The official Tumblr for the Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health!
The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health provides an open, safe environment for adults to ask questions, address concerns, and learn about human sexuality in a sex-positive, unbiased, and medically accurate manner. We are located in Pawtucket, RI.
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Feel free to ask us a question anonymously. We post Q&As twice a week, but if your question is short & simple, you may receive a faster reply. If you'd like to be emailed back directly once the question is answered, please leave a contact email (we will not publish your information on the Q&A). If your question is specific to a staff-person, the field of sexuality, or something that isn't Q&A-material, please visit our contact page.
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“The takeaway message here is that while sex can be and is enjoyable for many people, it’s not necessary in an absolute sense. While most people will engage in sex at some point in their lives, the fact that sexual experiences are common practice does not – and will never – mean that sex is ever required, or that any person should feel ashamed for making the choice not to engage in it.”
It’s National Masturbation Month! To celebrate, we’ll be highlighting past Q&As on the topic every Wednesday in May. Today’s featured question is:
As a single girl, how can I have a fulfilling solo sex experience beyond plain old vanilla masturbation?
[*Not all girls have vulvas and not all vulva-owners are girls. This answer was written using the language of the original question.]
How to Talk to Your Kids About Masturbation
It’s National Masturbation Month! To celebrate, we’ll be highlighting resources on the topic every Sunday in May. Today we’re featuring Use Your Words, a Sex Positive series for parents who want to talk with their kids about sexuality in a fun, honest, healthy and comfortable way. In this episode, Melissa provides some conversation starters for talking with teens about masturbation and shares some masturbation facts.
Each week, The CSPH takes a look at a sexual aid that can be so helpful for some people that it needs to be highlighted. This week we take a look at the Better than Chocolate from OhMiBod — a vibrator that will pulsate to the music that you are playing through your iPod.
[More sex toy reviews here!]
It’s National Masturbation Month! To celebrate, we’ll be highlighting past Q&As on the topic every Wednesday in May. Today’s featured question is:
I’ll be heading off to university in the fall, and I’ll have five other suitemates. All of us are cis females, and I’m just wondering, how do I bring up the topic of masturbation? I don’t want to offend anybody by just bringing it up. I want to be able to do it comfortably without having to worry.
[Click here to ask us a question and see our archive]
Each week, The CSPH answers questions asked on our site and through social media outlets like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. This week’s question is:
My boyfriend has no precum, and when he ejaculates, he doesn’t squirt like some other guys I’ve dated. He sort of oozes out a small amount (probably 1 tsp or so). Is something wrong with him? We’re getting married and I’d like to know if it’s medical.
[Click here to ask us a question and see our archive]
“With that in mind, my first suggestion for you is that you understand that the orgasm experience varies greatly from person to person, sexual event to event, and orgasm to orgasm. No two orgasms are exactly the same! They can range in intensity from feeling like a slight tickle to being earth-shattering, sometimes even within the same “session.” Indeed, it’s not unlikely for even the most orgasm-experienced individuals to have “lackluster” orgasms from time to time. Such is the nature of climaxing, as a person’s experiences can vary widely depending on mood, arousal level, physical well-being, stress, medications, the day and time, etc.”
Every Monday, The CSPH takes a look at a book or film focusing on an aspect of sexuality. This week we are featuring the book She Shifters, a compilation of lesbian paranormal erotica edited by Delilah Devlin.
“Super cute moment with TSA agent (once again in response to seeing the Stronic vibrator by Fun Factory). She clears it as approved to be brought on the plane and then whispers, “that looks like a really nice one”. I respond saying,” it hasn’t been used, would you like to feel the thrusting motor? It’s really great”. She gasps and looks around to see her colleagues giggling at her and jumps back. “Oh no, if my boss see’s that happen, I’ll be in a lot of trouble. BUT, it does look quite nice.” A great way to start the day.”
Each week, The CSPH answers questions asked on our site and through social media outlets like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. This week’s question is:
For some reason, I have a hard time trying to orgasm. I’ll masturbate to the extent where I feel some sort of burst since I get really wet afterwards. By the way other people describe them, it doesn’t seem like an orgasm, since I have the sensation for only 5 seconds.
“As the person who facilitated the “How Many Licks Does it Take?” workshop, I think my favorite quote came from a student who walked up to me and said, “I’m a virgin and that was awesome!” My goal as an educator is not to persuade people to engage, but rather to show that we can talk about sexuality in an open format so people can gather more information.”
If you think a sex toy is okay to use just because you bought it in a shop, think again. Not all sex toys are created equally! At The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, we only ever review toys that are body safe. A body safe toy is made from a nonporous material such as medical grade silicone, stainless steel, or borosilicate (glass). It also does not contain phthalates, which are potentially harmful chemicals with a distinctive, unpleasant odor. Unfortunately, sex toys are not regulated, but there are plenty of well-reputed shops and sex toy manufacturers who have made a name for themselves by only making or selling high-quality toys. If you are using a toy that is not body safe, consider using it with a condom.
Every Monday, The CSPH takes a look at a book or film focusing on an aspect of sexuality. This week we are featuring the book What You Really Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sex and Safety by Jaclyn Friedman.
In sex-negative American culture, shame, blame, and fear affect the sex lives of many women, wreaking havoc on one’s ability to enjoy sexuality in a happy, healthy way. While healing and exploring one’s sexuality is an important life journey, many who wish to begin that journey have no idea where to start. Jaclyn Friedman’s handy guide, What You Really Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sex and Safety comes to the rescue, packed with mythbusting, stories from real women, and compelling exercises to empower the reader.
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First and foremost, I encourage people to seek out mentors and communities of sex-positive professionals. There are lots of avenues for aspiring sex educators, and it’s good to get a broad range of perspectives before committing to a specific path.
I also encourage people to explore their own “stuff” related to sex and sexuality. No one is neutral to sex, and it’s useful to be clear on what motivates you to do this work. That emotional clarity can make you a stronger, more empathetic sex educator and can serve to reignite your passion if burnout starts to set in (something I hear from many seasoned sex educators).
”Kate McCombs’ advice to future sexuality professionals from our weekly Hump Day Hero segment, where we highlight a current Sexuality Professional you should keep your eye on.
Each week, The CSPH answers questions that have been submitted through our website and social media outlets like Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. This week’s question is:
What’s the best female condom?
[Click here to ask us a question & click here for more Q&As.]