgment, possibly resulting in accidental death.
MALE AND FEMALE ORGASM
Q. What is the difference between a male and female orgasm?
A. The most obvious difference is that male orgasms are usually accompanied by the ejaculation of semen. Ejaculation involves the secretion of semen into the urethra and rhythmic contractions of the pelvic muscles, which normally force the semen out of the penis. During female orgasm, the rhythmic contractions take place in the pelvic muscles, uterus and the walls of the vagina. In most women, there is no fluid ejection associated with orgasm. Another difference between male and female orgasm is that women experience little to no refractory period, which means they have the capacity to experience multiple orgasms successively with continued stimulation.
Men can have orgasms without ejaculating, an experience known as a dry orgasm. In younger men, this often occurs after climaxing multiple times in a relatively short period. The orgasm produces no semen because your supply has been temporarily depleted. In some cases, firm pressure on the penis or on the area behind the testicles can lead to a dry orgasm. Dry orgasm is not dangerous and usually doesn't mean you have a sexual problem. Older men may develop dry orgasms in which the pelvic muscles contract but the semen flows backward into the urinary bladder during orgasm. This is called retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation most often occurs in men who have been treated for prostate problems, have nerve damage or take certain medications. Retrograde ejaculation is not harmful but can be an impediment to conceiving a child with your partner.
