EDUCATION

12 Tips For Parents: Talking To Your Kids About Sex

2008-04-02T11:22:00.001+07:00

ou've just found out your son or daughter is getting sex education at public school and you want to give them the Islamic perspective on it.

Or your kids have started asking the “where do babies come from” question.

But you just can't get over your tongue-tying embarrassment. Imagine! If your father or mother, back in Cairo or Karachi, heard of this they'd be stunned and question your parenting skills!

Here are some tips that can help you talk to your kids about the “s” word.

Tip #1: Start Early

Ideally sex education is not provided to kids in a reactionary fashion. Rather, it's given from the beginning in an indirect manner.

This means the child has to have a strong sense of identity and an understanding of what his or her values are.

“Parents are going to have sit down and explain their values to their own children. And this needs to start young, before the society influences them,” says Marilyn Morris, a Christian, who is president and founder of Aim for Success. The organization promotes abstinence from sex through speeches and presentations to students in grades six to 12. The group is one of the largest providers of abstinence education in the United States.

She says it is also important to explain to kids why you hold those values. For example, why do you not approve of sex outside of marriage, whether this is for religious and/or health reasons.

Tip #2: Give the child age-appropriate sex education

Starting to teach different topics at the right age is also important.

For example, a boy of eight may notice his mom does not pray some time during the month and may ask why. At this point, it can simply be said this is a time when Allah has excused women from praying. At the age of 12 or 13, a parent can introduce the topic of menstruation, and by that point, he will be able to make the connection.

Another way topics of a sexual nature can be introduced is while the child is reading the Quran. When the child reads verses about sexual intercourse, menstruation, or homosexuality, for example, this can be explained in a matter-of-fact manner.

Sex can also be discussed in the context of cleanliness in Islam at a certain age. For example, by the age of six or seven, a child must know how to clean him or herself after using the toilet.

After this at about eleven or twelve, the issue of Ghusl can be raised and when it is necessary (i.e. after sexual intercourse, after menstruation, etc).

As well, parents should sit with their children individually, not all together to explain various age-appropriate topics related to sex.

Some of the topics to talk about include modesty, decency, conduct and behavior .

But these should not be presented as just a bunch of rules to be followed. Rather the wisdom behind, for example, the Islamic dress code and lowering the gaze for both sexes should be explained.

Tip #3: Parents should build a good relationship with their kids

Proper sex education can only be given if the correct messages are being sent explicitly and implicitly by parents.

There has to be openness, not a rigid and dogmatic atmosphere at home.

“I'm talking about a loving relationship at home between the parents,” says Khadija Haffajee an Islamic activist and a retired school teacher from the Ottawa-Carleton region of Canada. She has spent about 30 years working in the public school system. “That there's love between the parents, there's affection. They [the kids] can see this, how they talk to each other, the respect that's there.”

Tip #4: Be an example

This goes hand in hand with being a role model, which is the best way to teach and transmit values to children.

That means not only should children be exposed to a healthy male-female relationship when they see their parents. It also means parents do not engage in activities which undermine their views on sexuality.

For instance, “being careful themselves about what they watch on T.V. or what movies they go to see, “ is crucial says Morris “because that ‘s a bad influence on us at any age. And if our children see us doing it why shouldn't they as well?”

This also means setting an example in other aspects of life by following the same rules you expect your kids to follow. For example, if you're running late, call children and let them know, show them the same courtesy you expect from them, explains Morris.

Tip #5: Meet with others who share your values

It is necessary for children to not just see the embodiment of Islamic values at home. They must also experience this in contacts with other Muslim children and families, says Haffajee.

They must see that family life the Islamic way is not just something their own family practices, but it's something others do as well.

This makes it more “normal” for the child, who in public school may have friends or acquaintances with homosexual parents (two mommies or two daddies), parents who are having sex outside of marriage (mom's boyfriend, dad's girlfriend) or other types of unacceptable relationships.

Tip #6: Get involved with your children's school

Depending on a parent's schedule, this can mean different things. Most of the time, public schools encourage parents' active participation through channels like Parent and Teachers' Associations (PTAs) or as elected school board members.

Haffajee explains that more and more schools will be decentralized and will have more power at the PTA level, for instance. Another forum for involvement is running in school board elections. School boards run all the schools in one district.

But if this is too much of a commitment for you as a parent, at least be in contact with your child's teacher, and let her/him know not just about problems, but good things he or she is doing for your child as well.

”We have to build these links, not feel it's them and us,” adds Haffajee.

Volunteering and helping at the school is also an option. This differs in each school. Some may have a lunchroom program with parents as monitors, for instance, which requires only a few hours a week.

Regular participation in such school organizations and activities gives you a voice as a parent to express your views about what's going on in the school system as it affects your child, as well as others' children.

It is important to add that this involvement should not come only when the school has done something you, as a parent, feel has violated your child's needs as a Muslim, or when you want something specifically for your child (i.e. time off for Eid, Juma, etc.).

By participating at the long-term level, your voice is more likely to be heard because you're involved in making the school better generally, not just for your child's interest only.

When it comes time for sex education, you can band together with other parents, Muslim and non-Muslim, who share the same views on the topic, and it is more likely you will be listened to.

“There are a lot of non-Muslim parents who are concerned about these issues and feel as if there is no control,” notes Haffajee.

Tip #7: Know the sex education territory

“There should be talk about what kind of information they're getting, preadolescent education,” says Haffajee.

Launching a three hour tirade against the evils of public school sex education will do little good in helping your son or daughter see what's wrong with it. This is why it is necessary to find out what is included in the sex education curriculum.

“They should find out exactly what the school is teaching, to the point of even sitting with the person doing the education and finding out about the values of that person,” says Morris. “This is a very important issue”

Tip #8: Know the Islamic perspective on sex

There is more to sex education than telling your son or daughter “don't do it until you get married”.

Topics like menstruation, sexual changes in adolescents, Islamic purity after various types of uncleanliness associated with sex also have to be discussed.

If you're not sure, get some help from a knowledgeable Muslim or Imam, as well as a guide for parents (see the review for the book Miracle Of Life.

Be capable of providing exact references from the Quran, Sunnah and valid Islamic authorities on relevant topics (i.e. birth control, boy/girl relationships, etc.).

On the same note, if in the course of your conversation your child asks you something and you are not sure about whether it really is Islamic or not, CHECK IT OUT. Assuming that a cultural practice relating to sex or boy/girl relationships is automatically Islamic is a mistake.

Tip #9: Tell your kids you're available to talk to them about sex

This is necessary, especially if sex has been a taboo subject in the household for so long.

“Parents [should] say to their children “I want to be your primary source of information about sex,” says Morris.

This makes it clear that while your child may be getting information about sex from other sources like television, the movies, school and friends, you are the “authoritative source”.

This is done best when discussed at a younger age, rather than waiting for the teen years when rebelliousness usually kicks in and kids are less likely to listen to parents.

Tip #10: Express your nervousness

It will be hard to talk about sex for many parents. But they should not hide this from their kids.

Morris recommends parents say, “If I sound nervous or uncomfortable just bear with me,” in the course of their conversation.

This stresses the seriousness of the topic and the importance of what you want to say. The fact that this is so difficult for you, yet you are going forward with it emphasizes your child's need to listen.

Tip #11: Withdraw your child from sex education but tell them why

There are public schools where sex education is an option, and a child can be exempted from it.

Haffajee says there are parents, Muslim and non-Muslim who have decided to choose this instead of having their kids sit through public school sex education.
But if you do decide to do this, she advises it is important to clearly explain to your child why this is being done, and to ensure that s/he is being provided with Islamic sex education in the home.

Otherwise, your child may see it as being excluded from an activity with his or her friends.

Tip #12: Get help from others

If you feel extremely uncomfortable talking to your kids about it, enlist the help of a knowledgeable and open Imam or community member who is of the same gender as your child, to explain the details and provide the guidance.

Other people can be Islamic weekend school teachers, a Muslim social worker, or a trusted family member like an aunt, uncle or cousin.

Also, get some books for your kids that discuss sex from an Islamic perspective. Miracle of Life or Ahmad Sakr's The Adolescent Life are some examples.

However, getting someone else to talk to them or giving them a book is not the end of the story. As a parent, you have to be ready and open to at least hear Ameer or Jamila's concerns or questions about sex, so you can direct them to the right person or information if you are uncomfortable answering yourself.

Borrowing Student Loans Responsibly

2008-03-27T16:29:00.000+07:00

As you may know, student loans are today’s largest form of student aid. Researches have found out that it made up to 54 percent of the total aid awarded every year. However, with the rise of student loans, several cases of student loan defaults occur. The student loan debt is even today’s one of the major problems of most student borrowers. It is rising every year and the college expenses as well as the graduate school costs have definitely gone up faster than inflation. Well, let me tell you that this case often surface when you take a particular loan then another student loan followed by another loan. It is often said that as much as you take student loan offers, your loan debt gets bigger and bigger.

Since the case for student loan debt always happens and it carries certain burdens to the attainment of the student’s dream of higher education, it is then important that you consider some steps that will help you lower or manage your debts. Perhaps one of the most necessary things to consider is to borrow loans responsibly.
Think Before Your Borrow
Many people find it easy to rush through the student loan process. However, if you take a minute considering some of the money saving tips mentioned below, you could save yourself some bucks in the long run. So, read on.
Falling Into the Loan Trap? Oops! Avoid it!
Most of the time, you may find it tempting to borrow up to the maximum amount. Well, this is what many people call as the “loan trap”. It is the case where you borrow the maximum amount of money from the student loan lending company or institution even if it is more than you can afford to repay. It often occurs for the fact that need-based loans are very easy to apply for and they don’t usually require payments while you are attending your degree. So, to avoid certain consequences as you enter the repayment period, you should avoid the loan trap.
How Much Loan Do You Actually Need
Before you consider borrowing a student loan for your college, think first how much loan you really need. Always note that when taking out student loan, you don’t have to borrow the entire amount which is usually specified in your award letter. Just borrow what is enough.
Reduce Your Loan As Much As Possible
There are several options available for student loan borrowers. But, before opting for one, it is necessary that you question yourself if you can hold down the expenses; if you can work more, either in the academic year or during vacations; or if there are scholarships available for you. It is often said that if you minimize spending or bring in more money, the amount you have to borrow for your education tends to go down.
Consider Student Loans with the Best Terms
Note that the lower the interest rate, the less pricey the student loan is. This actually means, the less you will have to repay for your student loan debt.
For your own sake, here is what your batting order should be (from the least expensive):
Student Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Subsidized Stafford or Direct Loans
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford or Direct Loans
Alternative or Private Loans
As you may know, most of the students thinking for student loans have access to a special loan source these days. These sources, like the Air Force Aid Society, have student loans terms that are comparable to the Perkins or Subsidized Stafford or Direct Loans. Of course, it may be worth your time to look into the possibilities. There are some sources these days that offer low-interest student loan programs, and perhaps one of the most resourceful is the College Board’s online Scholarship Search.
Parent Loans
1. Federal PLUS Loans
2. Private Loans or Alternative Loans
As mentioned, there are two available forms of education loans for parents. These programs are what commonly offered by some colleges anywhere in the world. But, for great chances of availing the benefits of such programs, it is best to check with your financial aid office to see if the school you wish to attend offers its own loan program. This will also allow you to know if you qualify for the loan, before you submit a PLUS loan application.
How Much Should You Borrow?
Many experts agree that you should borrow only as much as necessary. As mentioned earlier, it is often tempting to borrow whatever you are offered or are eligible to borrow. However, it is necessary to think first carefully about hoe much you really need, as well as to consider other possible options.
Always note that there is actually no need for you to borrow the entire amount shown in your award letter. And, even more important is that, never plan to borrow as much as you can up the yearly limits because if you do so, expect yourself to be deep down in debt.
Consider Options That Will Reduce Your Loans
If you are thinking for borrowing money to support your education, try to ask yourself first if you have savings left that you can use instead of taking out a student loan from the school of your choice. Also, think if you can get by with less by way of holding down expenses, or if you can do something great, like working more, either in the academic year or during vacations just to support your education. Also, think for the possible scholarships that you can apply for, or you can be qualified for. There are actually a lot of options left for you out there. The best move to take now is to know and understand them.
Estimate Your Loan Payments
It is worthy to note that the more you borrow for your education, the higher is the amount of your monthly repayments will be once you finish your degree. So if possible, try to estimate your loan payments. There are a number of student loan repayment calculators out there that you can use to do the math. What’s more, you have the chance to calculate your monthly payments based on the estimated starting salary of your chosen occupation.
The Essential Borrowing Tips
Now that you have pondered enough about your student loan with the things you have to consider before borrowing, as well as with the amount you need to borrow, I guess it is now important for you to look at the most recommended tips for borrowing student loans. Just consider the following:
Start by looking at the award letter given to you by your servicer. From the letter, figure out which need-based loans you have been qualifies for and for what amounts.
After looking at the full financial picture, such as the awarded aid, education cost, and family share, you should then consider settling on an amount that you actually need to borrow.
The rule is: never borrow more than you need. Always note that as a student loan borrower, you are not required to take the full amount of the loan you have been offered.
Don’t ever forget about student employment as an alternative for borrowing. Even though working at a job can seem like an extra burden for students, so is struggling with high loan repayments after college.
Apply for the student loan right away. This is very necessary especially if you want to ensure that the loan is approved as well as the money paid to the college before you have to make your first student account payment.
The key to successful application is to follow the loan application instructions carefully. Note that any mistakes you make will delay receipt of the funds.
When you are applying for a Stafford or Direct student loan, be prepared for the amount that is paid to the college to be less than the amount you signed for. Usually, a fee of up to four percent will be deducted from the student loan. This deduction occurs before the check is sent to the college of your choice.
If you already figured out the exact amount you are borrowing before any borrowing process begins, you should start keeping track of your student loan tab, which is what your monthly repayment amount will be after you graduated from college. There are student loan calculators out there than can do the math for you.
If instances occur that you find yourself needing more than the amount that’s been offered in your award letter, it is necessary to contact with a financial aid counselor before taking on an additional loan.
And, if you do take on an additional, unsubsidized loan, just consider making interest payments while attending your degree. The interest won’t be much and this will help you save money. If you delay or capitalize the interest payments, you will end up having to pay back significantly less than.
As mentioned, planning and thinking your moves for taking out student loans is very necessary for a successful borrowing. If you do consider what have been mentioned above, then there is no doubt for you not to attain your dream education, and even a successful career in the future.

An All-Around Yoga Exercise: 12-Step Salute to the Sun

2008-03-27T16:28:00.000+07:00

One of the all-around yoga exercises is the 12-step salute to the sun. Do it once or twice when you get up in the morning to help relieve stiffness and invigorate the body. Multiple repetitions at night will help you to relax; insomniacs often find that six to 12 rounds help them fall asleep.

1. Stand with your feet slightly apart, palms together, thumbs against your chest.

2. Inhale deeply while slowly raising your hands over your head, and bend back as far as possible, while tightening your buttocks. Hold for three seconds.

3. Slowly exhale and bend forward, keeping your knees straight, until your fingers touch the floor outside your feet. (If you can't touch the floor, go as close as you can.) Bring your head in toward your knees.

4. Slowly inhale, bend your knees, and if your fingertips aren't outside your feet on the floor, place them there. Slide your right foot back as far as you can go, with the right knee an inch or so off the floor, (a lunge position). Now look up as high as possible, arching your back.

5. Before exhaling again, slide your left foot back until it is beside the right one, and with your weight supported on your palms and toes, straighten both legs so that your body forms a flat plane. Make sure your stomach is pulled in.

6. Slowly exhale, bend both knees to the floor, bend with your hips in the air, lower your chest and forehead to the floor.

7. Now inhale slowly and look up, bending your head back, then raising it, followed by your upper chest, then lower chest. Your lower body - from the navel down - should be on the floor, and your elbows should be slightly bent. Hold for three to five seconds.

8. Exhale slowly and raise your hips until your feet and palms are flat on the floor and your arms and legs are straight in an inverted V position.

9. Inhale slowly and bring your right foot forward as in position 4. The foot should be flat on the floor between your fingertips. The left leg should be almost straight behind you, with its knee slightly off the floor. Raise your head, look up, and arch your back.

10. Slowly exhale and bring your left foot forward next to your right one. Straighten your legs and stand, trying to keep your fingertips on the floor, and try to touch your head to your knees as in position 3.

11. Slowly inhale, raise your arms up and stretch back as in position 2. Don't forget to tighten your buttocks. Hold for three seconds.

12. Slowly exhale, lowering your arms to your sides. Relax. Repeat the series.

LACES Threads High Expectations Throughout School

2008-03-25T18:12:00.002+07:00

High expectations, demanding courses, and dedicated faculty combine to give the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) the feel and results of a pricey prep school rather than an urban magnet school. Included: Description of a strong urban magnet school program.

Imagine being accepted to a school with more competitive admissions than the University of California -Los Angeles (UCLA) -- when you’re a sixth grader.

So impressive are the reputation -- and the results -- of the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) magnet school that it draws hundreds more applicants than it can accommodate and has an acceptance rate closer to that of elite colleges than urban magnet schools.

Almost 100 percent of LACES graduates are admitted to college. Yet most of the 1,523 students enrolled in the grades six-to-12 school are from minority groups and the inner city -- populations that typically struggle in school.

“This is not a gifted magnet; yet, somehow when they get here, they become successful, and get motivated," said principal Margaret Kim. “I can’t quite figure out the formula -- maybe it’s because students have to apply."

“IT’S HARDER TO GET IN HERE THAN UCLA"

For assistant principal Marion Wong, the main ingredient in the formula is high expectations. The school’s motto is “In search of excellence."

“We start with the idea that everyone is going to college," Wong told Education World in spring 2007. “The school is designed around two standards of excellence. Every student will take one or more advanced placement (AP) classes by the end of his or her career. Every student will attend a four-year college, have a fruitful career, and be an engaged citizen."

Serving students from many different backgrounds and circumstances and widely varying ability levels has not diluted those goals or expectations. “We do run the gamut, from some special education students to the very gifted," Wong noted. “A lot of kids are inner-city, but not hard core inner-city. Some live in bad neighborhoods."

LACES results stand out even more because the school has many of the challenges that often sink urban schools into the lower-performing category and anchor them there: a predominately urban, minority population; large classes (the average is 29 students in middle school classes, 34 in high school); few computers, no computer lab, and a building new when Franklin D. Roosevelt served as president.

Yet in 2005, LACES received the California Distinguished High School Award. The school also earned the California Distinguished School Award twice and the National Blue Ribbon School Award once.

“By multiple measures, the school offers an island of excellence in the midst of the inner city neighborhood in which it resides," according to a California Best Practices Study done in 2005. “LACES is not a high-end private school but an inner city school with no admissions criteria in GPA. Yet, it shows many of the features of an Exeter or Groton."

“It’s harder to get in here than UCLA," noted Wong.

For the 2007-2008 school year, LACES received about 2,000 applications for approximately 244 openings in sixth grade. Students are chosen through a complex lottery system, and preference is given to siblings of students. The school also accepts about 35 ninth graders each year to replace students who transfer to another high school.

“Parents cry when their kids don’t get in here," Wong added. “Therapists call and say they want a child to go here."

In part because getting admitted is so difficult, parent involvement also is very high. “If we call a parent, they’re in," Wong said. “Often both parents. All the families want the best for their kids. This school is definitely the first choice for many parents."

Lorraine, 16, a junior, said she was drawn to LACES because she heard it was a good school and her mother liked that she wouldn’t have to transfer after middle school.

“I know it’s much harder than an LA high school," Lorraine told Education World. “There are more classes and the teachers are nice, but strict. You have to balance your schedule so you do well." Asked about her plans after high school, Lorraine answered, “I’ll attend college, of course. I’m not sure yet what I’ll study -- maybe fashion, business, or economics."
BUILDING A REPUTATION

The school offers 23 AP courses, a wide variety of electives, and classes for different ability levels. LACES’ students are required to take seven courses a year, using a block schedule. Faculty members teach six courses, as opposed to five in many schools.

“This is designed to be an academic school," teacher Randy Rutschman said. “The kids realize why they are here."

Besides mandating that all LACES’ students take at least one AP class, the school’s standards for graduation are much higher than the state’s. While California requires students to earn 230 credits to receive a high school diploma, LACES’ students must earn 280.

“So LACES’ kids look pretty good," said Victoria Vickers, the magnet coordinator and sixth-grade counselor.

Even with all the requirements, every student has a course he or she likes during the day, Wong noted. “We’re able to offer electives. They can take at least one elective every year -- usually two."

And unlike many urban schools where teachers spend the bulk of the day on scripted lessons, drilling classes on basic skills for high-stakes tests, LACES’ teachers spend very little time prepping students for California’s state tests. “We teach to state standards, and our kids usually do well on tests," Wong said. Teachers often take students to a local college for testing, because there are fewer distractions and the setting reminds students of why they are taking tests and working so hard.

Most graduates make a successful transition to higher education. “Generally, our kids do really well in college," guidance counselor Mary Jane London said. “The kids who go to small schools do better -- many of them get lost at larger schools."

Staff members do want to add some curriculum specifically for middle-schoolers. “Our reputation has been made on the reputation of the high school," Vickers said. “We need to concentrate on the middle school. Now we’re adding distinctly middle-school classes, such as leadership and journalism."

Generally speaking, LACES’ students are inquisitive and motivated, and that is a large part of the appeal of teaching there, said Marlene Braer, a 12th grade English teacher who has been at the school for 15 years.

“I like the students and I like my colleagues," Braer told Education World. “My students are respectful and complete assignments and I respect them. I love the interplay. The expectations are high; they don’t want to disappoint me. And they stay engaged if you give them interesting things to talk about."
LEARNING WITH THE WORLD

While requiring hard work from its students, LACES provides them with a dedicated 60-member faculty, a safe environment, 80 after-school clubs from which to choose, and a diversity that many public or private schools would envy. Preference is given to applicants from racially-isolated neighborhoods. About 90 percent of LACES’ students are bused in from different parts of Los Angeles. The school’s acceptance rate is designed to create a population that is about 70 percent minority and 30 percent white.

“I would never have met anyone who was a white American if I hadn’t come here," said Cecilia, 13, a seventh grader. “The neighborhood school I went to was all Hispanic; known for violence, and the people were not so nice. I learned new things here about people who are Korean, Chinese, and Japanese that I never would have known and became friends with them. You learn more here from other groups of people."

Because electives are open to students in all grades, pupils also learn with students of varying ages. Math classes are grouped by ability level, allowing some sixth graders to take first-year algebra. The calculus teacher also can teach seventh-grade honors math.

LACES’ faculty has little turnover, and that and the fact that students are there for seven years allows teachers and students to bond. Teachers try to turn students on to their strengths, and often the older ones help the younger ones, Vickers noted.
“Just having them for so long is a plus," she added. “You can start with kids who don’t know anything about music and dance and get them involved."

Some, though, say there are drawbacks to spending their middle-and-high-school years in one school. “I met a lot of people I wouldn’t have met normally," said Marissa, 16, a junior. “But it is a long time to be in one place. I wish I’d had some more transitions."

Others initially had doubts about attending, but were won over. “When I first came here, I didn’t want to come," said Christina, 13, a seventh grader. “I am an artist, and they focus on academics. It’s a different experience -- there is no football team, the mascot is the unicorn, which is different -- but I feel like I’m learning a lot. Classes are big, but teachers try hard to give you a lot of help. You get to make friends with kids from other grades and races."
STUDENTS INSPIRE TEACHERS

Teachers at LACES probably have more work to do than their counterparts in other districts schools, but the longer hours for staff members pay off in the relationships they build with students and peers, Rutschman said. “There is a lot of interaction among the faculty and we have a supportive administration; the principal has vision."

Rutschman has been at LACES for 23 years and teaches AP psychology, a leadership class, U.S. history, and is a tenth grade guidance counselor. He also passes out licorice to his advisees.

If that weren’t enough, he serves as principal of an orthodox yeshiva, a school for Jewish students, working there from 3:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. four days a week.

“I like the [LACES] kids -- they are intelligent, personable, and verbal -- that’s mostly what has kept me here all these years," Rutschman told Education World. “At this school, the worst kid is a good kid. They are willing to tell you when you are right or wrong. And I like the fact that it is integrated -- it’s really culturally rich."

Robert, 17, a senior and a member of the Young Black Scholars, said LACES is a good place for people who want to apply themselves. He had been accepted to Loyola Marymount College.

“The classes are smaller and I met a lot of different kinds of people," Robert said. “If you come to school to handle your business, you’re okay. If not, it’s hard."
POSITIVE PEER INTERACTION

LACES also encourages peer support and interaction across the grades. High school students serve as peer counselors, for which they must undergo 20 hours of training. The program is run by an English teacher.

Students who complete the training meet with classmates and talk about issues such as transitions, coping with divorce, and handling grief. But the students recognize they are no substitute for professionals. “They know when to call in help," Wong said.

High school students also volunteer as homeroom leaders for the younger ones. At least four or five high school students are assigned to all the sixth grade homerooms. The homeroom leaders also run summer orientation for new students.

Homeroom leaders help sixth graders with homework, the transition to middle school, and discuss how to work with different teachers. The older students also participate with sixth graders in team building, seasonal activities, and diversity training.

Christopher, 12, a sixth grader who lifted his feet up and down as he talked, said the interaction with older students was one of LACES’ strengths. “I like having the big brothers and big sisters -- they help with homework," he said.
MINDING THE GAP

Despite the staff’s efforts to help all students perform at high levels, the biggest challenge LACES faces is closing the achievement gap. African-American and Latino students do better than students in those groups in other district schools, but they still are not scoring as high as Asian-American and white students. “We love all the kids, but they come from uneven backgrounds," Wong noted.

To assist struggling students, teachers volunteer to tutor pupils before and after school and during their own lunch periods. The school has no formal remedial or tutoring programs.

“I wish we could do more for kids who need that [extra help]," Vickers said. “Maybe it makes them more responsible; they have to take responsibility for their own learning."

LACES makes an effort to get all parents involved in their children’s learning by providing buses for people without their own transportation so they can attend school functions and meetings.

Other strategies LACES’ faculty has used include participating in district-supported site leadership for closing the achievement gap; designing opportunities for teacher collaboration around increasingly common assessments; and offering professional development for highly differentiated instruction, noted the California Best Practices Study.

Staff members have adopted other approaches to narrow the gap, including making some courses more culturally relevant. In one math class, for example, students map the neighborhood to learn map construction and trigonometry. Teachers also rotate teaching courses so they get experience teaching students at different levels. Language arts teachers are including more books by minority authors in reading assignments.

Teachers also have begun identifying which standards need to be taught and administering quarterly assessments to pinpoint the skills on which students need to concentrate, according to Vickers.

To promote multicultural awareness, student organizations on campus such as the Young Black Scholars, Young Latino Scholars, and the Young Asian Scholars put on cultural programs for the school. The Black Scholars organize Black History Month programs and the Latino student group sponsors dance assemblies.

And LACES’ efforts narrow the achievement gap have not gone unnoticed. “…The school is challenging the conventional belief that excellence must be sacrificed in the quest for equity," noted the California Best Practices Study. “The school aims for both -- though it has not yet succeeded."

What LACES is succeeding in doing so far creating an academic and social setting that is providing many students the skills and vision to take them beyond high school. “I heard of the school’s reputation for getting people into college," said Ian, 16, a junior, explaining why he applied. “This seemed like a way to secure my future."

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

* Los Angeles Unified School District
* School Issues Glossary: Magnet Schools
* School Issues Glossary: Urban Schools

Article by Ellen R. Delisio
Education World®
Copyright © 2008 Education World

Memminger Elementary program impressing on students that if they don't snooze, they lose

2008-03-25T18:02:00.000+07:00

By Diette Courrégé (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, March 20, 2008

Nathaniel Frasier puts his kindergartner to bed by 9 p.m. each night and wakes him up at 6:30 a.m. for school.

He thought his son was getting enough sleep and didn't realize until this week that recommendations call for up to an hour and a half more sleep than his son gets now.

"That's a big difference," he said. "I thought that was too much sleep."

Frasier signed a contract Tuesday promising he would move his son's bedtime up by an hour, and he's curious to see if it makes a difference. The bedtime contracts are a school-wide initiative at Memminger Elementary in Charleston to create awareness about the importance of sleep, and to encourage parents to set and enforce earlier bedtimes.

"I'll give it a try," Frasier said. "It's a good idea."

Children who don't get enough sleep are more likely to get in trouble in class or lose their focus on the day's lessons, and it's a problem for many Memminger Elementary students, principal Diane Ross said.

Some stay at work late with their parents and don't get home until 11 p.m., while others stay awake for hours watching TV in their beds, she said. When students get into middle school, some stay up late sending text messages on their cell phones, said Kathy Lewis, a school climate specialist working with Memminger Elementary.

The situation has implications for the school's test scores. Many students admitted to filling in random circles on high-stakes standardized tests because they were tired, Ross said. Students need more than one night of good sleep to be well-rested, she said, and that's why school officials have started pushing to change students' habits.

Research shows that many children don't get enough sleep. Children ages 3 to 5 get nearly 10 1/2 hours while they should average between 11 and 13 hours, and first- through fifth-graders get an average of 9 1/2 compared to the recommended 10 to 11 hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

"So many people don't realize fourth- and fifth-graders should be in bed by 8 p.m.," Lewis said.

Eighteen elementary schools on Johns Island, downtown Charleston, West Ashley and Hollywood are participating in this sleep initiative. Some are sending fliers home to parents, some are making presentations to PTA groups and others are asking students to track the amount of sleep they get each night.

Memminger Elementary has embraced the effort to spread the message that students need more sleep. Ross stood in a robe outside Memminger Elementary on Tuesday and asked parents whether they signed the bedtime contracts. Students wore their pajamas to school, and teachers organized classroom activities around the issue of sleep to emphasize its importance.

School officials plan to track the number of discipline referrals for the school's younger students to see whether the figures decrease when students get more sleep.

The school also held a meeting for parents Tuesday morning to talk more about the relationship of sleep to their childrens' well-being.

Jessica Rabon attended the parents' meeting. She has 5-year-old and 7-year-old daughters at Memminger, and she said they get grouchy and don't want to do their homework when they don't get enough sleep.

She's a stickler for bedtimes and makes sure her children are in bed by 7:30 p.m. and are going to sleep by 8 p.m. Every family should set bedtimes for children, she said.

"They need their sleep," she said.

Sex education is taught in Greece

2008-03-23T18:29:00.000+07:00

I am writing in response to Brennans news story on teenage pregnancies in Britain and Dowmans letter in which she says that biblical teaching may be more effective than free condoms.1 I am a medical student in Greece, and my personal experience of teaching sex education dates back to 1998, when I was first introduced to an intervention project providing health education to secondary schools. The project is organised by HelMSIC, the Greek member of the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), and it deals with sexually transmitted infections and healthy sexual behaviour.

Initially, medical students are briefed about what they have to teach young pupils in high schools, and then they are divided into small groups to conduct studies about, for example, contraception, hygiene, termination of pregnancy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, anatomy of the genital system, hepatitis, and so on.

The next step is visiting the high schools, where we debate topics with small groups of pupils of the same sex. The high school pupils fill in questionnaires to determine the level of their knowledge before and after their conversation with the students. The questionnaires are analysed statistically.

In the sessions, there are groups of pupils who are willing to share their secrets, whereas others are more hostile or shy. There are no taboo topics, and everything depends on them and their willingness to participate. The shy or hesitant students are encouraged to express themselves.

At all stages of the project, there are many things to learn. Not only details about the anatomy of the human genital system or epidemiological facts, but ways to intervene effectively. Right from the beginning, every step is made after thinking and planning, about the methods, the needs, and the results.

Our main target is to make teenagers aware of the problem and solutions of sexually transmitted diseases in Greece by providing them with all the information required about a healthy sexual life. At the same time, the project helps medical students to understand public health interventions and social medicine.

HIV-infected prostitute should be on sex offenders' register: DPP

2008-03-20T16:37:00.000+07:00

he ACT Director of Public Prosecutions has made an application to put a male prostitute on the Child Sex Offenders' Register.

Hector Scott of Kingston has pleaded guilty to providing a commercial sexual service while knowing he was infected with HIV and Hepatitis C.

While there are no allegations Scott is a child sex offender, putting his name on the register is the only way ACT Health can monitor his movements.

The ACT's chief health officer, Dr Charles Guest, is expected to give evidence at Scott's sentencing hearing next month.

U.S. denies entry to British sex and drugs memoir writer

2008-03-20T16:29:00.000+07:00

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Controversial British author Sebastian Horsley was denied entrance into the United States as he arrived to promote his memoir of drug addiction, sex and his dysfunctional family, his publisher said on Wednesday.

Seale Ballenger, spokesman for HarperCollins Publishers, said Horsley was stopped by immigration officials at New York's Newark airport after flying in from London on Tuesday to promote his latest book "Dandy in the Underworld."

He said the flamboyant writer, wearing a top hat, three-piece suit and painted finger nails, was accused of "moral turpitude" in connection with his former drug use, pro-prostitution stance and controversial self-crucifixion in the Philippines in 2000.

Horsley, 45, claims to have slept with more than 1,000 prostitutes, worked as a male escort and been in and out of rehab to treat drug addiction, with video interviews of him talking about his drug use and sex life posted on the Internet.

"He is very honest about his life. That is who Sebastian is," Ballenger told Reuters from a party in New York that was meant to be the U.S. launch for the book but ended up being a rally for support to bring the author back to the United States.

Ballenger said after several hours of questioning by immigration officials, Horsley was put on a plane and returned to London.

No one from the New York office of United States Customs and Border Protection was immediately available to comment.

The New York Times quoted a customs spokeswoman, Lucille Cirillo, as saying she could not comment on individual cases.

But in an e-mail to the newspaper she explained that under a waiver program that allows British citizens to enter the United States without a visa, "travelers who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (which includes controlled-substance violations) or admit to previously having a drug addiction are not admissible."

Publisher Carrie Kania, from the HarperCollins' unit Harper Perennial that published the book in the United States, said she found it hard to understand why Horsley would be denied entrance into the U.S. for "his notoriety."

"It is unfortunate that his voice, in person, is being stifled," she said in a statement.

"Sebastian has written a cautionary tale of a life lived vividly ... an unapologetic, honest, funny and torturous book. Sebastian's memoir is about choice, some conventional, some unconventional."

Horsley's memoir was published last September in Britain with reviewers calling it both amusing and revolting.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, editing by Todd Eastham)

Skoll Foundation Adds Eleven Pioneering Organizations to its Global Portfolio of Leading Social Entrepreneurs

2008-03-20T16:24:00.000+07:00

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Skoll Foundation today announced Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship for 11 organizations working around the world in the areas of tolerance and human rights, health, environmental sustainability, peace and security, and economic and social equity. The recipients, who will each receive three-year grants of $1,000,000, join a growing global network of Skoll social entrepreneurs, now numbering 59, who have created innovative, proven solutions for tackling the worlds most urgent social and economic challenges.

The Skoll Awards program is the foundations flagship investment initiative. It provides social entrepreneurs, whose models for sustainable change have already yielded significant impact, with unrestricted funding to scale their programs and amplify their reach across regions, countries and continents. This newest group of Skoll entrepreneurs has demonstrated measurable impact across a variety of issues and geographies, including:

-- providing some of the worlds most destitute populations with access to modern, high quality health care;

-- training indigenous tribes in the Amazon to use technology to protect millions of acres of rainforest;

-- using the Internet to connect individual donors in the global North with entrepreneurs in the global South;

-- empowering women in Africa with HIV/AIDS to mentor pregnant women and new mothers with the disease, to ensure a healthy and productive life.

We know solutions exist around the world that have transformed millions of lives, in a sustainable way, across education, health, environmental and other social systems, commented Sally Osberg, President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. We think the new Skoll social entrepreneurs represent some of the best, most innovative, of those solutions, and bring an exciting new level of energy and creativity to our portfolio. Osberg added, These remarkable individuals and their tireless teams are tackling issues that require our most immediate attention. And most importantly, the models they have developed have the potential for vastly increased impact.

The 11 organizations receiving the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship are: Amazon Conservation Team, American Council on Renewable Energy, Arzu, Digital Divide Data, Half the Sky Foundation, KIVA, mothers2mothers, Partners in Health, PeaceWorks Foundation, Population and Community Development Association, and Visayan Forum Foundation.

Lance Henderson, Vice President of Programs & Impact for the Skoll Foundation, noted, We were extremely impressed with the most recent pool of applicants. Both the nature of the innovations and the degree to which those innovations are effecting positive change are indicative of how the field of social entrepreneurship continues to grow and mature.

The Skoll Awards will be presented by Skoll Foundation Chairman Jeff Skoll, Skoll Foundation President and CEO, Sally Osberg and special guest, former President Jimmy Carter, on March 27 at the fifth annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford in England. The Skoll World Forum convenes a global community of outstanding practitioners and thought leaders in social entrepreneurship to set the future agenda for visionaries who want to transform society.

The Skoll Foundation accepts applications and grants awards on a year-round basis through an open competitive process, with new award winners celebrated once each year in March at the annual Skoll World Forum. The application deadlines remaining in 2008 are March 18, August 5 and November 4. More information about the Skoll Awards can be found at http://www.skollfoundation.org.

THE SKOLL AWARDEES IN DETAIL

Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) - Mark Plotkin, an ethnobotonist, and Liliana Madrigal, a conservationist and crusader for indigenous rights, created ACT in 1996 to preserve the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and develop their capacity to provide enduring protection of their rainforest home. Mark and Liliana have shown that, given the opportunity and training, indigenous people are the most reliable stewards of their own territory. Since its inception, ACT has mapped and provided land management for 40 million acres of Amazon rainforest and anticipates reaching 80 million acres in three years. Its programs have benefited 26 indigenous groups across Brazil, Columbia and Suriname. ACT is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) - Michael Eckhart first understood the promise of renewable energy in the 1970s when he did pioneering energy studies under funding by the Carter White House. In 2001, Michael and others founded the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) to establish an all renewable organization for the U.S. ACORE seeks to bring together all renewable energy industries to create a new power base that speaks with one voice and has the strength, influence and research needed to match the power of organizations representing traditional carbon-based industries. ACOREs goal is to have 25 percent of U.S. electricity and fuels come from renewable sources by 2025. By 2011, it plans to increase membership from 500 to 1,000 organizations. ACORE is headquartered in Washington D.C.

Arzu - Connie Duckworth made history as the first female sales and trading partner at Goldman, Sachs & Company. A longtime womens advocate, she visited Afghanistan and was shocked by the hardships the women faced. There are few countries in greater need of development than Afghanistan and few countries where the women are less empowered. In 2004, Connie founded Arzu to help female rug weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty by providing them with above-market compensation for their rugs and access to health care. In exchange, they send all their children under 15 to school full time and all women in their home attend literacy classes. Arzu now supports 700 weavers and aids more than 2,100 individuals through its core program, making it one of the largest private employers in Afghanistan. By 2011, Arzu plans to double the population it assists. Arzu is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Digital Divide Data (DDD) - On a 2001 vacation, Jeremy Hockenstein was struck by Cambodia's juxtaposition of extreme poverty with emerging technology. He created Digital Divide Data to break Southeast Asia's cycle of poverty by providing high-quality technology services to the global market. Mai Siriphongphanh recognized the potential of DDD and brought her social entrepreneurial savvy to the team in 2003. Founded upon an innovative and sustainable work/study model, DDD offers excellent wages and educational benefits to disadvantaged segments of Lao and Cambodian populations, enabling them to accelerate the development of local IT industries and equipping them for better futures. In addition to salary, workers educations are subsidized by matching scholarships from DDD. Growing rapidly, having impacted 7,000 people already and generated $14 million in increased wages, DDD is shaping a new corps of leaders empowered to shepherd their countries' development. DDD is headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Half the Sky Foundation (HTS) - Jenny Bowen learned first-hand the devastating effects of institutionalization of children when she and her husband adopted a toddler from a Chinese orphanage who was severely under-developed. In time, her new familys loving attention enabled their daughter to blossom, and the idea for Half the Sky was born. HTS establishes and operates infant nurture and preschool programs, provides personalized learning for older children and establishes permanent family care and guidance for children with disabilities. It works in 38 state-run orphanages across China, and, in 2007, was invited by the Chinese government to expand its model to 300 institutions and beyond. It now has 4,000 children in its programs at any given time. HTSs long-term strategy is for local governments in China to operate the life-changing programs themselves. Half the Sky is headquartered in Beijing, China.

KIVA - After seeing first-hand in East Africa how a small loan could change the life of an entrepreneur in the developing world, Matt Flannery co-founded Kiva.org in 2005 with his wife Jessica, to enable individuals to loan as little as $25 to emerging businesses. Premal Shah joined Kiva as its President to help scale the idea. Kiva enables a world where people separated by long distances can connect through lending for the purpose of alleviating poverty, while also promoting strong, persistent interpersonal connections that improve cross-cultural understanding. Kivas unique model provides debt to mid- and small-sized Microfinance Institutions, offering the chance to extend coverage to new populations outside the reach of larger institutions. In its first three years, over 148,000 internet lenders made $22 million in loans to 33,000 entrepreneurs in 40 developing countries. Kiva aims to scale to one million internet lenders and over $100 million in loans by 2010. Kiva is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

mothers2mothers - Long-time friends Mitch Besser, a physician and medical researcher, and Gene Falk, a media executive and AIDS activist, established mothers2mothers after seeing the absence of care for pregnant women in South Africa newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. They discovered that 30 to 40 percent of these women gave birth to HIV-positive babies, even though mother to child transmission treatments have virtually eliminated pediatric AIDS in the developed world. M2m is a grass-roots program designed for under-resourced health care systems that trains and employs new mothers with HIV to provide education and support to their peers, empowering them to access lifesaving treatment for their babies and themselves. Currently operating in 160 locations in four countries, mothers2mothers aims to support over 3.6 million women and children in more than 11 nations by 2011. Mothers2mothers is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.

Partners in Health - When Paul Farmer founded Partners in Health in 1987, he wanted to prove that cost-effective, high-quality health care could be delivered in hopeless contexts. Focused on health care as a fundamental human right and believing in the power and potential of community-based healthcare systems, Paul and his team developed a highly effective model, first in Haiti with its accompagnateur model, that has gone on to change World Health Organization (WHO) policy. The program has grown from 60,000 patient visits in 2001 to 1.7 million in 2006. Partners in Health now operates in seven countries worldwide and expects to disseminate its model more broadly in the coming years.

PeaceWorks Foundation - The son of a Mexican Jew and a Holocaust survivor, Daniel Lubetzky began advocating and fostering entrepreneurial joint ventures between Arabs and Israelis in 1989 to bring stability to the Middle East through economic cooperation. He then founded the PeaceWorks Foundation in 2002 to encourage political moderates to build a new movement to unite for peace in the Middle East. The foundations OneVoice Movement reframes the debate into one that positions the vast majority - composed of moderates from both sides - against violent extremism. One Voice has trained 3,100 Palestinian and Israeli youth leaders and recruited more than 650,000 signatories to demand immediate uninterrupted negotiations towards the conclusion of a peace agreement. The PeaceWorks Foundation is headquartered in New York.

Population and Community Development Association (PDA) - As a young economist working for the government in Thailand, Mechai Viravaidya saw a link between rapid population growth and poverty. He launched the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) in 1974 to distribute contraceptives and introduce sex education in rural communities and schools. The population growth rate dropped from 3.2 percent in 1974 to 0.5 percent in 2005. In the early 1990s, when HIV/AIDS hit Thailand, Mechai harnessed the PDA network and media and launched an aggressive public education campaign. Within 10 years Thailand was able to reduce HIV infections by 90 percent. The organization has enlisted private partners in over 450 Village Development Partnership programs that enable the poor to generate income without having to migrate to cities. By 2011, PDA plans to expand the Partnership program to at least 100 more villages. PDA is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.

Visayan Forum Foundation - As a child in the Philippines, Cecilia Flores-Oebanda helped her family survive by selling fish and scavenging garbage. As freedom-fighters against the Marcos dictatorship, she and her husband were imprisoned for four years and separated from their oldest son. Their two other children were born in detention. After democracy prevailed, Cecilia founded the Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF) in 1991 to eliminate human trafficking through public-private partnerships that rescue, protect and reintegrate victims. The organization has served 18,500 victims and potential victims to date and has filed 66 legal cases on behalf of 166 complainants. By 2011, VFF plans to expand its multi-sectoral networks and expand its program against human trafficking. The Visayan Forum Foundation is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

About the Skoll Foundation

The Skoll Foundation was created in 1999 by eBay's first president, Jeff Skoll, to promote his vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world. Today the Skoll Foundation advances systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs - individuals dedicated to innovative, bottom-up solutions that transform unequal and unjust social, environmental and economic systems.

The Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship is the foundation's flagship program. There are currently 50 organizations represented by 59 remarkable social entrepreneurs in the program, working individually and together across regions, countries and continents to evolve the field of social entrepreneurship into a global movement for social change. The Skoll Foundation connects social entrepreneurs and other partners in the field via an online community at http://www.socialedge.org, and through the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. The foundation also celebrates social entrepreneurs by telling their stories through partnerships with the PBS Foundation and the Sundance Institute, with the goal of promoting large-scale public awareness of social entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit http://www.skollfoundation.org.

One-Third Of Irish Gay Couples in U.S.

2008-03-20T16:16:00.000+07:00

AN estimated 1,200 Irish-born men and women – roughly one-third of Ireland’s gay couples — are living with a same-sex partner in the U.S., according to a new research paper from the Williams Institute, a public policy think tank at the University of California Los Angeles Law School.

The study found that more than 500 Irish-born same-sex partners here are not U.S. citizens and would be among those most likely to return to Ireland to take advantage of the forthcoming civil partnership bill to be introduced by Irish Minister for Justice and Equality Brian Lenihan by March 31.

Gary Gates, senior research fellow at the Williams Institute, told the Irish Voice, “Same-sex partnership legislation could help to entice a very talented group of Irish-born emigrants back to live and work in their homeland. Our study found that 43% of Irish-born same-sex partners living in the U.S. are college educated.”

Analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the study found that two-thirds of Irish-born same-sex partners in the country are women. The study also found that Irish-born same-sex partners are highly educated, with more than four in 10 (43%) possessing a college degree.

More than one in seven couples that include an Irish-born partner (15%) are raising children. An additional 2,000 same-sex couples are living in Ireland, according to the recent study.

As the Irish government considers the details of the civil partnership law, Gates added, “Irish policy makers should look beyond their own shores when they consider the possible effects of civil partnership legislation, some of which might be very good for the Irish economy.”

In the U.S. the Williams Institute has recently conducted a series of studies on the economic consequences of a state implementing marriage or other forms of legal recognition for same sex couples, providing data to informs those debates.

Says Gates, “With help from the recent census data I discovered that I could determine what portion of same sex couples were Irish-born. But since Ireland does not permit foreign-born partners of Irish people to work there, for most same sex couples it is not an option to move back.

“In consequence, Ireland is missing out on highly educated college graduates, the kind of talent that Ireland hopes to attract, due to legislation that won’t permit them to move home with their U.S.-born partners.”

Gates added that many same sex Irish and U.S. couples find themselves in a legal bind. If they move to Ireland then the U.S.-born partner doesn’t have status, but if they move to the U.S. the Irish-born partner doesn’t have status.

“Given that Irish and U.S. same sex couples have relatively high educations, our data suggests that Ireland is losing a creative class to the U.S.,” Gates said.

“It turned out that the Irish people in our study were substantially more educated than the general immigrant population in the U.S. that is Irish-born.”

Asked how he explains the high levels of education among gay Irish and U.S. couples Gates replied, “I think there are several possibilities that could account for it. Gay people use education like other minorities have done to hedge against discrimination.

“If you’re 18 and choosing between going to college or becoming an auto mechanic – well, you’ll probably pick college if you think you won’t be discriminated against. It could also be because universities are broadly more welcoming than other alternatives after high school.”

Gates argues that new civil partnership legislation in Ireland could make it easier for global companies to move lesbian and gay employees, their partners and families from one country to another without risking the economic penalties and logistic challenges associated with non-recognition of their relationships.

“Without legal recognition, it can be difficult for partners of gay and lesbian employees to obtain work permits and they can be subject to challenge regarding their parental rights,” Gates added.

The Irish government plans to introduce civil partnership legislation this spring. The legislation will provide same-sex couples with most of the rights and obligations of marriage, but without the name.

Recent public opinion polls show that 84% of Irish people are in favor of some recognition of same-sex couples, while 53% would allow gay couples to marry.

Thinking about sex

2008-02-02T00:04:00.000+07:00

Talk about sex

"In my family, the sex never been mentioned."
-- Blanca Rivera, the Polytechnic SH

"In my family we rented videos of sex and a baby. But they are not really talk about it because I am older now, and I was one of three years. You do not want to touch. Value you have just taught me , myself, and the sex is not just for fun. If you schläfst with many people the way you treat yourself to a piece off of each person. "
-- Katrina Gibson, 17

"In my family, it's very open. Sex, I knew as long as I can remember. But that does not mean that I leave and do."

-- Rachelle Carino, 17, of education

When is the right time

"Many religions believe that it is not healthy for us have sex at this age, because we are not ready emotionally. You think we should wait 'til we get married. I feel like I was not prepared to him, and he gave me foiré Until spiritually. That made me more mature and immature so I faster. J I have learned a lot. It has helped me, but he said, I too. "
-- Crystal Ly, 15, of Santa Monica SH

"I think that the only right time (for sex), is if you are married."
-- Sharon Hwang, 17 years old, North Hollywood SH

"I do not think that the sex is really something for the people to judge. Logically, I think they should wait (for sex), precisely because it will be easier, with the possibility of a pregnancy and the connection to the person, and they leave. sucks you. It is not easy to grow as a teenager. I know that I am not ready for such a thing. "
-- Matt Jones, 16 years old, LACETS

Sex and Relationships

"I think that if a young and wants to have sex and they are protected, is it good. But one of the biggest problems with the sex, it is unacceptable for people from the grounds of safety in the relationship. You think," If I sexual intercourse have with this person, then they go to stay with me? "
-- Sanet Taren, 16, of Santa Monica SH

"To not a relationship with someone of them in the fear of leaving you, it's not good, either. There is always a risk gonna be. If you think that the person you love, then I see no problems with him. "
-- Matt Jones, 16 years old, LACETS

"What is the commitment? Do you really have a chance to meet, have sex with a commitment?"
-- Nogie Demirjian, 15, Pacific Palisades SH

Do you know how to correct condom

2008-02-02T00:02:00.001+07:00

Decisions, decisions:
Condoms, there are many colors and textures in recent days, but only two things you should be plastic or latex (of the nature and way more reliable than condoms animal tissue), and they must be good condition. (Yes, they come in different lengths, widths and thicknesses.)

Attractions:
Condom packages show an expiration date. If a condom is past, the date, or saw dry, steep, steep or sticky, it should not be used. Keeping a few spare parts by hand is a good idea, in case a tear while on.

Handling:
Condoms should be sent to a cool, dry place, in order to prevent debris from stone or leaks. To open the package should be gentle back-and-forth over the page (and not with scissors or teeth that have been tearing the condom), and has slowly.

The choice of lubricant:
With a pre-lubricated condom, or a water-based lubricant like KY Jelly or Astro-Glide within and outside help prevent the condom tears. Based lubricant oil (such as Vaseline or other petroleum jelly, body mineral or vegetable oils), should not be used because it may lead to that condoms to solve.

The use of other forms of birth control:
Use a condom with a spermicide, to be sure you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies. Many couples also another form of birth control, such as the pill, Norplant or Depo-Provera shot, in case the condom breaks or leaks.

Allergies:
Some people are allergic to rubber. Others are allergic to spermicides. Before proceeding with these products, try it on a surface of your skin to see if you react to them.

Putting a condom correctly:
Condoms should be on the market before the onset of sexual intercourse. The condom must be passed over the glans, once it is difficult to maintain and, when a half-inch space at the tip to collect the seeds. (Pinching air from the tip with the thumb and forefinger can help prevent cut). Next condoms must be conducted over the entire length of the penis downward at the base, smooth any air bubbles. The condom fits comfortably, and not, as is the appearance foil during sexual relations. Make sure the latex ring is outside. When you start, I have a condom inside-out, throw it away.

Remove a condom:
Immediately after ejaculation, the penis must be removed before being slowly mild. The base of the condom should be held against the penis to prevent umschüttend seeds, withdrawn. The condom must be wrapped in tissue and thrown.

Protection at the hearing, Sex:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible to HIV and other STDs during oral sex. During the hearing, sex, the virus into the body through small incisions or wounds can in the mouth. The CDC recommends a condom for oral transport to a man. For transport by mouth to a woman who said that the CDC, you can Saran Wrap, Dental Dams (square piece of latex in some drugstore), or a square of a latex condom cut as a barrier between the mouth and vagina.

National family sex education months

2008-02-02T00:00:00.001+07:00

Maybe you have questions about sex, but not about the planning, which for a while. Maybe you or think about sex. Wherever you are in your life, when it comes to your sexuality, it is important to use accurate information and support. A key source of this is that, if one parent Parents are sometimes not convenient to talk about sex with their children. Sometimes they do not know how to do it. Sometimes parents do not speak with their children because they know they do not have enough factual information. If you want your parents to talk to you about sex, maybe with him or her gaze on some Web sites for parents and help them! Make sure they think of sharing.
You must know the facts,

•Nearly 90% of parents wanted their children have, medical appropriate sex education.
•3 * 4 of the man in the United States, sexually transmitted diseases, young people called Chlamydia
•Two teenagers receive any hour of HIV in the United States.
•Each year, nearly 1 million American teenage pregnancy before being completed, and many schools before they are emotional, physical and financial capital can be used to ensure a baby.
•Many young people are confused about their sexuality and deserve, assisting, so that they can be happy.

The fact is…. Learning throughout accurate information about sexuality is to help you make the right decisions that suits you best. Your family, you can use these decisions. We hope you talk to someone in your family, if you need help.
Here are some great resources for you and for parents and families.

Teen Wire Article: In an interview with parents about sex

"Parents are really a good remedy, when it comes, sex and sexual health. You can give answers to questions, big and advice. But sometimes, there are intimidations approach difficult issues with parents. In this sense, the TAG team - Is arrived with some common situations and gave their suggestions for approaching, as a parent. Then they asked their parents a comment on the proposals. Here's what she had to say "

Families Are Talking (www.familiesaretalking.org)

Families Are Talking resources include:

•Families Are Talking quarterly newsletter (available in English and Spanish)
•Families are Talking postcards with ten tips for parents whose children about sex (available in English and Spanish)
•Http: / / www.familiesaretalking.org and http://www.lafamiliahabla.org, an informational site for parents and staff
•Innovative approaches to the strengthening of parents to children about sexuality of Communications, a publication for teachers, scientists and leaders at the commune level

Www.ruthinking.co.uk /

"The first time I talked with my mother about sex, we read a magazine about celebrities pregnant. He received the dialogue has begun."

Www.advocatesforyouth.org / parents /

"The start of negotiations on the facts of life can be difficult for some parents because they could not develop in an environment where the subject was discussed. Some parents may fear, they do not know, good answers or feel confused about the proper amount of information needed. To help this part of the Advocates for Youth's Web site - Parents' Sex Ed Center - contains all the information and resources you need for maintenance your children about sex. "

From touch or not touch

2008-02-01T23:56:00.005+07:00

Masturbation

What issues?

Many people have questions about masturbation. "Is normal masturbate?" "How do you do that?" "Is it bad?" "Will it make me sick?" Will it be me, my hair to lose? "These are valid questions, and here are the answers. Then read on and discover what is real about masturbation.

"Then what is masturbation anyway?"

Masturbation is the act to touch, to spread itself to the pleasant feelings. He is sometimes referred to as "jackin 'jillin or" off "in the current discussion.

Masturbation is a great way for men and women to get to know their body. Yes, the men and the women. It is a misconception that only men masturbate, while the fact that women are being called to masturbate, as well as the men. Women tend to be for themselves a little more, and some men may be more to this issue. Some people are more at ease with the maintenance of their private sex life, including the activities of auto-pleasant. This is certainly not something that you in a job interview, if the employer asks: "Tell me something about yourself." For some people, respect for privacy guarantees, their sexual experience (s) intimate and comfortable.

There are numerous advantages to using our body to stay healthy and understanding of our different sexuality. The people who need to understand that sexuality and sexual feelings are normal and we are all sexual beings course, but the tendency to society, that part of our life seem negative or banned. Is it not time to do our own decisions in relation to our body and keep his views about society that?

Did you know that the healthy masturbant could you? That is true. Remember, the people they affect, and perhaps see regularly with their bodies, which look and feel than normal, and is in a position to the shortcomings quickly and to ask whatever, The immediate attention. As you know, the early detection of abnormalities or infection is important. Then, if you prefer not to touch, it is a good idea, again a mirror, and see from time to time. Masturbation can also lead to a person to explore, from the joy over her body and determine how the trigger. Knowledge, which worked to strengthen other sexual relations also in a position to say what you think your partner feels and what does not work. Yes, the people in the relationship to masturbate. You can even simultaneously as a form of "provisional" turn on them. Masturbation can also help people to understand their sexual response cycle, enabling them to realize the physical sensations and feelings just before ejaculation. This knowledge is of vital importance for people with the withdrawal method for the prevention of pregnancy.

"But I have heard that masturbate is dirty." Only if you are not in personal hygiene. The fact to masturbate is not dirty. However, it is important to ensure that manual and / or sexual devices are clean before they are in or around these sensitive areas, such as the penis and the vagina or anus.

There are different ways to get to masturbate. You just need to know what they like and what they are at home. Some people have their hands and fingers with a little oil and other aid from the toys, such as vibrators or ticklers. As always feel good is a good thing, that everything is clean to prevent infection, and cause no damage.

Do you remember that masturbation is perhaps not for everyone. The people masturbate, because at ease with them, and they want to do. There are other reasons why people can choose to masturbate and some advantages:

•A person can be activated or sexual relations, but the feelings are not prepared, these feelings with a partner.
•A person can only be a partner.
•A person can choose to masturbate, because they do not want any contract MST. Remember, you can not be a MST with a partner.
•A person can do, because they feel well.
•A person can do to relieve the stress.
•A person may just want with their bodies.

"But is this bad?" "People me differently?" Not if they do not know. It is the glory of him. Only you know and you talk with someone, unless you have nothing to fear. Tip line, if you masturbate, well-being and tranquillity with it, it can be good for you.

So, if someone says that you masturbation caused sterile, so you have no children, you will make you sick to lose your hair or make you blind, tell them to log on and get the real facts TEENSOURCE . ORG.

From touch or not touch

2008-02-01T23:56:00.004+07:00

From touch or not touch

2008-02-01T23:56:00.003+07:00

National Diabetes months: to test

2008-02-01T23:53:00.000+07:00

All young people, an overweight, eat too much sugar, or have diabetes in their family, you should have a test for diabetes. The test is simple, not difficult, and if the cost is an issue, with numerous clinical community, and even on health fairs can offer tests free of charge or at very low cost.

Why is what we want you to know what diabetes? As the youths and diabetes can, in fact, more and more young people are diabetes all days! This is a very serious problem, because depending on the type of diabetes, and the way in which it is bad, a young blind, the kidneys, heart, high blood pressure and depression. Diabetes can also lead to problems in pregnancy.

The number of young people with diabetes is increasing for the same reason, it is more and more of the adults. The excess weight, not eat and not healthy enough for the exercise are the most common reasons for diabetes.

The good news? Diabetes can be prevented! And even if someone, the person is healthy and live a long happy life when a good program, followed by health.

If you have or know someone who has diabetes achieved, but there is much to learn, to help you. There is also a lot that you can learn to help the family members and friends who have diabetes .. There is even a website that the young people can use to communicate with other young people suffering from diabetes. Check it out now!

Condoms

2008-02-01T23:48:00.000+07:00

Why is it so easy to forget to use a condom?

It was the fire of action. It began as a harmless kiss, but none of us resist the temptation, and before me, to note, John and I had sexual intercourse. If it is the time to think, to use a condom, none of us was prepared.

I met John this evening. It looked really sweet, nice, innocuous to say the less, but it was pretty much all I knew of it. What, and I thought it was really nice.

We were in his room and in his bed, and none of us wore no clothes, and we do not want to stop.

Before that night, I was always of those who boudé my friends, when they talked me about their sexual escapades, to learn from them how dangerous it is a night is now a day with all MST around. I was the one who used the transmission of condoms in schools and to a large extent by the National Condom, but I was having sex with a virtually unknown, and not by condoms.

The thought cross my mind, but I looked up to him, and it seemed as a man healthy. He was a rider, and really intelligent, and a clear separation. I figured I had nothing to fear.

I woke the next morning with an empty apartment with a note of the statement, as I hang my head. I left her flat to achieve what I had done. I could not believe that I, I did not stop, and to myself and the demand that we were given a condom. But for some reason it seemed so easy for them to let the little technical, while I at the moment.

I began to change, since I had only against AIDS or syphilis or gonorrhea or something else. I did not know what to do, and I have fear. I never thought that I am in a situation like this. I was on the control of births, so I was not freaking out about potentially become pregnant.

I called the clinic to a test MTS. You have the tests, but recommended that I return in a few weeks to be re-tested, as the MST not is not always immediately.

I went back to my house like the feeling that I kotzen. For the next three days, I checked my phone every five seconds to see if the clinic had, or if John had called. But after that night was John MIA, and then he had my number, I thought he would call me if I am wrong. "

Finally, a call comes from the clinic. I have been negative so far, but they have asked me to come again called for another test later in the month. Fortunately, I was still clear after my second check-up, but if there is a next time, I assure you that you are not, I do not know whether I would be as happy. I do not want to know.

I noted how easy it is to have sex with a condom, and not think about the consequences. But in contrast to the satisfaction of sex takes only a few moments, most of MTS remain with you forever. It is certainly not helpful to know you have a VHS or that you are pregnant, just a few minutes from the bonus. Take the time to stop what you are doing and to use a condom, because it is not easy, by not interfere.

Six Reasons to have sex every week

2008-01-31T22:08:00.000+07:00

Studies show that regular sex (with caution, taking into account all measures) proposes a series of surprisingly positive impact on health.

Sex is good for adults. Nachgebend at regular intervals, at least once a week, is even better. Research Links Sex (with all safer-sex precautions and preventive measures), for an astonishing range of physiological benefits of pain to longevity. Many studies is not whether the address health bonus comes from the law itself or from the emotional intimacy, but the net effect is that some of the very physical side effects, especially for women . Here are six ways that sex helps your health:

1 It competes Colds and Flu. Sexual once or twice a week increases the level of physical immune system antibody immunoglobin A one-third increase in search of Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.

2nd There is a beauty treatment. In a study at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, by a jury, participants in a One-Way Mirror and guess their age. Those who are seven to 12 years younger than his age (with "superyoung") were also a lot of sexual pleasure four times a week on average. OK, maybe they had more fun too because it is young. But it is very likely that sex was helping, say the researchers. One of the reasons is a woman posed in terms of estrogen, which helps the skin and hair shiny flexible.

3rd It burns calories. A little more than four calories per minute, or the equivalent of four Hershey's kisses, and half an hour of love. Look at it as part of your plan weekly, and burn, Baby, Burn.

4th Yes, Honey, I Have a Headache. For a woman, a migraine can, in fact, one of the reasons why love and sex is not regarded as traffic to avoid an increase in endorphins and corticosteroids during arousal and orgasm is analgesic.

It promotes the 5th regular menstrual cycles. A number of studies of Behavioral endocrinologists Winnifred Cutler and colleagues from Columbia and Stanford University found that women who have sex at least once a week (except during their period), the regular cycle more of sober or sporadically active. (Other studies have shown that even lesbians Sex equalizes the menstrual cycle). Cutler argues that privacy is of utmost importance, not orgasms: "Regular exposure vis-à-vis an extraordinary love partner has an impact on the health and well-being."
6 It is possible to prevent accidents. Women use the muscles of the pelvic floor to people from the urine. As they older, they must ensure that this strong to avoid accidentally peeing. The same muscles during sex exercised, and, as in all muscles of the structure of programs, services need consistency.

And if you are too tired to have sex, see our By the Numbers schlummernd advice on how a little extra eyes closed during the day.

The sex, it is necessary?

2008-01-31T22:06:00.000+07:00

Fans of abstinence was better to sit. "They" Saving before the big game, the big thing, the big hoedown or large bakeoff may have actually some advantages morality. Body mass, but it is not absolutely zip. There is no evidence it sharpens your competitive advantage. The best that modern science can say for sexual abstinence is that it is harmless if they practiced with restraint. Sexual intercourse, regular and enthusiastic, but a host of measurable physiological advantages, be you a man or a woman. (This assumes that you are on the sexual intercourse without obtaining a sexually transmitted disease.)

N one of the most credible studies correlating all with often sexual health, Queens University in Belfast, followed by the mortality of nearly 1000 middle-aged man in the course of a decade. The study was designed to test the people, under comparable circumstances, age and health. The results, published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal, were the men who have declared that the highest frequency of orgasm benefit from a mortality rate than half the laggard. Other studies (some rigorous, some are less) to show that the fact that the sexual intercourse, even a few times a week or club level has a causal connection with the following text:

-- Enhancing the sense of smell: After sex, production of the hormone prolactin spans. This, in turn, leads to the stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain olfaktorisches eyeball, from the middle of the olfactory sense.

-- Reducing the risk of heart disease: In 2001, after the above Queens University study, the researchers put the emphasis on cardiovascular health. His conclusion: Was the fact that the sexual intercourse three times or more per week, the people to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in half. At the booth of these results, the co-author of the study, Shah Ebrahim, Ph.D., showed beloved British gift for euphemism: "The relationship found between the frequency of sexual intercourse and mortality is great interest to the public."

-- Weight reduction, fitness scope: Sex, if nothing else, is exercise. A strong fight burns about 200 calories - about the same as the race 15 minutes on the treadmill or a squash game fiery. The heart rate, a person, is rising by about 70 beats per minute at 150, the same as an athlete before a maximum pressure. The British researchers have found that the equivalent of six Big Mac can be edited, in the coast, the sex three times per week for one year. Contractions of the muscles during the work of the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and chest. Gender also stimulates the production of testosterone, resulting in a strengthening of bones and muscles. Men's Health magazine has been to appoint the bed most of the equipment for the exercise ever invented.

-- Reduction of depression: it was the inclusion of the study in 2002 on 293 women. American psychologist Gordon Gallup pointed out that the participants, their partners sexually active men not used condoms are less prone to depression, that those where the partner. A theory of causality: Prostoglandin, a hormone, which is only in the seeds, can be absorbed in the female genital tract and female hormones modulate.

-- Pain relief: Shortly before the orgasm, the hormone oxytocin to increase to five times their normal level. That gives the endorphins, the pain of everything, arthritis, headaches in migraine. For women, the sex of the production of estrogens calls, what can the pain of premenstrual syndrome.

-- Less frequent colds and flu: Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, about people who said that the sex once or twice a week, 30% have higher antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known for promoting the immune system.

-- Better control of the bladder: Heard Kegel exercises? You do what you know it or not, every time you get your stem cells flow of urine. The same set of muscles is during sexual intercourse.

-- Improvement of teeth: Plasma seed contains zinc, calcium and other minerals, the result of tooth decay. Since this is a site for the family, we delete the discussion of the system for the provision of minerals. It suffices to say that this could be much richer and more complex and fulfilling that experience by providing a tube of Crest - even Tartar Control Crest. The researchers have found brackets, which usually requires sexual rebuilding the brushing of teeth before and / or after intimacy, which, in itself, could be a better oral hygiene.

-- A happier prostate? Some urologists believe they see a connection between the lack of ejaculation and prostate cancer. The causal argument goes like this: For the production of seminal fluid, the prostate and bladder of seeds, these substances in the blood, zinc, citric acid and potassium, then concentrate up to 600 times. Each carcinogenic substances in the blood could be concentrated. Rather than dragging have concentrated carcinogens problem areas, it is better to sell. Regular old sex could do the job. But if the cleaning of the prostate are your only objective, masturbation might be a better way, especially for the non-monogamous males. With the sex with multiple partners, all alone, the man raised the risk of cancer by almost 40%. That's because he briefly an increased risk of contracting sexual infections. So, if you want all the supposed advantages in the treatment eliminates the risk to digitize. A recently published study by the British Journal of Urology International asserts that men in their 20s can reduce a third their chances in the prostate cancer by ejaculating more than five times a week.

While the possession of a strong appetite for sex - and the ability to meet physics - may not always be the cynosure of perfect health, a certain reluctance, can be a sign that something is seriously on the FRITZ, especially if the culprit is Infirme an erection.

Dr. J. Francois Eid, a urologist with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Presbyterian Hospital in New York, notes that erectile dysfunction is to expand the vascular system. A lethargic member may say that you are sick of the blood vessels in other parts of your body. "This could be the first signs of high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus or an increase in cholesterol levels. It is a red flag, you should ask your doctor." The processing and perception, says Dr. Eid may have things to consider, even above: "The men who exercise and have a good heart and low heart rate, and heart-Fit, an erection, Fester. It is certainly a relationship. "

But is there such a thing as too much sex?

The answer, in the form of purely physiological, is the following: If you are female, not without doubts. If you are a male? You betcha.

Dre Claire Bailey of the University of Bristol say there is little or no risk of overdose of a woman on the sex. In fact, "she said, and the regular meetings can be not only a woman on a farm abdomen and buttocks, but also improve his posture.

Dr. George Winch Jr., an obstetrician / gynecologist in Elko, Nev.. That Nickt. If a woman before menopause and in good health, "said Dr. Winch, because an extraordinary amount of sex should have no problem." I do not believe that women can be many relations, "he says," as long as it not a sexually transmitted disease, and it was not a pregnancy involuntarily. Sometimes you can have a problem, the lubrication. If you can have it Vaginal excoriation - vaginal scrape. "

The women who are abstaining from sex run some risks. For postmenopausal women, these include vaginal atrophy. Dr. Winch has an average age of the patients, he said: "They had not in three years. Just not interested. Opening their vagina narrows itself obsolete. It is a disease that can lead to dysparenia, or the pain associated with intercourse. him I said, "See you prefer to buy a vibrator or you lose it would work."

For men, urologists Aïd said, it is certainly possible to be a good thing, now that drugs such as Viagra, Levitra and have a lot more stamina than men can even be good for them.

The penis, says Eid, is wonderfully resistant. But everything has its limits. The tissue of the penis, when it is too roistering a pummeling or extended, the damage. In the cases is enough already, that you are not heard, lasting damage.

"Yes," says Dr. Eid, "It is possible for a young man who was very energetic and rough, loves sex, affected his aufrichtbare tissue." The increase in the stiffness of the drugs, and moreover, they make possible for a man to have second and third orgasms without having to wait between acts.

"I look for the football player," said Eid. "They use the Viagra because they are sexually active. What they demand of their body is not reasonable. This is part of the game of soccer: You play in pain therapy." This kind of man does not listen to his body. It takes a snapshot of cortisone, and continues. And they have sexual intercourse in the same way. "

There is a reason the penis, in its natural state, suffers a period of flaccidité: That is, if it takes a little rest. In the blood, it is again with oxygen. "In the course of erection," says Eid, "very little blood flows into the penis. Estoc while, the pressure of up to 200 million water. Zero blood flows into the penis at the time." Oxygen, the tissue loosen up. "If you do not allow the penis in peace, and the muscle tissue does not receive enough oxygen. self, the erection extended to the oxygen to the tissues, and could possibly undergo priapism." (We recommend you to a medical encyclopedia and see it.) "The muscle becomes as swallowing, it is painful. pressure from the inside begins to rise. starting point in the dying cells. The higher the blood pressure and flow less. Possibly muscle dies. And then there are the scars. Therefore, it is an urgent necessity. "

Help! Is it my body?

2008-01-31T22:04:00.000+07:00

That has never happened? You're federation at a time when you and pull your jeans prefer, you can no longer button. Or the football field, if you find that your legs rub together in a way that they never before. It may be that, if you look in the mirror, it seems that your pores are the support of your face.

If you ever believed in the movement with your body, you are not alone.
Growing Up and Out (or not)

Most of us are willing, in addressing the obvious physical changes of growth. The girls are waiting for their breasts grow and the people are waiting for more muscular. But the body is often caused by other changes before, during and after puberty - and sometimes these changes can be very different, which we expect to occur. For example, the girls and boys may find even himself more and more in the familiar places, such as the stomach or ass. Or they can, and skinnier rer.

Some people time a layer of fat in the preparation of the body for a growth spurt. Others fill permanently. Some people eat healthy food and physical activity, but still drunk. Other Chow on everything and to always remain lean.

Maybe it all balances, and most people, to which, as its "new" movements of the body and works. This, however, can take some time to get used to. But what about the people physically during puberty can affect what they think, their bodies and even over a longer period of time to come.

Nikki received, for example. She was a dancer met with his heart, based on the continuation of his career in the mother ballet. But up to 13 years old, grew up in customs Nikki some bigger and develops the kind of the number of longer for the girls - unless they are dancers. The Friends of Nikki envied curves, but Nikki unwieldy and clumsy feel. Now, at the age of 19, Nikki that he needed more time to his students the wrong idea of himself as a fat girl, which she did not unleash his dream to become a dancer.
"Adapting to a new body

We are more aware of the right looks to the time when our body changes. The physical changes can be emotionally difficult to treat.

Adapting to the development of the body is more than just a similar, though. Many young people establish their own images of how their bodies feel and executed. Until a year ago, Wes, 15, was a lean, fast sprinter who still claim can be made for the race to win with his team. Wes TDAH, and on some days has shown how the race was the only thing he can do. Then, when it started to develop a stockier, and his muscular physical sprint time got longer, Wes trust has a serious bruising.

The changes in our body "design, performance - even these small details, like the way they smell - are all parts of normal growing up. Well, what can you do to help you adjust the plans, physical and emotional Here are some suggestions.

Guard against yourself - not to be confused! There is, of course, our friends for comparison purposes. But this is not a good idea. In comparison with other problems ourselves, because every developed differently and at different times. If you through an increase in the growth rate, you are probably too high. However, your friend that he or she is too small. In general, it is difficult for the people who develop the first or last.

It is also a bad idea, we compare with the celebrities and models. In reality, most people do not like the establishment of species in the media. (Indeed often, the models do not like, or a large number of these "perfect" bodies in this way, through the issue of photographs, and not the nature). Sell ads, fantasy, and not the reality.

Treat your body. The choice of food and educational status of the fiscal year as part of the development of mind and your own life. A healthy diet and can also obtain some control over the way in which your body is changing. Also, the physical movement is a state of mind supplementary heating. If you change your body do you feel sad or confused, it may be useful to go for walks, play with your dog, or a Frisbee with your friends.

About three-quarters of all young people to athletes to leave their body, the time to develop. Often, because the changes in their bodies, which are in the sports competition PO Even if you do, you can still work if you are really interested, some people move in a different activity. Wes, its forces and its capabilities in the current use play football. Nikki and successfully together for his great love with his character of the dance, belly when she discovered the dance in college.

Sometimes people stop playing sports, in high school, because school is always demanding, either because they are an active social life, their time. Now is definitely not the time, which no longer fully exercise, however. In this time of change, to explore how your body feels for different activities. Nehmend yoga classes martial arts or other prohibited activities, and focuses on how the body moves and stretches can help you with your body.

BSB your friend. As the feeling that you do not know your body? Like a friendship that evolves and changes, the contact with our body takes time. As friends, our bodies can do to increase our moments. But with a little work and understanding, it is possible rebound.

Just as we know that our friends secrets, we know that things on our own body that other people do not do. For example, you suspect that your stomach sticks, because you spend hours by focusing on her in the mirror. But the truth, other persons who do not remember how you that

Walk tall - even if you do not! That what people do, is to know your feelings as you notice period on the project. If you think you are too big, it will be even more visible when more of stagnation and try to look smaller. If you are self-aware, buttons, hiding behind your hair can be the zit on your cheeks - but you seem awkward and uncomfortable.

To the extent that your body is changing, it can help to work on a good body posture and walk with a feeling of confidence. Once you have done this for a while, you probably have more confidence.

There is hardly anything that you can do about your size, or the development, but you can concentrate on the things that you love, really. This is perhaps your curls or shock that you get when you smile. Maybe you are a person really about, or you gifted them laugh. And if you want to know the whole people in your life that you think about the most, they see that they may not be much to see, as much as you like.
More Curves Ahead

Just as you get used to your new form, he is likely to again. The youths and at the latest top twenty, the (still) a moment in which the body and mind have a further step in the development and maturation. For the girls and boys, this means filling out a little more for them as for adults, and less in puberty.

This is another point where it is important to mobilize the powers of the exercise and a healthy diet: You may have heard of the "freshman 15," when the girls and boys may be in college, and most are in the food even for the first time. Many people who are on their own for the first time to start anything to eat what they want - usually malbouffe and snacks with a high fat content. Of course, most of them have the weight, because they spend more time sitting and less time to consider and to become active. If you have already begun to focus on what you eat and how you exercise, it is less likely to reach you.

If our body had owners' manuals, they would say that we hold our own, the fuel them, and give them something challenging activities. But our human body are too much, and they are best when they feel loved.

Learning to accept and enjoy, helps us in building the resistance force. The people who are resistant are in a better position to identify the problems and the disappointment that the people who are not. Résilients people to meet and decide. Accept and enjoy your body, no matter what it is like in this moment, and - as a good friend - it can do much to help you back!

Male Reproductive System

2008-01-31T21:40:00.000+07:00

Überhaupt ist zu fragen, wie die Welt zu ermöglichen, dass jemand so langweilig, dass bratty deinem kleinen Bruder oder eine Schwester? Die Antwort findet sich in der Wiedergabe. Wenn die Leute - wie deine Eltern (ew!) - Hat nicht reproduzieren, die Familien würden sterben, und die menschliche Rasse nicht mehr.

Alle Lebewesen, sich zu vermehren. Nachdruck - der Prozess, durch den Organisationen zu machen, wie sie von Organisationen - ist eine der Sachen, die die lebenden Sachen außerhalb der Materie nicht. Aber selbst wenn das System der Reproduktion ist eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für eine Lebensform, im Gegensatz zu anderen Systemen in der Organisation, ist es nicht unbedingt erforderlich ist, eine Person im Leben.

In den Prozess der Reproduktion von Menschen, zwei Arten von Zellen, Geschlecht, oder Gameten (sprich: gah-meetz), beteiligt sind. Die männlichen Gameten oder Spermien und weibliche Keimzelle, die Eizelle oder Eizelle, treffen sich in das Geschlechtsorgan der Frau, um ein neues Individuum. Sowohl die männlichen als auch die weiblichen Fortpflanzungsorgane sind für die Wiedergabe.

Die Menschen, wie alle anderen Organisationen, bestimmte Merkmale aufweisen, um auf die nächste Generation durch ihre Gene, die Träger der menschlichen Zeichen. Die Gene der Eltern an ihre Kinder, was es ähnlich den anderen Kindern in ihrer Familie, aber sie sind auch dazu, dass jedes Kind. Diese Gene sind im Sperma des Vaters und der Mutter des Eies, die von den männlichen und weiblichen Fortpflanzungsorgane.
Wie ist das männliche Geschlechtsorgan?

Die meisten Arten haben zwei Geschlechter: Mann und Frau. Jeder hat sein eigenes Geschlecht reproduktive System. Sie sind unterschiedlich in der Form und der Struktur, aber die beiden sind speziell für die Herstellung, Futter, und der Überführung, das Ei oder Sperma.

Im Gegensatz zu der Frau, die die Geschlechtsorgane befinden sich vollständig in das Becken, das Männchen hat die Reproduktionsorgane oder der Genitalien (sprich: jen-tulz s), die sowohl innerhalb als auch außerhalb des Becken. Die männlichen Genitalien umfassen:

* Die Hoden
* Die Führung des Systems, die sich aus der épididyme und der Kanal déférent
* Die Drüsen Zubehör, die aus den Samenblasen und Prostata
* Der Penis

In einem Burschen, die bei Erreichen der Geschlechtsreife, die beiden Hoden (sprich: Deine-tih-kulz) oder der Hoden (sprich: Deine-teez), zu erzeugen und zu speichern, die Millionen von kleinen Spermien. Die Hoden sind oval und Wachstum von etwa 2 Zoll (5 cm) in der Länge und 1 Zoll (3 cm) Durchmesser. Die Hoden sind ebenfalls Teil des endokrinen Systems, denn sie produzieren Hormone, insbesondere Testosteron (sprich: Deine-tos-tuh-rone). Testosteron ist ein wichtiger Teil in der Pubertät Jungs und wie ein Mann sich ihren Weg durch die Pubertät, die Hoden produzieren mehr und mehr von ihr. Testosteron ist das Hormon, das verursacht, die Jungs entwickeln tiefer Stimme, die größten Muskeln, der Körper und das Gesicht und Haare, und sie regt die Produktion von Spermien.

Neben den Hoden, werden die épididyme (sprich: ep-nicht-s-uh-mus), und der Kanal déférent (sprich: Sie bat-uh-runz), die das System von Hüllen, die männlichen Reproduktionsorgane. Die Samenleiter ist ein muskulöser Schlauch, der an der Seite der Anstieg der Hoden und transportiert die Samen mit einer Flüssigkeit namens "Sperma (sprich: sehen-mun). Die épididyme ist ein Satz Röhren Spiralige (jeweils eine für die Hoden), die eine Verbindung zum Kanal déférent.

Die épididyme und Hoden hängen in der Tasche dieser Struktur außerhalb des Beckens bezeichnet das Skrotum. Diese Tasche der Haut zu regulieren die Temperatur der Hoden, die kälter werden, dass die Temperatur des Körpers zu erzeugen, der Spermien. Das Skrotum Veränderungen in Größe, um die richtige Temperatur. Wenn der Körper ist kalt, das Skrotum schrumpft und wird streng zu halten, in der Hitze des Körpers. Wenn es heiß ist, wird das Skrotum grösseren und Diskette, um sich von der Hitze zusätzlich. Dies kommt vor, ein Mann zu haben, ohne überhaupt daran zu denken. Das Gehirn und das Nervensystem das Skrotum geben das Signal für die Größe ändern.

Die Drüsen Zubehör, einschließlich der Samenblasen und Prostata, die Flüssigkeiten enthalten, die das Schmieren und Hüllen die Spermien zu ernähren. Die Samenblasen (sprich: ich bin Null-uh-s-ten kulz) sind die Strukturen eines Beutels mit dem Kanal déférent neben der Blase. Die Prostata, was zu einigen der Räume, Sperma, umgibt die Ejakulation geführt, der die Grundlage der Harnröhre (sprich: ree-yoo-thruh), direkt unter der Harnblase. Die Harnröhre ist der Kanal, die das Sperma transportiert, die außerhalb des Organismus durch den Penis. Die Harnröhre ist auch Teil des Harnsystems, denn er ist auch der Kanal, durch den mit dem Urin bei der Ausfahrt aus der Blase und des Körpers.

Der Penis ist, besteht eigentlich aus zwei Teilen: der Baum und die Eichel (sprich: glanz). Der Lauf ist der größte Teil des Penis und die Eichel ist der Typ (genannt manchmal den Kopf). Am Ende der Eichel ist ein kleiner Schlitz oder der Eröffnung, das ist der Ort, wo das Sperma und Urin in den Körper durch den Ausgang der Harnröhre. Das Innere des Penis besteht aus einem Gewebe, die sich ausdehnen und sich zusammen.

Alle Jungen, geboren mit einer Vorhaut, eine Falte der Haut nach dem Ende des deckt die Eichel des Penis. Manche Jungen haben eine Beschneidung (sprich: auf-kum-sih-zhun), was bedeutet, dass ein Arzt oder ein Mitglied des Klerus Schnitte weg die Vorhaut. Die Beschneidung wird normalerweise in einem kleinen Jungen ein paar Tage des Lebens. Obwohl die Beschneidung nicht medizinisch notwendig, die Eltern, die beschließen, ihre Kinder beschnitten werden oft auf der Grundlage des religiösen Glaubens, die Bedenken hinsichtlich der Hygiene oder der kulturellen oder sozialen Gründen. Die Jungen, die Penis beschnitten, und denen, die keine haben, sind nicht anders: Alle Penis Arbeit und fühlen sich gleich, unabhängig von der Tatsache, daß die Vorhaut entfernt wurde.
Was ist das männliche Geschlechtsorgan?

Die männlichen Geschlechtsorgane zusammen arbeiten, für die Produktion und die Freilassung Sperma in das Geschlechtsorgan der Frau beim Geschlechtsverkehr. Das männliche Fortpflanzungssystem produziert auch Sexualhormone, die hilft, ein Junge, ein Mann mittleren Alters sexuell während der Pubertät (sprich: pyoo-bur-T).

Wenn ein Kind geboren wird, hat er alle Parteien auf, ihr System der Reproduktion, aber nicht vor der Pubertät ist er in der Lage ist, sich zu vermehren. Wann beginnt die Pubertät, in der Regel zwischen dem Alter von 10 und 14, in der Hypophyse (sprich: pih-zu-uh-und-ee) Drüse -, die sich in der Nähe des Gehirns - sondert der Hormone, die regen die Hoden zur Produktion von Testosteron . Die Produktion von Testosteron führt zu zahlreichen körperlichen Veränderungen. Obwohl der Zeitplan für diese Veränderungen ist für jeden Typ, die Schritte in der Pubertät in der Regel einen ganzen Film.

* In der ersten Phase der Pubertät Männern, das Skrotum und Hoden vergrößert.
* Zweitens, der Penis wird länger, und die Samenblasen und Prostata wachsen.
* Wäschetrockner fängt an, in der Region pubis und, später, drückt sie auf das Gesicht und den Achseln. Während dieser Zeit, die Stimme von einem Mann auch sich.
* Die Jungen sind auch Gegenstand einer Wachstumsschub in der Pubertät, denn sie erreichen ihr Erwachsenen Größe und Gewicht.

Sobald ein Mann die Pubertät erreicht hat, wird es von Millionen Spermien pro Tag. Jeder Samen ist extrem niedrig: nur 1 / 600 Zoll (0,05 mm lang). Entwicklung in den Hoden die Spermien in einem System der sogenannten kleinen Röhren Röhren séminifères (sprich: sem-uh--fuh-rus-byoolz auch). Bei der Geburt, diese einfachen Röhren runde Zellen enthalten, aber im Laufe der Pubertät, Testosteron und andere Hormone verursachen diese Zellen an, sich in Spermien. Die Zellen teilen sich, und die Veränderungen, bis sie einen Kopf und Schwanz kurz, wie die Kaulquappen. Der Kopf enthält das genetische Material (Gene). Die Verwendung von Sperma, ihre Schwänze zu übertreffen sich in der épididyme, wo müssen sie ihre Entwicklung. Er nimmt das Sperma von ca. 4 bis 6 Wochen für die Reise durch die épididyme.

Der Samen, dann über den Kanal déférent, die Spermien oder Hüllen. Die Samenblasen und Prostata produzieren eine weißliche Flüssigkeit genannt Samenflüssigkeit, die Mischung mit den Samenzellen, um das Sperma, wenn ein Mann sexuell stimuliert ist. Der Penis, was wiegt der Regel weich, stark wird, wenn ein Mann sexuell aufgeregt wird. Gewebe des Penis mit Blut zu füllen, und es wird steif und aufrecht (Erektion). Die Steifheit des Penis mit einer Erektion, ist es einfacher, in die Vagina der Frau während des Geschlechtsverkehrs. Wenn der Penis in der Erektion wird angeregt, die Muskeln, um die Organe der Vervielfältigung und der Stärke des Spermas durch das Hüftgürtel und der Harnröhre. Semen gedrückt wird, die außerhalb des Körpers des Mannes über seine Harnröhre - dieses Prozesses wird die Ejakulation (sprich: ih-jak-yuh-lay-shun). Jedes Mal, wenn ein Mann ejakuliert, kann er bis zu 500 Millionen Spermien.

Wenn der Mann ejakuliert in den Berichten, die das Sperma hinterlegt wird in der Vagina der Frau. Vom Samen in der Vagina, ihren Weg durch den Gebärmutterhals-und bewegen Sie sich in der Gebärmutter mit Hilfe von Kontraktionen der Gebärmutter. Wenn eine reife Eizelle wird in einer der von Fallope Eileiter der Frau, einen einzigen Samenzelle eindringen kann, und der Düngung oder der Konzeption, auftreten.

Das befruchtete Ei ist jetzt ein Zygote genannt (sprich: zy-Ziege) und enthält 46 Chromosomen - die Hälfte der Eier und die Hälfte des Samens. Das genetische Material von Männern und Frauen hat kombiniert, so dass eine neue Person erstellt werden kann. Die Zygote teilt sich immer wieder, wie sie wächst in der Gebärmutter der Frau, im Laufe der Schwangerschaft in einem Embryo, ein Fötus und schließlich eines Neugeborenen.
Sachen, die nicht gehen können, mit dem männlichen Geschlechtsorgan

Guys kann sich manchmal Probleme des reproduktiven Systems. Hier sind einige Beispiele von Störungen, die sich auf das reproduktive Männchen:
Erkrankungen des Scrotum, Hoden oder der épididyme

Bedingungen, die sich auf den Inhalt scrotal bedeuten kann, dass die Hoden, épididyme, oder das Skrotum selber.

* Hoden Wunde. Selbst eine leichte Verletzung an den Hoden verursachen Schmerzen, Blutergüsse oder enflures. Die meisten Verletzungen auftreten, wenn die Hoden Hoden geschlagen, geschlagen, Fußtritte oder überschrieben, die häufig bei sportlichen Aktivitäten oder wegen anderer Verletzungen. Torsion des Hodens (sprich: tor-zhun), wenn einer der Hoden dreht sich um und schneidet die Versorgung mit Blut, ist auch ein Problem, dass einige Jungs teen Erfahrung - wenn auch nicht häufig.
* Varicocele (sprich: var-uh-koh-Anlage). Es handelt sich um eine Vene variqueuse (eine Vene ungewöhnlich geschwollen) in das Netz der Venen, die kurz nach der Hoden. Varicoceles entwickeln gemeinsam ein Bursche ist in voller Pubertät. Ein varicocele ist in der Regel nicht schädlich, aber bei manchen Menschen kann es zu Schäden am Hoden oder Verringerung der Produktion von Spermien, und er trägt ein Mann zu sehen, wenn der Arzt ist besorgt über die Entwicklung der Hoden.
* Krebs des Hodens. Das ist einer der häufigsten Krebsarten bei Männern im Alter von weniger als 40. Sie tritt auf, wenn die Zellen im Hoden teilen normal und bilden einen Tumor. Krebs des Hodens können sich auf andere Teile des Körpers, aber, wenn sie früh erkannt wird, liegt die Heilungsquote ist ausgezeichnet. Alle Jungs müssten die Selbstuntersuchung der Hoden regelmäßig, um zu helfen, die Früherkennung.
* Epididymite (sprich: ep-uh-nicht-s-my-tus) ist eine Entzündung der épididyme, Coiled Rohre verbinden, die mit den Hoden Samenleiter. Sie wird normalerweise durch eine Infektion, wie sexuell übertragbare Krankheiten Chlamydien, und sich durch den Schmerz und die Beule auf einem der Hoden.
* Hydrozele. Eine Hydrozele (sprich: high-druh-seel) tritt auf, wenn die Flüssigkeit sammelt sich in den Membranen umgeben, die Hoden. Hydrozele kann eine Beule in den Hoden im Hodensack, aber sie sind in der Regel schmerzlos. In einigen Fällen ist die Chirurgie kann notwendig sein, um die Situation zu beheben.
* Hernie Leiste. Wenn ein Teil des Darms durch eine anomale Öffnung drückt oder die Schwächung der Bauchwand und in der Leistengegend oder das Skrotum, es ist bekannt als eine Inguinalhernie (sprich: in seinem gwuh Null-nee - - Uh). Die Hernie kann wie eine Zwiebel oder der Beule in der Region der Leiste. Es kann behoben werden durch Chirurgie.

Erkrankungen des Penis

Störungen mit Auswirkungen auf den Penis sind:

* Die Entzündung des Penis. Die Symptome einer Entzündung des Penis schließen Rötung, Juckreiz, Schmerzen und die Beule. Balanitis tritt auf, wenn die Eichel (Eichel) wird entzündet. Posthitis Vorhaut ist die Entzündung, was in der Regel durch eine bakterielle Infektion oder der Hefe.
* Hypospadius ist eine Erkrankung, bei dem die Harnröhre öffnet sich auf der Unterseite des Penis, nicht am Ende.

Wenn Sie denken, dass die Symptome für ein Problem mit Ihrem System Vervielfältigung oder haben Sie Fragen zu Ihrem Wachstum und Entwicklung, sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Elternteil - viele Probleme mit dem System Geschlechtsorgan Mann behandelt werden kann .

Libido

2008-01-31T21:39:00.000+07:00

The concept of libido is noted that the founders of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, in the identification of sexual drive or the sexual instinct. He noted that drive sexual orientation is characterized by a gradual introduction of a piece on the importance of intensity, followed by a sudden drop of tension.

As he studied in the process, his patients, Freud concluded that various activities, such as eating and drinking, as well as water and leave feces part of this common model. Therefore, it considers sexual practices or libidinöse that good.

Freud also has an interest in the development of the libido, he saw, as humans, and the most powerful player. He believed that the development of the libido, the different phases and identifiable.

Develops Freud's theory of the libido
During childhood, he realized sexual drive is focused on the mouth, manifests itself in the first instance to the aspiration. He scored following the hearing this stage in the evolution libidinöse. During the second and third years of a child's life, because the child is in the toilet training, development and make erotic pleasure trips rectal colorful functions. Freud marked the anal stage.

Later, during puberty, the emphasis will move again on the sexual organs, a development period of registration it phallus in the maturation phase of libido.

During the subsequent phase of development, triebhaft readers on the first emphasis on the parents of the opposite sex and insert coloration in the erotic experience of the child, his or her parents. Parental uncontrolled discharge of triebhaft player Freud felt, led to a development of the human psyche, which consists of three components, id, the ego and transmission. He comes to the conclusion that the base number or set instincts and orders (including libido, but also to other readers, such as aggression), which plans to launch in psychic energy.

The me an executive function, which directs the day to day libidinöse execution, and other desires, and so socially acceptable and achievable.

The labels-learned and internalized social norms of behavior, including an awareness of banned or criminal behaviour. During periods of severe schlaflos boundaries between these three stages, but during sleep and imagination, the limits of weakening, which is reflected opening otherwise controlled libidinöse desires. Awareness of these unrestrained desires and fantasies can lead to what the person's sense of guilt or shame of sex.

Freud believed that the individual personality is early in life and how the basic commands and stimulate libido as satisfied. To satisfy libidinöse and other readers leads to the oppression of their consequences for the development of the personality of the person and mental health.
After generations of the psychoanalysts called into question the work of Freud on the libido. Several insisted that Freud was overloaded unterbetonte biological development and the impact of social and cultural factors in the area of sexuality and attitudes and behaviours.

Another theory of the libido
Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst, broke with Freud's face libido by the rejection of the idea that sexual experiences in childhood are the most important factors for adults with emotional problems.

Jung has developed a new theory of the libido, the desire to live, instead of sexual desire and motive power. Jung emphasized the distinction between extrovertierten and introverted personality type.

Extroversion embodies those whose attention is heavily (though not exclusively) from the outside to other human beings and the world around them.

Extroverts tend to feel comfortable in social situations, and are, as a general rule, a social life.

Labels recollection of the opposite characteristics, including the staging within attention in the direction of internal processes and thinking. Intro Greens tend to leave themselves beschaulich, thoughtful and relatively uncomfortable in large groups. Jung uses the notion of libido to identify spiritual energy for the creation and maintenance of meditation / extroversion. He did not believe the individuals were severely extroverted or introverted, but rather to blend these qualities at different levels.

Many contemporary psychologists for the human libido, the potential base, although rooted in human biology (such as hormones), is essentially marked by the culture and the exchange of experiences.

In other words, the basic needs of human beings drive to reproduce, as well as the biological potential based on the greatest joy of practice in relation to the physical contact (for example, in the nerve ends of the skin and mucous membranes) , the shape and form of the experience of growing up in a family of the Interior In a society. How are structured in a sexual motivation, and sexual acts on readers are met, as well as the question of whether certain practices are labeled and thus avoid inappropriate in the first place, these social influences.

Auto-test for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction

2008-01-31T21:37:00.000+07:00

Gentlemen, if you have problems, to an erection, the cause is not physical, or because of other medicines you are taking, it could be psychological, especially if you are nocturnal erections.

A good way to determine the reason for a simple test at home, with the use of four to six stamps.
How can I test

* Pick three nights for the experience that you can use from the uninterrupted sleep. (Not to drink alcohol, a drug or sleep inducers during at least two days before.)

* Every night in bed memories wear, resulting in your penis to the pubic bone fly with hair as little as possible.

* Winding a bandwidth of four to six stamps tightly around the tree from your penis, the superposition of stamps and moisten the end of a seal of the ring.

* Once the plant has dried, carefully reviewed your penis in memory, with the under-garments to protect brands.

* Arriving in the morning: Is the buffer-ring failed at the perforation? (If you woke in the night by the tearing of stamps to check an erection and how it is rigid.)

As for the date of the tests say
For most people involved in the examination of the ring of stamps are broken at the perforation at least one of the three nights, which means that the problems with the erection can be a psychological cause. If the stamps are not broken, during the three nights considering the construction problem is probably related to a condition or medicines that cause impotence.

Talk to your relatives health professionals - doctors or psychologists - on the results of the stamp. This could be a first sign useful in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile a problem.

Sex adolescent health risk from the crisis

2008-01-31T21:35:00.000+07:00

UK Youth are facing a "crisis of sexual health" fueled by alcohol, drugs and risky sexual behaviour, warns a report.

"They are defining their lifestyle" with this behavior, favoured by celebrities of culture, the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV said.

The increase in sexually transmitted infections and adolescents are the high prices of pregnancy "worrying", he said.

The Department of Health, said sexual health was placed under "absolute priority".

The government report said last campaign, he failed to recognize the link between drink, drugs and sexual health.

The IAG further emphasizes that the United Kingdom has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and sexual infections in Europe.

'Glamorising celebrities "

More and more young teenagers define their lives by drugs, alcohol and drinking age-sex-sponsored by the current culture of celebrity, they say.

Professor Mark Bellis, head of the Centre for Public Health of the Liverpool John Moores University, and one of the authors of the report, called on the relationship between alcohol, drugs and risky sexual behaviour " fuel for a crisis in sexual health ".

The IAG said youths were associated with conflicting messages, express or underlying advertising.

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The coverage of celebrities behavior was widespread, while others limited information, he said.

Anne Weyman, one of the vice-chairmen of the group of independent consultants and the fpa Chief Executive, said: "We need to focus on young people's view.

"You see, in order to give them this culture of celebrity, in the newspapers, for sex and drugs, alcohol, everyone comes together, and they are not there, in addition to information and education, they must address issues such as drugs and alcohol and Sex, as they grow up.

"Tordues messages"

The advisory group, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, said restrictions on the advertising of condoms on television and the absence of compulsory sex education in schools, the problem is worse.

"There are restrictions on advertising condoms pre-waters, and shows a picture of a condom the envelope. Our youth are distorted receive, "he said.

It recommends condoms should be easily accessible to young people.

The IAG said adolescent sexual behaviour in high-risk has been increasingly at risk as young parents, a Contracting-STI, and not at school, establishing long-term, as well as problems increasingly addicted to alcohol and drugs.

In a statement from the Ministry of Health said the issue of sexual health was one of its highest priorities recent statistics showed the lowest since 1993, teenage pregnancies.

He also a reduction of drug consumption among the youth.

The National Children's Bureau and The Sex Education Forum, in a statement, said: "With our current rates of pregnancy in less than 18 years, to its lowest level in 20 years, the adolescent pregnancy in our strategy is clear, a significant influence.

"But the government must do more, his work on the development of national campaigns for the care of young people and their families." They called for a better relationship with gender and education in the schools.

The results follow a report by UNICEF, recently in Britain at the end of the League from 21 countries for the well-being of children.

WHY BE AFRAID OF MENOPAUSE?

2008-01-22T18:31:00.001+07:00

Menopause is a fact of life that all women will eventually have to face. It, however, does not necessarily have to be something to be feared. A number of resources and options for combating the symptoms of this natural life transition are now available.

What is menopause?
Menopause is simply the permanent ending of a woman's menstrual period. This signals the end of a woman's ability to conceive children, thus marking the end of her reproductive years.

Menopause can be natural or induced. Natural menopause usually occurs in women between the ages of 42 to 58 years, with the average age being 51 years. However, it can occur to women as young as in their 30s and a few as old as in their 60s.

What causes induced menopause?
Several types of surgeries can induce menopause, including:
- Surgical removal of both ovaries, with or without hysterectomy

- Hysterectomy (or the surgical removal of the uterus or the female
reproductive organ)

- Destruction of the ovarian function by chemotherapy or pelvic radiation
therapy. Chemotherapy, a drug treatment to destroy cancer cells, can
alter a woman's hormone levels and therefore cause the onset of
menopause. Depending on the type of chemotherapy, this induced
menopause can either be temporary or permanent. In contrast, pelvic
radiation therapy, which uses high energy radiation waves to kill cancer
cells in the pelvic area, is more likely to bring on permanent menopause.

- Abdominoperineal resection (the removal of the anus, rectum, and parts
of the colon)

- Total pelvic extenteration (the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries,
vagina, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum), performed when a woman
has a recurring cervical cancer

Induced menopause may increase a woman's chances of experiencing more severe, frequent, and longer lasting symptoms of menopause.

What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is defined as the phase before and immediately after a woman's last period. Perimenopause can last for approximately 4 years, during which a woman can have prolonged or irregular periods. During this phase, the ovaries will reduce their production of female sex hormones.

What are the symptoms of menopause?
During menopause, a woman's hormone levels rise and fall irregularly, affecting a woman's metabolism, growth, and reproductive systems. These changes manifest themselves in the following symptoms of menopause:

Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are the result of changes in a woman's estrogen hormone levels. As the levels of estrogen drop in a woman's body, her glands secrete higher amounts of other hormones. These other hormones cause the woman's body temperature to fluctuate.

Vaginal Dryness and Other Changes in the Vagina
The walls of the vagina becomes thinner, drier, and more vulnerable to infections. For some, intercourse and sexual stimulations may become increasingly uncomfortable or even painful.

Changes in the Urinary Tract
Changes in a woman's urinary tract may lead to incontinence or leakage of urine. Some forms of incontinence can be treated with medications or may require wearing an undergarment (adult diaper). For some women, an exercise to strengthen the pelvic muscle may also help (see Kegel Exercise Article).

Psychological Changes
Because of their fluctuating hormone levels, some women experience depression, fear and anxiety, mood swings, irritability, nervousness, and insomnia or sleeplessness.

Decrease in Sex Drive or Libido
Some women experience lower sex drive or libido during menopause. This may be caused directly by the changes in the woman's hormone levels and the decreased blood flow to the vagina. Furthermore, changes in the vaginal tissue and the lowered levels of the natural lubrication can make sex uncomfortable for menopausal women.

Increase in Sex Drive or Libido
On the other hand, some women actually experience increased sex drive or libido. These women should be careful to make sure that they are indeed truly cannot get pregnant before giving up their birth control precautions. It is important to keep in mind that during the transition to menopause a woman's period can become irregular. Therefore, the stopping of menstruation for a short period of time may not be a good indicator of a woman's ability (or here, inabiliWhat is the medical treatment for menopause?
Women with severe symptoms of menopause can go on hormone replacement therapy, where female sex hormones of estrogen and progrestin are given in a pill form. A recent study, however, suggested that hormone replacement therapy may not reduce the risk of heart attack - a benefit previously thought to be brought on by the therapy. Instead, the study found a higher risk of heart disease and breast cancer in women taking the hormone pills.

What are some natural treatments for menopause?
The following are somethings you can do to help make this natural midlife transition a smoother one:

Diet and exercise
Certain lifestyle changes can be made to help relieve the symptoms of menopause. For example, it may be helpful to eat vegetables that are high in phytoestrogens, such as soy beans or other soy products. Phytoestrogens may help reduce the intensity of hot flashes. Women should also avoid foods and beverages that may increase the severity of hot flashes, such as alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and spicy foods.

Regular exercise is recommended to help a woman maintain her general health as well as to improve her circulation. Exercises that relieve stress, such as yoga, are believed to be very beneficial in reducing the severity of the symptoms of menopause.

Vitamins
The use of various vitamins can help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. Vitamin E, for example, is believed to help with vaginal dryness and may offer minor relief from hot flashes.

Herbal supplements
There are a variety of different herbs that are believed to be beneficial in treating certain discomforts associated with menopause. These herbs include:

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Also known as squaw root, black snake root, and rattle weed, Black cohosh is a plant found throughout North America. It has been used by Native American women to ease the pain of menstrual cramping and other gynecological ailments. Recent studies have shown that Black cohosh may have the ability to help improve various symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, nervousness, depression, and vaginal dryness.

There are no known side effects associated with the normal use of Black cohosh, although consuming overly large doses may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and stomach pain.

Dong Qui (Angelica sinensis)
Also known as Danggui, Chinese Angelica, and Umbellifrae. Dong Qui is a member of the celery family and is a plant native to China and Japan. It has been used for many decades in traditional Chinese medicine to treat female gynecological ailments such as uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual cycles and bleeding, as well as cramping. It has also been used to help relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.

Dong Qui may have some rare side effects such as incresaed sensitivity to sunlight.

TEN TIPS ON HOW TO ELIMINATE PREMATURE EJACULATION

2008-01-22T18:30:00.000+07:00

What is premature ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation is, well, ejaculation that is premature - that is it occurs before a man wants it, or too quickly during intercourse to satisfy his partner. This, of course, is relative: what's considered too quick for someone might be completely normal for others.

What is normal, then?
Studies have shown that it is normal for men to have an orgasm and ejaculate within 2 to 3 minutes after penetrating the vagina. This is far quicker than what most men expect or wish (especially when comparing their performance against those adult film stars. That's one reason why they're in that business, folks).

There may also be an aspect of expectation on behalf of the man's partner. Studies have suggested that most women climax after 10 to 15 minutes of intercourse. Keep in mind, however, that the majority of women (some say between 65 to 75%) are unable to reach orgasm by intercourse alone. Moreover, it is estimated that about 10% of women can't reach orgasm at all!

Nevertheless, premature ejaculation exists and is actually a big problem for many men. Indeed, it is the number one sexual complaint among men under 50. Some will ejaculate immediately after erection, right before penetration, or just seconds after it.

What causes premature ejaculation?
Most severe premature ejaculations are caused by biological factors - including urinary tract infections, so if this is your complaint, see a doctor.

Other causes include psychological factors, especially anxiety, stress, or guilt. Many premature ejaculation problems go away by themselves, as these underlying psychological factors disappear.

Lastly, drugs such as over the counter cold pills and cigarette smoking have been implicated as causing or contributing to premature ejaculation. If you smoke, consider this as yet another reason to quit (as if the other health dangers are not enough ...)

Are there drugs for premature ejaculation?
Not officially, although serotonin uptake blockers or serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat depression have been used "off-label" to treat men with premature ejaculation. It is important to note that these drugs have not been indicated for this treatment, and therefore their use must only be prescribed by a knowledgeable physician.

So, what can I do to last longer?
Plenty. Both cheap (or free) and not
So, what can I do to last longer?
Ten tips on how to eliminate premature ejaculations are given below. The easiest (and cheapest) things first ..

1. The stop and start technique
2. The breathing technique
3. The squeeze technique
4. Wear a condom
5. Masturbate first
6. Different sexual positions
7. Desensitizing cream
8. Pelvic muscle exercise
9. Herbal treatments
10. Testicular restraint and penis ring

Let's discuss these tips in more details...

Stop and start technique
This technique simply means to bring yourself to (near) the point of no return, and stopping all stimulation before it's too late. For some men, this includes removal of the penis from the vagina, although for others this may not be necessary.

After the urgent feeling to ejaculate subsides, usually after 30 seconds, then thrusting and intercourse can be resumed. This stop and start technique can be repeated several times.

Communication is the key here, guys. Let your partner know that you are getting close to orgasm and to slow down or temporarily stop.

In addition to intercourse, the stop and start technique can also be practiced with your hand, with or without lubricant.

Remember to breathe...
Believe it or not, breathing deeply and relaxing your body during intercourse can help! This works best for premature ejaculation that is caused by anxiety or tension.

Because of its relaxing effect, some men report that drinking one (just one ,guys) glass of red wine before lovemaking can help.

For others, distracting oneself by thinking about other things like the office or football can also help to prevent premature ejaculation. Just remember not to think out loud!

The squeeze technique
This technique involves gently squeezing the base or end of the penile shaft and stopping sexual stimulation until the urge to ejaculate passes. The squeezing can be done by either the man or his partner, and can be repeated until ejaculation is desired.

Wear a condom
One of the most overlooked simple cures of premature ejaculation is to wear a condom. Besides being a good practice against sexually transmitted diseases and as a contraceptive, a condom can help reduce the sensation and thus prolong sex.

Masturbate first
Masturbating first a couple of hours before making love can result in the increased ability to last longer. Unfortunately, this often reduces the man's desire for sex.

Different sexual positions
Some men reach orgasm and ejaculate faster in the traditional missionary position (man on top). These men may last longer when their partner is on top. Remember, however, that sexual position preference varies very widely.

Changing positions every so often can also help, perhaps by giving the man brief pauses during lovemaking every now and then.

Desensitizing cream
Desensitizing cream works by lessening the sensation felt by men during intercourse. Although it lengthens staying power for many men, it comes with a price: most of these men said that the cream also makes sex less pleasurable.

Be sure to tell your partner that you are using desensitizing cream. Unfortunately, the dulling effect can also be transferred and felt by the woman, making it longer for her to reach orgasm (which may be one of the reasons a man feels he's not lasting long enough in the first place!).

Pelvic muscle exercise
Would you believe that an exercise usually reserved for incontinent women can help a man prevent premature ejaculation?

In a woman, pregnancy and childbirth are the main cause of the weakening of the pelvic floor muscle. This usually leads to female incontinence. The good news is that a simple pelvic muscle exercise (also called Kegel exercise) can help.

The same pelvic muscle is also involved in the ejaculation process (if you must know, the contraction of the pelvic muscle forces the seminal or ejaculate fluid from the prostate gland). This means that for a man, the same pelvic muscle exercise can help gain control over his premature ejaculation.

The pelvic muscle exercise is simple: "flex" the pelvic muscle as if you are holding back from or stopping urination. Hold the muscle for about three to five seconds, relax for about three seconds, and repeat. With practice, you should be able to work your way up to hold your pelvic muscle for ten seconds and do as many as one hundred contractions per day.

Remember, you can do this discreet exercise at almost anytime and in any place.

Herbal treatment
There are many herbs for men's sexual health available in the market today. Some of these, such as yohimbe and maca extracts, are basically stimulants and may have unwanted side effects, especially for older men.

A very promising herb is purified Tribulus terrestris extract, available under the brand name Libilov. Taken regularly, Tribulus has been proven by many scientific medical studies to help men overcome premature ejaculation without side effects. Moreover, the herb helps boost sex drive, increases stamina and control, and even improves sensation. Visit Libilov for Men for more information.

Testicular restraint
Gently restraining the testicles from moving during intercourse can help some men from ejaculating prematurely. Although some found it uncomfortable or too much hassle, testicular restraint is generally safe. It can be purchased discreetly through erotic mail-order companies.

Taking cues from the squeeze technique and a vacuum device for impotence, an erotic device called a penis ring or band works to prevent premature ejaculation in some (adventurous) men. Here, a stretchy rubber ring on the base of the penis does the squeezing. Some men, however, feel slight discomfort during intercourse when wearing this ring.

Premature ejaculation can be treated
The tips above have been reported to help about 95% of men to prolong their lovemaking. Remember to be sure to contact your health provider if you feel that you have a severe premature ejaculation problem.

http://www.sexhealthinplainenglish.com

Sex Education and Preteens

2008-01-22T18:28:00.001+07:00

When should you talk to your preteen about sex? Most experts would agree, there's no time like the present.
Talking to our youngsters about the birds and the bees is one thing when they're preschoolers, it's quite another when they're preteens. Chances are that at this age you'll get a lot of squirming and looks of disgust when discussing sexual health. But those reactions of embarrassment are pretty normal with preteens, says sexual health educator Kim Marsden. "When they're in the pre-pubescent age, they go into the gross-me-outter stage. Painful for parents, but it's a really important time to persevere and keep talking to them about their bodies."

However kids aren't the only ones who squirm. Many parents find sexual health difficult to discuss and find themselves continually postponing a frank discussion with their child. If this is the case with you, the best bet is to pick up a book, do some reading and then stop procrastinating.

Now is the time to sit down and talk with your child because according to Meg Hickley, author of "Speaking of Sex", "children in grades 4 to 7 have the greatest needs for information and this is the most crucial time to talk. They've been exposed to television and school yard gossip about sexuality and this is your last chance to talk. They need to know about breast development, for boys as well as for girls, that some children gain weight during puberty and it's totally unfair to tease someone about being skinny or fat, and they need to know about body hair and daily washing."

Marsden acknowledges that when it comes to discussing sexual health with children "it's difficult to get the conversation going because they're so embarrassed. So lock them in the car, take a long drive, get talking and keep talking. Then ask them to return the information and see how much they've actually picked up."

And when you've finally had the big talk, pat yourself on the back. According to Hickley the open communication you've created around sexual health will pay off for many, many years. "If you've talked to your kids from preschool through to primary years, I can promise you are going to have a teenager who is filled with joy and optimism about their future adult sexual lives, and who is extremely easy to talk to."

Making Parents Part of the Team

2008-01-22T18:27:00.000+07:00

© Amy Horn

Jul 4, 2006
Parent-teacher communication is a must in middle school. Interdisciplinary teams of teachers can easily and effectively make parent-teacher communication a priority.

Good teams communicate. Interdisciplinary teams in middle schools - comprised of teachers from a variety of subject areas and a designated number of students - are no different. But is there room for other key players on that team-say, parents in particular? If teachers and students are looking forward to a successful school year, the answer is an obvious, "Yes!" Parent-teacher communication is a must. Making parents feel that they are part of the team will improve parent-teacher communication and most likely, student learning overall.

Parents of tweens not only have to deal with the changes in their relationships with their children, but they also have to confront the changes in their relationships with their children's teachers. Many parent volunteers served as PTO presidents or created costumes for school plays. They felt welcomed in their child's classroom; they were needed and wanted. Now, they don't feel welcome in their child's bedroom, let alone their classroom. Yet, parents are assets-to both teachers and students-when they become allies, and parent-teacher communication is a powerful tool. A few simple strategies can keep the lines of communication open throughout the school year.

* Daily Teachers can attempt to contact all parents in September. Teams of teachers can divide their students up evenly and contact the parents during planning periods. Teachers can simply extend a warm welcome to the parents and introduce themselves. It's a great way to start off the school year. And, the next contact will be that much easier to make.
* Weekly Friday Folders can be sent home at the end of each week to communicate important ideas and noteworthy events. Attaching a sign-off sheet inside the folder can help assure that students are delivering the news and parents are receiving it. Friday Folders also provide a quick and easy means for parents to get important forms, notes, and slips back to the teachers, as well.
* Monthly Sending a newsletter home once a month can serve a variety of purposes. It can outline upcoming events, ask for parent volunteers, describe current units of study and/or specific supplies needed, list teachers' contact information, etc. Parents will look forward to and appreciate the heads-up each month.

Parent-teacher communication is just as important in middle school as it is in elementary school - maybe even more so. Parents, teachers, and students are in this thing together. With parent-teacher communication taking place, a good team can become a great team, and everyone can experience success.

KEGEL EXERCISE: A SIMPLE EXERCISE TO STOP INCONTINENCE

2008-01-22T18:26:00.000+07:00

Many women suffer needlessly from incontinence as they get older. Aging in general, as well as pregnancy, childbirth, and even menopause took a toll on the pelvic muscle, leading to reduced a woman's ability to keep from accidentally urinating (especially when sneezing, laughing, exercising, or simply bending over).

If this is you, you are far from alone: nearly a quarter of women between the ages of 30 and 60 years have mild form of incontinence (also called stress urinary incontinence). But there is no need to suffer needlessly, a simple (and discreet) exercise, called the Kegel or pelvic muscle exercise, can help 9 out of 10 women control or eliminate this problem.

How do I perform the Kegel exercise?
First, find the right muscles - you should isolate and exercise the major muscles that stretch across the pelvic floor, appropriately called the pelvic floor muscles or PC muscles (PC stands for pubococcygeus, if you must know).

To do this, try to slow or stop the flow of urine when you're sitting on the toilet, or identify the muscles that you would use to stop passing gas. Repeat this action several times so you become familiar with the feeling of contracting the right muscle group. Remember not to contract your stomach, buttock, or thigh muscles.

There are two exercises you can do: first, tighten your pelvic floor muscle and hold for a count of five. If at first, you may not be able to hold it more than a second or two, don't worry. With practice, you should be able to tighten the muscles for 10 seconds or more. Remember to relax for 10 seconds or so before contracting your pelvic floor muscles again.

The second type of exercise is to quickly contract the pelvic muscles several times in succession.

Both of these exercise types can be done discreetly and practically at any time while sitting down and even standing up. Practice these exercises as often as you like, but remember not to over exert yourself!

Additional benefit
It seems that strong pelvic floor muscles, which circle the vagina, also help women achieve orgasm more easily!

http://www.sexhealthinplainenglish.com

Is Sex Necessary?

2008-01-22T18:24:00.000+07:00

Alan Farnham

Fans of abstinence had better be sitting down. "Saving yourself" before the big game, the big business deal, the big hoedown or the big bakeoff may indeed confer some moral benefit. But corporeally it does absolutely zip. There's no evidence it sharpens your competitive edge. The best that modern science can say for sexual abstinence is that it's harmless when practiced in moderation. Having regular and enthusiastic sex, by contrast, confers a host of measurable physiological advantages, be you male or female. (This assumes that you are engaging in sex without contracting a sexually transmitted disease.)
In one of the most credible studies correlating overall health with sexual frequency, Queens University in Belfast tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study was designed to compare persons of comparable circumstances, age and health. Its findings, published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal, were that men who reported the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the laggards. Other studies (some rigorous, some less so) purport to show that having sex even a few times a week has an associative or causal relationship with the following:

- Improved sense of smell: After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain's olfactory bulb, its smell center.

- Reduced risk of heart disease: In a 2001 follow-on to the Queens University study mentioned above, researchers focused on cardiovascular health. Their finding? That by having sex three or more times a week, men reduced their risk of heart attack or stroke by half. In reporting these results, the co-author of the study, Shah Ebrahim, Ph.D., displayed the well-loved British gift for understatement: "The relationship found between frequency of sexual intercourse and mortality is of considerable public interest."

- Weight loss, overall fitness: Sex, if nothing else, is exercise. A vigorous bout burns some 200 calories--about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. The pulse rate, in a person aroused, rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort. British researchers have determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax. Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and muscles. Men's Health magazine has gone so far as to call the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.

- Reduced depression: Such was the implication of a 2002 study of 293 women. American psychologist Gordon Gallup reported that sexually active participants whose male partners did not use condoms were less subject to depression than those whose partners did. One theory of causality: Prostoglandin, a hormone found only in semen, may be absorbed in the female genital tract, thus modulating female hormones.

- Pain-relief: Immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This in turn releases endorphins, which alleviate the pain of everything from headache to arthritis to even migraine. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which can reduce the pain of PMS.

- Less-frequent colds and flu: Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system.

- Better bladder control: Heard of Kegel exercises? You do them, whether you know it or not, every time you stem your flow of urine. The same set of muscles is worked during sex.

- Better teeth: Seminal plasma contains zinc, calcium and other minerals shown to retard tooth decay. Since this is a family Web site, we will omit discussion of the mineral delivery system. Suffice it to say that it could be a far richer, more complex and more satisfying experience than squeezing a tube of Crest--even Tartar Control Crest. Researchers have noted, parenthetically, that sexual etiquette usually demands the brushing of one's teeth before and/or after intimacy, which, by itself, would help promote better oral hygiene.

- A happier prostate? Some urologists believe they see a relationship between infrequency of ejaculation and cancer of the prostate. The causal argument goes like this: To produce seminal fluid, the prostate and the seminal vesicles take such substances from the blood as zinc, citric acid and potassium, then concentrate them up to 600 times. Any carcinogens present in the blood likewise would be concentrated. Rather than have concentrated carcinogens hanging around causing trouble, it's better to evict them. Regular old sex could do the job. But if the flushing of the prostate were your only objective, masturbation might be a better way to go, especially for the non-monogamous male. Having sex with multiple partners can, all by itself, raise a man's risk of cancer by up to 40%. That's because he runs an increased risk of contracting sexual infections. So, if you want the all the purported benefits of flushing with none of the attendant risk, go digital. A study recently published by the British Journal of Urology International asserts that men in their 20s can reduce by a third their chance of getting prostate cancer by ejaculating more than five times a week.

While possession of a robust appetite for sex--and the physical ability to gratify it--may not always be the cynosure of perfect health, a reluctance to engage can be a sign that something is seriously on the fritz, especially where the culprit is an infirm erection.

Dr. J. Francois Eid, a urologist with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, observes that erectile dysfunction is extension of vascular system. A lethargic member may be telling you that you have diseased blood vessels elsewhere in your body. "It could be a first sign of hypertension or diabetes or increased cholesterol levels. It's a red flag that you should see your doctor." Treatment and exercise, says Dr. Eid, can have things looking up again: "Men who exercise and have a good heart and low heart rate, and who are cardio-fit, have firmer erections. There very definitely is a relationship."

But is there such a thing as too much sex?

The answer, in purely physiological terms, is this: If you're female, probably not. If you're male? You betcha.

Dr. Claire Bailey of the University of Bristol says there is little or no risk of a woman's overdosing on sex. In fact, she says, regular sessions can not only firm a woman's tummy and buttocks but also improve her posture.

Dr. George Winch Jr., an obstetrician/gynecologist in Elko, Nev., concurs. If a woman is pre-menopausal and otherwise healthy, says Dr. Winch, her having an extraordinary amount of intercourse ought not to pose a problem. "I don't think women can have too much intercourse," he says, "so long as no sexually transmitted disease is introduced and there's not an inadvertent pregnancy. Sometimes you can have a lubrication problem. If you have that, there can be vaginal excoriation--vaginal scrape."

Women who abstain from sex run some risks. In postmenopausal women, these include vaginal atrophy. Dr. Winch has a middle-aged patient of whom he says: "She hasn't had intercourse in three years. Just isn't interested. The opening of her vagina is narrowing from disuse. It's a condition that can lead to dysparenia, or pain associated with intercourse. I told her, 'Look, you'd better buy a vibrator or you're going to lose function there.'"

As for men, urologist Eid says it's definitely possible to get too much of a good thing, now that drugs such as Viagra and Levitra have given men far more staying power than may actually be good for them.

The penis, says Eid, is wonderfully resilient. But everything has its limits. Penile tissues, if given too roistering or prolonged a pummeling, can sustain damage. In cases you'd just as soon not hear about, permanent damage.

"Yes," says Dr. Eid, "It is possible for a young man who is very forceful and who likes rough sex, to damage his erectile tissue." The drugs increase rigidity; moreover, they make it possible for a man to have second and third orgasms without having to wait out intermission.

"I see it in pro football players," says Eid. "They use Viagra because they're so sexually active. What they demand of their body is unreasonable. It's part of playing football: you play through the pain." This type of guy doesn't listen to his body. He takes a shot of cortisone, and keeps on going. And they have sex in similar fashion."

There's a reason the penis, in its natural state, undergoes a period of flaccidity: That's when it takes a breather. The blood within it is replenished with oxygen. "During an erection," explains Eid, "very little blood flows to the penis. During thrusting, pressure can go as high as 200 mil of water. Zero blood flows into penis at that time." To absorb oxygen, the tissue must become relaxed. "If you do not allow the penis to rest, then the muscle tissue does not get enough oxygen. The individual gets prolonged erections, gets decreased oxygen to tissue, and could potentially suffer priapism." (We recommend you get a medical encyclopedia and look it up.) "The muscle becomes so engorged, it's painful. Pressure inside starts to increase. Cells start dying. More pressure and less blood flow. Eventually the muscle dies. Then there's scarring. That's why it's considered an emergency."
http://www.forbes.com

IMPOTENCE: CAN IT BE CURED WITHOUT DRUGS?

2008-01-22T18:23:00.000+07:00

mpotence or erectile dysfunction was once dreaded as man's worst nightmare. Given the advances in medicine and nutrition research, however, it no longer has to be a scary thing. Impotence can be treated - sometimes without drugs. Read on:

What is impotence?
Impotence is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection to perform intercourse or ejaculation.

There are two forms of impotence: primary and secondary. Men with primary impotence have never had sufficient erection for satisfactory intercourse. This form of impotence is rare and is often caused by extreme psychological conditions, such as intense fear of intimacy, extreme feelings of guilt, and severe anxiety.

Secondary impotence, defined as the loss of erectile function after a period of normal function, is more common. Men with secondary erection are typically able to engage in intercourse only 25% of the time. This form of erection typically comes on gradually and is usually more easily treated that primary impotence.

Who becomes impotent?
Although men who have reached middle age and older are more likely to be impotent than younger men, impotence can strike at any adult age. It is estimated to affect between 10 and 15 million men in the United States alone.

What causes impotence?
Diseases
The major cause of impotence is disease. It is estimated that over 70% of all serious impotence cases are the result of diabetes, kidney diseases, multiple sclerosis, endocrine disorders, vascular diseases and high blood pressure, as well as neurological diseases. It is estimated that between 50% and 60% of diabetic men are impotent.

Here, it's important to realize that impotence may be a symptom of a more serious problem with your health - so if you're impotent, don't be ashamed of seeking professional medical help.

Medication
Prescribed drugs used to treat high blood pressure, ulcer, depression, prostate cancer, as well as drugs to prevent baldness or to aid dieting, can have side effects that include impotence. In this case, the impotence lasts as long as you are taking the drugs.

Surgery
Surgery on the spinal cord, prostate, bladder, or pelvis can lead to impotence by damaging essential nerves, tissues, muscles, or arteries needed.

Cigarette smoking, alcohol and narcotics use
One of the most underestimated causes of impotence is actually cigarette smoking (as if you need yet another reason to quit ...) It is ironic that even though cigarette smoking long has the projected aura of coolness or sexiness, in reality it is anything but.

The same goes for alcohol and narcotics such as heroine and cocaine (almost 100% of men who use cocaine regularly are impotent). If you use these recreational drugs, however, you have bigger health problems than just impotence ...

Hormonal imbalance
As testosterone and other male sex hormone levels start to drop after reaching middle age, it is thought that low testosterone level is the culprit of most intermittent impotence problem, especially in older men. Furthermore, studies have shown that lack of testosterone leads to a range of other sexual performance problems, including premature ejaculation and low sex drive.

Psychological factors
It is estimated that about 10 to 20% of impotence cases are the direct result of some sort of psychological factors, such as low self-esteem, depression, and especially stress and anxiety (general and performance anxieties). Here, all the plumbings are A-OK, yet the otherwise healthy man is unable to achieve an erection.

The man's comfort level is also often a factor, especially in maintaining an erection. Boredom, marital problems, or negative feelings against his partner may contribute toward an impotence problem.

Impotence caused by psychological factors is often temporary: it lasts as long as the underlying factor is still there. If you suspect this may be the cause, you can perform a simple test to see if impotence is just in your mind ...

The stamp test: not just for the mail anymore ...
So, how do you distinguish between impotence caused by problems with your body and that caused by psychological factors? A lowly, regular stamp can help ...

Turns out that during sleep, a man often gets multiple erection throughout the night. This involuntary erection means that everything is fine with the nerves, muscles, and arteries involved in the erection process and signals that the cause of impotence lies elsewhere.

To determine this, a man can simply wet and "affix" a small stamp on his flaccid penis before going to bed. If the stamp is no longer in place by the morning, it means that a nocturnal erection occurred.

Medical treatment for impotence
Sildenafil citrate
The invention of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) spotlights the problem of impotence, and made it all right to talk about this once taboo subject. Once designed for heart medication, it was soon discovered that sildenafil can cause quite potent erection (actually, the scientists suspected something when the clinical test subjects were very reluctant to return their pills after the study was over ...)

Sildenafil works by causing the smooth penis muscle to relax, which lets blood to flow into the penis. This, in turn, causes the penis tissue to be engorged by blood and becomes erect (with the proper sexual stimulation) within 20 to 40 minutes after taking the drug orally.

While it works very well, it should be noted that sildenafil is a prescribed drug, and should only be taken on advise of your health care professional as it has serious side effects in some men. The side effects of sildenafil include minor vision problems, headaches, heart attacks, and even death.

Injection therapy
Here, drugs that cause the widenings of blood vessels are injected into the penis to cause erection. This therapy is falling out of favor, because of the obvious (imagine injecting your penis, guys), and because of the side effects, which include persistent erection, scarring, and sudden low blood pressure.

These injection drugs are not recommended for men who are taking prescribed medicine for high blood pressure or who are at risk for blood clots. Furthermore, since the drugs are toxic to fetuses, men are not recommeded to use this method if their partner is pregnant.

Insertable drugs
Instead of injection, there are also drugs in pellet form that can be inserted into the penis about an inch deep with an applicator. Erection will then occur about 8 to 10 minutes after application, and lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.

In addition to side effects that include those listed for injection drugs, insertable drugs can also cause a burning sensation, redness, spotting or bleeding, and aching of the penis and testicles. Furthermore, the man must remain in an up-right position when the erection is forming, so the blood flow is not inhibited. If he lies down too early, then the erection may be lost.

Hormone replacement therapy
Since one of the most common causes of impotence, especially intermittent impotence in older men is low testosterone level, it is obvious that testosterone replacement therapy can help.

Testosterone replacement therapy, however, should only be done under careful administration by doctors, since overdose of testosterone carries serious side effects, including enlargement of the prostate.

Surgery
There are a couple of surgeries available, including repairing blocked or damaged arteries and veins, as well as tying the veins to prevent blood to flow out of the penis during an erection.

Other types of surgeries include implanting erection devices. These devices include a bendable rod which allows a man to (manually) place the penis into the erection position, and an inflatable implant. The inflatable implant consists of cylinders, a fluid reservoir, and a pump that is placed under the skin in the scrotum. When the man presses the pump, fluid flows from the reservoir into the cylinders, which become inflated and cause the penis to be erect. This device causes the penis to become longer and wider while erect. It also has an advantage over the rod, since it allows the flaccid penis to appear more natural.

Besides expensive, remember that surgeries are invasive procedures that can cause potentially serious side effects.

Pump it up. Literally.
Vacuum tube and penis ring - oh, what men go through for a good erection, and natural
Pump it up. Literally!
A vacuum device, composed of a plastic cylinder, pump, and elastic ring or band, can be used to effect an erection.

The way it works is as follows: the cylinder is placed onto the penis and the pump is then used to draw air out of the cylinder. The vacuum causes blood to be forced into the penis, which in turn causes an erection. Once erection is achieved, the man places the elastic ring on the base of the penis, which keeps blood from draining from the penis back into the body. The ring remains on the penis until intercourse is finished.

This device works quite well, although some men complained about the discomfort of the elastic ring, in addition to the hassle of ... er, pumping up.

Herbs: the natural answer for impotence?
Although they are often dismissed as ineffective solutions to impotence, more and more clinical research studies have found that herbs can help impotent men.

Some of the most popular herbs available on the market today include tribulus, yohimbe, ginkgo biloba, and others. Although they are generally safe and without side effects (unlike chemical drugs), it is important to know that the quality of their extraction and preparation processes vary widely.

Tribulus terrestris
One of the most promising herbs is the purified extract of Tribulus terrestris. To date, its effects on treating impotence and other sexual dysfunction problems have been extensively studied.

Tribulus has been used as traditional medicine to treat sexual dysfunction and male infertility in Europe and Asia for many decades, before improvement in scientific extraction techniques allowed identification of its active ingredient called protodioscin.

Clinical studies performed on this purified extract have confirmed the herb's beneficial effect. These studies showed that Tribulus helps treat impotence caused by low testosterone level or an imbalance in the body's level of sex hormones. The active ingredient of Tribulus acts as a natural precursor to these hormones, and is converted into its final forms by the body's own natural enzymes.

Other studies have suggested that Tribulus also acts by increasing the level of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a naturally occuring substance in the body believed to be important for a healthy sex drive.

In all, these studies proved that Tribulus works very well in curing sexual dysfunctions and in maximizing sexual performance when taken regularly (it does not work immediately, however, Tribulus shows positive effects only after two to three months). There is no known side effect to this herb.

A note of caution: although there are many Tribulus extracts available over the counter today, almost all of these have been found not to contain any significant amount of the active ingredient. Be sure to select a Tribulus extract that contains at least 45% protodioscin (we recommend the Libilov for Men brand).

Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an extract of a bark of the evergreen yohimbe tree, and was traditionally used in Africa as an aphrodisiac. Yohimbine, a chemical substance derived from the Yohimbe extract, is actually a prescribed medicine for sexual dysfunctions. Studies on yohimbine have shown that it may help men achieve erection by increasing blood flow to the penis and acting as a stimulant.

A survey of yohimbe extracts available as dietary supplements, however, have suggested that most do not have significant amount of yohimbine and therefore are not effective. Moreover, there are some side effects of yohimbe that you should be aware of. These include increased anxiety, sleeplessness, and mood swings.

Ginkgo biloba
Best known as an herb to boost memory and mental acuity, recent studies have suggested that ginkgo extracts can help impotent men by increasing peripheral and microcirculation of blood. Clinical studies on impotence caused by antidepressant medications show marked improvement in erection.

L-arginine
L-arginine, while not an herb, is a naturally occurring amino acid present in food. Studies on L-arginine have shown mixed result, and since it can affect insulin and carbohydrate metabolism, men with diabetes (a leading cause of impotence, by the way) are not recommended to take it.

Ginseng
Used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine to treat "old man's disease" of impotence and sexual problems, Ginseng is one popular herb. Not surprisingly, studies have suggested the positive effects of this root on the biochemical mechanism of erection. A substance in the panax subspecies of ginseng, called ginsenosides, have been thought to work by causing the release of nitric oxide, a natural substance responsible for the increased blood flow into the penis.

Moreover, it seems that Ginseng has an overall beneficial effect on health. For some (especially older men), this may just be the boost they need for a healthier sexual life.

You no longer have to suffer from impotence
The fear of impotence, stemming from the belief that there is nothing you can do for it, is slowly diminishing. Admitting being impotent is the first step toward treating impotence.

Herb Sex Boosters

2008-01-22T18:15:00.000+07:00

Woody Allen's late 1970s film Love and Death was eerily prophetic, if in name alone, about the Viagra dilemma. The drug enables many men to achieve an erection and regain lost sexual function, but it can also exact a stiff penalty from users. The Food and Drug Administration has reported dozens of deaths among Viagra users. This seems an unnecessarily severe side effect. Concerns about the drug have spurred interest in effective, natural aphrodisiacs without deleterious side effects.

Responding to this interest, I set off for the Amazon rain forest in search of sex-enhancing plants. I traveled in the company of a Brazilian shaman named Bernie Peixoto, a man skilled in tribal wisdom and the use of plant medicines. There in the world's greatest jungle, we encountered two potent sex-boosting plants with a long history of safe use.

Our flight into Brazil put us into the Amazon city of Manaus, where we met with Antonio Matas, the most highly respected herbalist in that area. Antonio shared stories with us about his decades of healing work using rain-forest plants.

Catuaba and Muirapuama: Sex Enhancers?
"What about catuaba and muirapuama?" I inquired. "Are they really effective sex enhancers, or is that just a myth?" He laughed at the question and spread his hands wide open. "There is nothing that compares with catuaba and muirapuama together. I can tell you, I have used these plants with hundreds of people. The old become sexually young again. I have seen impotent men who can have sex for the first time in years. Even healthy couples find that these plants put extra fire in their sex life. These plants are good for men and women."

I asked Antonio if he used these plants himself. He smiled again. "Sometimes. After all, I've been married to the same woman for 43 years."
Before heading off to the Amazon, I had read everything I could find on reputed sex-enhancing plants from that region. Virtually every reference I found described the use of both catuaba (Erythroxylum catuaba) and muirapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) to increase libido and improve sexual function.

When Bernie and I arrived in Manaus, we discovered that the use of these two botanicals was more popular than we ever suspected. Throughout Manaus, a city in the heart of the jungle, which flourished during the great rubber boom of the mid-1800s, we found dozens of guarana stands which served mixed fruit smoothies with herbs.

"Super Sex Drink"
Guarana, the most popular caffeine-bearing plant in Brazil, was added to these drinks, along with other herbs. Every guarana stand offered an aphrodisiac drink, usually named "Super Sex Drink," containing about a heaping teaspoon of powdered catuaba and muirapuama combined.

When we asked the people who work at the guarana bars if their sex drinks were effective, they were quick to affirm their potency. As we sat at various guarana bars, we watched women and men order super sex drinks for themselves and second ones for their partners. Couples showed up together, ordered, winked at each other, and drank. It was clear that catuaba and muirapuama held distinguished positions in popular Brazilian culture.

In fact, few beneficial plants are as popular or as widely consumed among the natives of the northern Amazon river basin as the barks of catuaba and muirapuama. These two common trees grow widely from Peru to Brazil. Both have been used extensively by natives and non-natives for centuries, to increase libido and improve sexual potency. Due to the popularity of these two sex boosters, their harvesting and sale has become big business throughout Brazil.

Improved Erectile Function Reported
Science on these plants is still modest, but reports in scientific journals and at conferences have supported their use for sexual enhancement. In catuaba, a group of three alkaloids dubbed catuabine A, B and C are believed to enhance sexual function by stimulating the nervous system. In muirapuama, chemists have identified a group of sterols including beta-sitosterol, thought to be responsible for the herb's aphrodisiac effects. In one study using muirapuama, 51 percent of men with erectile problems reported improvement, and 62 percent experienced an increase in libido.
After our time in Manaus, Bernie and I boated down the Amazon river where we stayed with Ipixuna and Crinicoru indians in floating shacks on the water. While there we ventured into the rain forest with native guides who showed us catuaba and muirapuama trees growing in different places. We also witnessed the harvesting of catuaba bark and its subsequent sale to a local buyer. We learned that most natives use these plants by placing a small handful of their combined barks in a glass of room-temperature water, let the herbs sit overnight, and drink the resulting amber infusion in the morning.

The Shamans
To confirm what we had read about catuaba and muirapuama, and what Antonio Matas had imparted, Bernie and I set off to interview a couple of elderly women shamans, both of whom were experts in the preparation and use of Amazon medicinal plants. Each woman told us that the sexual restorative virtues of catuaba and muirapuama were significant. One 89-year-old shaman named Therese echoed Antonio's words when she told us, "Catuaba and muirapuama together can make people sexually young again."

Throughout history, people have sought to increase libido and improve sexual function through the use of reputed aphrodisiac plants. Catuaba and muirapuama, two common trees growing widely across the Amazon river basin, enjoy centuries of safe, effective use as bona fide aphrodisiacs.

If you're going to try these herbs, there are a couple of ways you can go about doing so. If you can obtain them as bulk herbs in a natural food store, then two to four grams of the powdered bark combination is a good dosage range. I throw about that much into a blender drink, with good results. But not everybody likes messing around with loose herbs.

A number of supplement companies produce finished products containing these herbs in powdered or liquid form, and offer dosage guidelines. As research into the sex-enhancing value of these rain-forest plants increases and more becomes known about their modes of action, they are destined to become popular and widely used in cultures such as ours, beyond the rain forest.

Next, a trip to China for Horny Goat Weed...

http://health.discovery.com

A Guy's Guide to Body Image

2008-01-19T18:36:00.000+07:00

Al's friend Rachel invited him to go to the lake for the day with her family. Rachel thought Al was fun to be around — plus he was cute. Rachel really hoped he'd say yes.
Al turned Rachel down. He liked Rachel, too, but was self-conscious about taking off his T-shirt. He worried that her family and others at the lake would see what he saw when he looked in the mirror — a scrawny excuse for a man. Al hadn't gone to the pool in more than a year because he was so self-conscious about his appearance.
The Truth About Guys
Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But the reality is that a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. It's a fact — some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance.
You may hear a lot about being a tough guy, but how often do you hear that being a guy is tough? Guys might think that they shouldn't worry about how they look, but body image can be a real problem for them. Unlike girls, guys are less likely to talk to friends and relatives about their bodies and how they're developing. Without support from friends and family, they may develop a negative self-image. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.
Why Is Body Image Important?
Body image is a person's opinions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. Having a positive body image means feeling pretty satisfied with the way you look, appreciating your body for its capabilities and accepting its imperfections. Body image is part of someone's total self-image. So how a guy feels about his body can affect how he feels about himself. If he gets too focused on not liking the way he looks, a guy's self-esteem can take a hit and his confidence can slide. (The same thing can happen to girls, too.)
How Puberty Affects Body Image

Although body image is just one part of our self-image, during the teen years, and especially during puberty, it can be easy for a guy's whole self-image to be based on how his body looks. That's because our bodies are changing so much during this time that they can become the main focus of our attention.
A change in your body can be tough to deal with emotionally — mainly because, well, your body is yours and you have become used to it.
Some guys don't feel comfortable in their changing bodies and can feel as if they don't know who they are anymore. Being the only guy whose voice is changing or who's growing body hair (or the only guy who isn't) can also make some guys feel self-conscious for a while.
Some guys go into puberty not feeling too satisfied with their body or appearance to begin with. They may have wrestled with body image even before puberty started (for example, battles with weight or dissatisfaction with height). For them, puberty may add to their insecurities.
It Could Be in Your Genes
It can be tough to balance what you expect to happen to your body with what actually does happen. Lots of guys can have high expectations for puberty, thinking they'll develop quickly or in a certain way.
The best way to approach your own growth and development is to not assume you'll be a certain way. Look at everyone in your family — uncles, grandfathers, and even female relatives — to get an idea of the kinds of options your genes may have in store for you.
When Everyone Else Seems Bigger
Not everyone's body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. It can be tough if all of your friends have already matured physically and are taller and more muscular. Most guys eventually catch up in terms of growth, although some will always be taller or more muscular than others — it's in their genes.
It's natural to observe friends and classmates and notice the different ways they're growing and developing. Guys often compare themselves with other guys in certain settings, and one of the most common is the locker room. Whether at a local gym or getting ready for a game at school, time in the locker room can be daunting for any guy.
Try to keep in mind in these situations that you aren't alone if you feel you don't "measure up." Many guys feel exactly the same way about their own bodies — even those whose physiques you envy. Just knowing that almost everyone else will go through the same thing can make all the difference.
You could try talking to a trusted male adult — maybe a coach, a doctor, a teacher, or your dad. Chances are they went through similar experiences and had some of the same feelings and apprehensions when their bodies were changing.
Picture Perfect?
Guys put enough pressure on themselves, but what about the pressure society puts on them to be perfect?
It used to be that only girls felt the pressure of picture-perfect images, but these days the media emphasis on men's looks creates a sense of pressure for guys, too. And sometimes (actually many times) that "as advertised" body is just not attainable. The men you see in those pictures may not even be real. Magazines and ad agencies often alter photographs of models, either by airbrushing the facial and muscular features, or by putting a good-looking face on someone else's buff body.
Building a Better Body Image
So in the face of all the pressure society places on guys — and guys place on themselves — what can you do to fuel a positive body image? Here are some ideas:
Recognize your strengths. Different physical attributes and body types are good for different things — and sometimes the things you did well as a kid can change during puberty. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, flexibility, strength, or coordination leads you to excel at a certain sport. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. Just exploring talents that you feel good about can help your self-esteem and how you think of yourself.
A good body doesn't always translate into athletic success. Too often, the way guys see their body image is closely associated with their performance on a sports field or in the gym. The upside to this is that if you're good at a team sport, you might have a pretty good view of your body. But what if you don't like team sports or you got cut from a team you really wanted to make? In these cases, it helps to look at individual accomplishments.
If you don't like team sports, that's OK. Try finding another form of physical activity that really gets you going. Depending on your interests and where you live, that may be mountain biking, rock climbing, dancing, yoga, or even jogging. This will help you stay in shape and help you to appreciate skills may not have realized you had in a team environment.
If you like team sports but didn't make a particular team, don't let it get you down. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at, not to lament what you aren't best at. Maybe try out for another team — so soccer wasn't for you, but maybe cross-country running will be.
If none of these appeal to you, continue to practice the sport you were cut from and try again next year. The people around you probably won't remember that you didn't make the team — not being picked was a much bigger deal to you than it was to them.
Look into starting a strength training program. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques don't just happen — they take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet. There's no need to work out obsessively. A healthy routine can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Another benefit to working out properly is that it can boost your mood — lifting weights can lift your spirits.
Don't trash your body, respect it! To help improve your view of your body, take care of it. Smoking and other things you know to be harmful will take a toll after a while. Treating yourself well over time results in a healthier, stronger body — and that contributes to a better body image. Practicing good grooming habits — regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, etc. — also can help you build a positive body image.
Be yourself. Your body is just one part of who you are — along with your talent for comedy, a quick wit, or all the other things that make you unique. Your talents, skills, and beliefs are just as much a part of you as the casing they come in. So try not to let minor imperfections take over.
While it's important to have a positive body image, getting too focused on body image and appearance can cause a guy to overlook the other positive parts of himself. If you're like most guys who take care of their bodies and wear clothes that look good, you probably look great to others. You just might not be aware of that if you're too busy being self-critical.

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: November 2006

All About Menstruation

2008-01-19T18:24:00.000+07:00

Menstruation (a period) is a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing. Some girls can't wait to start their periods, whereas others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls (and guys!) don't have a complete understanding of a woman's reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle, making the process seem even more mysterious.
Puberty and Periods
When girls begin to go through puberty (usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13), their bodies and minds change in many ways. The hormones in their bodies stimulate new physical development, such as growth and breast development. About 2 to 2½ years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she usually gets her first menstrual period.
About 6 months or so before getting her first period, a girl might notice an increased amount of clear vaginal discharge. This discharge is common. There's no need for a girl to worry about discharge unless it has a strong odor or causes itchiness.

Baby girls are born with ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a uterus. The two ovaries are oval-shaped and sit on either side of the uterus (womb) in the lowest part of the abdomen called the pelvis. They contain thousands of eggs, or ova. The two fallopian tubes are long and thin. Each fallopian tube stretches from an ovary to the uterus, a pear-shaped organ that sits in the middle of the pelvis. The muscles in a female's uterus are powerful and are able to expand to allow the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby out during labor.
As a girl matures and enters puberty, the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce other hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones have many effects on a girl's body, including physical maturation, growth, and emotions.
About once a month, a tiny egg leaves one of the ovaries — a process called ovulation — and travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. In the days before ovulation, the hormone estrogen stimulates the uterus to build up its lining with extra blood and tissue, making the walls of the uterus thick and cushioned. This happens to prepare the uterus for pregnancy: If the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it travels to the uterus and attaches to the cushiony wall of the uterus, where it slowly develops into a baby.
If the egg isn't fertilized, though — which is the case during most of a woman's monthly cycles — it doesn't attach to the wall of the uterus. When this happens, the uterus sheds the extra tissue lining. The blood, tissue, and unfertilized egg leave the uterus, going through the vagina on the way out of the body. This is a menstrual period. This cycle happens almost every month for several more decades (except, of course, when a female is pregnant) until a woman reaches menopause and no longer releases eggs from her ovaries.
How Often Does a Girl Get Her Period?
Just as some girls begin puberty earlier or later than others, the same applies to periods. Some girls may start menstruating as early as age 10, but others may not get their first period until they are 15 years old.
The amount of time between a girl's periods is called her menstrual cycle (the cycle is counted from the start of one period to the start of the next). Some girls will find that their menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, whereas others might have a 24-day cycle, a 30-day cycle, or even longer. Following menarche, menstrual cycles last 21–45 days. After a couple of years, cycles shorten to an adult length of 21–34 days.
Irregular periods are common in girls who are just beginning to menstruate. It may take the body a while to sort out all the changes going on, so a girl may have a 28-day cycle for 2 months, then miss a month, for example. Usually, after a year or two, the menstrual cycle will become more regular. Some women continue to have irregular periods into adulthood, though.
As a girl gets older and her periods settle down — or she gets more used to her own unique cycle — she will probably find that she can predict when her period will come. In the meantime, it's a good idea to keep track of your menstrual cycle with a calendar.
How Long and How Much?
The amount of time that a girl has her period also can vary. Some girls have periods that last just 2 or 3 days. Other girls may have periods that last 7 days or longer. The menstrual flow — meaning how much blood comes out of the vagina — can vary widely from girl to girl, too.
Some girls may be concerned that they're losing too much blood. It can be a shock to see all that blood, but it's unlikely that a girl will lose too much, unless she has a medical condition like von Willebrand disease. Though it may look like a lot, the average amount of blood is only about 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) for an entire period. Most teens will change pads 3 to 6 times a day, with more frequent changes when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period.
Especially when menstrual periods are new, you may be worried about your blood flow or whether your period is normal in other ways. Talk to a doctor or nurse if:

* your period lasts longer than a week
* you have to change your pad very often (soaking more than one pad every 1–2 hours)
* you go longer than 3 months between periods
* you have bleeding in between periods
* you have an unusual amount of pain before or during your period
* your periods were regular then became irregular

Cramps, PMS, and Pimples
Some girls may notice physical or emotional changes around the time of their periods. Menstrual cramps are pretty common — in fact, more than half of all women who menstruate say they have cramps during the first few days of their periods. Doctors think that cramps are caused by prostaglandin, a chemical that causes the muscles of the uterus to contract.
Depending on the girl, menstrual cramps can be dull and achy or sharp and intense, and they can sometimes be felt in the back as well as the abdomen. These cramps often become less uncomfortable and sometimes even disappear completely as a girl gets older.
Many girls and women find that over-the-counter pain medications (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can relieve cramps, as can taking a warm bath or applying a warm heating pad to the lower abdomen. Exercising regularly throughout the monthly cycle may help lessen cramps, too. If these things don't help, ask your doctor for advice.
Some girls and women find that they feel sad or easily irritated during the few days or week before their periods. Others may get angry more quickly than normal or cry more than usual. Some girls crave certain foods. These types of emotional changes may be the result of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
PMS is related to changes in the body's hormones. As hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, they can affect the way she feels, both emotionally and physically. Some girls, in addition to feeling more intense emotions than they usually do, notice physical changes along with their periods — some feel bloated or puffy because of water retention, others notice swollen and sore breasts, and some get headaches.
PMS usually goes away soon after a period begins, but it can come back month after month. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising may help relieve some of the symptoms of PMS. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your premenstrual symptoms.
It's also not uncommon for girls to have an acne flare-up during certain times of their cycle; again, this is due to hormones. Fortunately, the pimples associated with periods tend to become less of a problem as girls get older.
Pads, Tampons, and Liners
Once you begin menstruating, you'll need to use something to absorb the blood. Most girls use a pad or a tampon. But some use menstrual cups, which a girl inserts into her vagina to catch and hold the blood (instead of absorbing it, like a tampon).
There are so many products out there that it may take some experimenting before you find the one that works best for you. Some girls use only pads (particularly when they first start menstruating), some use only tampons, and some switch around — tampons during the day and pads at night, for example.
Girls who worry about leakage from a tampon often use a pantiliner, too, and some girls use liners alone on very light days of their periods.
Periods shouldn't get in the way of exercising, having fun, and enjoying life. Girls who are very active, particularly those who enjoy swimming, often find that tampons are the best option during sports.
If you have questions about pads, tampons, or coping with periods, ask a parent, health teacher, school nurse, or older sister.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD

Why Does A Lover Pull Away after Sex?

2008-01-15T01:30:00.000+07:00

Dopamine. It's at the core of our sexual drives and survival needs, and it motivates us to do just about everything.Gone with the Wind This mechanism within the reward center of the primitive brain has been around for millions of years and has not changed. Rats, humans - indeed, all mammals - are very similar in this respect.
Dopamine is behind a lot of the desire we associate with eating and sexual intercourse. Similarly, all addictive drugs trigger dopamine (the "craving neurochemical") to stimulate the pleasure/reward center. So do gambling, shopping, overeating and other, seemingly unrelated, activities. Go shopping: dopamine. Smoke a cigarette: dopamine. Computer games: dopamine. Heroin: dopamine. Orgasm: dopamine. They all work somewhat differently on the brain, but all raise your dopamine.
You get a bigger blast of dopamine eating high-calorie, high-fat foods than eating low-calorie vegetables. You may believe that you love ice cream, but you really love your blast of dopamine. You're genetically programmed to seek out high-calorie foods over others. Similarly, dopamine drives you to have sex over most other activities. With dopamine as the driving force, biology has designed you to engage in fertilization behavior to make more babies, and urges you to move on to new partners to create greater genetic variety among your offspring.
Your primitive brain accomplishes these goals of more progeny and promiscuity by manipulating your brain chemistry, and thus your desires and thoughts. High levels of dopamine increase sexual desire, encouraging you to behave recklessly. The thrill of a new affair and the rush from using pornography are examples of high

Humans, however, don't have a period of "heat" followed by a long period of indifference to sex. Unlike all other mammals, we have the potential for on-going, dopamine-driven sexual desire. Yet we, too, self-regulate. An "off switch" kicks in after too much passion.
Two events happen simultaneously. Dopamine plummets and prolactin soars. Dopamine is "go get it!" and prolactin is "whoa!" This mechanism shifts your attention elsewhere: to hunting and gathering, taking care of babies, building shelters, and so forth. Without this natural, protective shutdown, you would pursue sex to the exclusion of all other activities. When rats were wired so that they could push a lever in their cages to stimulate the nerve cells on which dopamine acts, they just kept hitting the lever until they dropped - not even pausing to eat or investigate potential mates. Dopamine is highly addictive; the rise in prolactin puts the brakes on.
This event (drop in dopamine and rise in prolactin) is the cause of the emotional separation that so often follows in the days or weeks after a passionate encounter.
Feelings & behaviors associated with various dopamine levels Excess Deficient "Normal"
Anxiety Anhedonia - no pleasure, world looks colorless Motivated
Psychosis Inability to "love" Feelings of well-being, satisfaction
Aggression No remorse about personal behavior Pleasure, reward in accomplishing tasks
Schizophrenia Depression Healthy libido
Addictions, Compulsions Addictions (seeking relief from depression) Good feelings toward others
Paraphilias (Sexual Fetishes) Low libido Maternal/Paternal love
Unhealthy risk-taking Erectile dysfunction Healthy risk taking
Gambling Lack of ambition and drive Sound choices
Impulsive sensation-seeking ADD? Realistic expectations
Compulsive activities Social anxiety disorder ---
--- Sleep disturbances, "restless legs" ---

As you can see from this chart, a balanced level of dopamine is necessary for good mental health. When dopamine drops, you feel like something is dreadfully wrong. Too much dopamine also leads to reckless behavior and restless anxiety, which can be quite severe. These uncomfortable feelings are then projected onto your partner. Bingo! Suddenly, he or she doesn't look so appealing. This is a very uncomfortable cycle to experience in your intimate relationship. During the "hangover," or "low-dopamine" portion of the cycle, you may feel abandoned, or as if someone is demanding things from you in ways that you cannot tolerate. Or you may desperately seek new highs (alcohol, sweets, new partners, pornography, and so forth) to raise your dopamine levels again.
Perhaps you can see how this cycle of highs and lows, or attraction and repulsion, can make your relationship feel more like a roller-coaster ride than a romantic fairytale. It is like starting and stopping in heavy traffic. It shows up in lovers' lives as intense attraction, followed by behaviors that tend to separate them. (Prolactin can promote separation, too, as we'll see in a moment.)
The point is that conventional sex can play havoc with your neurochemistry. Much of the time, your dopamine levels will be uncomfortably high or uncomfortably low.
This is why the ancient Taoists and other sages throughout history have recommended making love without conventional orgasm. By avoiding the extreme highs that over-stimulate the nerve cells in the primitive brain, you also avoid the temporary lows that accompany recovery. You keep your dopamine levels within ideal ranges. This produces a sense of wellbeing, which promotes harmony in your relationship.
disharmonyDopamine is not the only culprit that contributes to the behaviors and mood swings that separate intimate partners emotionally. Prolactin, the neurochemical that shoots up after orgasm, is associated with many of the very symptoms that long-term couples complain of in their relationships. (See chart below.)
Prolactin's effects can linger. For example, cocaine blasts the brain with high levels of dopamine, and prolactin rises during withdrawal. Indeed, addicts going through withdrawal required two weeks for their prolactin levels to drop to normal. After mating, female rats show surges in prolactin for up to two weeks - even if they don't get pregnant. Finally, prolactin is associated with the stress of feeling hopeless. As partners grow distressed and discouraged by the puzzling highs and lows in their relationships, their higher prolactin levels can compound their distress. They forget what it feels like to be in balance, and gradually lose their natural sense of wellbeing.
couple shoutingBoth low dopamine and high prolactin make your world look bleak - and increase your craving for better sex or new partners who would raise your dopamine levels (and set you on another addictive cycle of highs and lows). Together these neurochemicals probably account for the "end of the honeymoon," which nearly all couples experience within a year of marriage.
Symptoms associated with excess prolactin Women Men
Loss of libido Loss of libido
Mood changes / depression Mood changes / depression
Hostility, anxiety Impotence
Headache Headache
Menopausal symptoms,
even when estrogen is sufficient Infertility
Signs of increased testosterone levels Decreased testosterone levels
Weight gain Weight gain
Intercourse may become painful because of vaginal dryness Peripheral vision problems
Infertility, irregular menstruation Gynecomastia (growing breasts)
Peripheral vision problems ---
There are at least three source of emotional friction related to these brain chemistry shifts. (1) Partners get out of sync. Dopamine levels rise in one while the prolactin levels are still high in the other. You may desperately want sex, while your partner has no interest at all. 2) Partners project their state of mind onto each other. When you feel rotten, or "hungry," or just plain "off," it's normal to find fault with the person closest to you. It honestly seems like you'd feel fine if he'd just be more generous, or she would just stop shopping for more and more shoes and make love. sulking couple cartoon(3) Partners' brains get rewired over time, away from love and toward defensiveness. The part of your primitive brain that is designed to react to snakes and predators is now being activated by your partner. Certainly your partner didn't threaten to poison you, but sex with your partner later made you feel bad at a subconscious (neurochemical) level. Actually, of course, you hurt yourself by letting biology tell you how to have a good time in the bedroom. Your subconscious, however, feels that your lover is the culprit.
Virtually no one identifies this hidden, biological source of distress. Instead, the part of your brain that analyzes looks for other explanations. You know, for example, that you don't feel right. Your partner is acting weird. You're upset, and your honeymoon has ended. Maybe you write your uneasiness off as a mood swing, or get a prescription for an antidepressant. Or maybe you feel that your partner is somehow to blame for the fact that you feel rotten. "If only he would help more around the house." "If only she would stop badgering me." couple kissing in bed And so on. Yet, when you try to fix each other, you're addressing symptoms and ignoring the deeper problem - these neurochemical shifts.

The Big 'O' Isn't Orgasm

2008-01-15T01:14:00.000+07:00

Researchers are always seeking answers to fundamental questions about illness: "What is the cause of cancer?" "How does stress damage your cells and organs?" "What causes plaque to build up inside your arteries?"
The flip side of such questions is "what is the mechanism by which love and affection positively affect health?" The answer to this question is oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter. Once believed to confine its effects to inducing labor and milk ejection, oxytocin actually has far-reaching effects on both sexes. You could not fall in love without it. These days it goes by nicknames such as "the bonding hormone," "the cuddle hormone," and even "the love hormone."
The primary conscious behavior or thought process that increases oxytocin is caring for another. Appreciation, generous touch, gratitude, and emotional connections with others also raise oxytocin levels. In addition, oxytocin appears to be behind many of the health benefits from meditation, massage and acupuncture. We see one of oxytocin's most powerful effects at birth - when the mother and father bond with their child. At that moment, oxytocin surges causing a rewiring of both parents' brains so that they will do anything for their little screaming creature. Under ordinary circumstances they remain permanently in love.

We all form similar connections with friends, lovers, cats, gurus, or even God. And the benefits to us of these deep connections are great. Oxytocin is the reason why people with pets tend to recover more quickly from illness, why married people tend to live longer, why support groups benefit those with cancer, addictions and chronic disorders, and why care-giving primate parents, whether male or female, live longer than the non-care-giving parents.
How can oxytocin produce such tremendous health benefits? The exact mechanism is not clear, but the key seems to be oxytocin's ability to counteract the effects of stress. To state this differently, if you listed all the conditions and diseases related to stress or aggravated by stress, you'd have to list nearly every known condition. By easing stress, oxytocin helps to heal them all.

Consider some of the other research on this important hormone:

* Oxytocin reduces cravings. When scientists administered it to rodents who were addicted to cocaine, morphine, or heroin, the rats opted for less drugs, or showed fewer symptoms of withdrawal. (Kovacs, 1998) Oxytocin also reduces cravings for sweets. (Billings, 2006)
* Oxytocin calms. A single rat injected with oxytocin has a calming effect on a cage full of anxious rats. (Agren, 2002)
* Oxytocin increases sexual receptivity and counteracts impotence. (Pedersen, C.A., 2002), (Arletti, 1997)
* Oxytocin counteracts the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone. (Legros, 2003) Less stress means increased immunity and faster recovery.
* Oxytocin appears be a major reason that SSRIs (like ProzacÂ®) ease depression, perhaps because high levels of cortisol are the chief culprits in depression and anxiety disorders. (Uvnas-Moberg, 1999)

In addition to oxytocin's powerful effects on the body, it strongly affects your mind and behavior. It is nature's antidepressant and anti-anxiety hormone. It creates feelings of calm and a sense of connection, so it actually shapes how you view the world. The whole universe looks like a better place when you feel tranquil and loving. Oxytocin also reduces cravings, which makes it the key to healing addictions of all kinds. For example, rats addicted to heroin used less of the drug when experimenters raised oxytocin levels in their brains.
Have you heard the saying, "the more you give, the more you get?" Well, it applies to oxytocin, too. The more you nurture and connect with others, the more responsive your body and brain become to it. This makes it an unusual neurotransmitter. Compare it with substances like alcohol or caffeine. The more you use them, the greater the quantity you require to obtain the same effect. Oxytocin is the opposite. The more you give and nurture, the more strongly you respond.
You can't take a pill to obtain these benefits because oxytocin would swiftly breakdown in your stomach. Not even an injection would work because the body gets rid of it so quickly. The only artificial way to keep oxytocin up would be to receive a continuous IV, and still that would have no effect on your brain - which is where it must be released to affect social bonds. (Yes, there are oxytocin nasal sprays, but they are riskier and less specific in effect than learning to produce this neurochemical organically by choosing activities that produce it in ideal quantities and locations within your brain and body.)
Yet it is within your power to release oxytocin within your brain and body - short of having a child or an orgasm (see below). Consciously stick to behaviors that promote its production in areas of the body and brain that yield beneficial effects. couple in bedMeditate, nurture others, reach out to connect with people, and make love in a way thatkeeps your heart open. And avoid relationship distress.1
Because of oxytocin's roles in bonding and reducing cravings, we believe it is the key to authentic monogamy and, of course, peace between the sheets. That is, if you want to stay in love, you need to sustain the production of oxytocin. This happens effortlessly…until some point after conventional sex enters the equation.
Here's why. Falling in love calls forth a soup of neurochemicals, including oxytocin's bonding effects. However, as we've explained in other articles, conventional sex tends to over-stimulate the pleasure/reward center deep
within the brain. screaming lioness Specifically, a neurochemical called dopamine (ideal levels of which are also necessary forttraction between mates) drops after orgasm. Therefore bonds can erode. Low dopamine can also create psychological distress.
Over time, this roller coaster of highs and lows leads to subconscious defensiveness and emotional distance between partners. Once uneasiness enters your intimate relationship, the bond between the two of you tends to weaken. That is, you produce less oxytocin. So you can see how biology's agenda unravels your relationships over time despite oxytocin's bonding properties.
The situation is confusing, even to scientists, because levels of oxytocin (at least in the bloodstream) rise sharply in most of us at the moment of orgasm. However, research suggests that this 30-second surge of oxytocin may have little to do with emotional bonding, and more to do with inducing the contractions associated with orgasm (to move the sperm along). Oxytocin, remember, also produces birth contractions. Even if there is a corresponding surge of oxytocin in the brain at the moment of orgasm, it is obvious that people can have sex without bonding. Some get up and leave; others roll over and snore.
The best plan? Consciously encourage oxytocin production with caring behavior. In this way you protect and strengthen the bonding connections in your brain and tap the health benefits discussed above.
Sadly, the normal relationship pattern is for couples to get together, think they will love each other forever, and then end up fighting and splitting up, or simmering in resentment and stagnation. This roller coaster of passion-followed-by-separation is behind the decline in oxytocin. The result? The honeymoon ends.
Our experience, making love without orgasm, has been just the reverse of this typical pattern. Our relationship stays light-hearted and romantic and has grown closer with time. We believe this positive trend is the result of consciously avoiding the behaviors that create subconscious uneasiness between partners. In this way we maintain our initial levels of oxytocin. And, as we've become increasingly responsive to "the Big 'O'," that is, oxytocin, our connection grows stronger and healthier. It will work for you, too!
link:http://www.reuniting.info

Sex & Spinal Cord Injury

2008-01-15T01:09:00.000+07:00

"Sex is something you do, sexuality is something you are."
Although sexual adjustment of some kind is a fact of life for many persons with disabilities, frank discussion about sexuality and disability still remains a profoundly personal and sensitive topic. One reason is that sex (which has come to mean sexual intercourse) and sexuality (which embraces the whole self) are very often merged in people’s minds. Such confused thinking can easily produce the "you’re as good as your sexual performance" syndrome.
Another reason is that not enough health professionals have integrated sex education and counselling into their personal practice or rehabilitation setting. To be successful, rehabilitation must address people’s physical, emotional and social needs. Getting the facts about the sexual implications of your condition is an important part of this process. But so is integrating this knowledge into your relationships with partners, family, health attendants and co-workers. That’s where some people could use support from health professionals.
Just how well is the health profession doing with respect to sex education and counselling in rehabilitation programs? A recent study by Mitchell S. Tepper, M.P.H., of 458 members of the American National Spinal Cord Injury Association revealed an obvious gap between services needed and services offered in a rehabilitation program. To meet the needs of persons with spinal injury, the study suggested that a program include:

- discussion of sexuality initiated at an early stage;

- a combination of written materials, videos and individual counselling;

- four or more sessions dedicated to topics related to sexuality;

- consultation access to other persons with spinal cord injuries who have more sexual experience; and

- the individual’s physician being open and available for consultation.

While not all disabilities are the same, the issues remain the same for every person with a disability who has experienced altered sexual function, according to Dr. Michael Barrett, Ph.D., professor of zoology at the University of Toronto and chairperson of the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN). These issues include sexual desire and response, partnership functions, bowel and bladder functions, fertility and contraception, mobility (positioning, caressing, etc.) and the effects that changes in these things can have on self-image and self-esteem.
Both sexes can have their sexual response altered by some disabling conditions such as spinal cord injury. A study by Meredith E. Drench, M.Ed., P.T., found that men place high value on performance. Any challenge to their sense of sexual adequacy, for example, changes in erection, ejaculation and fertility, can affect basic psychological needs and greatly impede overall adjustments and acceptance of their disability.
Women with cord injuries, on the other hand, adjusted better because they have traditionally placed more value on the intimate interpersonal relationship aspects of sexuality such as tenderness, care and concern. Their genital function loss is also considerably less and therefore these women’s sexual adjustment may be easier. Kettl et al., in "Female Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury", report that women can often experience orgasm after spinal cord injury. Even women with complete spinal injuries may experience a buildup of sexual tension and release that, although different from before their injury, is physically and psychologically satisfying.
It is noteworthy that considerably more research exists on male sexuality after spinal cord injury than on female sexuality. According to Kettl, "the reasons for this are not entirely clear. Since only one in five spinal cord injuries occurs in a woman, this lack of information may reflect a lack of knowledge in a specialized area in a less affected population. However, medicine has ignored sexuality and especially female sexuality far too often and the lack of data concerning female sexuality may simply reflect this overall trend in medicine."
Contrary to well-established myths about persons with disabilities, men and women with spinal cord injury continue to have sexual feelings and can achieve sexual satisfaction depending on the level and extent of injury. For this reason, proper assessment of the injury by medical personnel is very important and a sexual history is helpful.
In the case of men, Drench reports that, generally, the higher the lesion, the greater the likelihood of erection, and the lower the lesion, the greater possibility of ejaculation.
Attaining an erection is not as problematic as having orgasm and ejaculation. Paraplegic women, along with experiencing orgasm, can conceive normally and carry babies to full term, often giving birth through vaginal deliveries. Since fertility is rarely affected, it is important to consider appropriate contraception options.
Men, however, experience low fertility following a spinal cord injury. This may be due to lack of erection or ejaculation or testicular atrophy with the absence of spermatogenesis. Since more than 90 per cent of men with spinal cord injuries experience serious decreased fertility, vibratory and electroejaculation techniques have been used to induce semen emission that can be used for insemination. Barbara Rines, R.N., a sexual health nurse at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Site in Vancouver, described this fertility enhancement procedure for men in the Winter 1992 issue of the Canadian Journal of Sexuality.
If you’re curious about what techniques can help you and your partner with sexual response and enjoyment, you may find some listed by Drench quite suitable to your needs. Sexual feelings can stimulate an erection for men with incomplete injury who have some body function and feeling below the level of the injury. Seeing what works is a good idea, for example by trying manual caressing of the penis, gently pulling at the pubic hair, anal stimulation, placing a finger in the rectum or slapping the thigh.
If erection is unpredictable or not possible, the recently developed Synergist erection system, or other such devices, is one possible alternative. This is an external device, simple, safe and effective to use and non-invasive, says Drench. Persons with spinal cord injury have rated it as very good to excellent in effectiveness and its contribution to satisfaction with their sex lives.
Maureen E. Neistadt, M.S., O.T.R./L. and Maureen Freda, O.T.R./L., in Choices, A Guide to Sex Counselling with Physically Disabled Adults, suggest a variety of possible adjustments that people with different disabling conditions can make. For example, they stress careful attention to urinary function and hygiene so that people can feel more relaxed in sexual situations. Here are some of their suggestions:
Bowel and Urinary Incontinence

- You might remain on the same bowel and urination schedule that you started in the hospital. This way you would know at what times it would be safest for you to have sex.

- Discuss the possibility of an accident with your partner to avoid embarrassment.

- Keep towels handy in case of bowel accidents and protect your mattress.

- Avoid excessive intake of fluids before sex and attempt to void prior to sexual activity.

- In the case of urinary leakage, men may use a condom for small amounts of leakage. Before sex, thoroughly cleanse the penis. If your physician gives approval, you could credé prior to having sex. This involves pressing inward and downward on the lower abdomen to help empty the bladder and should be done several times in succession.

Catheters

- Ask your physician about the possibility of removing your catheter occasionally for sexual activity. If you can remove the catheter, be sure your bladder is empty beforehand.

- If you must leave the catheter in, try placing it in a convenient position. Then you could tape the tube securely to your stomach with paper tape. Women may find it more comfortable to use a rear entry position in this situation. Men can fold the tube back over the penis and either tape the tube with paper tape, or place a condom over the penis and tube after the penis is erect. Additional lubrication may be needed for more comfortable entry.

- Discuss your catheter with your partner to prevent surprise and embarrassment.

- If you’re worried about your catheter leaking, keep towels handy and protect your mattress.

- Place drainage bags securely in a convenient place. Ask your physician if you can temporarily clamp the catheter and remove the drainage bag during sex.

If you require intermittent catheterization, then you may wish to be catheterized before engaging in sexual activity. If you need a suprapubic catheter:

- You may want to use a long drainage tube to give yourself more freedom to manoeuvre. In this case the collecting bag can be placed securely out of the way.

- Try taping the draining tube down to your stomach to prevent excess pulling or pressure on your catheter.

- You may find certain sex positions make it easier to keep the drainage tube in.

Clearly dealing with the issues mentioned above requires effective communication. This includes everything from planning sexual activity, communicating likes and dislikes non-judgementally, sharing sexual fantasies and other ways of enhancing arousal to dealing honestly with anger, fears, frustration and sense of loss. This kind of communicating can be particularly important when there has been loss of sensation associated with the disability.
Loss of sensation can vary and there may result the inability to accurately feel pain, temperature changes, pressure or touch over one or several parts of the body. There may also be difficulty in telling how the arms or legs are positioned without looking at them. Be aware of what parts of your body have experienced sensation loss, and to what degree, and discuss this with your partner. Together you can explore unaffected parts and discover new erogenous zones -- often it is the skin right next to the area of sensation loss -- that can compensate for the loss of pleasure in the affected parts.
In addition to the facts and techniques men and women learn about their sexuality and disability, access to user-friendly literature is essential. Although there is an abundance of helpful literature for both professionals and the general public that deals with varied aspects of sex education, counselling, therapy, research, ethics, etc., Dr. Barrett says that much of the literature on sexuality and disability has been written for a professional audience. While some associations now distribute non-technical material on the sexual implications of specific disabilities, much remains to be done, he says: "To my knowledge there is no single ’clearing house’ in Canada through which people can obtain access to this growing body of literature."
Where to find the literature and videos and who has them will be addressed in the next issue of ABILITIES.

(Vida Jurisic is a freelance writer living in Toronto.)

THERE IS A SEX LIFE AFTER DISABILITY

It’s Okay! is a frank new quarterly newsletter that talks about sexuality, sex and toiletting with honesty and an upbeat attitude. Launched by Linda Crabtree in St. Catharines, Ontario, it is consumer-written, published quarterly and aimed internationally.
"[It’s Okay!] addresses a topic that has been ignored too long," Linda comments. "People can write to me and get answers through a group of professionals I have available to me. It is a service as well as a newsletter."
The inaugural issue of It’s Okay! includes a profile of 26-year-old model Wendy Murphy, reviews of new publications about sex, and a column on personal hygiene. Linda hopes to "get the message out to people that there is a sex life after disability."

link:http://www.enablelink.org

Ambiguous genitalia

2008-01-13T01:21:00.000+07:00

Introduction
Boy or girl? It's one of the most common questions asked of brand-new parents in addition to the baby's weight and length. But what if the answer isn't so obvious? Such is the case for newborns with ambiguous genitalia, the medical term for a rare condition in which a newborn's external genitals don't appear to be clearly either male or female.
In ambiguous genitalia, the baby's genitalia may not be well-formed, or the baby may have general characteristics of both sexes.
Ambiguous genitalia can be very upsetting to parents and other family members, both because of the uncertainty involved and because of the social stigma attached to not knowing a child's sex right away. While ambiguous genitalia can present a difficult and complicated situation, medical advances can take much of the guesswork out of the process of assigning a sex to your child, and corrective surgery can help. Sometimes, despite the pressure to announce "girl" or "boy," it's best in the case of ambiguous genitalia to wait to make this important decision about your child's future.

Signs and symptoms
A newborn's genitalia are quite small, and the idea of looking "normal" spans a wide range. Your medical team will likely be the first to recognize the signs of ambiguous genitalia soon after your baby is born. These signs vary from the more obviously apparent to the outwardly invisible.
Characteristics in genetic females
For genetic females, the baby's genitals may take on the following characteristics:

An enlargement of the clitoris, or what appears to be a small penis.

A concealment of the vagina because the midline groove has closed over.

Characteristics in genetic males
For genetic males, the following characteristics may be present:

A condition in which the narrow tube that carries urine and semen (urethra) doesn't fully extend to the tip of the penis (hypospadias).

An abnormally small penis with the urethral opening nearer to the scrotum, indicating that the penis stopped growing early in its development.

No recognizable male genitalia, in the most severe cases.

Causes
The genetic sex of a child is established at conception based on the 23rd pair of chromosomes it inherits. The mother's egg contains an X chromosome, and the father's sperm contains either an X or Y chromosome. A baby who inherits the X chromosome from the father is a genetic female (a pair of X chromosomes). A baby who inherits the Y chromosome from the father is a genetic male (one X and one Y chromosome).
In early fetal development, males and females are indistinguishable. Male and female sex organs develop from the same tissue in the fetus. For example, the same fetal tissue that forms a penis in a male also forms a clitoris in a female. The presence or absence of male hormones controls the development of the sex organs. Normally, male genitalia develop because of male hormones from the fetal testicles. In the female fetus — without the effects of male hormones — the genitalia develop as female.
A deficiency of male hormone in a genetic male fetus results in ambiguous genitalia. In a female fetus, the presence of male hormone during development results in ambiguous genitalia.
Although the deficiency or presence of male hormones is the main factor controlling genital development, the exact cause of ambiguous genitalia is often unknown. Many of the disorders seem to happen by chance.
Possible causes in genetic females
Causes of ambiguous genitalia in a genetic female may include:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Certain forms of this genetic condition cause the adrenal glands to make excess male hormones (androgens). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in newborns.

Ingestion by the mother of substances with male hormone activity, such as progesterone (taken in the early stages of pregnancy to stop bleeding).

Tumors in the fetus or the mother that produce male hormones.

Possible causes in genetic males
Causes of ambiguous genitalia in a genetic male may include:

Impaired testicle development due to genetic abnormalities or unknown causes.

Leydig cell aplasia, a condition that impairs testosterone production.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Certain forms of this genetic condition can impair production of male hormones.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome, a condition in which developing genital tissues are unable to respond to normal male hormone levels.

5 alpha reductase deficiency, an enzyme defect that impairs normal male hormone production.

Ingestion by the mother of substances with female hormone activity, such as estrogens, or anti-androgens. This is unusual, but could occur if a woman taking birth control pills gets pregnant despite taking the pills — then, not knowing she's pregnant, continues taking the pills into pregnancy for several weeks. Also some "nutritional supplements" contain plant estrogens.

Risk factors
As is the case with many abnormalities, family history may play a role in the development of ambiguous genitalia. Possible risk factors associated with ambiguous genitalia include a family history of:

Unexplained deaths in early infancy

Infertility in close relatives

Genital abnormalities

Abnormal development during puberty

Because most causes of ambiguous genitalia are due to genetic abnormalities, the presence of similar abnormalities in family members is important. Having a family member with known congenital adrenal hyperplasia, infertility or abnormal pubertal development may indicate a genetic abnormality in the family. Also, a personal or family history of prior babies being born with genital abnormalities, or dying shortly after birth, may indicate an inherited abnormality that could result in future children being born with ambiguous genitalia.
When to seek medical advice
If both parents are carriers of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, there's the chance that their baby could develop ambiguous genitalia if he or she inherits the abnormal gene from both parents. Parents may not know they have congenital adrenal hyperplasia because as carriers they show no signs or symptoms of this condition.
If your family has a history of risk factors associated with ambiguous genitalia, seek medical advice before conceiving.
Screening and diagnosis
If your baby is born with ambiguous genitalia, you and your doctor will want to determine the underlying abnormality and extent of deformity. The first indication of ambiguous genitalia will be by a physical examination. Your doctor will likely recommend the following tests and procedures:

Blood and urine tests to measure hormone levels

Chromosome analysis to determine the genetic sex (XX or XY)

Ultrasound to check for the presence of internal female sex organs

A biopsy of your newborn's reproductive organs to determine if the organs will produce appropriate sex hormones for the sex assigned to the child

A genitogram, a special X-ray to see if a vagina is present and its size

Using the information gathered from these tests, your doctor may suggest an appropriate sex for the baby.
Despite the social stigma attached to not knowing if your baby is a boy or a girl right away, some research shows that delaying gender assignment until the child is older may be of benefit. If the gender assignment is made too early, and the correct decision isn't made, the child may be confronted with difficult psychological and social issues later in life.
Complications
The outlook is good for many babies born with ambiguous genitalia in terms of their ability to conceive and be fertile later in life. However, for others born with ambiguous genitalia, the severity of the condition, complicated hormone levels and trouble adjusting to their assigned sex may make it difficult or impossible to conceive a child later in life.
Treatment
Management of ambiguous genitalia requires a team of doctors that may involve a number of specialties — pediatric endocrinology, neonatology, urology, plastic surgery, medical genetics and psychology. The timing of treatment depends on a child's specific situation. Your medical team can explain to you the options available for your child and likely suggest a course of action.
Treatment options may include:

Reconstructive surgery. The goal of surgery is usually cosmetic, to make the boy's or girl's genitalia look natural. In some cases, the surgery can be more involved in hopes of restoring sexual function.
Some surgeries are carried out soon after birth while others may be scheduled later in your child's development. Some research suggests that in severe cases of ambiguous genitalia, surgery is best delayed until your child can play a role in participating in the sex-assignment decision.
For girls, sexual function of the organs is often not compromised despite any ambiguous appearance. Depending on the severity of the condition, surgery options range from uncovering a vagina hidden under the skin to removing excess masculine tissue around the clitoris. Surgeries are carried out carefully to avoid damaging nerve endings and blood flow in hopes of ensuring normal sexual function in the future. Little long-term research is available, but the initial success of surgeries, both in appearance and sexual functioning later in life, is promising.
For boys, the surgery may be more complicated, but often successful. Surgery gives genetic males born with a shorter, incomplete penis the opportunity to have a normal penis. In many cases, no further surgery is required for this reconstructed organ, and it will have a normal look and erectile functionality. Female organs that remain under the skin — such as a uterus or vagina — rarely cause a physical problem, but are often surgically removed because a boy's knowledge of these structures later in life may be emotionally difficult.

Hormone therapy. Depending on the severity of the condition, hormone therapy alone may be enough to correct the initial hormonal imbalance. For example, in a genetic female with a slightly enlarged clitoris caused by a minor to moderate case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, proper levels of hormones may shrink the tissue close to a normal size.

Coping skills
Not knowing the sex of your baby immediately is a difficult issue to face. As parents, it's best to discipline your thoughts not to think of your baby as a girl or a boy until a medical evaluation is complete. Meanwhile you might consider giving the child a neutral name suitable for either a boy or a girl. You might also defer announcing the birth until the evaluations are complete in that the first question everyone asks regarding a new baby is whether it's a girl or a boy.
Because of the additional stress this may place on a family, ongoing counseling for the child as well as the family may become an important part of the process. Psychologists, counselors, mental health professionals and support groups may all help you to deal with this difficult and unexpected set of circumstances.

original link:http://www.mayoclinic.com

Talking to school-age children about sex

2008-01-13T00:58:00.000+07:00

Sex education doesn't need to be a single tell-all discussion. Follow your children's cues about what they need to know — and when.

Sex education often begins as simple anatomy lessons during the toddler years. During the school-age years, you might wonder how much your children really need to know about sex. Never fear. Sex education doesn't need to be a single tell-all discussion. Instead, follow your children's cues about what they need to know — and when.
Expect detailed questions

Younger children are often satisfied with vague answers to questions about where babies come from or how babies are born. But school-age children tend to make stronger connections between sexuality and making babies. As their questions about sex become more complex — and perhaps more embarrassing — they may turn to friends or other sources for information.

When your school-age children ask questions about sex, you might want to first ask your children what they already know. Correct any misconceptions, and then offer enough details to answer the specific questions. Avoid long lectures.

Consider these examples:

What's an erection? You might say: "A boy's penis is usually soft. But sometimes it gets hard and stands away from the body. This is called an erection." Describe how an erection can happen while a boy is sleeping or when his penis is touched. This might also be the time to describe a wet dream.

What's a period? You might say: "A period means that a girl's body is mature enough to become pregnant." Explain how menstruation is an important part of the reproductive cycle. You might offer details on bleeding and feminine hygiene products.

How do people have sex? If your children wonder about the mechanics of sex, be honest. You might say: "The man puts his penis inside the woman's vagina."

Can two girls have sex? Or two boys? For some children, it might be enough to say: "Yes. There are many types of intimate relationships." If your children want to know more, you might take the opportunity to talk about respect for others or to share your personal thoughts about homosexuality.

What's masturbation? You might say: "Masturbation is when a boy rubs his penis or a girl rubs her vagina." Remind your children that masturbation is a normal — but private — activity.

Even if you're uncomfortable, forge ahead. Remember, you're setting the stage for open, honest discussions in the years to come.
Preteen angst

Between ages 8 and 12, children may worry whether they're "normal." Penis size and breast size often figure heavily in these worries. Explain what happens during puberty for both boys and girls. Offer reassurance that children of the same age mature at wildly different rates. Puberty might begin years earlier — or later — for some children, but eventually everyone catches up. You might want to share experiences from your own development, particularly if you once had the same concerns that your children have now.
Everyday moments are key

You might have been using everyday opportunities to discuss sex all along. Keep it up! Teachable moments are everywhere. If there's a pregnancy in the family, talk about how a baby develops inside a woman's body. If you see a commercial for a feminine hygiene product, use it as a springboard to talk about periods. If a couple on a favorite TV show begins dating, talk about relationships and falling in love.

Take your role in sex education seriously. Encourage your children to take care of their bodies, respect themselves and seek information from trusted sources. Your thoughtful approach to sex education can help your children develop a lifetime of healthy sexuality.

original link :http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Planning a good curriculum

2008-01-13T00:57:00.001+07:00

In an academic situation, especially with younger learners, some subjects fail to impart information to the students simply because the students are not interested, and do not pay attention. This is unlikely to be the case with AIDS education; the simple fact that AIDS education involves the discussion of sex – a topic of fascination for young people who are discovering their own sexualities – is likely to ensure at least initial attention. This attention will wane, however, if the information is not imparted in a lesson interesting enough to maintain students’ concentration. It is not only important to have AIDS education, but to provide AIDS education in the right way.

In addition to providing information, a good, class-based lesson where a pupil is amongst his/her peers can help to shape attitudes, reduce prejudice, and alter behaviour.

The following are a few of the important points to consider when planning an AIDS education lesson or curriculum.

original link : http://www.avert.org/

Attitudes to AIDS education in schools

2008-01-13T00:54:00.000+07:00

The main obstacle to effective AIDS education for young people in schools is the adults who determine the curriculum. These adults – parents, curriculum planners, teachers or legislators – often consider the subject to be too ‘adult’ for young people – they have an idea of ‘protecting the innocence’ of young people. This often occurs for moral or religious reasons, and can cause very heated debate.

There is also obstruction to adequate AIDS education from adults who are concerned that teaching young people about sex, about sexually transmitted infections, HIV and pregnancy – that providing them with this information will somehow encourage young people to begin having sex when they otherwise might not have done.

“ I come from a family who believes that having sex out of marriage is not the moral thing to do. I also don't think sex ed. is something that young kids should be learning. Learning sex at a young age is like provoking more young people to have sex just for the fact they want to experience it for themselves instead of just getting information about it. ”

- Monica -

This attitude is still allowed to prevent adequate HIV and sex education from being taught in schools, in spite of the fact that it is a view that the majority do not share. A study in America, for example, shows that majority of Americans (55%) believes that giving teens information about how to obtain and use condoms will not encourage them to have sexual intercourse earlier than they would have otherwise (39% say it would encourage them)1 .

The same study tells us that only 7% of Americans believe that young people should not receive sex education in schools. Many adults recognise that informing young people about the dangers of HIV is the best way to prevent them from becoming infected in later life. Many schools in many countries do provide adequate AIDS education – but many, sill, do not. Young people are rarely asked for their opinions by those adults who decide what they will study – but when they are asked, they almost always demand more comprehensive sex and HIV education.

“ I am a student, living in Johannesburg, South Africa. I believe that sex ed that is handled appropriately, and that is age-appropriate, will really empower kids to make healthier, informed and positive choices. ”

- Maire -

In some places, legislation may dictate the type and quality of AIDS education that schools are allowed to offer – some countries have no policies on AIDS education, allowing schools to include it or not, as they decide. Other countries may have policies that specifically preclude AIDS education, or certain types of AIDS education. Legislation allowing or inhibiting certain types of AIDS education often comes from the moral views of the voting majority – or reflects the religious attitudes of the government in power. The most commonly used types of AIDS education are discussed in our page on AIDS education and young people.

It is within the context of these attitudes and beliefs that teachers and educators must work to provide the most effective information and education they are able to.

original link : http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Talking to toddlers and preschoolers about sex

2008-01-13T00:50:00.000+07:00

Sex education can begin anytime. Here's how to set the stage — and how to answer your children's questions.

Sex education is a topic many parents would prefer to avoid. And if you have young children, you might think you're off the hook — at least for a while. But that's not necessarily true. Sex education can begin anytime. Let your children set the pace with their questions.
Early exploration

As children learn to walk and talk, they also begin to learn about their bodies. Open the door to sex education by teaching your children the proper names for their sex organs, perhaps during bath time. If your children point to a body part, simply tell them what it is. This is also a good time to talk about which parts of the body are private.

When your children ask questions about their bodies — or yours — don't giggle, laugh or get embarrassed. Take their questions at face value. Offer direct, age-appropriate responses. If your children want to know more, they'll ask.

Expect self-stimulation

Many toddlers express their natural sexual curiosity through self-stimulation. Boys may pull at their penises, and girls may rub their external genitalia. Teach your children that masturbation is a normal — but private — activity. If your child starts masturbating in public, try to distract him or her. If that fails, take your child aside for a reminder about the importance of privacy.

Sometimes, frequent masturbation can indicate a problem in a child's life. Perhaps he or she feels anxious or isn't receiving enough attention at home. It can even be a sign of sexual abuse. Teach your children that no one is allowed to touch the private parts of their bodies without permission. If you're concerned about your child's behavior, consult his or her doctor.
Curiosity about others

By age 3 or 4, children often realize that boys and girls have different genitals. As natural curiosity kicks in, you may find your children playing "doctor" or examining each other's sex organs. This exploration is far removed from adult sexual activity, and it's harmless when only young children are involved. As a family matter, however, you may want to set limits on such exploration.
Everyday moments are key

Take advantage of everyday opportunities to discuss sex. If there's a pregnancy in the family, for example, tell your children that babies grow in a special place inside the mother. If your children want more details on how the baby got there or how the baby will be born, offer them.

Consider these examples:

How do babies get inside a mommy's tummy? You might say: "A mom and a dad make a baby by holding each other in a special way."

How are babies born? For some kids, it might be enough to say: "Doctors and nurses help babies who are ready to be born." If your children want more details, you might say: "Usually a mom pushes the baby out of her vagina."

Why doesn't everyone have a penis? Try a simple explanation, such as: "Boys and girls bodies are made differently."

Why do you have hair down there? Simplicity often works here, too. You might say: "Our bodies change as we get older." If your children want more details, add: "Boys grow hair near their penises, and girls grow hair near their vaginas."

As your children mature and ask more detailed questions, you can provide more detailed responses. Answer specific questions using correct terminology. Even if you're uncomfortable, forge ahead. Remember, you're setting the stage for open, honest discussions in the years to come.

Whats is AIDS?

2008-01-13T00:24:00.000+07:00

People have been warned about HIV and AIDS for over twenty years now. AIDS has already killed millions of people, millions more continue to become infected with HIV, and there's no cure - so AIDS will be around for a while yet. However, some of us still don't know exactly what HIV and AIDS actually are. This page sorts the myths from the facts about AIDS.

What is HIV?
HIV is a virus. Viruses infect the cells of living organisms and replicate (make new copies of themselves) within those cells. A virus can also damage human cells, which is one of the things that can make an infected creature become ill.
People can become infected with HIV from other people who already have it, and when they are infected they can then go on to infect other people. Basically, this is how HIV is spread.

HIV stands for the 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. Someone who is diagnosed as infected with HIV is said to be 'HIV+' or 'HIV positive'.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Why is HIV dangerous?

The immune system is a group of cells and organs that protect your body by fighting disease. The human immune system usually finds and kills viruses fairly quickly.

So if the body's immune system attacks and kills viruses, what's the problem?

Different viruses attack different parts of the body - some may attack the skin, others the lungs, and so on. The common cold is caused by a virus. What makes HIV so dangerous is that it attacks the immune system itself - the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus. It particularly attacks a special type of immune system cell known as a CD4 lymphocyte.

HIV has a number of tricks that help it to evade the body's defences, including very rapid mutation. This means that once HIV has taken hold, the immune system can never fully get rid of it.

There isn't any way to tell just by looking if someone's been infected by HIV. In fact a person infected with HIV may look and feel perfectly well for many years and may not know that they are infected. But as the person's immune system weakens they become increasingly vulnerable to illnesses, many of which they would previously have fought off easily.

The only reliable way to tell whether someone has HIV is for them to take a blood test, which can detect infection from a few weeks after the virus first entered the body.

What is AIDS?

A damaged immune system is not only more vulnerable to HIV, but also to the attacks of other infections. It won't always have the strength to fight off things that wouldn't have bothered it before.

As time goes by, a person who has been infected with HIV is likely to become ill more and more often until, usually several years after infection, they become ill with one of a number of particularly severe illnesses. It is at this point that they are said to have AIDS - when they first become seriously ill, or when the number of immune system cells left in their body drops below a particular point. Different countries have slightly different ways of defining the point at which a person is said to have AIDS rather than HIV.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is an extremely serious condition, and at this stage the body has very little defence against any sort of infection.

How long does HIV take to become AIDS?

Without drug treatment, HIV infection usually progresses to AIDS in an average of ten years. This average, though, is based on a person having a reasonable diet. Someone who is malnourished may well progress to AIDS and death more rapidly.

Antiretroviral medication can prolong the time between HIV infection and the onset of AIDS. Modern combination therapy is highly effective and, theoretically, someone with HIV can live for a long time before it becomes AIDS. These medicines, however, are not widely available in many poor countries around the world, and millions of people who cannot access medication continue to die.

How is HIV passed on?

HIV is found in the blood and the sexual fluids of an infected person, and in the breast milk of an infected woman. HIV transmission occurs when a sufficient quantity of these fluids get into someone else's bloodstream. There are various ways a person can become infected with HIV.
Ways in which you can be infected with HIV :

Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person Sexual intercourse without a condom is risky, because the virus, which is present in an infected person's sexual fluids, can pass directly into the body of their partner. This is true for unprotected vaginal and anal sex. Oral sex carries a lower risk, but again HIV transmission can occur here if a condom is not used - for example, if one partner has bleeding gums or an open cut, however small, in their mouth.

Contact with an infected person's blood If sufficient blood from an infected person enters someone else's body then it can pass on the virus.

From mother to child HIV can be transmitted from an infected woman to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. There are special drugs that can greatly reduce the chances of this happening, but they are unavailable in much of the developing world.

Use of infected blood products Many people in the past have been infected with HIV by the use of blood transfusions and blood products which were contaminated with the virus - in hospitals, for example. In much of the world this is no longer a significant risk, as blood donations are routinely tested.

Injecting drugs People who use injected drugs are also vulnerable to HIV infection. In many parts of the world, often because it is illegal to possess them, injecting equipment or works are shared. A tiny amount of blood can transmit HIV, and can be injected directly into the bloodstream with the drugs.

It is not possible to become infected with HIV through :

sharing crockery and cutlery

insect / animal bites

touching, hugging or shaking hands

eating food prepared by someone with HIV

toilet seats

HIV facts and myths

Around the world, there are a number of different myths about HIV and AIDS. Here are some of the more common ones :

'You would have to drink a bucket of infected saliva to become infected yourself' . . . Yuck! This is a typical myth. HIV is found in saliva, but in quantities too small to infect someone. If you drink a bucket of saliva from an HIV positive person, you won't become infected. There has been only one recorded case of HIV transmission via kissing, out of all the many millions of kisses. In this case, both partners had extremely badly bleeding gums.

'Sex with a virgin can cure HIV' . . . This myth is common in some parts of Africa, and it is totally untrue. The myth has resulted in many rapes of young girls and children by HIV+ men, who often infect their victims. Rape won't cure anything and is a serious crime all around the world.

'It only happens to gay men / black people / young people, etc' . . . This myth is false. Most people who become infected with HIV didn't think it would happen to them, and were wrong.

'HIV can pass through latex' . . . Some people have been spreading rumours that the virus is so small that it can pass through 'holes' in latex used to make condoms. This is untrue. The fact is that latex blocks HIV, as well as sperm - preventing pregnancy, too.

What does 'safe sex' mean?

Safe sex refers to sexual activities which do not involve any blood or sexual fluid from one person getting into another person's body. If two people are having safe sex then, even if one person is infected, there is no possibility of the other person becoming infected. Examples of safe sex are cuddling, mutual masturbation, 'dry' (or 'clothed') sex . . .

In many parts of the world, particularly the USA, people are taught that the best form of safe sex is no sex - also called 'sexual abstinence'. Abstinence isn't a form of sex at all - it involves avoiding all sexual activity. Usually, young people are taught that they should abstain sexually until they marry, and then remain faithful to their partner. This is a good way for someone to avoid HIV infection, as long as their husband or wife is also completely faithful and doesn't infect them.

What is 'safer sex'?

Safer sex is used to refer to a range of sexual activities that hold little risk of HIV infection.

Safer sex is often taken to mean using a condom for sexual intercourse. Using a condom makes it very hard for the virus to pass between people when they are having sexual intercourse. A condom, when used properly, acts as a physical barrier that prevents infected fluid getting into the other person's body.

Is kissing risky?

Kissing someone on the cheek, also known as social kissing, does not pose any risk of HIV transmission.

Deep or open mouthed kissing is considered a very low risk activity for transmission of HIV. This is because HIV is present in saliva but only in very minute quantities, insufficient to lead to HIV infection alone.

There has only been one documented instance of HIV infection as a result of kissing out of all the millions of cases recorded. This was as a result of infected blood getting into the mouth of the other person during open mouthed kissing, and in this instance both partners had seriously bleeding gums.

Can anything 'create' HIV?

No. Unprotected sex, for example, is only risky if one partner is infected with the virus. If your partner is not carrying HIV, then no type of sex or sexual activity between you is going to cause you to become infected - you can't 'create' HIV by having unprotected anal sex, for example.

You also can't become infected through masturbation. In fact nothing you do on your own is going to give you HIV - it can only be transmitted from another person who already has the virus.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

Worryingly, surveys show that many people think that there's a 'cure' for AIDS - which makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise shouldn't. These people are wrong, though - there is still no cure for AIDS.

There is antiretroviral medication which slows the progression from HIV to AIDS, and which can keep some people healthy for many years. In some cases, the antiretroviral medication seems to stop working after a number of years, but in other cases people can recover from AIDS and live with HIV for a very long time. But they have to take powerful medication every day of their lives, sometimes with very unpleasant side effects.

There is still no way to cure AIDS, and at the moment the only way to remain safe is not to become infected.

original link : http://www.avert.org/

AIDS arround the world

2008-01-13T00:03:00.000+07:00

When AIDS first emerged, no-one could have predicted how the epidemic would spread across the world and how many millions of lives it would change. There was no real idea what caused it and consequently no real idea how to protect against it.
Now we know from bitter experience that AIDS is caused by the virus HIV, and that it can devastate families, communities and whole continents. We have seen the epidemic knock decades off countries' national development, widen the gulf between rich and poor nations and push already-stigmatized groups closer to the margins of society. We are living in an 'international' society, and HIV has become the first truly 'international' epidemic, easily crossing oceans and borders.

Just as clearly, experience shows that the right approaches, applied quickly enough with courage and resolve, can and do result in lower national HIV infection rates and less suffering for those affected by the epidemic.
Globally, we have learned that if a country acts early enough, a national HIV crisis can be averted.

The child of an HIV positive mother, Tanzania

It has also been noted that a country with a very high HIV prevalence rate will often see this rate eventually stabilise, and even decline. In some cases this indicates, among other things, that people are beginning to change risky behaviour patterns, because they have seen and known people who have been killed by AIDS. Fear is the worst and last way of changing people's behaviour and by the time this happens it is usually too late to save a huge number of that country's population.
Already, more than twenty-five million people around the world have died of AIDS-related diseases. In 2007, around 2.1 million men, women and children lost their lives. More than have died so far - 33.2 million - are now living with HIV, and most of these are likely to die over the next decade or so. The most recent UNAIDS/WHO estimates show that, in 2007 alone, 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV.
It is disappointing that the global numbers of people infected with HIV continue to rise, despite the fact that effective prevention strategies already exist.

SEX Education That work

2008-01-12T23:49:00.000+07:00

What is sex education?
Sex education, which is sometimes called sexuality education or sex and relationships education, is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. Sex education is also about developing young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex education, partly because it is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
What are the aims of sex education?
Sex education seeks both to reduce the risks of potentially negative outcomes from sexual behaviour like unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and infection with sexually transmitted diseases, and to enhance the quality of relationships. It is also about developing young people's ability to make decisions over their entire lifetime. Sex education that works, by which we mean that it is effective, is sex education that contributes to this overall aim.

What skills should sex education develop?
f sex education is going to be effective it needs to include opportunities for young people to develop skills, as it can hard for them to act on the basis of only having information.6 7 The kinds of skills young people develop as part of sex education are linked to more general life-skills. For example, being able to communicate, listen, negotiate, ask for and identify sources of help and advice, are useful life-skills and can be applied in terms of sexual relationships. Effective sex education develops young people's skills in negotiation, decision-making, assertion and listening. Other important skills include being able to recognise pressures from other people and to resist them, deal with and challenge prejudice, seek help from adults - including parents, carers and professionals - through the family, community and health and welfare services. Sex education that works, also helps equip young people with the skills to be able to differentiate between accurate and inaccurate information, discuss a range of moral and social issues and perspectives on sex and sexuality, including different cultural attitudes and sensitive issues like sexuality, abortion and contraception
Forming attitudes and beliefs
Young people can be exposed to a wide range of attitudes and beliefs in relation to sex and sexuality. These sometimes appear contradictory and confusing. For example, some health messages emphasis the risks and dangers associated with sexual activity and some media coverage promotes the idea that being sexually active makes a person more attractive and mature. Because sex and sexuality are sensitive subjects, young people and sex educators can have strong views on what attitudes people should hold, and what moral framework should govern people's behaviour - these too can sometimes seem to be at odds. Young people are very interested in the moral and cultural frameworks that binds sex and sexuality. They often welcome opportunities to talk about issues where people have strong views, like abortion, sex before marriage, lesbian and gay issues and contraception and birth control. It is important to remember that talking in a balanced way about differences in opinion does not promote one set of views over another, or mean that one agrees with a particular view. Part of exploring and understanding cultural, religious and moral views is finding out that you can agree to disagree.People providing sex education have attitudes and beliefs of their own about sex and sexuality and it is important not to let these influence negatively the sex education that they provide. For example, even if a person believes that young people should not have sex until they are married, this does not imply withholding important information about safer sex and contraception. Attempts to impose narrow moralistic views about sex and sexuality on young people through sex education have failed.Rather than trying to deter or frighten young people away from having sex, effective sex education includes work on attitudes and beliefs, coupled with skills development, that enables young people to choose whether or not to have a sexual relationship taking into account the potential risks of any sexual activity.Effective sex education also provides young people with an opportunity to explore the reasons why people have sex, and to think about how it involves emotions, respect for one self and other people and their feelings, decisions and bodies. Young people should have the chance to explore gender differences and how ethnicity and sexuality can influence people's feelings and options.13 14 They should be able to decide for themselves what the positive qualities of relationships are. It is important that they understand how bullying, stereotyping, abuse and exploitation can negatively influence relationships.
So what information should be given to young people?
Young people get information about sex and sexuality from a wide range of sources including each other, through the media including advertising, television and magazines, as well as leaflets, books and websites (such as www.avert.org) which are intended to be sources of information about sex and sexuality. Some of this will be accurate and some inaccurate. Providing information through sex education is therefore about finding out what young people already know and adding to their existing knowledge and correcting any misinformation they may have. For example, young people may have heard that condoms are not effective against HIV/AIDS or that there is a cure for AIDS. It is important to provide information which corrects mistaken beliefs. Without correct information young people can put themselves at greater risk.
Information is also important as the basis on young people can developed well- informed attitudes and views about sex and sexuality. Young people need to have information on all the following topics:
* Sexual development
* Reproduction
* Contraception
* Relationships
They need to have information about the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty and sexual reproduction, including fertilisation and conception and about sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. They also need to know about contraception and birth control including what contraceptives there are, how they work, how people use them, how they decide what to use or not, and how they can be obtained. In terms of information about relationships they need to know about what kinds of relationships there are, about love and commitment, marriage and partnership and the law relating to sexual behaviour and relationships as well as the range of religious and cultural views on sex and sexuality and sexual diversity. In addition, young people should be provided with information about abortion, sexuality, and confidentiality, as well as about the range of sources of advice and support that is available in the community and nationally.
When should sex education start?
ex education that works starts early, before young people reach puberty, and before they have developed established patterns of behaviour.The precise age at which information should be provided depends on the physical, emotional and intellectual development of the young people as well as their level of understanding. What is covered and also how, depends on who is providing the sex education, when they are providing it, and in what context, as well as what the individual young person wants to know about.It is important not to delay providing information to young people but to begin when they are young. Providing basic information provides the foundation on which more complex knowledge is built up over time. This also means that sex education has to be sustained. For example, when they are very young, children can be informed about how people grow and change over time, and how babies become children and then adults, and this provides the basis on which they understand more detailed information about puberty provided in the pre-teenage years. They can also when they are young, be provided with information about viruses and germs that attack the body. This provides the basis for talking to them later about infections that can be caught through sexual contact.
Some people are concerned that providing information about sex and sexuality arouses curiosity and can lead to sexual experimentation. There is no evidence that this happens.It is important to remember that young people can store up information provided at any time, for a time when they need it later on.
Sometimes it can difficult for adults to know when to raise issues, but the important thing is to maintain an open relationship with children which provides them with opportunities to ask questions when they have them. Parents and carers can also be proactive and engage young people in discussions about sex, sexuality and relationships. Naturally, many parents and their children feel embarrassed about talking about some aspects of sex and sexuality. Viewing sex education as an on-going conversation about values, attitudes and issues as well as providing facts can be helpful. The best basis to proceed on is a sound relationship in which a young person feels able to ask a question or raise an issue if they feel they need to. It has been shown that in countries like The Netherlands, where many families regard it as an important responsibility to talk openly with children about sex and sexuality, this contributes to greater cultural openness about sex and sexuality and improved sexual health among young people.he role of many parents and carers as sex educators changes as young people get older and young people are provided with more opportunities to receive formal sex education through schools and community-settings. However, it doesn't get any less important. Because sex education in school tends to take place in blocks of time, it can't always address issues relevant to young people at a particular time, and parents can fulfill a particularly important role in providing information and opportunities to discuss things as they arise.
Who should provide sex education?
Different settings provide different contexts and opportunities for sex education. At home, young people can easily have one-to-one discussions with parents or carers which focus on specific issues, questions or concerns. They can have a dialogue about their attitudes and views. Sex education at home also tends to take place over a long time, and involve lots of short interactions between parents and children. There may be times when young people seem reluctant to talk, but it is important not to interpret any diffidence as meaning that there is nothing left to talk about. As young people get older advantage can be taken of opportunities provided by things seen on television for example, as an opportunity to initiate conversation. It is also important not to defer dealing with a question or issue for too long as it can suggest that you are unwilling to talk about it.

In school the interaction between the teacher and young people takes a different form and is often provided in organised blocks of lessons. It is not as well suited to advising the individual as it is to providing information from an impartial point of view. The most effective sex education acknowledges the different contributions each setting can make. Schools programmes which involve parents, notifying them what is being taught and when, can support the initiation of dialogue at home. Parents and schools both need to engage with young people about the messages that they get from the media, and give them opportunities for discussion.
In some countries, the involvement of young people themselves in developing and providing sex education has increased as a means of ensuring the relevance and accessibility of provision. Consultation with young people at the point when programmes are designed, helps ensure that they relevant and the involvement of young people in delivering programmes may reinforce messages as they model attitudes and behaviour to their peers.
Effective school-based sex education
School-based sex education can be an important and effective way of enhancing young people's knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. There is widespread agreement that formal education should include sex education and what works has been well-researched. Evidence suggests that effective school programmes will include the following elements:
* A focus on reducing specific risky behaviours;
* A basis in theories which explain what influences people's sexual choices and behaviour;
* A clear, and continuously reinforced message about sexual behaviour and risk reduction;
* Providing accurate information about, the risks associated with sexual activity, about contraception and birth control, and about methods of avoiding or deferring intercourse;
* Dealing with peer and other social pressures on young people; Providing opportunities to practise communication, negotiation and assertion skills;
* Uses a variety of approaches to teaching and learning that involve and engage young people and help them to personalise the information;
* Uses approaches to teaching and learning which are appropriate to young people's age, experience and cultural background;
* Is provided by people who believe in what they are saying and have access to support in the form of training or consultation with other sex educators.
Formal programmes with these elements have been shown to increase young people's levels of knowledge about sex and sexuality, put back the average age at which they first have sexual intercourse and decrease risk when they do have sex . All the elements are important and inter-related, and sex education needs to be supported by links to sexual health services, otherwise it is not going to be so effective . It also takes into account the messages about sexual values and behaviour young people get from other sources, like friends and the media. It is also responsive to the needs of the young people themselves - whether they are girls or boys, on their own or in a single sex or mixed sex group, and what they know already, their age and experiences.
Taking Sex Education Forward
Providing effective sex education can seem daunting because it means tackling potentially sensitive issues. However, because sex education comprises many individual activities, which take place across a wide range of settings and periods of time, there are lots of opportunities to contribute.
The nature of a person's contribution depends on their relationship, role and expertise in relation to young people. For example, parents are best placed in relation to young people to provide continuity of individual support and education starting from early in their lives. School-based education programmes are particularly good at providing information and opportunities for skills development and attitude clarification in more formal ways, through lessons within a curriculum. Community-based projects provide opportunities for young people to access advice and information in less formal ways. Sexual health and other health and welfare services can provide access to specific information, support and advice. Sex education through the mass media, often supported by local, regional or national Government and non-governmental agencies and departments, can help to raise public awareness of sex health issues.
Further development of sex education partly depends on joining up these elements in a coherent way to meet the needs of young people. There is also a need to pay more attention to the needs of specific groups of young people like young parents, young lesbian, gay and bisexual people, as well as those who may be out of touch with services and schools and socially vulnerable, like young refugees and asylum-seekers, young people in care, young people in prisons, and also those living on the street.
The circumstances and context available to parents and other sex educators are different from place to place. Practical or political realities in a particular country may limit people's ability to provide young people with comprehensive sex education combining all the elements in the best way possible. But the basic principles outlined here apply everywhere. By making our own contribution and valuing that made by others, and by being guided by these principles, we can provide more sex education that works and improve the support we offer to young people.