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FYI: News You May Have Missed

Item #1: Vivid Entertainment offers "OctoMom" Nadya Suleman a deal.

Yes, you read that right. According to AVN.com, Vivid Ent. has approached Suleman, who recently gave birth to eight babies, to star in her own adult movie, which would be distributed under the Vivid Celeb line. Suleman has been offered $1 million and a year of health and dental insurance for her participation.

You might be thinking, "So what's all the fuss about?" Well, let me tell you. Suleman, 33, has given birth to the longest-living set of octuplets in the world, which brings the number of children she has up to 14. Yeah, she already had 6 other children, ranging in ages from 2 to 7 years old. Suleman is unmarried and lives at home with her parents, who are facing foreclosure because of the financial impact their daughter has brought into their lives.

Personally, I can't believe how irresponsible Suleman has been, and if she takes the deal that Vivid Ent. is offering her, she is ensuring that the lives of her children will never be normal. Her family is in the media's spotlight on a daily basis already, which has to impact her children somehow, but for those children to know that the rest of the world knows that their mother has starred in a porn because she didn't have the money to care for them will definitely impact them. Porn is great and all, but what Vivid is offering Suleman feels like an undeserved reward with a side of punishment for whatever emotional damage this does to her children.

Item #2: Nurses learn about the impact Facebook has on patient confidentiality.

In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, an anonymous tip from an employee at Mercy Walworth Medical Center resulted in the firing of two nurses who allegedly took cell phone photos of a patient who had been admitted into the emergency room, which were supposedly posted on the social networking website, Facebook.

According to the local ABC news affiliate, the Facebook page in question has been removed, but one of the nurses explained to investigators that they took the pictures of the patient, who had been admitted due to an object that was lodged in his rectum, when they realized that the object was a sex toy.

Interestingly, Wisconsin authorities say that this conduct does not appear to go against any state laws, so they're passing it over to federal authorities. Maybe there aren't any state laws that protect patient privacy, but for some reason, I feel like there should be.

Either way, if you post something on Facebook (or Myspace or whatever social networking site you prefer) that could get you fired if you told your boss about it, prepare to get fired.

Friends-With-Benefits: A Guide

The phrase "friends-with-benefits" (FWB) has been getting a lot of attention lately, and while it may seem like a best-case scenario on the surface, but like any relationship (and yes, it is a relationship), it has its own pros and cons.

What are they? I'm glad you asked!

The pros side is great - with a FWB, you get sexual satisfaction that is convenient, and because you already know your FWB, there's less pressure and performance anxiety, which makes things more comfortable.

With any pros/cons list, the better the pros are, the worse the cons will be, and that's the case with FWBs.

There are more downsides to FWBs than you may realize. One of the more obvious cons is developing stronger feelings for your FWB partner, which could turn out bad for you if your FWB partner doesn't feel the same way. (If they do feel the same way, that's a pro, but an unlikely pro.) Another con that I don't think people consider is the possibility of losing their friend if their FWB relationship sours, and I consider the loss of friends to be a huge downside!

Now it's time for the "what-if cons", as in what if you get into a romantic relationship with someone who isn't your FWB? Will your FWB be able to handle being pushed aside? If you are the one being pushed aside, will you be able to handle it? How will your new partner react when they find out about your FWB? I have personally experienced each of these situations, and let me tell you, it is not fun or easy. It can be painful, especially if you are the one being pushed aside.

Keep those pros/cons in mind when embarking upon a FWB relationship, and take time to consider these general rules of etiquette for FWBs (as well as casual sex or one night stands):

• Always be honest - ALWAYS.
• Make sure you and your partner have a clear understanding of what you each want.
• Protect yourself - just because they're your friend doesn't mean that they can't be sleeping with other people too.
• Even if your partner swears up and down that you're the only one they're sleeping with, use protection anyways - babies are a real mood killer!
  
• Always remember that your FWB is not your girlfriend/boyfriend - there is no reason to treat them as such.
  
• However, you should always be courteous and kind.

With my advice in mind, you should now be able to carry on a successful FWB relationship! Just remember to be honest about everything, especially about what you want from your partner sexually. But be sure to listen to your partner too because FWBs aren't fun unless everyone is happy and satisfied!

Love In The Time Of The Internet

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The Weather Forecast For 2010 Is...Stormy?

Apparently, Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter may be facing some unexpected competition in the 2010 Congressional races from adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Yes,that Stormy Daniels.

The grassroots campaign started with the website DraftStormy.com, a website that was created by Zach Hudson and is unaffiliated with Stormy Daniels or Wicked Pictures. Hudson, a native of New Orleans, is a fan of Stormy, and started the website when he decided to voice his opinion on who should challenge Sen. Vitter, who was recently linked to a D.C. prostitution service.

For awhile, Stormy considered the website as a wake-up call to Louisianans to become educated on the issues and get out and vote for the person who will best serve you, but now, after an outpouring of support generated by the website, she's actually considering running for the Senate seat in 2010.

The Baton Rouge native will be going on a listening tour throughout the state, which will give her the opportunity to meet with the citizens and talk with them about the issues that are important to them.

Based on this news clip from CNN, we'll be hearing a lot more about Stormy in the coming year!

Sex Toys Go Green

In recent years, the green revolution has grown in popularity, and manufacturers have taken note. From altering manufacturing processes so they're safer to the environment to using organic materials in their products, many companies have incorporated green technology in their future business plans, including the companies that produce your sex toys.

Yes, you read that correctly! You now have green options when it comes to your sex life!

Tantus, one of the companies that produces green sex toys, uses silicone in the majority of their products, which include the Pro Touch and the Silk. Silicone, an inert substance, doesn't break down, but it does not harm the environment and adds to land mass.

Their newest line, Alumina, is made from aluminum, a metal that makes up 8% of the Earth's crust. The toys in the Alumina line are non-porous and easy to clean, but, most importantly, they are recyclable. (Not that you would want to throw a $90 sex toy in with your other recyclables, but if for whatever reason you wanted to, you could.)

The Alumina line is on the way, but there are still many other eco-friendly sex toys available in the meantime at Adult DVDEmpire!

Veggies: Too Racy For NBC

Apparently, NBC and I have something in common: we don't like vegetables. However, the reasons why we dislike them are very different: I don't like them because I think they're gross. NBC, on the other hand, thinks vegetables are too sexy for the Superbowl audience to handle.

NBC recently rejected a Superbowl ad by PETA, an organization known for its in-your-face stunts, that featured several hot models (I thought it could pass for a Victoria's Secret commercial) fondling, caressing, licking, and even bathing with different veggies. The text of the ad states, "Studies show vegetarians have better sex".

Now, in NBC's defense, it definitely looked like the models were getting ready to use the veggies to masturbate, and while that's not offensive to me, I'd hate to be the parent who has to explain the commercial to their child. Based on past events, specifically Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's "revealing" halftime show in 2004, I think NBC made the right decision to request that PETA adjust the ad and make it less sexually suggestive.

But that's just me - everyone's entitled to their own opinions, so check it out for yourselves:


'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

Porn Lite

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Good News! More People Are Being Tested For STDs!

The bad news is that more people are discovering that they have an STD, according to the CDC's new report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2007.

Or is that just more good news? Personally, I like to look on the bright side, and I think that people who didn't know they had an STD would be at least a little bit glad that they know now. For one thing, they can start treatments that will either clear up the infection or help control it. But most importantly, they now know that they need to take precautions that will keep their partners safe, which is an integral step in preventing the spread of STDs.

Of all the STDs that were reported in 2007, chlamydia set a new record for having the largest number of cases (over 1 million!!) reported to the CDC - ever. However, researchers believe that only half of these cases are reported, which gives them good reason to believe that the number of those infected with chlamydia is much higher, in the 2 - 3 million range.

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics, as are gonorrhea and syphilis, two other STDs that were apart of the report, but in order for them to be treated, they need to be diagnosed. Protect your (and your partner's) health and use protection when participating in any sex act. In addition to protection, get tested for STDs yearly.

Sure, it can be embarrassing, but the pros outweigh the cons, especially when it's your health at stake.

Joy Of Sex Update Released - Finally!

First released in 1972, The Joy of Sex was a bestseller from the start, but as the sexual culture in the United States began to change, the book became less and less relevant. With the AIDS epidemic sweeping the world in the 1980s, and the impact of the Internet during the 1990s into the 2000s, The Joy of Sex has been in need of a real update for several decades now.

That's where The New Joy of Sex comes into play. Released last September, the update includes information on newer, more relevant subjects, such as phone sex, transsexuals, and cyber sex, are among those discussed. Those who have read the original will notice that there are certain parts missing from the new version, including how to have sex on a horseback* or a motorcycle**. And although The New Joy of Sex is not gay-inclusive, it is gay-positive, which is a step up from the original's attitude toward alternative lifestyles.



*Seriously, HORSEBACK? Don't get me wrong - I like horses. They're beautiful creatures, but I can't imagine ever wanting to have sex on top of one of them. Why, you ask? Well, for one, if I were in that horse's shoes, I wouldn't want some couple going at it on top of me. Second, horses are very tall and falling off could result in bad injuries that would need explaining. Lastly, think of how dirty even the cleanest-looking horse is - do you want that all up in your business?! No thank you.

**MOTORCYCLES. Really? Even though there are directions for having sex while the bike is stationary, the main point of that section was for having sex on MOVING MOTORCYCLES. That's just asking for death or, at the very least, massive blood loss if something were to go wrong. I get that the 1960s and 70s were all about exploring your sexuality and whatnot, but did that generation have to be so insane about it? I'm amazed that the majority of my generation is even alive after reading that.

One More Reason To Keep Your Weight-Loss Resolutions...

According to findings that were recently published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, morbidly obese men who lose a significant amount of weight have better sex as a result. The published findings were based on a group of male patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery and their personal reports of sexual ability.

I don't know about everyone else, but when I read that statement, the thought that passes through my brain is, "Uh, yeah, shouldn't that have been an obvious result?"

Although it seems obvious, I think it's good that it is being reported because it'll give men who are morbidly obese another reason to consider losing weight, whether it be by gastric bypass or by good, old-fashioned diet and exercise.

Viagra: What Can't It Do?!

In experiments using mice, researchers at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that a key ingredient of Viagra is effective in protecting the heart from damage caused by high blood pressure, according to a report by HealthDay News.

Sildenafil is that key ingredient, and it helps by enhancing the influence of a single protein, RGS2, which is important in reactions that protect against heart failure. For those of you who are wondering what RGS2 is, RGS2 is short for "regulator of G-protein signaling 2". The sildenafil enhances RGS2 and the reactions it is in by making them last longer, giving the heart more protection.

With this knowledge, there is hope that future treatments for heart failure, which is currently treated with ACE and ARB inhibitors, can be improved. This would increase the chances of survival for the quarter-million Americans (out of the 5 million Americans who are afflicted by heart failure every year) who die from heart failure.

Safe-Sex On Your Cell Phone

The future of safe-sex messages is now, and it's on your cell phone! According to an AP report by Angela Delli Santi, cell phone soap operas are being tested for their effectiveness in helping prevent STIs and STDs among young, urban women who may ignore other, more-traditional venues for safe-sex messages, such as pamphlets.

250 women will be split into two groups - one that will receive and watch the cell phone soap operas, and one that will receive only text messages promoting condom use. After the study is over, all of the participants will be given a DVD with the 12 20-minute soap operas on it, allowing those who were not exposed to the soap operas the chance to view them.

From experience with patients, Rachel Jones, the creator of the study, recognizes that part of the reason so many young women are infected with sexual diseases is because the women, afraid of seeming distrustful, don't make their partners wear a condom, which increases their risk of exposure to infections. Hopefully, young women start worrying about protecting themselves rather than whether they seem trusting to a sexual partner. Besides, sex with a condom and without worry is always going to be better than the alternative!

First Question! First Answer!

Hi Bethany,
I'm writing to inquire what are some good, relatively easy, and definitely pain-free ways of cleaning up the hair from the genital area.
I have read that shaving isn't the best per se due to abrasions and an uncomfortable feel.
I have used the old-fashioned tweezer approach (good tweezers) and do a little bit every day or other day and after awhile, it's pretty good. But, it is time-consuming of course, and the pain isn't bad, but at the lower scrotum areas, it seems to pinch a bit more. Another advantage is that the re-growth doesn't really get itchy. I wanted to get any suggestions, comments, advice for an easier time with this.
-Anonymous

Anonymous,

Thanks for your question! When it comes to removing body hair, I feel like I've tried practically every method on the market, with exception to laser removal. Each method has their pros and cons, and it's up to you to decide which is best for you. I personally prefer shaving above all other methods. It's not as painful or costly as waxing, it is more effective than depilatory creams, and it is quicker than tweezing.

With shaving, there is the possibility for nicks and ingrown hairs, but if you take care and use the appropriate products, removing the hair from the area around your genitals can be easy to add to your personal grooming routine.

Before you're even in the bathroom (or wherever you like to shave), make sure you have a clean and fresh razor (dull ones are more likely to cause nicks and ingrown hairs) and the proper pre-shave products. When I say "proper pre-shave products", I don't mean your everyday shaving cream. The skin around your genitals is very sensitive and fragrances found in regular shaving cream can be irritating to the skin, causing razor burn. The best shaving cream to use will be unscented, free of irritating chemicals, such as alcohol and benzocaine, and it should be moisturizing. There are many different formulas, both affordable and ridiculously priced, but compare and contrast the different benefits of potential shaving creams before purchasing them.

Now that you've got your shaving cream, check out your razor. Is it clean and have a fresh blade? Great. Is it an electric razor? Maybe not so great. If your razor vibrates a lot, it could cause skin irritation, which can lead to razor burn and ingrown hairs. You may want to invest in disposable razors for shaving around your genitals - at least you'll know you're getting a fresh and clean blade each time if you throw them out after each use!

Okay, NOW let's get down to the shaving. Taking a warm shower or bath before shaving is always helpful because it softens the hair and makes it easier to remove. Be sure to use gentle strokes while shaving - first in the direction of hair growth and then against the direction of the hair growth. Do not shave the same area too many times or it will become irritated.

Okay, so you're done shaving, but you're not finished yet! After-shave care is just as important as the pre-shave care. Apply an after-shave balm or lotion that will moisturize your freshly shaven skin, as well as help prevent ingrown hairs. Now you're done!

(I know many people are annoyed by the itchiness that the regrowth of hair can bring, but allow me to reassure you that the annoying itchiness comes with practically every temporary hair removal method. More often than not, your skin is dry, and applying some lotion to the itchy areas will help ease the itchiness.)