If you have any experience with lubricants, you know how much they can add to sex. Whether it’s your goal to “go all night,” or you simply want to help your favorite sex toy slide in (anywhere) easier, you’ll want some good quality lube.

By the same token, we want our precious sex toys to last a long time, too. (I’m talking years, not hours…) Using the right lubricant on sex toys of various materials will prolong their lifespan, make clean-up easier, and permit you even more enjoyment from your sex toys.

Here’s a quick and easy reference guide to lubricants and the toys and activities they are compatible with:

Water-based lubricants: Think of water-based lubes as the Swiss Army knife of lubricants. They work with any sex toys or condom material, under nearly any circumstance. They are long-lasting, easy-to-clean up, and won’t stain sheets or clothing. Water-based lubricants may have different consistencies. As a general rule, seek thicker (gel-like) water-based lubricants for more intense play, including anal sex or when you’re looking for a long-lasting lubricant.

There’s one time (ironically), when you don’t want to use a water-based lube: when you’re having sex in the water. It will wash right off. Instead, choose a silicone lubricant, which is not water-soluble and is safe to use with condoms.

You might buy: Astroglide, ID Glide Lube, or Wet Original Lubricant

Silicone lubricants: More expensive but also typically longer lasting than water-based lubricants, silicone lubricants are slippery smooth, luxurious, and great for all types of play — except one. Do not use a silicone-based lubricant with your silicone-containing sex toys, including toys made from Cyberskin and similar materials. It will wear down your silicone-based toys faster than a porn star can get it up.

You might buy: Pjur Eros, Toko Silicone Lubricant, or Gun Oil Silicone Lube

Oil-based lubricants: Oil-based lubricants are longer lasting than water-based lubes, making them a desirable choice for many people. Oil-based lubes are suitable for water-play, since they’re not water soluble. However, oil has some major drawbacks. It can:

• stain fabric
• break down latex condoms (they are safe with polyurethane condoms)
• damage certain sex toys

Oil-based lubricants can harbor bacteria, causing vaginal infections in women. It’s best not to use them during penetration (even with a toy) for women, although they are okay for penetration of men during anal sex.

You might buy: ID Cream lubricant or Jack Jelly.

Lubricants with glycerin and sugar: Lubricants with glycerin and sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (for instance, some flavored lubes) can also cause yeast infections in some women. These are best used for external play only.

Save the Olive Oil for the Salad
While we’re on the topic of “flavorful lubricants” — a note about Olive Oil as a lubricant: Olive oil is sometimes recommended as an “all-natural” lubricant. Olive oil doesn’t make the best lubricant at all, because it can breed bacteria, is not very thick or long-lasting, and is fairly expensive. Keep the olive oil in the kitchen; if you’re looking for an inexpensive, natural lubricant, go with a water-based lube.

Before the holidays, the Northeast suffered what some people have called the largest snow storm to hit our region in 17 years.  It’s already shaping up to be a long, cold winter.

Of course, the forecast of a blizzard sent people rushing to Wal-mart to stock up on bottled water, batteries, and canned goods. I was lucky enough to grab the last container of milk off the grocery store shelf – not because I was stockpiling, but because I happened to be out of milk. And there was a sale on bread, which explains the six loaves in my freezer. But that’s neither here nor there.

Really… why do people stockpile odd things in the event of a storm? And if we have a power outage, how do they plan to cook all that Campbell’s Chunky soup? I hope they remembered the propane for their camp stove. Wait, what?! Camp stove? You see my point.

Now, your resident blogger and erstwhile survivalist, Desiree Sweet, is here to share the things you REALLY need to stock up on. Because what fun is a snow day unless you can spend it tucked inside where it’s nice and warm?

Four Things Every Sexy Survivalist Needs

Condoms – You don’t want to trudge to the gas station in the middle of a blizzard because you’re down to your last condom, do you? We like this variety pack from Trojan, featuring three each of the Ultra Pleasure, Her Pleasure, and Pleasure Mesh varieties.

How many do you need? First, calculate approximately how many times you have sex each week. Remember, you need a new condom each time you have intercourse, and plan to use two to three times as many as usual during a snow storm or long weekend.

Condoms typically expire about 4 years from the date of production, so you can safely store a year’s supply as long as you remember to rotate your stock. When you buy a new box, place it toward the back of your supply. Older condoms should go in the front and be used first.

Lubricants – Different sex toys and condom materials require different lubricants. For instance, silicone toys should only be used with water-based lubricants. For bath fun, you’ll want a silicone lubricant, since water-based lubricants wash off too easily in the water and don’t provide enough staying power. Keep the following varieties of lube on hand for snowy day adventures:

-    Silicone lubricant – For use with most sex toys, except silicone varieties.
-    Water-based lubricant – For silicone toys
-    Massage oils - Not a lubricant but still important to have for full-body massages after your lover shovels the driveway
-    Warming lubricants - Perfect for those cold winter nights

According to the experts at Cosmopolitan magazine, most lubricants don’t have an expiration date, but it’s smart to use them within a year. I wouldn’t stockpile more than one or two bottles of each variety. Store your lubricants in a cool, dry place and give a quick sniff and look-over before you use them. If anything seems funky, toss it and reach for your back-up bottle.

Batteries – Fortunately, most vibrators are battery-powered, so you can enjoy your toys even in an electrical outage. But you don’t want to steal batteries from your flashlight (or vice versa) during the big storm. Make sure you have plenty of C and AA batteries available (the most common types for most vibes). Rechargable batteries, obviously, are the green solution, but make sure they’re fully charged before the storm hits.

Something to clean up – I love this “after sex towel” but if your power’s out, you won’t be doing laundry. Keep plenty of these in your linen closet, or simply have plenty of tissues on hand for clean up. Perhaps this is where all that bottled water comes in handy.

Rest easy, now that you’re all set for the next sex-filled snow day.

Image is of the F. Y. N. Adult Toybox XL Faux Leather Case courtesy of For Your Nymphomation.

It’s the first full week of the New Year. That means it’s not too late to make a New Year’s Resolution! I hope no one has actually broken any of theirs yet, unless they were the kind meant to be broken. (Like giving up sex in 2010… definitely a bad idea!)

So, dear readers, what are your New Year’s Resolutions? I’m sure we have the lion’s share of “quit smoking,” “lose weight” and (my personal favorite) “quit procrastinating.” In 2010, your resident blogger has made a resolution to keep this blog up-to-date with exciting, fun and sometimes educational content – just for you.

In that vein, here are some suggestions for New Year’s Resolutions you won’t mind keeping all year long!

1. Do something new with your lover. You can break open the Kama Sutra and play with whatever position strikes your fancy, have sex outdoors, or make a foray into BDSM. Whatever you choose, do something that is a new experience for both of you.

2. Communicate with your lover. Take time, inside the bedroom or out, to reveal your innermost fantasies. What do you love best about his techniques? What do you wish he’d do more often? Here’s a tip, ladies – long talks during car drives work well. The lack of eye contact makes your man more comfortable and it helps that he has something else to focus on while still giving you the attention you need (and deserve!)

3. Buy a new toy. Expand your bedroom repertoire with the help of a new battery-powered friend. Go for something completely different. If you’ve never used a rabbit-style vibe, I recommend the new WOW series. Want something great for anal play? The Slimline Anal Explorer is a great beginner vibe at a great price.

4. Have more sex. Who couldn’t use a little more love in their life? Make arrangements for lunchtime rendezvous, quickies before breakfast, or long Saturday evening romps through every room in your house. If you’re an “only on weekends” couple, add a weekday into the mix. If you currently have sex once a week or less, aim for two or three times, just for a month, to see how you like it.

5. Make (and keep) a weekly date night. After the hubbub of the holidays, everyone begins to settle back into their normal routine. Why not make a weekly connection with your lover part of your regular 2010 schedule? If you have kids, line up a babysitter. If not – you have less of an excuse.

Date night doesn’t have to be expensive. Order Chinese food and then give each other massages by the fireplace. Use your imagination for low-cost, stay-at-home one-on-one time or splurge with a dinner out at your favorite restaurant. You can decide who, er – what’s – for dessert.

6. Do kegels. Kegels – easy little exercises that tone the PC (Pubococcygeus) muscles have well-documented health benefits. Not only do they help prevent incontinence, they can aid in childbirth. They also help women have more intense orgasms. You can do kegels anywhere, at any time (and no one will know). You can also use ben wa balls for a more intense experience.

7. Use a condom. If you’re not in a monogamous relationship, make 2010 the year you vow to practice safe sex with every partner and use a condom. You’ll find so many fun varieties here at Vibrator.com, you can even use a different style, color or flavor every day of the year!

I really wanted to broach the subject of STDs in Washington, D.C. with a tongue-in-cheek approach. (I’m not doing anything more fun with my tongue at the moment.) I had a whole series of bi-partisan jokes lined up, poking fun at political personalities from Clinton to Ted Kennedy to Elliot Spitzer…

Then I thought better of it. It’s really not a laughing matter. In fact, it’s pretty sad.

D.C. beats all 50 states for cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
Our nation’s capital has a higher concentration of STDs than anywhere else in the U.S., according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Washington D.C. has higher rates of Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, with:

- 451.5 cases of gonorrhea per 100,000 people
- 24.8 cases of syphilis per 100,000 people; and
- 1,177 cases of Chlamydia per 100,000 people.

The Chlamydia rate in D.C. is nearly three times the rate of neighboring Virginia and Maryland.

Indicative of larger problems
It’s easy – almost cliché – to blame politicians with a penchant for interns and prostitutes, but the reality is, STD rates are higher in major cities across the U.S.

Other problems plaguing major urban areas also plague D.C. For instance, Washington D.C. also leads the pack in violent crime, and some statistics show that more than 14,000 people in our nation’s capital are homeless.

Sadly, these statistics don’t share any “breaking news.” They only drive home some obvious points:

- More sex education may help combat the spread of STDs.
- A better healthcare system can diagnose and treat individuals before they perpetuate more disease.
- How can we expect our politicians to serve an entire country when they can’t take care of problems right on their doorstep?

Teen girls also at risk
Nationwide, according to the CDC report, teen girls show the highest rates of  Chlamydia and gonorrhea, with more than 400,000 girls ages 15 – 19 infected with one or both of the STDs.

Left untreated, 10 to 20 % of these infections can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancies and infertility in women.

The prevalence of these STDs in teenage males was slightly lower – probably due to increased screening and diagnoses for teenage girls. Additionally, the long-term health risks for females who contract the disease are much worse than for men, in general. The U.S. population aged 15 to 24 years old, both male and female, are most at risk to contract STDs. The CDC report estimates approximately 19 million new STD infections each year, with almost half of those amongst people age 15 to 24.

Sex education, condom availability the keys
Educating high school and college students about the importance of safe sex can help combat the spread of STDs. At home, an open-door policy regarding discussions about sex with your teens can help.

It’s especially important for teenage girls to feel as if they can talk to their mothers about delicate sexual matters, as early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics of common STDs can help prevent future health problems and infertility. Whether that discussion involves a conversation about sex toys or not is a personal decision…

Sex expert Dr. Laura Berman recommends women buy vibrators for their teenage daughters.

“You’re teaching them about their own bodies and pleasuring themselves,” Dr. Berman said on a segment of Oprah this past spring. “They don’t need [a] boy – they don’t need another person — until they’re ready.”

She went on to say that using a vibrator may even make teenage girls safer, sexually-speaking, because it may encourage them to put off their sexual experience even longer.

Oprah’s best friend, Gayle King, shook her throughout the segment, arguing that it is “just too much information.” Kids are growing up fast enough, these days, she argued. Parents don’t need to add battery-operated fuel to the raging teenage hormonal fire.

The thought crossed my mind that, upon discovering how good sexual pleasure can feel with a vibrator, teenage girls may actually be more eager to find out about the real thing. (Only to be sorely disappointed by a first experience with an inexperienced boy their own age, of course… sending them running back to their vibrator… maybe Dr. Berman has the right idea?)

Dr. Berman says it’s about empowerment – teaching teens not only the basics of sex as well as how to be safe, but educating them about orgasm. Which we all know is an important part of sex. But I’m still not sure about vibrator-shopping with a teenage daughter.

Talking to Teens About Sex
I remember learning about masturbation from Judy Blume books. A few years later, I started learning about sex from Danielle Steele. We did not talk about sex in my house – at all. While my mom knew exactly what I was reading (after all, she read Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts, too) we never discussed it.

I know this is an extreme situation – the polar opposite of what today’s experts recommend. Certainly, I agree that parents should teach their teens about sex: the basic mechanics, safe sex for protection against disease and pregnancy, and the importance of not giving into peer pressure.

It’s also important to talk about the emotional connection forged after sex, which may surprise teenage girls who don’t fully understand the difference between love and lust; sometimes, those “feel-close” hormones can even throw grown women for a loop after a casual encounter.

Girls are giving blowjobs at 13 and 14 years old. (Note to the experts: Surprise! This is NOT a new phenomenon!) So it’s wise for parents to explain that STI’s can be transmitted through oral sex and condom use is important. Parents shouldn’t just pretend it’s not happening or even that it’s an atrocity.  It happens, has been happening probably since the dawn of time, and will continue to happen.  Sex education in schools, one-on-one conversations  at home, and buying sex toys for our teens won’t change that. The best we can do is educate teens on how to be safe and protect against disease and pregnancy. Well, that or chastity belts.

A Vibe for your Teen?
While I’m very much in favor of sex education and parents talking to their kids about sex, I also agree with Gayle King that to buy a teenage girl a vibrator is, indeed, “TMI.” I think discussions with teens about sex should lean toward the practical and the clinical. Of course, if a teenager has any questions, they should be answered open and honestly, and parents should make it clear that their kids can come to them with questions.

But I can imagine only one reaction if my mother ever brought up the topic of vibrators, masturbation or the specifics of orgasm: complete mortification. I can’t imagine it would be comfortable for many teenagers – or their parents. And I don’t see many benefits to it.

With all due respect, I think Dr. Berman is not giving enough consideration to the other reasons teenagers have sex, including the same reason vibrators don’t replace real-life lovers for grown-ups. Whether you’re 14 or 40, a sex toy—while fun—can never replace the intimacy of sex with someone you love (or even like a whole lot!)

Summer’s over, the kids are back to school. Between new schedules to follow, braving the malls for back-to-school shopping, and finances stretched too thin, all this stress can make anyone’s libido lose its lustre.

Here are five of the more common, seasonal sex-drive busters… and how to combat them.

Libido-buster #1: Cooler weather. Studies have linked warm weather to an increased sex drive, especially in women. Sunlight elevates the production and secretion of Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH), along with increasing the production of feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. Both chemicals are linked to increasing your sex drive.  It stands to reason, then, that as the days get shorter, bringing a little less sunlight into our lives, our sex drives drop.

Libido Enhancer: Take a walk. Treasure those last lingering days of warmth. Get as much sun as possible. Take a walk outside during lunch, savoring the scent of the fresh autumn air. The exercise and sunlight will boost your mood and put you IN the mood.

Libido-buster #2: Cold & allergy medications For some, the change in seasons brings about a cold or allergy symptoms. We often obliterate the runny nose and sniffles with a decongestant, but decongestant, by definition, are designed to dry us out – and they don’t affect just our nose and sinuses, unfortunately.

Libido Enhancer: Look to natural remedies, including neti-pots and Vitamin C. If you suffer from pollen allergies, eating a few spoonfuls of natural honey from your region may help. If you take a decongestant, use plenty of extra lube to counter the natural effects.

Libido-buster #3: Stress: The holidays haven’t even arrived but many of us are a bundle of nerves already. The good news is that sex is a great stress-buster… but you have to get in the mood first.

Libido Enhancer: Fake it till you wanna make it! I’m not advocating faking an orgasm, but there’s nothing wrong with pretending to be in the mood during foreplay. Turn your bedroom into a love sanctuary that allows you to lock out the world. Then relax and revel in the closeness between you and your lover and soon, you’ll find that your actions have actually changed your mood!

Libido-buster #4: Fatigue: New fall schedules may throw your entire household off-kilter, leaving everyone short on sleep and irritable.

Libido Enhancer: A good night’s rest: Remember, it really is best to get a full eight hours every night, and kids need more. Make sure the kids are going to bed early enough to rise without a fight. Get up (and go to bed) at the same times on weekends as weekdays to fight fatigue with a consistent schedule.
One big benefit of fall? The shorter days mean longer nights – think about turning in early after you put the kids to bed to rekindle the romantic spark of summer.

Libido-buster #5: Weight gain: Now that bikini season’s over, you may feel as if there’s less reason to watch what you eat. Cooler weather brings cravings for comfort food, which make it easier to pack on the pounds. Extra layers of clothing, too, can leave you feeling less than desirable.

Libido-enhancer: A new wardrobe? Back-to-school shopping isn’t just for the kids. If budget permits, treat yourself to a sexy new outfit. And don’t forget the lingerie. Then go home, take a hot bath, complete with candles around the tub and sensual suds. Slip on your new ensemble, and prepare to seduce your lover. You look wonderful, dah-ling!

It seems that about five minutes after paper was invented, someone invented porn. The Turin Erotic Papyrus, sometimes called Papyrus 55001, is a collection of 12 erotic “stories” discovered on ancient Egyptian scrolls.

In each of the 12 pictures, couples enjoy different sexual positions – some highly unlikely, or, at the very least, extremely uncomfortable. Since the scrolls’ discovery, people have been speculating whether the 12 drawings are a message to the gods, a fertility ritual, or  evidence of the earliest erotica. Maybe a combination of all three.

In his report “Eros in Egypt,” scholar David O’Connor describes the scrolls: “In each vignette a grotesquely aroused, unkempt man has sexual relations with an attractive young woman. The woman, while virtually naked, is decidedly more elegant than her partner. The sexual positions are varied and extremely vivid.”

That sounds eerily like the DVD I watched last night. It seems porn hasn’t changed much in 3,200-or-so years.

The scrolls depict Egyptians drinking alcohol, gathered around tables partying, and having sex. More evidence not much has changed.

The most surprising thing about the scrolls is that it seems to contradict the Egyptians’ other, more chaste drawings, particularly  hieroglyphs carved into cave walls. For instance, a man and woman may sit side-by-side at a table, symbolizing their marriage and union, but they rarely touch.

The Egyptians also leaned toward euphemistic symbols. A bow and arrow, used to depict “shooting,” may mean “ejaculation.” Some drawings would feature a burly man shooting his “arrow” directly at a female figure.

Aside from the erotic papyrus, the really juicy drawings were found on the cave walls where Egyptian kings were buried. While ancient Egyptians were extremely discrete about sex between mortal men and women, for the gods, life was one big orgy. Many photos of the well-endowed god of fertility, Min, grace cave walls. One would never see a human male unclothed in most Egyptian drawings.

Even between gods, however, sex between a male and female in human form was taboo. Instead, gods cavorted in animal form. The most famous example is a love scene between Osiris and Isis, in which Osiris lies aroused, face up, while Isis flies over him in the form of a bird. Apparently, for the ancient Egyptians, bestiality was okay.

But, moving back to the scrolls – one of the most interesting panels depicts an orgy, with at least three couples engaged in different sexual activities. In the center of the panel, a naked woman sits perched on a cone-like seat, as her partner’s hand gropes her. Is this evidence of the first ancient sex toy?

Perhaps the real question is, “Who cares?” We all know sex has been around as long as there were beings around to reproduce, but it’s fascinating to think about ancient civilizations enjoying the same pleasures we do — complete with friends, spirits and even sex toys!

As a professional sex blogger, my job is to keep readers entertained and informed. In some posts, I seek simply to instruct, sharing an array of tips and tricks you can employ in your own bedroom.

But in my spare time, I’ve been known to pen some pretty creative erotica. I’m talking fantasies that make Penthouse letters look tame. Group sex, sex in public places, sex with celebrities, sex with elves… Okay, I’m kidding about the last part.

But you don’t need a BA in journalism or a fancy title like professional sex blogger to write stories that will entice your lover while giving depth, breadth and realism to your fantasies. If I had to share the biggest benefit to writing erotica, it’s the opportunity to lay out intricate fantasies on plain white paper, making them one step closer to reality.

How do you write erotica? The rules for writing good erotica are the same rules that apply to writing anything. These tips will make the entire process easier. But above all, don’t worry about the quality. Are you enjoying the process of writing? Does your lover enjoy reading it? That’s all that matters.

These five tips will help you get over any fears of the blank screen and permit you to pen pornographic prose that will delight readers – and yourself!

1. Be yourself. People think writing (any sort of writing) is difficult because they think it should sound different from how they talk. Just be yourself. Sit down and share a story.

2. Remember your characters. Most unpublished fiction falls flat because the characters don’t have personalities. Much amateur erotica doesn’t make the grade because the characters have no motivation other than to, by the end of the story, get Point A into Slot B.To avoid this common faux pas, write out a quick “character sketch” of your main characters. What is their history? What do they look like? What are their key personality traits and their motivations? Incorporate these details throughout the story to help create living, breathing characters. For beginners making a foray into erotica, you may wish to pattern the characters after yourself and your lover. Not only is this easy – it’s hot!

3. Give it a plot. It’s definitely okay to write to “get to the sex scene,” in the style of most porn flicks. But if you strive to raise your story above the level of “porn” to “erotica,” incorporate a plot. Let your imagination run wild. This is your fantasy, after all. Just remember, conflict drives your plot. The simplest version is: character A wants something. Character B is blocking them. Most plots derive from some variation of that basic formula. See? Writing is easy!

4. Show, don’t tell. If you’ve ever taken a creative writing course, you’ve heard this adage. But what does it mean? Use details to permit your story to unfold naturally.Telling: He climbed on top of her and they started fucking.Showing: He looked down at her naked body, glistening with sweat and sprawled spread-eagle across the downy white comforter. Her big brown eyes seemed to say, “Take me.” And he did. He wasted no time in bending over her form, pushing himself forcefully inside her. They both moaned with pleasure from the first penetration. The mattress seemed to groan from the added weight, and soon, his thrusts kept time with the squeaking springs.

5. Use all five senses. Sex is about so much more than visual and tactile sensations. There’s your lover’s unique scent. Gentle moans, soft groans, and loud squeals. And don’t forget the exciting tastes – lips, tongue, love juices. Write your story to appeal to all five senses… and soon, you’ll find your lover appealing to you to write the sequel – or maybe enact it in real life!

Ladies, are you seeking a new way to entice your man (or lady?) in the bedroom? Why not give pole dancing a whirl? This erotic style of dance provides a fabulous upper body workout and a unique foreplay experience.

Vibrator.com’s Desiree Sweet gets the inside scoop on getting started from pole dancing instructor LaylaBeth.

Desiree Sweet: How did you first get into pole dancing?
LaylaBeth: My first twirl around a pole was during a date night with my hubby. We went to a gentleman’s club, and after a little while, he asked the GM if I could get up on stage and dance. I am actually a trained dancer (ballet, jazz, belly dance) so I wasn’t scared of the idea of dancing. That pole, on the other hand, was an interesting accessory! I couldn’t do ANYTHING with it other than hold onto it and walk around a little, so if my curiosity had been SOMEWHAT piqued about the pole prior to that event, it was even MORE piqued after that!

I had heard about a company that did home pole-dancing parties, so, a few months after “Strip Club Night,” as we now refer to it, I contacted the company, ordered a pole and the rest is history!

DS: In addition to being fun and erotic, I’ve heard it’s great exercise, too.
LB: Pole dancing is GREAT exercise for women (or anyone for that matter!) because you really get to build up good upper-body strength. Pole dancing requires that we use our upper body during certain spins, holds and even inverts.

DS: What sort of women do you typically see in your class?
LB: I have seen the whole gamut–younger, college girls looking for a giggle, all the way to women in their fifties who want to let their hair down and strut their stuff a little!  (I even made my own mom come to one of my classes, once!)  My “favorite” students have actually been the older ones—they are typically more comfortable in their own skin and more confident; classes become fun and laidback with that type of energy. I’d say it has been an equal mix of single/coupled ladies. A few recent divorcees, too!

DS: Can anyone learn how to pole dance?
LB: From the bottom of my heart, I DO believe that just about ANYONE can learn to pole dance—at least SOME of the moves!  There are two basic moves I teach in every single class that by the end of the night, EVERYONE can do.  These moves require NO skill other than the willingness to employ a positive attitude!

DS: Anything they should know before they start?
LB: One ABSOLUTELY should warm-up first before attempting any pole maneuvers, so what I do in class is about a 15 minute “regular” exercise period that leads into a little burlesque style dance, and then some simple “struts” around the pole.

We teach barefoot—I won’t even entertain the notion of letting newbies wear “stripper shoes” because a rolled ankle is NOT sexy.

Of course, check with your doctor before starting any exercise program–including pole dancing!

DS: How can women apply the moves they learn in your class in the bedroom?

LB: Women can take a lot of what we learn in class to their bedrooms.  It’s very erotic. I like to include “chair” and “lap dance” techniques with each class, so that even if the lady doesn’t have a pole of her own, she can take what she learns back home with her and show her partner!

Do you wanna try pole dancing at  home? You can buy a pole here. The easy-to-assemble Peekaboo pole kit extends to a height of 6 to 8 feet, and tucks away easily when not in use.

To learn more about LaylaBeth and poledancing, go to http://www.transitionalpoledance.com or http://www.laylabeth.com.

It’s often hard to make sense of death, especially when the death follows a long battle with a rare illness. Although cancer in so many forms has permeated our society, anal cancer remains quite rare. According to the American Cancer Society, slightly over 5,000 cases are diagnosed each year, with 700 people dying from the disease. On June 25, 2009, 70s icon and former Charlie’s Angel star Farrah Fawcett was one of its victims.

Because of the body part it afflicts, and also because of the stigma attached to it, anal cancer is rarely publicized and often diagnosed too late. In Farrah Fawcett’s case, it was diagnosed and treated in 2006, but then returned this April and spread. On June 25, 2009, the beauty icon passed away from the cancer, which it is reported had spread to her liver.

“Farrah’s Story”
Although the disease, as cancer goes, is quite rare, it is also frequently ignored. Let’s face it: exams used to detect this type of cancer are uncomfortable, at best. The same goes for discussing the topic.

Farrah Fawcett’s documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” which aired on NBC in late May, shed light on the disease and on Farrah’s struggle. During the latter part of her life, Farrah brought several facts about anal cancer into the public eye.

1. If diagnosed early, patients have an 80 to 90 % remission rate.
2. If the cancer is localized and detected in its first stage, the 5-year survival is approximately 82%.
3. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 85 % of all anal cancers are caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, but it is not a sexually transmitted disease per se.
4. Since up to 25 % of all women have, at some point, contracted the HPV virus, while sexual promiscuity increases the risk of anal cancer, it is not the only risk factor.

Risk Factors
In addition to the HPV virus, risk factors for anal cancer include:

-         being over the age of 50
-         a weakened immune system
-         smoking
-         family history

It’s important to stress that anal cancer is not necessarily an indicator of sexual promiscuity – having many sexual partners is just one of many risk factors. Because small tears in the anus can lead to easier transmission of the HPV virus, practicing safe anal sex can decrease the odds of contracting the disease. The use of condoms can protect against HPV transmission, but may not entirely prevent it.

Symptoms of Anal Cancer
Symptoms of anal cancer include anal bleeding, itching and soreness. Other symptoms include changes in bowel habits, pain or pressure in that area, and unusual discharge from the area. Again, because of the high remission rate when the cancer is detected early, see a doctor if you exhibit any of these symptoms.

What about the HPV Vaccine?
Two vaccines—GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix and Merck’s Gardasil—have been shown to protect against some cancer-causing strains of HPV. However, neither vaccine has been approved for use to specifically prevent anal cancer. You can read more about the vaccine in this post, HPV Vaccine: Cancer Prevention or Corporate Profits?

As with any other form of cancer, knowledge of risk factors and symptoms, along with early detection and treatment, are the keys to better health.

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