Kinsey Confidential

Question:\nDoes frequent male masturbation lead to premature ejaculation during sex?\nAnswer:\nWhile I don't know how often you're masturbating, regular masturbation doesn't necessarily increase the chance of coming more quickly than you'd like ("premature" or "rapid" ejaculation). In fact, two popular methods for men who want to learn to delay ejaculation involve masturbation - the "stop-start" and "squeeze" techniques.\nAlthough we still have much to learn about ejaculation and its timing, it appears that premature ejaculation is sometimes related to things like anxiety and "dry spells" (e.g. having gone a long time without ejaculating, or without certain kinds of stimulation like intercourse). \nThat said, some sex researchers, educators and therapists wonder if our societal taboo around masturbation is related to premature ejaculation in the sense that some guys, while growing up or even in college, get in the habit of speeding up their masturbation and coming quickly so that family members, friends or roommates don't "catch them" masturbating. \nMen can still masturbate frequently (monthly, weekly, daily, twice daily, etc), if they want to, but perhaps the goal shouldn't be to come as fast as is humanly possible. The stop-start and squeeze techniques help guys to "re-train" their masturbation and learn to control their ejaculation such that they can come quickly if they want to or need to (like if your roommate's about to return from class), but they can also develop the skills to delay ejaculation and last longer when they prefer. \nQuestion:\nCan condoms be used for sex in the water (pools, showers, hot tubs)?\nAnswer:\nMost condoms are made of latex and, while latex is quite stretchy and relatively strong (it rarely breaks during vaginal or anal intercourse), some things weaken latex. \nFor example, you shouldn't use petroleum (think Vaseline) or oil-based products (e.g. oil-based lubes, vaginal moisturizers that contain oils, etc) with latex condoms because these substances can weaken latex condoms and make them more likely to break.\nExtreme temperatures can also weaken latex, which is why you'll sometimes hear that you should store condoms at room temperature rather than places like your glove compartment.\nNow that you've had Latex Condoms 101, let's apply this to shower/pool/hot tub sex. Water that's too hot may weaken the latex, or even dry out a woman's vagina (making intercourse somewhat uncomfortable). Beware, too, of oil-based products (like some shower cleansers, conditioners or sun tan oils) making contact with latex condoms.\nOne of the difficulties with condoms and water-sex is that there are so many unpredictable variables. While all FDA-approved condoms meet certain safety criteria, they are intended for sex on the land, not in the sea. In other words, they're tested for their ability to stay intact during typical kinds of circumstances involving ejaculation and penetration -- not their ability to withstand pool chemicals (like chlorine, which may also damage condoms) or tanning products.\nWhile using polyurethane condoms may get you around some barriers (they don't appear to be weakened by oil-based products, for example), you still need to be aware of unpredictable factors that may affect condom safety such as the possibility that if water gets between your penis and the condom, it may cause the condom to slip off.\nIf shower/pool/hot tub sex is ultimately something you want to explore, perhaps you could indulge in water-based foreplay before drying off and having sex (more safely) on land. \nKinsey Confidential is a service of The Kinsey Institute Sexuality Information Service for Students (KISISS) at Indiana University. Visit the Web site at www.indiana.edu/~kisiss.