Miracle worker brings sexy back

"Hi, my name is Rachel, and I hate sex because it's smelly and drippy."\nOK, not quite, but that is how I introduced myself at my Pure Romance party. Our consultant had us write down our most-despised chore and the reason we hate it, then replace the chore with "sex" (Mine? Taking out the garbage). The icebreaker was necessary to dispel the frigidness suffocating my guests, thanks to the intimidating spread of lubricants, dildos and vibrators splayed on the hot-pink tablecloth in my living room. Whether "smelly and drippy" is a legitimate reason for disliking sex, Pure Romance probably has a remedy.\nPure Romance parties are women-only get-togethers (sorry, guys) with a consultant who brings an array of products for women to purchase and discuss in a supportive environment. There's something for everyone, from pheromone-based perfume to anal beads. The parties often serve as an educational tool about sexuality, with consultants answering age-old questions about achieving orgasm, masturbation and general sex inquiries. The parties are far from pornographic, with pink labeling on the items and cutesy names (vibrators named "Lilylicious" and "B.O.B.," a.k.a. "Battery-operated Boyfriend").\nThe presentation began innocently enough, as our consultant, Tricia Miracle (yes, it's her real last name), came around and demonstrated products on our arms. We started with perfumes and lotions and gradually moved to the main attractions. By the end of the evening, we had been dusted with sparkly pink powder, tasted edible lubes and shaken hands with a vibrator. The hands-on demonstrations -- with explanations using clever rhymes (ahem, "what's good for your lips is good for your nips!") -- made for a fun, easygoing atmosphere.\nAfter browsing through the user-friendly pink booklet of products, we were invited to privately place orders with Miracle in another room, where bins of toys, lotions and accessories were stacked.\nMiracle said that women often are apprehensive to come because they have misconceptions about the manner of the parties.\n"(They think) it's all about sex toys," Miracle said. "They're afraid that we're just selling sex."\nAnd that's true, to an extent. But as Miracle states during her hour-long presentation: "We're here to help you." \nMiracle, who has been in the business for three years, has already changed countless lives at her parties. Women who have never orgasmed have come to her later and thanked her for helping them discover their bodies more intimately. \n"In-home sex toy parties definitely offer a unique outlet for women to talk about sex in a space that feels comfortable to them," said resident sexpert Debby Herbenick, an IU sexual researcher and educator. "They might learn from each other."\nHerbenick and the IU Department of Applied Health Science work closely with Pure Romance to learn more about the women who attend the parties and what kind of information they pick up at them. Typical questions include how to locate the G-spot, fluctuating desire and problems with partners. One of the most beneficial factors of sex toy parties is that they openly explore female masturbation, Herbenick said. Witnessing close friends purchase sex toys makes women feel more comfortable about their own sexuality. Masturbation tends to be kept hush-hush, and Herbenick still finds women who are fearful of sexual myths.\n"If they're worried that masturbation is going to cause them any physical ailments, we certainly have enough data to suggest that nobody's going blind or growing hair on their palms," Herbenick said. "And some people still believe that, and it's not that they're stupid or uneducated but they were raised -- like everyone else -- in a culture that doesn't talk about sex."\nIronically enough, sex toys have been around for quite a while. The Kinsey Institute has Japanese dildos made from animal horns dating back to the 19th century. Catherine Johnson-Roehr, curator of art, artifacts and photographs at the Kinsey Institute, said the dildos used to be filled with warm water to make them "feel more real." In the late 19th century, doctors used electric vibrators to treat "hysteria" (usually stress and anxiety problems only found in women). Until a few decades ago, these "stress-relieving massagers" were sold in Sears catalogs across the country but were never acknowledged as a masturbation tool, because sex was only considered to be a penis penetrating a vagina, \nHerbenick said.\nGone are the days of ordering from a Sears catalog or visiting the doctor for treatments. Sex toys are more accessible than ever and can be purchased in the comfort of your own home. Pure Romance has about 20,000 consultants across the nation ready to put on free parties at your convenience. So gather up the girls, make some cupcakes and visit www.pureromance.com for more information on how to have a fabulous girls' night in.