Vagine Cuisine

I often get tons of questions at my parties about what flavors do we have that men would like.  There are jokes about BBQ or beer flavored powders or lubricants.  I have seen bacon flavored lube somewhere, but I couldn't tell if it was for reals.  

So when I came across this  video, I just had to share.  Turn your most intimate area into mouthwatering flavors! What more could a girl ask for!

*for those of you on the struggle bus today, this is not a real product. So please don't ask the cashier at CVS in which aisle it would be.  

Hail to the V

The vagina that is.

I came across and article from July discussing a Summer's Eve commercial, a really funny one.  I had no idea that Summer's Eve could come up with such entertaining stuff to advertise douching.  I feel like these  be Saturday Live skits and I was waiting for Wil Ferrel to jump out.  Side note: I don't recommend douching, the vagina is naturally self cleaning and some experts say douching kills good bacteria and can cause vaginal dryness.  And if you think your body odor is that bad, drink more water or go to the doctor because something else is going on.

And if that video weren't enough, there is a cat puppet creating new terminology, "That's Vaginal," all while selling you Summer's Eve.

The Sexual Response Cycle

 The sexual response cycle describes what changes the body undergoes as it becomes aroused. It is an individualized process; everyone experiences the cycle differently, although almost all people go through a similar process. It is important to note that the cycle takes place during any sexual activity where a person becomes aroused—masturbation, intercourse, manual stimulation by a partner, oral sex, fantasy, and more.

Over the years, researchers have explored the sexual response cycles of men and women. There are two popular sexual response cycles: Masters and Johnson’s Four Phase Model and Kaplan’s Three Phase Model.

I will say that while most people go through some cycle of the below phases, I don't think one is right and the other wrong.  I also don't think that you can say everyone goes through these phases and if you don't then you have a dysfunction; which is what both of these models say.  I have issues with the term sexual dysfuntion, but that's a whole different blog post. 

Basically, this is kinda what your body is going through when you get aroused and I think it's important for people to understand both of these models. 

Masters and Johnson’s Four Phase Model
Masters and Johnson are perhaps the famous for their sexual response cycle, s tarting their research in 1958. They were under fire several times for "exaggerating the benefits of their intensive treatment program and with failing to disclose the criteria they used to determine whether the therapy had a lasting effect. (NYTimes." The Masters and Johnson Institute opened in 1978 and was located in St. Louis.  Opened to study human sexuality, focusing on anatomy and physiology of the humans sexual response cycle, the institute closed in 1994. The duo is famous for inserting small cameras into the vagina of prostitutes and filming what happens to the vagina when a woman has an orgasm.    

Excitement
The first of the phases, excitement can last anywhere from less than a minute to several hours. There is also an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Typically, the sexual organs, including the clitoris, labia, and breasts, become engorged with blood (vasocongestion) and often become a deeper color. Lubrication is usually produced in the vagina during the excitement phase.

Plateau
The plateau phase is generally short in length (a few seconds to a few minutes) and the sexual tension that started in the excitement phase continues to grow. Extending the plateau phase sometimes can lead to more intense orgasms. Everything that occurred during the excitement phase continues to occur, but with more intensity—breathing becomes heavier, the sexual organs become a dark color, heart rate and blood pressure continue to rise, and muscle tension increases.

Orgasm
The orgasm phase is the shortest phase of the sexual response cycle, generally only lasting several seconds. Women do not always enter into the orgasm phase; sometimes they stay in the plateau phase. Most women experience rhythmic muscle contractions during the orgasm phase, which can occur in the genitals, as well as all over the body.

Resolution
The resolution phase is the final stage to the sexual response cycle. During the resolution phase, all sexual organs return to their non-aroused shape, size, and color. This change begins immediately after orgasm as long as there is no additional stimulation. The amount of time it takes for a person’s sexual organs to return to their non-aroused state varies between individuals.

Kaplan’s Three Phase Model
 Helen Singer Kaplan modified the Masters and Johnson sexual response cycle based on her work treating sexual dysfunction problems in men and women. Dr. Kaplan added a prior stage of sexual desire and eliminated the resolution and plateau phases.  (see Kaplan, Dr. Helen Singer). 

Desire
A unique stage to this model is the desire phase; most other sexual response cycles do not include this phase. In the desire phase, it is assumed that people want to engage in sexual activity; that they desire the activity and/or another person. Not all sexual activity is desired, though. For example, a couple trying to conceive a child may have sex even if they do not desire the activity.

Excitement
The first of the phases, excitement can last anywhere from less than a minute to several hours. Myotonia, which is categorized by increased muscle tension and flexing and contractions of the muscles, occurs during the excitement phase. There is also an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Typically, the sexual organs become engorged with blood (vasocongestion), including the clitoris, labia, and breasts, and often become a deeper color. Lubrication is usually produced in the vagina during the excitement phase.

Orgasm
The orgasm phase is the shortest phase of the sexual response cycle, generally only lasting a few seconds. Most women experience rhythmic muscle contractions during the orgasm phase. It is not unusual for people to pass back and forth between phases or for people to miss a phase. Not everyone follows the sexual response cycle exactly as is shown here. It is also common for  people to experience the cycle differently each time they engage in sexual activity. The sexual response cycle simply serves as a model to help to understand the variety of sexual responses that people may experience.

Changes to your body after pregnacy

Since I don't want this blog to be entirely about my crafting and sewing, I will be posting about sexual health and daily randomness that happens at my parties.  I have a lot of customers who have children or are pregnant and I get the same questions from them. 

• My libido dropped after I had the baby, how do I  get it back? 
• Sex is really painful now because I'm not lubricated enough, what can I do about that? 

After the birth of a child, a woman’s body experiences a number of different changes. Some of the changes are due to the pregnancy, and some of the changes are due to the birthing process. Many of the changes will disappear over time.

Hormonal Changes
A decrease in estrogen following childbirth and during breastfeeding can cause various changes to a woman’s body. Her vaginal lining may thin or become irritated during sexual activity. Both of these changes can make penetration during sex painful.

Hormones released during sexual activity can actually help the uterus return to its normal size and position following childbirth. This may be encouraging for women who are eager to begin sexual activity.

Vaginal Dryness
After pregnancy you could experience vaginal dryness as a result of the decreased levels of estrogen in your body. Women who are breastfeeding also experience vaginal dryness. For some women, vaginal dryness can last up to six months.

Use a water-based vaginal lubricant during sexual activity for your added pleasure, comfort, and safety. Try Just Like Me, Sweet Seduction or Pure Silk. All three products are gentle and non-irritating.

Less Intense Orgasms
Because the vaginal muscles stretched during childbirth and pregnancy, you may experience less intense orgasms for the first few months. To help this, perform Kegel exercises regularly to help restore the elasticity to your vaginal muscles and tissues.

To aid in the performance of Kegel exercises, try Pure Romance’s Ben Wa Balls, which are inserted vaginally. Ben Wa Balls help locate the correct muscles used during Kegel exercises.

Loss of Desire
Fatigue, stress, or worry about becoming pregnant again can cause a woman to temporarily lose her desire for sexual activity. This is completely normal. Most women regain their sexual desire after a few months. If you find that you are still experiencing desire issues after a long period of time, talk to your health care provider, who can develop a plan to help overcome these issues.

A heightener, or arousal cream, can help increase a woman’s sexual arousal. Pure Romance’s topical arousal creams (Ex-T-Cee, Nympho Niagra, and X-Scream) are applied to the clitoris and draw blood to the genitals, helping to increase libido and sexual desire.

Changes to Vaginal Tissues
Because of the trauma of childbirth, a woman’s vaginal tissue may have become strained, bruised, or torn, making sexual activity uncomfortable. A woman may find that clitoral stimulation is preferred over vaginal stimulation for sometime following childbirth. It is important to note that because of possible tearing of the vaginal tissues, oral sex is not recommended on a woman following childbirth. This could lead to infection of the tissues or a more serious consequences.

Over time, the vaginal tissues will heal on their own. To help with the healing process, it is important to maintain vaginal health before and after pregnancy and delivery. A healthy diet, exercises (including Kegel exercises), using a vaginal moisturizer (such as Fresh Start) and/or water-based vaginal lubricant (such as Just Like Me or Sweet Seduction), and engaging in plenty of foreplay can help restore the vaginal tissue and muscles to their pre-pregnancy condition.

Breast Changes
Many women experience a growth in breast size following pregnancy. This can be very exciting and pleasurable for a woman and her partner. If a woman is breastfeeding, though, she may find that her breasts are too sensitive or over stimulated and may want to avoid any touching or breast stimulation. This should pass with time, though, and as breastfeeding is decreased. Some women find that as they become sexually aroused or that during orgasm their breasts may expel milk, which is normal. Some women and their partners find pleasure in this experience, while others are uncomfortable with it. If it is bothersome, women can wear breast pads during sexual activity to avoid this potentially embarrassing situation.

*It is important to note that women must wait for their doctor’s approval before resuming sexual intercourse. This will allow their body enough time to heal following their pregnancy. For most women, they must wait at least six weeks following childbirth before having intercourse again