A survey sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharmaceuticals has highlighted the alarming fact that many dangerous myths still exist about contraception in the UK.

The range of DIY barrier and oral contraceptives adopted by couples is quite amazing and are for the most part completely ineffective.

Perhaps worse is the finding that some people still think the contraceptive pill will protect them against HIV infection.

You can read more about the study here.

To find out more about the myths around contraception click here.

Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast

A research team at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, lead by Professor Wallace Dinsmore has created a clinically tested and proven aid for men who suffer from premature ejaculation. 

This distressing complaint which affects up to 40% of men at some point during their lives can blight relationships and be a source of acute embarrassment to many.

In double-blind trials men who used the spray experienced being able to make love to their partners up to 6.3 times longer than without it. This compares well to those using the placebo sprays who experienced an increase in duration of sex around 1.7 times their previous average.

Respect to the couples who took part in the trials, they were required to time their love making with a stopwatch from first penetration to ejaculation.

Professor Dinsmore is quoted as stating “Premature ejaculation can be a very distressing condition for men and can cause distress, frustration and make them avoid sexual intimacy.”

He went on, “Our study shows that when the PSD502 spray was applied to the man’s penis five minutes before intercourse it improved both sexual performance and sexual satisfaction, which are key factors in treating premature ejaculation.”

One major advantage of the spray is that the test subject’s partners experienced minimal transfer of PSD502 from their partner’s penis. This removed the necessity to use a condom to prevent the man’s partner from becoming desensitised by the spray. A great bonus for those in relationships who don’t use condoms to ensure they are practicing safe sex.

While rummaging around last night I found this site. It`s a section of the GMFA site which is a charity specialising in the health of gay men.

The “How Risky Is” section is really great. Well written, informative, but not prescriptive or full of impenetrable jargon. It tells you what you need to know about various sexual activities and how to ensure that you play safe.

I`m really taken by the site, it`s bright, informative and user-friendly. In addition to the sex and sexual health advice you`ll find information about the gay scene and various groups from clubs to those that aim to look after your physical and spiritual well being.

Remember, the site is a charity so if you can, please help them with a small donation.

Tags: sexual health, GMFA, HIV, AIDS

It all started here “Perhaps if I watched 2-3 hours of porn or spent 2-3 hours reading h-anime in the evening I could make my dreams much more sexy. What do you think? Wanna try it with me?”

Shay is conducting an experiment that aims to find out a little more about what effect porn has on, amongst other things, dreams. There`s a form to fill in and an instructions from your Sexy Professor Shay about how much porn your should watch and what you should and shouldn`t do. No guilt involved, I mean it`s for the good of science and the advancement of human knowledge so what`s wrong with that?

As Shay says:

“… watching all that porn is going to make anyone have certain urges … urges that we’re going to want to release. So, do you think masturbation or sex should be allowed or would that spoil our results? Perhaps some of us should try to abstain until morning as an extra experimental condition.”

So trip over to Shay`s site and read up, join in and fill out the form.

You can read all the related posts here.

With the threat of global warming destroying our planet and an ever increasing population, more and more of us are being mindful of the effect we are having on the world.

I decided to try and find some ethical solutions to our needs as sexual beings. Taking the pill and other hormone preparations eventually make their way in to the water; polluting it. In some cases changing the sex of fish and filling them full of oestrogen.

Therefore, condoms were my first thought. If you want to avoid the pitter-patter of little carbon footprints, you still need to use some protection.

The polyurethane ones don`t degrade and the latex ones can take years before they disappear back in to the soil. And with latex you have to consider the impact farming latex has on the plantations and the wages paid to the workers on them.

This site offers condoms Fair Deal Trade condoms guaranteeing that there products are produced without exploitation of the workers These condoms are made from FSC certified rubber and carry the BSI kitemark. So you can screw knowing that nobody is being screwed in the production of your condoms.

The only biodegradeable condom I could find is the Naturalamb condom found here which is made from a natural membrane. Although it didn`t explain exactly what this membrane was made from, could it be lambs intestine? I`m not sure.

It must be noted that whilst these condoms are coated in a natural lubricant, they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. They are also good for people who have an allergy to latex like me.

There are lots of herbal based lubricants out there and other natural products I could have spent hours browsing but then I wouldn`t have been able to create this post for you.

Prostate cancer is a killer and like all cancers should be caught as early as possible to give a sufferer the best chance of recovery. Here is an extract of the information to be found at “Real Men Do“.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

The following symptoms may show that there is a problem with the prostate.

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night.
• Difficulty starting to pass urine; straining or taking a long time to finish.
• A weak flow; a feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly.

However, most men with early prostate cancer have no symptoms at all. These symptoms can also be caused by other problems that are nothing to do with prostate cancer. If you are concerned you should visit your GP.

Who is at risk?

• Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are over 50.
• The risk increases if there is a history of diagnosis in your close family.
• A refined “westernised” diet high in saturated fat and red meat may increase risk. This may be reduced by eating more fruit and vegetables whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• African Caribbean men are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men.

For the full fact sheet click here.

Prostate cancer awareness is being promoted all week, read more here, and if you can join in.

It`s not very often that something astounds me in the sexual arena. I can`t say I`ve seen it all, that would be conceited and foolish. What I`m talking about here is this article from the BBC`s news website.

The “research” is on a small sample size and its conclusions seem qualified with caveats. The most sensible quote, from Dr Petra Boynton (a sexual psychologist at University College London) was, “We’re all different. Some women will have certain area within the vagina which will be very sensitive, and some won’t – but they won’t necessarily be in the area called the G spot.”

Maybe someone ought to point out two pieces of information from my sexual explorations; i) the G Spot is probably not one structure but a collection and yes it may well be associated with the clitoris, ii) it is more or less sensitive dependent on the mood of your partner and at different points in their cycle.

I suppose there`s a third point. Why don`t they stop ultra-sounding women to find the G-Spot and go and find it with their partners? Empirical data is very overrated when it comes to sexuality, it`s better to experience the G Spot than to measure it.

Here at A-rouse and on our blog AlexSuze.com we talk about sex, write erotic fiction and carry out sex toy reviews. However one thing has been missing and we didn`t even notice.

We are both advocates of safe sex. We may write about casual encounters like this one, but we wouldn`t advise anyone to jump into bed with the next stranger they meet and have unprotected sex.

So to redress the balance somewhat we`re adding two links to our sidebar and hope that if you are thinking of sex with your first partner, a new partner or you are worried about having had unprotected sex they will give you a place to start looking for advice.

Essential Wear

R U Thinking

NHS Direct

If you would rather talk to a human being about your concerns you should see your family doctor, or if you`d prefer to speak to a healthcare professional on the phone, UK citizens can ring 0845 4647.

Sex should be fun and safe sex doesn`t mean that fun is in any way diminished. Whereas contracting an STI can prevent you having sex, make you ill, or in some cases kill you.

Tags: safe sex, sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases, STD, , sexually transmitted infections, STI