HarryHo
02-24-2007, 03:36 PM
We want more Internet sex!
12 Feb 2007
A majority of Croatians say they find the Internet to be a useful tool in improving their sex lives, according to a survey published on Friday.
Fifty-eight percent of Croatians who responded to a magazine questionnaire said that they had ended up in bed with people they had met while surfing on match-making or pornographic websites.
More than 85 percent of Croatians who visit the sites said they had met up with their online friends, said the survey of 2079 people published in the Drustvena istrazivanja magazine.
Sixty-two percent of women and 54 percent of men said they have had sexual relations with people they had met on such websites, it added.
According to the study, on average visitors to the websites are 30-year-old singles, have a university degree, and are satisfied with their sex lives.
The biggest number, or 44 percent, are aged between 25 and 34, followed by 30 percent of them aged between 12 and 24, and 19 percent between 35 and 44.
According to estimates in the local press, some 240 000 Croatians out of 1.2 million with Internet access are regular visitors of pornographic sites.
How about a Valentine vasectomy?
13 Feb 2007
Australian men are being urged to eschew the traditional gifts of chocolates and flowers this Valentine's Day in favour of a lasting, if not very romantic, present: a vasectomy.
A global health charity on Tuesday called on men to go under the knife to give their women the gift that keeps on giving — and it's a snip at the price, it said.
"A vasectomy is perhaps not as romantic as chocolate and roses, but not having to worry about contraception is a present many women would appreciate," said Suzanne Dvorak, who heads Marie Stopes International in Australia.
The procedure is safe, effective, cost-effective and saves women from taking responsibility for contraception, the non-profit organisation said.
"Many couples have actually found greater sexual freedom once they no longer have the worry of contraception or an unplanned pregnancy," she said.
But the unusual gift may be a hard sell for most men.
Research indicates that men are afraid to undergo the surgical procedure because they fear it will hurt, affect their sexual performance and their testosterone levels.
A major independent survey of 1 000 men, conducted by Quantum Market Research has found that 24 percent believed that a vasectomy is "really painful" and were also reluctant to talk about such intimate issues.
"The truth is that having a vasectomy is a relatively pain-free procedure, and won't affect your sex life or performance," Dvorak retorted.
Lie back and think of New York (USA)
15 Feb 2007
New York authorities unveiled the country's first city-themed condom on Wednesday to mark Valentine's Day and National Condom Day, in a bid to reduce sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
The subway-themed condoms, which are being promoted with the slogans "New York we've got you covered," and the provocative "NYC condoms. Get some," are part of a drive by the city's health department to increase condom use.
The one-size-fits-all condoms come in black packaging featuring coloured circles that spell out ‘NYC Condom’ in the style of the city's subway. Other suggested designs had featured city skyscrapers.
"Not enough condoms are being used," Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said, unveiling the design. "This is about brands. Brands work, they increase use, they increase distribution," he added.
The condoms even have their own website, with a .org address. "You can decide what the org stands for," Frieden said.
The health department, which already provides 18 million free condoms a year, was to hand out 150 000 free condoms in the city on Wednesday alone.
Reaction to the new branding was mixed. "I think it's a great idea," said one 48-year-old man picking up a free sample on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, while another dismissed it as "kind of silly. It doesn't take safe sex seriously."
Both asked not to be named.
"It's unbelievable. I think whoever thought this up has a great sense of humor," said an anonymous 76-year-old man, pocketing a handful.
Nine Health Issues That Can Impact Sexual Satisfaction
07 Feb 2007
Here's the good news, the bad news, and some more good news about Americans' sexual health: Most (64 percent of Americans, according to one recent study) are satisfied with their sex lives. But many health issues can get in the way of having a good sex life, from prescription medication side effects to depression to sexually transmitted diseases.
In many cases, physicians can work with their patients to improve the situation, whether by changing the dosage of a medication, helping to treat depression or other medical conditions, or by providing sound medical advice for people who have STDs.
"For people who are not satisfied with their sex life, they really should talk to their primary care physician," says Pamela G. Rockwell, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. "He or she may be able to diagnose something that was previously undiagnosed, change medications, or offer some lifestyle recommendations. In many cases, the patients can improve their sexual satisfaction."
Here, Rockwell explains how nine health issues can affect sexual satisfaction.
1. Prescription medications.
Many common drugs can have side effects that impact sexual health, including medications that treat blood pressure, heart conditions and depression.
Diuretics ("water pills") that treat heart and blood pressure conditions can cause erectile dysfunction among men. ACE inhibitors and other calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat some heart-related problems, also have been found to cause erectile problems.
For patients whose depression is being treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and other drugs or other antidepressants, side effects can include a loss of interest in sex and ejaculation problems.
With all of these types of medication and any others that may cause sexual side effects, Rockwell says, patients can talk with their doctors about possibly lowering the dosage, adding a second drug to combat some of the side effects or changing to a different medication.
2. Cardiac health.
First, Rockwell would like to dispense with a common misconception. "I think the most common fallacy is that having sex is going to cause a heart attack," she says. "The good news is it really isn't the case."
The majority of people with cardiovascular disease don't need to alter their sex lives, she says. Some people may need to be careful about all physical activity immediately after a heart attack, or after the implantation of a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator, but even then, sex generally is safe as soon as the patient's physician gives the go-ahead to resume physical activity.
3. Depression.
Untreated depression, Rockwell says, can lead to many sexual difficulties. "People can experience lack of pleasure, lack of desire and lack of ability to perform," she says.
Adding to the challenge is that some people with untreated depression have heard that antidepressants can negatively affect their sex lives. In reality, Rockwell says, most people on antidepressants don't experience these problems. For those who do, doctors often can prescribe different dosages or different drugs to minimize the side effects.
4. Alcohol.
As anyone who has ever seen a beer commercial knows, alcohol and sex are linked in the minds of many people. Indeed, Rockwell says, many people believe that alcohol will "get you in the mood."
While a few drinks initially lower one's inhibitions, drinking can lead to risky sexual behavior not just for people with serious alcohol problems, but also among people who only occasionally have too much to drink. Additionally, Rockwell says, it doesn't really help with one's enjoyment of sex. "Overall, it decreases sexual pleasure because alcohol lowers your sensations," she says.
5. Sexually transmitted diseases.
For people with STDs such as HIV, the human papillomavirus (HPV), or hepatitis, sex isn't out of the picture. In fact, Rockwell says, "people with STDs can certainly have healthy, satisfying sex lives."
Protection is a must, she says, and condoms must be used 100 percent of the time. An important caveat is that with HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, condoms do not necessarily protect one's partner against contracting the virus.
6. Stress.
Got stress? If so, then you may have more trouble experiencing an enjoyable sex life.
"Stress often has effects on our sex lives. When we are consumed with time management, working, raising children and providing for our families, we often don't leave a lot of time for ourselves," Rockwell notes. "What happens is the libido goes down, and the ability to accept and give pleasure decreases. People who suffer from unsatisfying sex lives may not even realize that it could be caused by stress."
7. Pregnancy.
"Physically, there is no barrier to sex during pregnancy," Rockwell says. Intercourse will not harm the fetus or the woman, unless she has a medical problem and has been advised by her physician not to have intercourse. Levels of desire can vary. The use of lubricants and changes in positions as the pregnancy progresses may be necessary.
8. Menopause.
Some physical limitations may affect a woman's enjoyment of sex after menopause, but that doesn't mean a woman's sex life is over. "Many women can experience a very healthy sexual life after menopause," Rockwell says. "There is no reason that menopause should mean an end to your sex life." Topical estrogen cream and lubricants may help after the drop in hormone levels that occurs during menopause.
9. Poor body image and self esteem.
A woman's self esteem can significantly affect her sexual satisfaction, and low self esteem based on a poor image of her body can detrimentally impact her enjoyment of sex. "Some studies show that as little as five pounds of weight loss can greatly improve a woman's sexual satisfaction," Rockwell notes.
Neighbour mistakes porn for rape
23 Feb 2007
A sword-wielding Wisconsin man who rushed to the aid of a woman he thought was being raped in the apartment upstairs was carted off to jail after police discovered his neighbour was just watching porn.
The cries for help pouring through the floorboards sounded far too real to James Van Iveren, who told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was just acting on instinct.
"It was a woman screaming," he said in an interview published Wednesday. "She was screaming for help."
Van Iveren, 39, was listening to music in the apartment he shares with his mother when he heard the repeated cries for help.
He grabbed his one-metre long cavalry sword, a family heirloom, rushed up the stairs and broke the door down. A criminal complaint said he then rushed into the room waving the sword at his neighbour and demanding "where is she?"
The neighbour told police that Van Iveren became increasingly aggressive as he led him throughout the apartment, opening closet doors to prove he was alone.
Van Iveren told the paper that it was not nearly that dramatic and that he left as soon as he realised his mistake.
"Now I feel stupid," Van Iveren said.
Van Iveren, who has been charged with trespassing, property damage and disorderly conduct while using a dangerous weapon, could face up to 33 months in jail.
"All of them are going to be dismissed," he predicted. "They have to."
"This was all just a big mistake."
AFP
Mary Carey leaving the restaurant Mr Chow in Beverly Hills
21 Feb 2007
Mary Carey at Mr Chow with Fire Crotch..after Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan’s fire crotch incidents, we now have the famous porn star Mary Carey getting out of a car without panties on. OHH. Crazy american woman…
12 Feb 2007
A majority of Croatians say they find the Internet to be a useful tool in improving their sex lives, according to a survey published on Friday.
Fifty-eight percent of Croatians who responded to a magazine questionnaire said that they had ended up in bed with people they had met while surfing on match-making or pornographic websites.
More than 85 percent of Croatians who visit the sites said they had met up with their online friends, said the survey of 2079 people published in the Drustvena istrazivanja magazine.
Sixty-two percent of women and 54 percent of men said they have had sexual relations with people they had met on such websites, it added.
According to the study, on average visitors to the websites are 30-year-old singles, have a university degree, and are satisfied with their sex lives.
The biggest number, or 44 percent, are aged between 25 and 34, followed by 30 percent of them aged between 12 and 24, and 19 percent between 35 and 44.
According to estimates in the local press, some 240 000 Croatians out of 1.2 million with Internet access are regular visitors of pornographic sites.
How about a Valentine vasectomy?
13 Feb 2007
Australian men are being urged to eschew the traditional gifts of chocolates and flowers this Valentine's Day in favour of a lasting, if not very romantic, present: a vasectomy.
A global health charity on Tuesday called on men to go under the knife to give their women the gift that keeps on giving — and it's a snip at the price, it said.
"A vasectomy is perhaps not as romantic as chocolate and roses, but not having to worry about contraception is a present many women would appreciate," said Suzanne Dvorak, who heads Marie Stopes International in Australia.
The procedure is safe, effective, cost-effective and saves women from taking responsibility for contraception, the non-profit organisation said.
"Many couples have actually found greater sexual freedom once they no longer have the worry of contraception or an unplanned pregnancy," she said.
But the unusual gift may be a hard sell for most men.
Research indicates that men are afraid to undergo the surgical procedure because they fear it will hurt, affect their sexual performance and their testosterone levels.
A major independent survey of 1 000 men, conducted by Quantum Market Research has found that 24 percent believed that a vasectomy is "really painful" and were also reluctant to talk about such intimate issues.
"The truth is that having a vasectomy is a relatively pain-free procedure, and won't affect your sex life or performance," Dvorak retorted.
Lie back and think of New York (USA)
15 Feb 2007
New York authorities unveiled the country's first city-themed condom on Wednesday to mark Valentine's Day and National Condom Day, in a bid to reduce sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
The subway-themed condoms, which are being promoted with the slogans "New York we've got you covered," and the provocative "NYC condoms. Get some," are part of a drive by the city's health department to increase condom use.
The one-size-fits-all condoms come in black packaging featuring coloured circles that spell out ‘NYC Condom’ in the style of the city's subway. Other suggested designs had featured city skyscrapers.
"Not enough condoms are being used," Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said, unveiling the design. "This is about brands. Brands work, they increase use, they increase distribution," he added.
The condoms even have their own website, with a .org address. "You can decide what the org stands for," Frieden said.
The health department, which already provides 18 million free condoms a year, was to hand out 150 000 free condoms in the city on Wednesday alone.
Reaction to the new branding was mixed. "I think it's a great idea," said one 48-year-old man picking up a free sample on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, while another dismissed it as "kind of silly. It doesn't take safe sex seriously."
Both asked not to be named.
"It's unbelievable. I think whoever thought this up has a great sense of humor," said an anonymous 76-year-old man, pocketing a handful.
Nine Health Issues That Can Impact Sexual Satisfaction
07 Feb 2007
Here's the good news, the bad news, and some more good news about Americans' sexual health: Most (64 percent of Americans, according to one recent study) are satisfied with their sex lives. But many health issues can get in the way of having a good sex life, from prescription medication side effects to depression to sexually transmitted diseases.
In many cases, physicians can work with their patients to improve the situation, whether by changing the dosage of a medication, helping to treat depression or other medical conditions, or by providing sound medical advice for people who have STDs.
"For people who are not satisfied with their sex life, they really should talk to their primary care physician," says Pamela G. Rockwell, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. "He or she may be able to diagnose something that was previously undiagnosed, change medications, or offer some lifestyle recommendations. In many cases, the patients can improve their sexual satisfaction."
Here, Rockwell explains how nine health issues can affect sexual satisfaction.
1. Prescription medications.
Many common drugs can have side effects that impact sexual health, including medications that treat blood pressure, heart conditions and depression.
Diuretics ("water pills") that treat heart and blood pressure conditions can cause erectile dysfunction among men. ACE inhibitors and other calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat some heart-related problems, also have been found to cause erectile problems.
For patients whose depression is being treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and other drugs or other antidepressants, side effects can include a loss of interest in sex and ejaculation problems.
With all of these types of medication and any others that may cause sexual side effects, Rockwell says, patients can talk with their doctors about possibly lowering the dosage, adding a second drug to combat some of the side effects or changing to a different medication.
2. Cardiac health.
First, Rockwell would like to dispense with a common misconception. "I think the most common fallacy is that having sex is going to cause a heart attack," she says. "The good news is it really isn't the case."
The majority of people with cardiovascular disease don't need to alter their sex lives, she says. Some people may need to be careful about all physical activity immediately after a heart attack, or after the implantation of a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator, but even then, sex generally is safe as soon as the patient's physician gives the go-ahead to resume physical activity.
3. Depression.
Untreated depression, Rockwell says, can lead to many sexual difficulties. "People can experience lack of pleasure, lack of desire and lack of ability to perform," she says.
Adding to the challenge is that some people with untreated depression have heard that antidepressants can negatively affect their sex lives. In reality, Rockwell says, most people on antidepressants don't experience these problems. For those who do, doctors often can prescribe different dosages or different drugs to minimize the side effects.
4. Alcohol.
As anyone who has ever seen a beer commercial knows, alcohol and sex are linked in the minds of many people. Indeed, Rockwell says, many people believe that alcohol will "get you in the mood."
While a few drinks initially lower one's inhibitions, drinking can lead to risky sexual behavior not just for people with serious alcohol problems, but also among people who only occasionally have too much to drink. Additionally, Rockwell says, it doesn't really help with one's enjoyment of sex. "Overall, it decreases sexual pleasure because alcohol lowers your sensations," she says.
5. Sexually transmitted diseases.
For people with STDs such as HIV, the human papillomavirus (HPV), or hepatitis, sex isn't out of the picture. In fact, Rockwell says, "people with STDs can certainly have healthy, satisfying sex lives."
Protection is a must, she says, and condoms must be used 100 percent of the time. An important caveat is that with HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, condoms do not necessarily protect one's partner against contracting the virus.
6. Stress.
Got stress? If so, then you may have more trouble experiencing an enjoyable sex life.
"Stress often has effects on our sex lives. When we are consumed with time management, working, raising children and providing for our families, we often don't leave a lot of time for ourselves," Rockwell notes. "What happens is the libido goes down, and the ability to accept and give pleasure decreases. People who suffer from unsatisfying sex lives may not even realize that it could be caused by stress."
7. Pregnancy.
"Physically, there is no barrier to sex during pregnancy," Rockwell says. Intercourse will not harm the fetus or the woman, unless she has a medical problem and has been advised by her physician not to have intercourse. Levels of desire can vary. The use of lubricants and changes in positions as the pregnancy progresses may be necessary.
8. Menopause.
Some physical limitations may affect a woman's enjoyment of sex after menopause, but that doesn't mean a woman's sex life is over. "Many women can experience a very healthy sexual life after menopause," Rockwell says. "There is no reason that menopause should mean an end to your sex life." Topical estrogen cream and lubricants may help after the drop in hormone levels that occurs during menopause.
9. Poor body image and self esteem.
A woman's self esteem can significantly affect her sexual satisfaction, and low self esteem based on a poor image of her body can detrimentally impact her enjoyment of sex. "Some studies show that as little as five pounds of weight loss can greatly improve a woman's sexual satisfaction," Rockwell notes.
Neighbour mistakes porn for rape
23 Feb 2007
A sword-wielding Wisconsin man who rushed to the aid of a woman he thought was being raped in the apartment upstairs was carted off to jail after police discovered his neighbour was just watching porn.
The cries for help pouring through the floorboards sounded far too real to James Van Iveren, who told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was just acting on instinct.
"It was a woman screaming," he said in an interview published Wednesday. "She was screaming for help."
Van Iveren, 39, was listening to music in the apartment he shares with his mother when he heard the repeated cries for help.
He grabbed his one-metre long cavalry sword, a family heirloom, rushed up the stairs and broke the door down. A criminal complaint said he then rushed into the room waving the sword at his neighbour and demanding "where is she?"
The neighbour told police that Van Iveren became increasingly aggressive as he led him throughout the apartment, opening closet doors to prove he was alone.
Van Iveren told the paper that it was not nearly that dramatic and that he left as soon as he realised his mistake.
"Now I feel stupid," Van Iveren said.
Van Iveren, who has been charged with trespassing, property damage and disorderly conduct while using a dangerous weapon, could face up to 33 months in jail.
"All of them are going to be dismissed," he predicted. "They have to."
"This was all just a big mistake."
AFP
Mary Carey leaving the restaurant Mr Chow in Beverly Hills
21 Feb 2007
Mary Carey at Mr Chow with Fire Crotch..after Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan’s fire crotch incidents, we now have the famous porn star Mary Carey getting out of a car without panties on. OHH. Crazy american woman…