Summer Heat Can Turn Fun Days Into "pHunky" Days For Many a Vagina

Summer heat can turn fun days into "pHunky" days for many a vagina.

Aahhh..summertime!  Long, hot days filled with warm weather fun…what could be better?  But for some the heat and humidity are only contributing factors that pHunky smell down there. What causes this? An imbalance in pH factor. And what does an imbalanced pH have to do with it? And what exactly is pH?

For starters, the letters ‘pH’ are used to abbreviate, ‘potential hydrogen’ which, when elevated increases the acidity-level in the vagina.  And no one likes to be unbalanced, the vagina included. When acidity-level or pH is too high, the conditions for ‘bad bacteria’ to breed become perfect and when this happens, the ‘good bacteria’ become outnumbered by the ‘bad bacteria’, causing that smelly odor, vaginal discharge, and itch. Fun times!

Unfortunately for females, there are a number of everyday triggers that may cause a vagina’s ecosystem to become unbalanced and the summer heat is merely one of the many irritations that can ruin a fun summer by the pool.  Let’s examine a few more summer fun spoilers!

Menstruation: Yes, no one likes it when ‘Aunt Flo’ arrives, but at least unlike your mom’s sister, you usually know how long it will stick around.  Even still, menstruating can increase the pH balance which many women know can be the trigger for an impending bacterial infection, and when you’ve got hot summer plans this can be a real downer.

Changes in estrogen levels due to Peri or Post-menopause:  For those that are peri-menopausal, the fluctuations of estrogen further add to the pH woes, as decreased estrogen levels will cause an increase in pH. And well, the post-menopausal woman can expect even higher elevated pH levels.   And let’s face it…who wants to be intimate when you’re feeling ‘pHunky?’

Low estrogren can also be caused by pregnancy, breast-feeding or even medications, yes, that includes birth control pills.  And as we have already learned, low estrogen can often elevate the pH in the vaginal environment, again either bringing on the discomfort of discharge, odors, or even worse vaginal dryness, which we discussed before. Vaginal dryness can lead to painful intercourse.

Sexual intercourse: Oh, this is so unfair. After all, the entire purpose of having a sexy vagina is to have sex in the first place and that can upset the pH balance? Yes it can. That day after sex odor is caused by the semen which has left the vagina with a higher pH than before, allowing for the bacteria to multiply with as much abandon as you hopefully had a day earlier. Ugh.

So what to do? Do we just have to live with it? Some people will try to mask the problem by using sprays, wipes, or pads. But sorry to say, many of these have fragrances that can be harmful to delicate tissues.  Thankfully, there is an over-the-counter solution from your drugstore.  RepHresh Gel keeps the pH balanced—decreasing the chance of Bacterial Vaginosis, and eliminating that “fishy” odor by treating the root cause.  And if estrogen levels have dropped leaving you with vaginal dryness, use a personal lubricant such as Wet Platinum Premium Silicone Lubricant. Because it is pure silicone and does not contain any water, it has no pH and it doesn’t dry out and can be used for even the longest marathon sex sessions.

Remember to see your doctor if you have any recurring odor.

Other Summertime tips:


She wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, polka-dot bikini – along with an itchy, burning bikini-line rash!  Not only is razor rash unattractive, it’s also painful. Ease the heat buildup by wearing cotton panties and loose clothes. When shaving, use a new razor blade to get a close, clean shave and you can use Wet Platinum silicone-based lube instead of shaving cream for a super silky shave sans the bumps and burn.

Love that new pair of strappy sandals but hate the nasty blister it raises on your pinky toe?  Fill a plastic bottle with water and tuck it into the too-tight area with the cap pointing up, then pop your bottle filled shoe in the freezer overnight.  The water in the bottle will expand as it freezes, gently stretching the straps to provide a little extra wiggle room for those tender piggies.  Once you’ve stretched them.  Put a few drops of Wet Platinum on your toes to help keep friction at a minimum.

Just be sure you keep it inside your show as it may stain some fabrics.

 

10 Things Men Like About Breasts By David M. Matthews

As you are well-aware, men’s love affair with the female breast goes back centuries, perhaps to the beginning of time (before chomping on the apple, Adam may not have known the significance of Eve’s frontal accoutrements, but he knew what he liked).  Guys go out of their way to get a glimpse of them at every opportunity, and spend obscene amounts of hard-earned cash just to watch nubile hotties bare their bounteous assets in seedy, sweaty, prurient palaces, ironically referred to as, “gentlemen’s clubs.”  Such is our complete infatuation with your blessed bosom.

But why this udder devotion?  And what specifically draws us to your mellifluous mammaries?   Read on as I try to offer a little insight into mans’ magnificent obsession.

1) We like how your breasts look:  Contrary to what you may think, regardless
of size, we find your boobs fascinating.  Whether they’re large and luxurious or small and sporty, we’re hot for your hooters.  And while individual men may have a preference for a particular size or shape, overwhelmingly we’re enticed by your charms, be they pendulous or pert, pouty or protuberant.

2) We like how they feel:  It’s hard to say specifically why they feel so nice, but nonetheless they do.  Touch them and feel for yourself.  There’s nothing else quite like them.  That’s why, given the opportunity, we can’t resist putting our hands (or other body parts) on them (with your consent, of course) whenever they happen to be in the neighborhood. 

3) We like to watch them dance:  Almost as much as seeing and touching them, we like to watch them in motion.  The way they shake when you move, bobble when you walk, or bounce when you jump, commands our attention almost as much as a half-court shot at the buzzer (and you know how we love our basketball).  And women jumping on trampolines…well, that just reaffirms our belief in Heaven.

4) We like how they work as a team:  Some things are just meant to come in pairs:  Socks, shoes, fang marks from your favorite Twilight hunk.  And your “girls” are a member of this wonderfully co-dependent group.  While they are individually lovely, together they create one of nature’s most awesome vistas – cleavage. 

5) We like them as a pillow:  Life is tough.  And at the end of a day in the trenches of adulthood, nothing is as comforting a resting place for our weary heads, as the cushion of your bosom.  Cradled in the calming warmth of your natural upholstery, we can relax and regroup, ready to face the world anew, our spirit magically restored.

6) We like them as a handle:  Face it; there are some sexual positions where your breasts are perfectly placed to help us hold on as things heat up.  And though we often don’t absolutely need to hold onto them to prevent us from falling off the bed, or worse, losing our rhythm, why leave them out of our love-play?  After all, they’re a treasured part of your anatomy, and we don’t want them to feel lonely, neglected or ignored.  Men are extraordinarily considerate that way.

7) We like them as an information system:  Now, to your nipples.  How we love them.  Not only for their inherent beauty - perfectly accessorizing your fashionable frontage – but also for their incredible communication skills.  When you’re clothed and we see them, they tell us you’re bra-less (or at least wearing a very sheer, sexy bra).  When they stand erect they tell us either you’re experiencing a chill or are very happy to see us (or someone else), or both.  And one thing’s for sure: when they talk, we listen!

8) We like their mystery:  From the time we first become aware of them, breasts fascinate us – not only what we see – but what we don’t.  Untold numbers of hours are spent imagining what those beautifully mysterious mounds under your clothing actually look like.  And when we finally do get to behold them “in the flesh,” we are rarely disappointed.  And afterward, though the particular mystery of what your breasts look like has been solved, there are billions more as-yet-unseen breasts for us to ponder and speculate about.  Ahh, sweet mystery of life.

9) We like their curviness:  Ideally anyway, men are angular, hard and defined.  Our shape (when we’re “in shape,” that is) is not given to graceful curves or comforting cushiness.  Women, on the other hand, are naturally more curvaceous – something we greatly appreciate.  And the soft swell of your breasts perfectly enhance the rest of the feminine figure.  In other words, you’re curvy where we’re flat…and viva la difference!

10) We like how they just plain make us feel better:  I’m sure you’re aware of studies that have shown definitively that people who have pets live longer, healthier lives.  What you may not know is that recent findings indicate that looking at breasts for as little as fifteen minutes a day actually has a similar, healthy and longevity-enhancing impact on men.  Now, I’m certainly not comparing women’s breasts to our furry family friends – although we do like when either are nuzzled up against us or available for petting.  But it’s exciting to learn that it is now scientifically proven that just beholding  your up-top attributes on a daily basis can add years to our lives…in addition to adding a spring to our step.  You just gotta love science!

Well, if you had any doubts about how strongly guys feel about your breasts, I hope I’ve eliminated them.  We love ‘em, cherish ‘em, can’t get enough of ‘em.  And luckily for us, they’re attached to one of the few things in this world that we love, value and desire even more than them – you.

David M. Matthews is the author of “Every Man Sees You Naked: An Insider’s Guide to How Men Think,” and has been dispensing relationship advice (sometimes solicited) for the better part of the Millennium.  The writer of many popular relationship columns, David has also been known to give dating and love advice on popular radio talk shows, spanning the globe.  In addition, he privately coaches people on dating, sex and relationships.  When he’s not telling people how to live their lives, this Emmy-winning composer works extensively in Hollywood as a writer, producer, and director for features films and network television.

© 2011 David M. Matthews.  All rights reserved.

Watch This Guy Squirt Wet Lube On...

Wet Lube On Tacos?

Aaron Bowden was the winner of our crazy, what can you do with lube video contest.  If you haven't had a chance to watch all his crazy antics with Wet Lube, then you are missing out! I honestly laughed out loud when he began to "Whack and whack his balls", at min: 2:34 You have to see it for yourself. Enjoy and bon appetit!


Learn more about Wet Platinum at www.stayswetlonger.com_wetproducts_platinum.php

5 Tips for Putting Sexual Topics on the Table

Our culture has created a wealth of taboo subjects and masturbation is merely one of them.  Whether wanting to discuss living out a fantasy together, trying a new sex position, experimenting with anal sex, or asking about getting tested for STDs, how does one broach the topic without sounding like you are unhappy with the present state of your relationship or without fearing rejection of your ideas?

In our last article “The Only Consent I Need Is My Own…”, we mention open communication and we say this often--open, honest communication drives intimacy.  While it should be easy to discuss sex with your partner, it isn’t always so simple. Even couples who have been together a long time can find it difficult to bring up new topics since people’s needs change over time.

How do you bring up that saucy subject? Here are some tips to remember before you start the discussion:

1.Have a Goal: First be clear on your own goals for the topic and how you feel. Do some self-reflection to understand what it is you really want, need, or desire and know where you might want to end up before you begin.  Stay focused on the topic.  Don’t allow other issues to creep into the conversation.

2.Find the Right Place and Time: Try to wait until you are at home or somewhere private.  If necessary, make a date or appointment to talk about it. Talking about sex in a public place may make your partner feel uncomfortable. It is better to do it somewhere that you can make eye contact and give it your full attention.  In the car while driving is not a good time or place for this. Don’t start the conversation if it’s time for the kids to take a bath, or your partner just stepped into the house from a long day at work. Stress and exhaustion could lead you down a negative result when all you wanted was a clear, frank discussion about your wants and needs.

3.Use Neutral Language: Don’t use any confrontational language or finger pointing.  Be sure any topic you bring up is in the nature of exploration and state up front that you are trying to make your wants, needs, and desires heard and that you will feel better in your relationship if you are allowed the opportunity.

4.Explain What You Want (and/or Don’t Want).  Be specific.  If you aren’t exactly sure what you want, now would be a good time to go through a yes, no, maybe list.  What is that?  Your new best friend.  Check out one of our favorites from blogger SmartHotFun Becca.  Ask your partner to fill out the chart as well.  It is a quick way to determine what your playing field really is. Everyone is different in terms of what turns them on and what turns them off. The better you become at communicating these things to each other, the easier it is for them to help you fulfill them.  Remember to respect what is a turn off to them.

5.Above All – Listen.  Once the conversation is started, it is important that you listen with respect and wait before responding.  Often miscommunications arise when one thinks they understand and jump in to explain and that makes people get defensive.  Wait. Listen. Relax. And if you have chosen the right time, refrained from defensive or accusatory language, the discussion should go better.

Conversation starters:

What would you think if I wanted to _____?

How often do you think about sex?

How would you feel if you found me watching porn without you? Turned on? Upset?

Tell me about a sexual fantasy you haven’t told me about before.

What was has been our hottest sexual experience together?

What is the most erotic thing two people can do together?

I feel like our sex life could be more exciting if we could try _________.  How do you feel about that?

Lori S. Choi, Blogger for Wet Personal Lubricants 
Learn more at www.stayswetlonger.com 

Masturbation, The Only Consent I Need Is My Own

In case you didn’t know, May is Masturbation Month and in honor of this most excellent celebration, we decided to run a contest to find the best euphemisms for one of our favorite pastimes. This led me down a path of self-discovery.

I love masturbation as a pastime.  It’s free, it’s safe and it’s the one thing in your life where you have total say over when you want it, where you want it, how you want it, and how long you want to do it.

Yes, it qualifies as a pastime, as many sex toy reviewers will attest.  They spend whole days trying out all sorts of vibrators and accessories and write lengthy blogs raving about their favorites.  Epiphora just blogged recently that she has back-up toys for her back-up toys.

Wikipedia defines masturbation as the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals.  That could mean that you are stimulating yourself by yourself or you could be stimulating yourself while being intimate with someone else.  There is an art to stimulating yourself and many people become highly skilled at it.  Your partner can learn a lot about you from watching you master your craft.  For the majority of women, clitoral stimulation is necessary to achieve orgasm.  For some, it is physically impossible to climax with just penetration and the famed G-spot is not always easy to stimulate so many women “take it into their own hands” during intercourse to get the stimulation they need. 

Pleasuring oneself by oneself used to be considered the height of taboo and in some cultures this is still a serious no-no but that doesn’t seem to stop so many people from enjoying themselves…literally.  When I decided to write on this topic, I Googled it to get a deeper understanding of where we are on the subject.   It was interesting to see that religious sites opining a variety of thoughts on masturbation popped up frequently.  Many with healthier views than I would have imagined.  There were also a slew of sites advocating the practice for health and pleasure.  Mainstream publications such as Cosmopolitan, People, Glamour, Redbook, Women’s Health Magazine, and Men’s Health Magazine routinely discuss the topic in positive ways, yet, there remains a strong puritanical stance against the idea of masturbation and these publications are often criticized for their content.  With all of this information at our fingertips, why do we still giggle like sixth graders at the phrase Jerkin’ the Gherkin?

We find the need to create euphemisms and expressions for masturbation in order to even mention this strongly tabooed subject.  These euphemisms have been finding their way into pop culture for decades. Take The Sex Pistols’ ‘Friggin’ in the Riggin’ for example, the song’s title is a nod to a sailor’s self-delight and it includes another slang phrase commonly used in the U.K., ‘Wanking in the Planking’.  Those raucous young lads were edgy.  Euphemisms like these are still in use today because the topic still makes us generally uncomfortable.  This is why we came up with the Masturbation May contest.  We hope to help reduce the stigma associated with masturbation.

Why the taboo?  For one, religious thought has historically been that masturbation goes against God’s plan for procreation. That any spilled seed is wasted when the act of masturbation is performed. (It was thought that even vaginal secretions contained the seeds of life.)  And it was also commonly thought that masturbation was highly addictive.  Therefore, if masturbation was not ‘nipped in the bud’ so to speak, then it could create all sorts of problems.  If the masses were too busy pleasuring themselves then they couldn’t become highly-functioning citizens contributing to the greater good.  Or, it was thought that if you are too busy masturbating, then having sex for procreation may never happen. And we all know how ‘under-populated’ the world is. Right?

Let’s face it, if it feels good, then, why not?  The stigma of masturbation seems to be inching its way towards greater acceptance in this culture.  But, while a majority of men have no problems with it, it is still considered a tough subject for some. Maybe they got caught in the act at a young age which resulted in fear and anxiety.  But, while it is practically expected of most men, it is still considered a tough subject for some women.  Some prefer to do it only in private, some with their partners, but make no mistake, women do it.

Discussing and encouraging self-pleasure can be daunting for some, while other couples are completely open and honest about their masturbation habits.  As always, communication is the key for any healthy sexual relationship.  Your partner may have different needs than you do in this arena and it is healthy to talk about it. Masturbating is an important part of life and there are many benefits. When couples have been together for a long time, it can manage the libido differences between partners. A heterosexual married man may partake in masturbation in order to get sexual release when his partner is unable to--due to recent childbirth, for example. For a new mother, masturbation is often the first type of sex she has after childbirth because of the fear or readiness of having penetrating sex too soon upon delivery.

For those not in a relationship or those who prefer to stay celibate, it is a natural expression of self-love and a healthy outlet for fantasies. Orgasms have been shown to reduce stress, decrease depression and certainly help avoid STIs. For men, orgasms may even prevent prostate cancer! All single people out there should be reaping the benefits of orgasms!

OK, in case you still want to giggle like a sixth grader…some of the phrases submitted to our Masturbation May contest included:  Spank the monkey, Hit the clit, I’m off to give the kitty some overdue attention, I’m going downstairs to stroke my ego, Buff the banana and Burp the worm. And make no mistake, this is not a purely American thing. Many other countries have their own euphemisms.  The French say “Tirer la pipe” which translates to pull the pipe, Mexican’s say, “Me fui a mi casa con Manuela”, I went home with Manuela (my hand), and I love the German “Fünf gegen einen”, five against one.  Suffice it to say, they all mean the same thing… “I’m off to…Polish the Pearl or Master my Domain.”

 

Feel free to Google 'Masturbation' for yourself and start your own self-discovery.  Let’s see if we can get the topic trending and really give it the attention it deserves.  

Carry on…and #LubeYourTube.



Try award-winning Wet wOw Clitoral Arousal Gel. Intimate stimulation like touching or rubbing enhances the effectiveness of Wet® wOw™ and with regular use, women have been known to scream “OMG WOW”.

Lori S. Choi, Blogger for Wet Personal Lubricants

Let's Play Name "Spank the Monkey" -- In Honor of May Being Masturbation Month

Give us your favorite expression for the act of masturbation! And you could win, more lube than you can imagine! Good Luck!

When you Tweet, use the #LubeYourTube and give us the name or phrase that best describes it for you...the winner will be announced in June!

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Tips to Spring Clean Your Relationship and Start the Season Fresh (and Frisky)

Winter weather is behind us and the signs of Spring are everywhere: temperatures rising, buds budding, birds chirping, and bees buzzing. Now’s the time to Spring clean our homes—and also our relationships.

“Whether you’re in a new relationship…or feel like you’ve been together forever, it’s time to take a step back and assess what’s working and what’s not,” says Madeleine Castellanos, MD, Manhattan relationship guru and sex therapist. “If something isn’t working, and you’re feeling less than connected to your partner you might try some simple refresher tips to help bring you and your partner closer together,” she advises.

Below are some insightful tips from Dr. Castellanos to spring clean your relationship and restore the sparks of passion. After all, Spring is the season of Amore…and love is in the air!

1. Find new interests together. Maybe you don’t do enough fun stuff together any more. Or maybe your outings have fallen into a rut. Take some time and find new activities a deux—a sport or a hobby like Argentine Tango, square dancing, or golf. Sometimes just making a simple choice for a regular “date night” can inspire new closeness.
2. Set aside time to fantasize. Share your fantasies with your partner or keep them to yourself. Bottom line: fantasizing is a great way to prime the pump for your heart and passion to soar. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope a little! There’s no judgment in the world of imagination.
3. Listen to your partner’s wants, needs and desires.  You don’t have to fulfill all of them, but you do need to listen. Also, feel free to whisper sweet, spicy messages that you don’t usually say out loud. The ears are located close to the brain for a reason—so use that pathway to flip the “turn on” switch in your partner’s brain!
4. Get back into gazing into each other’s eyes. Taking a couple of minutes every day to do this can communicate your deepest feelings without words. It actually helps to align your heart and mind with your partner’s in the subtlest way. In other words, dare to stare!
5. Reach out and connect. A simple phone call at lunch to say, ‘I miss you’ can make your lover’s whole day; a sexy text message can prime you both for an evening of intimacy; and a meaningful touch on the arm or even hand-holding while walking the dog, can really restore your connection. Don’t underestimate the power of touch for physical, emotional, and sexual healing.

Get Organized with New Bedroom Supplies

1. Spring clean your bedroom routine. Stuck with the same-old/same-old between the sheets? Try something new, such as sexy lingerie, enticingly fragrant Inttimo by Wet™ aromatherapy massage and bath oils, and Wet® Flavored™ Gel Lubricants—which really add a new level of sizzle to a hum-drum bedroom routine.
2. Find fresh adventures together. Spring is the perfect time to celebrate love. Pack your weekend get-away bag and don’t forget to bring some romantic gifts, gastronomic delicacies, Wet® Platinum® lube (the long-lasting, condom-compatible type that never dries up or gets sticky), and a copy of Getaway Guide to the Great Sex Weekend by Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Also, take along Dr. Lauren Streicher’s newly published Love Sex Again!
3. Add some natural aphrodisiacs to heat up your life. Dark chocolate, hot chilies, garlic, oysters, pomegranates, and the Peruvian root Maca, are all known to be time-tested love-enhancers. Don’t hold back…feed them liberally to your mate, and you may become the main course!

So, now that the chill of winter is over and the coolness of spring is here you know what that means...the sizzling heat of summer is just around the corner.  Why wait? Gear up for summer fun now, get busy, change routines, and get frisky.