425 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(01/25/07 7:26pm)
Interim Provost Michael McRobbie spoke to the Bloomington Rotary Club Tuesday, outlining his vision for change at IU over the next decade.\nThe speech, titled "Seven Directions of Change: The Next Decade at Indiana University," outlined seven areas he sees the University exploring in the near future. \nIn the speech, he stressed the importance of IU's ability to adapt, despite the widely held belief that universities move at a "snail's pace," he said.\n"IU represents the genius of great universities," McRobbie said, according to the speech's text.\nThe seven directions McRobbie sees change in are:\n• Raising admission standards at IU -- McRobbie said the University's 20 percent jump in application this year is evidence this has already taken effect. \n• Encouraging diversity -- By 2013, McRobbie said IU should double its minority student enrollment.\n• Increasing interdisciplinary research -- He used expansion of life-sciences research at the University as an example of the increased multidisciplinary projects.\n•Promoting IU's construction boom -- By increasing research space, McRobbie said more money will flow into the University's research fund and IU's life-science initiative will be able to continue to grow. \n• Renewing arts and humanities infrastructure -- Although McRobbie described the programs as already "glorious," he said he hopes to increase the "multidisciplinarity" between the arts and humanities. \n•Internationalizing IU -- By producing "globally literate" students, McRobbie said the University will be better able to develop stronger relationships with overseas institutions. \n•Transforming the faculty generation -- With 565 of the tenured faculty eligible to retire in the next 10 years, McRobbie said, "it is on these new faculty and administrative leaders that the future of Indiana University will depend"
(01/17/07 4:47am)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Eleven-year-olds faced off with University of Michigan students over the merits of affirmative action as hundreds gathered to protest the passage of Proposal 2 Monday.\nMilitant pro-affirmative action group By Any Means Necessary sponsored a march and rally that brought hundreds of supporters to campus on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Promotional material distributed by BAMN before the event said the marchers would demand "no drop in minority enrollment in higher education in Michigan."\nConfrontations between marchers and members of the University's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, a politically conservative group, erupted when several YAF members walked in front of the march.\nMarchers chanted a line often heard at BAMN-sponsored protests: \n"They say, 'Jim Crow,' We say 'Hell no!'" \nMost of the marchers were middle school, high school and college students from across the state, though people of all ages took part in the march. Organizers said the group bused almost 300 students from Detroit area schools, including members of the Cass Technical High School marching band.\nAt least 40 members of the band played music, twirled flags and danced at the front of the pack. \nMaricruz Lopez, co-chair of the university's BAMN chapter, said the group brought the students to Ann Arbor, Mich. so they could fight for a cause that matters to them. \n"This is a fight for their lives," she said. \nShanta Driver, the national co-chair of BAMN, said the main goal of the rally was to let both the university administration and the state of Michigan know that the group will continue to oppose Proposal 2, even after the university announced that it will not file any new legal challenges to Proposal 2 for now. Proposal 2 is a ballot initiative passed earlier this year that created an amendment to Michigan's constitution banning affirmative action policies in the state.\nCurrently BAMN has filed two separate lawsuits seeking to weaken and reverse the effects of Proposal 2. \nThe first asks the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay that would delay the implementation of Proposal 2 until the end of this year. \nThe second suit challenges the validity of Proposal 2. It alleges that proponents of the law used "racially targeted voter fraud" and "lies and deception" during the campaign to get the proposal onto Michigan's ballot. The suit is before a federal court.\nGeorge Washington, the lawyer representing BAMN, said he is confident both cases will fare well in court. \nLuke Massie, BAMN's other national co-chair, said Proposal 2's passage was a step backward for civil rights. \n"We're strong, we're proud, we're loud and we're not going back," he said. \nFour members from YAF walked in front of the march waving posters with things like "Scoreboard: MCRI: 58, BAMN: 0" -- a reference to the 58 percent of the vote garnered by Proposal 2 -- written on them.\nOne sign bore a line from King's famous "I have a dream" speech: "They will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." \nThe students also shouted chants into megaphones like, "Hey BAMN, what do you say? Prop 2 passed anyway," and told the marchers to "stop whining."\nAndrew Boyd, chair of the university's chapter of YAF, said the group's main opposition to BAMN's agenda was that Michigan voters had already passed Proposal 2.\nBoyd said BAMN did not uphold the values of Martin Luther King, Jr.\n"Martin Luther King, Jr. was peaceful and tolerant -- BAMN is militant and intolerant," Boyd said. \nBut Driver said King would be marching right alongside her group.\n"If he were alive today, he would be here with us today. I am certain," she said.
(01/17/07 4:43am)
NEW YORK -- New Yorkers who were close to the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have more vivid memories than those in other parts of the city on that day, a recent study by New York University researchers found.\nThe study, published last month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by a research team led by New York University psychology professor Elizabeth Phelps.\nThe results suggest a connection between personal involvement on Sept. 11 and memories of that day. Both engage the amygdala, a small brain structure responsible for emotion's influence on memory. \nWhile all the subjects for the study were in Manhattan on the day of the attacks, Phelps said those in lower Manhattan were more detailed and confident in recounting what happened. Those in midtown, however, reported experiencing the events secondhand -- through television, for example.\n"The downtown subjects also reported seeing, hearing and smelling what had happened," Phelps said in a press release.\nThe study was written by NYU students, including postdoctoral fellow Tali Sharot, the lead author, and contributing authors Mauricio Delgado, now at Rutgers, and Elizabeth Martorella, an NYU graduate student.\nThe research, which began about three years after the attacks, involved 24 participants who were scattered across Manhattan that day.\nEach participant was involved in several experiments, ranging in complexity from simply writing down their memories to recalling their experiences while being monitored by an fMRI machine that tracked their brain activity.\nThe researchers noticed a correlation between proximity to the attacks and increased amygdala activity in the fMRI results.\nParticipants were also asked to recount memories from the summer of 2001 to serve as a baseline for comparison. After writing their personal accounts, they then rated their own memories -- both from the summer and from Sept. 11 -- for factors like vividness, detail and confidence in accuracy. \nThe researchers found that only half of the subjects -- those closer to the World Trade Center that day -- gave the Sept. 11 memories higher ratings than the summer memories.\nAn important part of the research involved the so-called flashbulb effect, which came to prominence in the psychology community following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.\nThe theory of flashbulb memory suggests that the shocking nature of life-altering events triggers a memory mechanism that creates a picture-like representation of that instant. Over time, researchers have found that although these memories are not necessarily more accurate, they are much more vivid.\n"Our findings on 9/11 memories indicate that personal involvement may be critical in producing memories with the characteristic qualities of flashbulb memories," Sharot said.
(01/08/07 4:33am)
ELKHART, Ind. -- The state and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana have settled a lawsuit over a scholarship program that denied eligibility to the native-born students of parents who were in the country illegally.\nUnder a settlement filed recently in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, the state no longer will require parents to be U.S. citizens or legal aliens for their children to receive aid under the 21st Century Scholars program, The Truth newspaper reported Sunday.\n"There was a real problem. You can't have someone who's a U.S. resident be denied benefits because of the status of their parents," said Ken Falk, legal director of the ACLU of Indiana. "The purpose of 21st Century scholarship program is to encourage bright and upwardly mobile students to go to school in Indiana and stay in Indiana. To deny them seems to be outrageous."\nThe scholarship program helps students who are U.S. citizens and have graduated from an Indiana high school pay for four years of tuition in a public college or university. It's intended to help low- to moderate-income families, reduce the number of high-school dropouts and increase the number of students going to college. The amount of the scholarship varies.\nThe ACLU of Indiana brought the case last March on behalf of a former Elkhart County high-school student identified only as E.C. in court documents. The girl, who was born in the U.S., applied to the 21st Century Scholars Program while in seventh grade using her own Social Security number. Problems arose once she graduated and was asked for her parents' Social Security numbers to receive her scholarship.\nThe settlement will apply to past, present and future students who were found ineligible or did not apply because their parents were not U.S. citizens or legal aliens, the Truth report said. Affected students must be notified before the court can approve the settlement.\nState officials said no students were denied eligibility because their parents were not citizens or lawful aliens, but they acknowledged that 73 applications were returned because students did not list Social Security numbers for their parents or guardians. Those applicants will be notified and receive new applications, the settlement stipulates.\nThe state will also publish legal notices in major Indiana newspapers.\nThe ACLU and the state are asking affected students to apply again no later than March 10 of this year.
(01/08/07 3:29am)
GLASSBORO, N.J. -- The youngest students at Rowan University enjoy all the aspects of campus life -- including classes and dorm rooms -- without the term papers.\nFor a third year, Rowan students are raising puppies destined to become seeing-eye dogs.\nCollege life allows the dogs to spend virtually every moment getting accustomed to being around people. Their student trainers take them almost everywhere they go, even to basketball games, where the canines get court-side seats.\n"Simon has more friends than I do. They come around looking for him instead of me," Jake Massaro, 24, said of the brown Labrador-golden retriever mix that he and his roommates are raising.\nThe program, coordinated with a guide-dog training school in Morristown called The Seeing Eye, is an example of how trainers take advantage of populated locales, including colleges and prisons, to get the canines acclimated to human contact. Students also raise puppies at Rutgers University and the University of Delaware.\nCollege campuses have proved to be excellent places for preparing potential guide dogs, said Teresa Davenport, a spokeswoman for The Seeing Eye, one of about a dozen guide-dog training schools across the country.\n"The more puppies are exposed to people, the better guide dogs they can be," Davenport said.\nAbout 20 Rowan students are in charge of six dogs on the public university's campus, 18 miles south of Philadelphia.\nBringing the dogs to Rowan was the idea of George Brelsford, the school's dean of students, and his wife. The two had been raising seeing-eye dogs themselves, and thought students would enjoy the experience.\nStudents get the dogs when they are seven weeks old, and most keep them for more than a year. After that, the dogs go to The Seeing Eye for harness training and, if all goes well, placement with a blind person.\nAlong with acclimating dogs to people, a college campus is a perfect place for dogs to become comfortable with a busy world, Brelsford said recently.\n"The campus is really a small city. We have trucks and bulldozers that go by. We have social events," Brelsford said.\nThe students also get something out of the program, said Sita Tomas, 22, a graduate student from Mount Olive who is studying counseling while training Quasar, a black Labrador-golden retriever mix.\n"It's definitely nice to have someone and not just be lonely sometimes," said Tomas, who lives alone.\nThe hardest part of the program for students has been parting with the canines when they leave for their guide-dog training.\nLauren Lee, 21, a senior psychology major from East Brunswick, said she and her roommates think of Kong, their German shepherd, as though he were a teenager about to leave the nest.\n"It's like he's going off to college. He's going to be great up there," Lee said.
(12/11/06 2:22pm)
Senior Adam Hoelzel, left, helps recent IU graduate Aaron Waltke put on his 159th shirt in Waltke's attempt to break the world record for most T-shirts worn at once. Waltke succeeded in putting on 160 shirts, breaking the record set by Matt McAllister in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sept. 15. McAllister wore 155 shirts in his record attempt.\nWaltke had to send in paperwork months in advance to get clearance for the official record attempt. Guinness researches past records and accepts or rejects proposals to break the records. Waltke said he will send Guinness World Records a video tape of the event, as well as newspaper clippings and pictures. He said he doesn't expect to get a spot at the Guinness museums but said it's possible that the record could be in the "Guinness Book of World Records"
(12/07/06 7:10pm)
IU professors formally announced on Wednesday the formation of the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus at the IUPUI Conference Center as part of IU's ongoing effort to diversify its student body and faculty.\nThe caucus, proposed at an October summit of black faculty and staff members, aims to be "an umbrella organization to assist the University in carrying out its commitments to diversity and equity and to advocate for improving conditions for Blacks on all campuses," according to an IU news release.\nThe University has been under pressure to form such a group since an IU board of trustees retreat Sept. 20, when the board adopted a resolution supporting the University's goal to double minority enrollment by the 2013-2014 school year.\nA "commitment to diversity and equity" is one of IU's four core mission activities, according to the IU news release.\nThough the caucus has no official powers, it has a list of objectives and plans to make recommendations for increasing campus diversity.\nIUPUI has been making an outward effort to increase diversity, announcing Nov. 15 that the campus will establish a multicultural center and other diversity initiatives. The announcement came in response to concerns from minority leaders that black students were not adequately supported by the University.
(10/24/06 9:24pm)
Q: I had sex over the weekend. I was very intoxicated, but I was very clear that I wanted to participate. I woke up to see blood on the sheets underneath us. At the time I couldn't figure out where the blood came from. I was not in pain nor was I expecting my period. The last time I had intercourse before this was about a month. I have gone longer without sex before and did not bleed. This is not my first time having sex, nor is it my first partner. What could have happened? Is it possible that I finally had my hymen break? Or is it possible that he penetrated too deeply? Is it an allergic reaction to the condom or the lube? I am very embarrassed by this and very confused. I regret being drunk and I am embarrassed by bleeding and then not being aware that it was me. It is a very awkward situation and I don't know how to face him again. \nA: There are many possible reasons for bleeding that occurs during or after intercourse. Since you have previously had intercourse before, it is unlikely that you "broke" your hymen (the hymen is a thin layer of tissue that partially covers the vaginal entrance and is filled with blood vessels, thus causing bleeding in some women when it first tears due to penetration). The hymen may tear from various types of penetration including intercourse, vaginal fingering, or insertion of a sex toy. The hymen does not "grow back" if you have not had sex in a long time, as is sometimes mistakenly believed. \n It is possible that you experienced some vaginal or vulvar (outside parts of the genitals) tearing during intercourse. If it was a small amount of blood, it is unlikely that you would have experienced much pain. If there was a large amount of blood on the sheets, then one would usually expect some pain or discomfort, though perhaps the alcohol dulled the pain at the time and it was resolved the next morning. We know that alcohol lowers inhibition, and it may actually work against your physical arousal, making intercourse more difficult and leading to tearing.\n When women have tearing around the entrance of the vagina, or just inside, healthcare providers sometimes prescribe specific antibiotic ointments in order to reduce the risk of developing an infection. Therefore if you think you may have tearing inside, you might check in with your healthcare provider so that he or she can exam you (tearing, by the way, happens to many women at one time or another). Why might tearing occur? It often occurs during rough penetration or when a woman is not well lubricated ( e.g., if you did not spend much time in foreplay before having sex or if sex went on for a long time, both of which can occur while intoxicated as couples sometimes jump into sex and a man's orgasm may be delayed or not occur at all, thus making sex take longer than usual). \n Though women can react from a hypersensitivity or allergy to condoms or lubricant, these are unlikely to cause such bleeding. Another possibility is that one of you may have had a cut elsewhere (i.e., on your knee or hand). That happens sometimes too, with couples mistaking it for vaginal bleeding.\n Whatever the cause, this is actually a fairly common occurrence and nothing to be embarrassed about (though we understand that it can feel embarrassing at the time). It sounds like you have learned a bit more about how you feel about sex, drinking, and mixing the two, as well as communicating with a sexual partner. It is common for men and women to find it difficult to discuss sexuality (particularly when they are relatively new to sex), and it can feel even more challenging to discuss sexual topics if you don't know each other very well. Because vaginal bleeding during sex happens to most women at some point, many couples take it in stride and move on. If you feel like you want to discuss it, you might start by letting your partner know that it feels awkward for you to talk about it, but that you'd feel better if you could. Best of luck.
(10/24/06 9:23pm)
Q: I have had 4 sex partners in my life. My most recent pap smear came back abnormal. I had a colposcopy and my doctor said that it looked like I had only mild cervical changes. He checked for warts but did not find any. He was nice and caring, but didn't go into much detail, and I was so upset that I couldn't ask any questions. In the meantime I'm going crazy. My boyfriend has been supportive, but I am upset. He and I have been in a monogamous relationship for a year, and it's the best relationship (emotionally and physically) I've ever been in. I am so worried that everything is going to change. Can I still have sex with my boyfriend (vaginal and oral)? What safer sex practices should we use, and for how long? Will I get warts? What things can I do to avoid warts and further problems?\nA: I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. While difficult, it may be reassuring to know that about 60-80% of sexually active adults have had or will have the human papillomavirus. Many never know it. This is particularly true for men, since we currently have no way of testing men for HPV. In other words, your boyfriend may have HPV but neither of you would know it unless he had visible warts diagnosed by a healthcare provider. It is even possible that you got HPV from him, but there is no way to know.\nThere are more than 100 strains of HPV. Some are linked to genital warts; others may cause cervical changes which would show up on a Pap test. Most people's bodies appear to "get over" their HPV infection without it ever causing symptoms like warts or cervical changes. Most women who have an abnormal Pap test result have a normal Pap test result again within one year. It is important, however, to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations regarding repeat Pap testing and colposcopy testing. Good for you for doing so!\n It is a personal choice to have sex after a sexually transmissible infection diagnosis so we cannot advise you on what to do. Since you have been together for a year and have likely been sexually active together for a while, it is possible that your boyfriend already has HPV (whether you gave it to him or he gave it to you). \nAs HPV is transmitted skin-to-skin, condoms (which do not cover all of one's genital skin) cannot eliminate the risk of HPV transmission although some research suggests that they may reduce the risk. HPV is unlikely to be transmitted to oral sex. It does happen, but it is uncommon as the virus is said to "prefer" the genital.\nAn HPV diagnosis does not mean that you will get warts. You may not have a wart-related strain. Even if you do, you may never get warts or you may only get a few warts from time to time. Treatments are available for warts should you ever get them. Both you and your boyfriend can examine your genitals for changes in appearance, keeping in mind that there are many normal lumps and bumps on one's genitals that have nothing to do with HPV or other problems. You can learn more about HPV, abnormal Paps, warts, and normal lumps and bumps in The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health.\nIf you smoke cigarettes, quitting smoking is a major step toward improving your cervical health. A great deal of research has connected cigarette smoking with HPV-related problems including cervical changes and genital warts. Smoking cessation classes are available through many campus health centers and community groups. In addition, anything that helps your immune system (e.g., good sleep, relaxation, healthy lifestyle) may be helpful.\nYou can learn more about HPV on our web site (www.kinseyconfidential.org) and on the web site of the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov). At the CDC site you can read detailed information about the new HPV vaccine, which is available to many women even if they already have a diagnosis of HPV. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about this possibility. Good luck.
(10/24/06 9:23pm)
Q: I have always had problems lasting long during sex with my ex girlfriends. Sometimes when I masturbate I will not feel like I have ejaculated yet and there will be semen-like stuff on my hand. Obviously I don't really care about lasting long while I masturbate but lasting longer during sex is important to me. Is that stuff on my hands before I ejaculate a problem? Also is there a way I can increase the time I last during sex? \nA: Thank you for your question. Learning how to delay ejaculation ("last longer") is one of the most common sex topics asked about by college aged men (and - by the way - men in their later twenties and thirties, too), so you are definitely not alone in terms of your experience or your questions. \nThe "semen-like stuff" on your hand during masturbation is most likely pre-ejaculatory fluid (sometimes called "pre-ejaculate" or "pre-cum"). This (typically clear) fluid comes from the Cowper's glands, which are a pair of pea-sized glands that lie on either side of the urethra and just below the prostate gland. Pre-ejaculatory fluid helps to neutralize the otherwise acidic environment of the urethra, thereby helping to protect the sperm. It also serves as a lubricant. \n Men vary in the degree to which pre-ejaculatory fluid is noticeable prior to ejaculation. Although it is often just a few drops, some men find that it is noticeable enough either in their or their partner's hands, or even through their underwear if they are aroused while still clothed. Pre-ejaculatory fluid, however, is not associated with a man's ability to delay ejaculation. \nTwo common techniques that men use to learn to delay ejaculation are called the Stop-Start and the Squeeze techniques. Initially, both techniques tend to be used during self-masturbation but either one of them can be expanded to include sexual activity with a partner. In general, they work like this: stimulate your penis until just before what is sometimes called the "point of no return" (when you know that you will ejaculate no matter what happens), then stop all stimulation to your penis (for Stop-Start) or gently squeeze the head of your penis (for the Squeeze technique). Allow your arousal to subside slightly and then begin the cycle again. \nAt first, it is common for men to mis-judge the timing of the point of no return, and to ejaculate even though they did not yet want to. Fortunately, it is just practice and you can always try again. Over time, as you learn to pay attention to your own arousal and excitement through these exercises, you will likely be able last longer during sex with a partner. You can read more about these and other strategies for delaying ejaculation in Coping with Premature Ejaculation: How to Overcome PE, Please Your Partner & Have Great Sex (New Harbinger, $14.95).\nFinally, although learning to delay ejaculation is a common concern of men in their teens, twenties and thirties, it is worth noting that many men and their partners find enormous pleasure in expanding their sexual repertoire. In other words, rather than focus on intercourse and lasting a certain amount of time, look for opportunities to explore ways of pleasuring each other in various ways such as kissing, sensual massage, oral sex, hugging, bathing together, breast touching, cuddling, mutual masturbation and sharing fantasies. It is also important, of course, to pay careful attention to what your partner wants, likes and needs in terms of pace, type of stimulation, and other expressions of like, love and sexual attraction.
(10/24/06 9:23pm)
Q: My boyfriend was just diagnosed with epididymitis yesterday; however the doctor didn't mention anything about staying away from sex, using protection from now on or whether or not I can get infected and pass it back to him. We have been having unprotected anal, oral & vaginal sex for a little over a year now & neither one of us have any STIs. I am curious to know what causes epididymitis. Also, can we continue to have sex and, if so, should we use protection?\nA: Thank you for your question. Good for you for wanting to learn more about how your boyfriend's diagnosis may be related to your own health, and to the sexual life that you share together. \nThe epididymis is a thin tube that sits just above and behind men's testicles. Although it takes up a small space in the body, it's actually quite long, and is tightly coiled. Its main function is to collect and store sperm (which is made by the testicles) prior to ejaculation. The word "epididymitis" refers to an inflammation or infection of this tube; however there can be several different causes for the inflammation.\nCommon symptoms of epididymitis include feelings such as pain, tenderness, soreness, or swelling of the scrotal area (the scrotum is the sac of skin that contains the testicles and epididymis). These same symptoms can indicate other problems (such as trauma to the testicles that occurs as a result of sports injuries or other accidents). Therefore it is always a good idea for men to check in with their healthcare provider if they experience such symptoms. Less often, men may notice symptoms such as fever and chills or a discharge from their penis.\nIn college aged men, epididymitis is often caused by sexually transmissible infections (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI, and it is particularly common among high school and college aged men and women. Fortunately, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with certain antibiotics, and testing is easily done.\nThere are other causes of epididymitis including enlargement of the prostate gland (rare in younger men), urinary tract infections and other types of bacterial infections which are not sexually transmitted. Treatment for epididymitis depends on its cause; if it is bacterial (whether from a STI or not), the typical treatment is a course of antibiotics.\nIn order to better understand how your boyfriend's diagnosis of epididymitis affects your sexual life together, you two will need to ask his healthcare provider what the cause of his particular case of epididymitis seems to be. \nHis healthcare provider most likely tested your boyfriend for STIs. If your boyfriend tested positive for an infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, then his healthcare provider will likely suggest that your boyfriend get treated, that you get tested and treated, and that you either abstain from sex until the infection has cleared or you use condoms for oral, anal or vaginal sex until the infection has cleared.\nEven if your boyfriend tests negative for STIs, you still may want to check in with a healthcare provider to see if you have any bacterial infections (always a good idea when you're sexually active). If your boyfriend is experiencing soreness or discomfort, he may want to abstain from sexual activity until he feels better. Other than that, epididymitis is a common enough condition that -- when treated -- men typically recover quickly from, and can soon resume comfortable, enjoyable sex.
(10/24/06 9:21pm)
QUESTION: I am a female in my 20s and lately, I have been experiencing rather large orgasms. After I am finished, it seems as if I have urinated on the bed, my partner and myself. What causes some orgasms to be large and fluidy and others mild? I am confused, please help. Thanks. \nANSWER: Sexual expression involves various sights, sounds, scents, emotions and yes, bodily fluids. As a culture that likes to weigh, calculate or measure things, we sometimes talk about the "typical" amount of ejaculate that comes out of a man's penis during orgasm or the "average" amount of blood loss during menstruation. But averages are only averages, they don't reveal the wide variation of things that happen at the small or large end of the continuum. \nWhen it comes to vaginal fluids and wetness during sex, there is an equally wide range both between women and among women. Some women feel dry, perhaps more so during certain times of their life (such as menopause) or during certain times of their menstrual cycle, or when they are feeling stressed out, taking certain medications or following a warm bath or shower. Some women note that they feel very wet either during the day (as with vaginal discharge) or during sexual excitement or orgasm. \nMore often, though, women notice variations from day to day, or based on the type of sexual activity they are engaging in -- and as researchers, we don't fully understand why some kinds of stimulation are linked to larger or smaller amounts of wetness. \nFor some women, stimulation of the front wall of the vagina (particularly the area sometimes described as the g spot) seems to be associated with a greater release of vaginal fluids -- including the release of fluids through the urethra - and a good number of women worry that they are peeing during sex. However, if they are having sex on white sheets or if they get up and go to the bathroom to wipe with toilet paper, often they find that the fluid is clear and closer to the appearance of vaginal lubrication rather than being yellow or looking and smelling like urine. Though there have been a few analyses of these fluids, the results have not been consistent. \nPeople's reactions to vaginal wetness varies. While some women and their partners are surprised at what seems like a lot of fluid release (either during arousal or orgasm), the surprise isn't necessarily a bad one. Many people are excited by this aspect of sexual response and some even to try to learn to "squirt" or try "female ejaculation," as it is occasionally called. Pressure to be or act sexual in certain ways, however, often has a dampening effect on one's mood or expression, whereas an emphasis on pleasure, exploration and acceptance of each other's bodies may contribute to a better experience. In other words, don't drive yourself -- or your partner -- crazy in an effort to make this happen or to stop this from happening. \nIf the wetness bothers you, consider experimenting with different positions that still allow you to feel pleasure or orgasm but with less wetness. If you are curious about your experience and want to learn more, consider exploring your body in different ways during masturbation to see what feels best and which types of stimulation produce such wetness, and which types of stimulation do not. If you like the feeling and the wetness, but simply want a dry bed when you are done, consider placing a towel on the bed prior to sex. Finally, you might be interested in reading "The Good Vibrations Guide: The G Spot." It provides research-based information about g spot stimulation and vaginal wetness in addition to anecdotes about women's orgasm and pleasure.
(10/24/06 9:20pm)
QUESTION: I am dating a man with a quite large (8-8.5 inches, but not any wider than average) uncircumcized penis. Aside from the usual difficulties of uncircumcised penises and condoms, his size seems to be an issue. Are there any condoms that are good for large, uncircumcised guys? He says condoms just don't work for him and I guess I want to offer options that might work rather than just accept the "I don't use condoms" line. Can you recommend any special condoms for our situation? \nANSWER: First -- and I'm sure you realize this -- but you never, ever have to accept the "I don't use condoms" line. A perfectly reasonable response is "I don't have sex with men who don't use condoms." It is your body and your health and, unfortunately, women are more prone to getting sexually transmitted infections from men than men are from women, not to mention the possibility of pregnancy. If you want to use condoms, you can. If he wants to have sex with you, the two of you can brainstorm a way to make it comfortable for both of you. Good for you for seeking out some solutions that meet his need for comfort and your need for safer sex. \nWhile the larger sized condoms (think Magnum, Magnum XL, ONE Condom Bigger) might work, they are actually not all that much bigger than standard sized condoms. However, TheyFit condoms -- which come in 55 sizes - can be ordered to fit the length and circumference of a man's erect penis. To learn more, visit www.condomania.com, download and print the Fit Kit (or request that one be mailed to you via their web site), and see whether this is an option that interests you two. TheyFit condoms are currently available in latex only, so if you or he has a latex allergy then this would not be a wise option and you would be better off with a polyurethane condom, which some feel is a little roomier than a standard condom as well. It is also worth noting that some uncircumcised men find that they prefer condoms that are roomier at the head of the penis such as the Inspiral or Twisted Pleasure condom varieties. \nWhile condom choice can play an important role in condom comfort and safety, there are some steps that you and he can take to improve condom performance and enjoyment. First, make sure that you both brush up on the proper way to use a condom (information can be found inside condom boxes and at www.plannedparenthood.org). Before you skip this step, consider the fact that most adults have at least occasionally made mistakes in using condoms -- for example, not leaving room at the tip of the condom for ejaculation; leaving pockets of air in the condom that could pop it like a balloon; or using an inappropriate lubricant with latex condoms that might cause breakage. \nWhen it comes to circumcision, it is true that uncircumcised men have higher rates of condom slippage compared to men who have been circumcised. They might be able to reduce their slippage risk by retracting their foreskin prior to putting on a condom. Also, adding a small amount of lubricant to the outside of the condom once it is already on the penis might reduce friction -- and thus reduce slippage -- for men, regardless of their circumcision status. \nMen should make sure that the condom is completely rolled down to the base of their penis (assuming it goes that far) and that they hold on to the bottom of the condom as they withdraw their penis from their partner's body. A good deal of condom slippage occurs at the point of withdrawal so pay extra attention to this part of sex. It is unclear why slippage at withdrawal is more common but it might be because men sometimes linger too long in their partner's body after sex and their erection subsides following ejaculation, thus making the condom more likely to slip off. Cuddling after sex is great, but safer cuddling -- like safer sex -- is the way to go, so hold on to the bottom of the condom, withdraw the penis, and then snuggle up.
(10/24/06 9:20pm)
QUESTION: I recently had intercourse with a girl and used a condom with spermicidal lubrication. After ejaculation, I withdrew and saw that the condom had started to come off (about halfway). She has given me no indication that she was ovulating, but her vagina did feel slippery afterward (though that could've been the lube). How likely is pregnancy here? \nANSWER: It is impossible to provide a precise estimate of the likelihood of pregnancy based on these circumstances. However, we can provide information that can help you learn more about what increases or decreases risk. \nIn order for a woman to become pregnant, a few things need to happen. First, she needs to ovulate (release an egg). Second, that egg (which is only alive and in circulation in her body for about 12 to 24 hours) needs to be fertilized by sperm (which can usually survive in a woman's body for 1 to 3 days, though a few might be able to survive for as long as 5 to 7 days). Even once an egg is fertilized by sperm, a woman is not yet considered "pregnant" until the fertilized egg has traveled to the uterus and implanted itself into the nourishing lining of the uterus. \nThere are many ways that people try to prevent or reduce their risk of pregnancy. Many people avoid genital contact (intercourse or outercourse) such that sperm do not get anywhere inside the vagina or even close to the opening of the vagina, as sperm can travel inside the vagina and fertilize an egg. One popular method of birth control -- particularly among college students -- is the birth control pill which reduces the risk of pregnancy by preventing a woman's body from releasing an egg. \nYou and your partner chose to use condoms, which are also commonly used among college students. Used alone, condoms are about 80 to 90 percent effective in reducing pregnancy risk when used correctly and consistently (read: every time you have sex). Spermicide adds additional prevention in that it kills sperm, though some women find that spermicide irritates their vagina or vulva (a woman's external genitals, like the labia and clitoris). \nIf the condom slipped down a little bit but did not come off of your penis and the ejaculate stayed inside of the condom, then it is unlikely that your partner would get pregnant. This is because if ejaculate did not get inside of her vagina, she would not be at risk for pregnancy. \nWhile vaginal "slipperiness" can indicate that a woman has recently or is about to ovulate, it can also be the lubricant from the condom or her own vaginal lubrication that occurs during sexual arousal. In addition, it is healthy and normal for a woman to have some amount of vaginal discharge throughout her menstrual cycle, so there is almost always some degree of wetness that one might feel. \nIf you are curious about whether she has taken any other measures to prevent pregnancy (e.g., if she uses another birth control method like birth control pills or if she obtained emergency contraception -- a.k.a. the "morning after pill" -- following sex with you), ask her. \nUnintended pregnancy -- like the risk for infection -- can be a worrisome part of being sexual. Many people find it helpful to take time to make careful decisions about contraception, physical intimacy, emotional readiness for sex, and partner choice. Communicating with your partner about your plans and concerns related to pregnancy and infection risk reduction can make the decision to be sexual less worrisome. For additional information about contraception, emergency contraception (which is highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex) and correct condom use, visit www.plannedparenthood.org or the KISISS Web site at www.indiana.edu/~kisiss.
(10/24/06 9:19pm)
QUESTION: I have recently noticed some "pimple-like" bumps at the base of my penis. I don't think that it could be an STD since I have not had intercourse in about nine months. I was wondering what these might be, and what I might do to get rid of them. Thanks. \nANSWER: Thanks for your question. Of course, we cannot diagnose the bumps you've noticed on your penis, but we can provide some information about sexually transmitted infections that can cause bumps on men's and women's genital skin. This might help you feel informed when you go to a healthcare provider so he or she can provide a specific diagnosis for you. \nThe human papillomavirus (HPV) is one common STI that can cause genital warts. There are about 100 strains of this virus and only a few strains are related to HPV. Though warts often take as long as three to eight months to appear after a person has been infected with one of these HPV strains, a person might never notice the bumps or warts at all. Other times the bumps look more like pimples or infected hair follicles than actual warts, so men and women might not seek medical attention. \nIn some cases, a healthcare provider will take a sample of the skin (a skin biopsy) and send it to a lab to confirm whether it is indeed HPV. In other instances, he or she might make a diagnosis based solely on the bump's appearance and might try treating it (there are various options for treating it, though sometimes healthcare providers suggest leaving it alone as some bumps and warts go away on their own). \nThe herpes virus can also cause various genital skin symptoms, but these typically look more like sores than bumps. Of course there are several other reasons (other than STIs) that a person might develop bumps on their genital skin. These reasons can include infected hair follicles, a sensitivity or allergic reaction to products like soap or bath gels, or even razor burn. \nIn other words, don't assume the worst if you happen to notice bumps on your genitals. That said, we do encourage you to make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual about the look or feel of your genitals. One of the benefits of taking the time to look at and become familiar with your genitals (and even your partner's genitals) is that you can develop a sense of what is normal for you and seek the advice of a healthcare provider in instances when you notice that something is different. You can learn more about STIs (including HPV and herpes) and other sexual health matters on the KISISS Web site.
(10/24/06 9:19pm)
QUESTION: I have never liked or enjoyed using a condom, though I have used them anyway. I have not contracted any STIs (I've been tested). Within the past few years, I've avoided intercourse when I date women because every time I begin to use a condom, I become flaccid and cannot keep an erection, even though I am stimulated and attracted to my partner. It wasn't an issue until recently, as I began dating a girl whom I would like to be in a relationship with. I'm afraid that when we begin having intercourse, I won't be able to perform. I have no problem maintaining an erection when there is no condom present during oral sex with her. I've tried masturbating with condoms on, but the sensation is totally different and my erections are fine then. I was curious to know any tips or hints, also any suggestions for brands of condoms that increase the feeling for men. \nANSWER: Thanks for your question. There are numerous condoms available on the market and as they all have to pass the same FDA-required tests, they are all highly effective at reducing the risk of some sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. We should note, however, that condoms cannot protect against all STIs as some (such as herpes and HPV, the virus that can cause genital warts and cervical problems for women) are passed from skin to skin. Since condoms cannot cover all of one's skin, it is unclear to what extent they offer protection against those particular infections. In addition, there are no HPV tests available for men. So while it might be the case that you have been tested and "cleared" of STIs that they can test you for (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HI, and perhaps herpes, depending on the test), it is impossible to know whether you are indeed free of HPV (in fact, most adults who have had intercourse have had exposure to HPV). \nIt is worth considering what it is about condom use that you find unpleasant. Are they too tight or too loose? If so, consider TheyFit condoms which come in 55 sizes (www.condomania.com). If you feel an overall lack of sensation, consider a condom that has more room at the nerve-enriched head of the penis, such as Inspiral and Trojan's Twisted Pleasure. \nFor other men, it is not the condom itself that contributes to erection problems but other factors related to condom use. In a study conducted by researchers from The Kinsey Institute, it was found that about one-third of college men had experienced difficulty with their erections during condom use. This might be because of the way that condoms fit or feel, or alcohol use, but it also might be that in taking time out to put on a condom, one feels distracted, less aroused or awkward, and thus the penis softens. Some men find that asking their partner to put the condom on their penis allows them to focus on their arousal (e.g., by looking at, touching or kissing one's partner) and thus maintain their erection. \nAdding a store-bought lubricant to the outside of the condom might help sex to feel more natural (e.g., more slippery), as might the use of polyurethane condoms, which heat better than latex condoms (thus making sex feel more warm). \nSome men feel that having to think about condom use reminds them of things that scare them (like STI and pregnancy risk) and this anxiety contributes to erection loss. Occasionally men remember past experiences when they had difficulty with their erection, and then worry about whether it will happen again. That worry is enough to cause subsequent erection problems, making it a vicious cycle. Learning more about erections and male sexuality (and the myths that make men feel anxious about sex) might be enough to help with these issues. Relevant books include "Male Sexuality: A Guide to Sexual Fulfillment" and "The Sexual Male: Problems and Solutions."\nWe encourage you to discuss these issues with your partner so that she can be aware of your hopes for a relationship with her, STI testing and your thoughts on condoms and erections. These conversations can feel awkward at first, but often they help couples sort out important issues and might even bring you closer together (as a bonus, sharing these concerns mgiht even reduce your anxiety about erections enough that it becomes easier to have an erection). Good luck.
(10/24/06 9:18pm)
QUESTION: I have been in a relationship with my boyfriend for a few years, and everyone, including him, is hinting toward a marriage proposal. I love him and he is my best friend, but for as long as I can remember, I have been attracted to women. I have great relationships with men, friends and lovers, but the majority of my fantasies focus on other women. Up to this point in my life, I have not had the opportunity to have a sexual encounter with a woman. Now that the prospect of marriage has come up, I'm afraid that I will make the wrong choice. I could marry him, my best friend, and always wonder what it would be like to be with a woman. Or I could end the relationship, and see if I could have the sexually passionate relationship I would like with a woman. However, I'm afraid that I wouldn't find the friendship, support and trust that I have with him. I guess part of my question is: what does it mean to be gay? I am attracted to women sexually (not really turned on by men sexually), but I can make deep, meaningful connections with men, while I have trouble establishing friendships with women. Sex with my boyfriend is not bad, but he really has to work (which he does do) to get me to orgasm. (I love him even more for that.) Is being gay only about sexual preference? When does emotional attachment come into play? Thanks. \nANSWER: Thanks for your questions. Sexual orientation is very complex and there is no standard way -- even among researchers -- to define at what point one is best described as homosexual (lesbian or gay), heterosexual (straight) or bisexual. \nSome sex researchers and educators define sexual orientation as the pattern of romantic and sexual attraction that one feels based on his or her gender and the gender of the person he or she is interested in. The difficulty, of course, is that emotional and physical feelings and attraction don't always go hand-in-hand. In your case, for example, you have deep friendships with men but apparently greater sexual attraction for women. It seems like you've tried to "work on" the sexual aspects with your male partner, but have you tried to work on developing more meaningful friendships (with greater emotional depth) with women? Some sex researchers and educators feel that a fundamental task of sexual development is to develop the ability to have respectful communication as well as meaningful friendships/relationships with both men and women. It might be that you did not have as many opportunities to develop close relationships with women, but could if you wanted to. Then again, it's hard to say how malleable the capacity for friendships and emotional attachments might be.\nOne resource that might be helpful is to consider counseling on campus or in the community. Professional counseling services are confidential and the experience might provide you with additional information about these issues related to sexual orientation, sexual desire and friendship. Also, you might find support and guidance in such a setting or through a campus or community organization related to GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) issues. You can also check out www.pflag.org (PFLAG stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and it is an excellent resource for additional information about sexual orientation). \nIt seems like you're struggling with issues that many men and women -- regardless of sexual orientation -- encounter. Specifically, discovering what factors are most important to you in a relationship (e.g., friendship, sexual attraction, trust, support, intimacy, common interests, etc.) and at what point one is "settling" if you don't have everything you want in a partner. This is a common enough issue that many people seek counseling in order to explore in deeper ways, and on top of it, you also have questions related to sexual orientation.\nI'm sorry there aren't more concrete answers to these age-old questions, but perhaps the local counseling services or other resources (e.g., information and support resources) might provide good options as well. This is an important topic for you to sort through so it is worth spending some time continuing to gather information, think it through and talk over with someone.
(10/24/06 9:18pm)
QUESTION: What is the correct way to measure an adult man's erect penis -- both length and girth?\nANSWER: The standard way to measure one's penis is to place a ruler or other measuring device under the erect penis such that the bottom of the ruler is flesh against one's skin and the penis lays length-wise on the ruler. In terms of measuring the circumference (girth) of one's penis, a common method of measurement is to wrap a tape measure around the middle of the erect penis. However, a penis does not always have the same circumference at different parts of the penis. Sometimes a penis is widest at the base, other times it is widest in the middle or closer to the glans (head) of the penis. Consequently, it can be difficult to make comparisons between difference measurements of circumference.\nIn a recent study conducted by researchers at IU, men reported length sizes between approximately 3 and 12 inches in length, though other research studies have included men of smaller and larger lengths as well. Circumference varies greatly too. Further, men of all penis sizes can have satisfying, pleasurable and exciting sex lives. The size of a man's penis is not necessarily related to his ability to please his partner nor is it related to his masculinity. \nIn fact, though many men often wish for a longer or thicker penis, it is not always easy for a man to have a larger than average penis. Such men may find it challenging to find a partner who can comfortably have intercourse or perform oral sex on them, although variations in positioning and technique, as well as the use of personal lubricants, may be helpful.
(07/31/06 3:28am)
PROVO, Utah -- It's cheap, it's less than lukewarm and available in abundance. However, rather than accessing their infinite supply of tap water, millions prefer to go out of their way to pay extra for the same chemical compound. \nUntil the increased popularity of bottled water, water never had a distinction. \nTap water drinkers never had a label until the rapidly increasing number of bottled water drinkers exploded about a decade ago. With the new trend of bottled water, for some, the perception of tap water has changed. \nMany people now mistakenly associate special health benefits with bottled water. \n"There is no health advantage being gained by these drinks, although the flavor can increase your intake," said Scott Montain, a physiologist at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, Mass., as quoted in the Chicago Tribune. \nThe Natural Resources Defense council concluded after a four-year study that bottled water sold in the United States isn't cleaner or necessarily safer than tap water, although federal law requires it to be at least as safe. \nAnother key finding in the study is that bottled water regulations are inadequate to assure consumers of either purity or safety, although both the federal government and each state have bottled water safety programs. \nHowever, for tap water, Utah's Division of Drinking Water, implements rules to regulate the standards to which tap water is held. It is engaged in a variety of activities related to the design and operation of Utah's public drinking water systems. They are currently working on a new database system, which will post a list of water system ratings on its Web site, www.drinkingwater.utah.gov. \nEven though the regulations may be stricter on tap water, bottled water sales in the United States are second only to soft drink sales, as stated in a recent issue of the Chicago Tribune. \nHundreds of bottled water brands are sold in the United States. Some are imported from Fiji and Iceland, others are fruit flavored or vitamin-enriched, and yes, some water has enough caffeine added to stand against a cup of coffee.\nAccording to the Beverage Marketing Corp, Americans spent $10.1 billion to drink nearly 8 billion gallons of bottled water in 2005. That is 26 gallons per person. Bottled water drinkers also tend to pay more for water than for gasoline. \nChris Beckstrom, a BYU pre-accounting major, said he prefers bottled water, but doesn't like to pay extra for it so he drinks tap water. \n"If I have to pay for a drink, it might as well be soda," he said. \nLike Beckstrom, some people can't distinguish one brand of bottled water from another. However, Skye Friend, an open major student, can. She said she can decipher between brands and prefers to drink Dasani bottled water because of its taste and also because she doesn't worry about what is in it. \nEqually difficult to decipher is whether the bottled waters contain what they claim. www.ConsumerLab.com analyzed four brands of vitamin water and found that only one -- Propel Fitness Water -- provided the amounts listed on its label. Brian Moore, a Phoenix native, is concerned about water quality, but doesn't want to pay for the price of bottled water. He purchased a reverse osmosis system for $50. One $20 filter lasts about six months and cleanses 500 gallons of water, which he says is more cost effective than buying bottle after bottle.
(07/31/06 3:28am)
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- People still using the ReNu with MoistureLoc contact-lens solution need to stop, Kenneth Goins, a University of Iowa clinical associate professor of ophthalmology, said Thursday. \nAnd they need to stop now. \n"I've just seen too many patients and too many problems with it," he said. \nThe product was recalled May 15 voluntarily by its manufacturer, Bausch & Lomb, but the UI Hospitals and Clinics are still experiencing MoistureLoc effects. Goins said he has approximately a dozen cases presumed to be related to use of the solution. \nThe company removed it from the market because of its possible link to Fusarium keratitis, a dangerous, sight-threatening fungus infection. \n"(The infection) is very difficult to treat," said Goins, who specializes in corneal and external diseases. "In our series here, about 25 percent of those patients have needed cornea transplants." \nThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increased risk for the infection among MoistureLoc users, although the cause of the association is not clear. \nChristine Sindt, a UI clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology, noticed a problem with the solution almost two years ago when she conducted her own informal study. When MoistureLoc was released in November 2004, she was eager to create a personal assessment of it. \n"I always like to test the new products -- test-drive them, so I can develop an opinion," Sindt said. \nContact lenses sat soaked in three different solutions overnight. The following day, Sindt examined five volunteers from her office for corneal staining, the presence of dead cells on the eye. Volunteers then wore a pair of the contacts for one to two hours and were examined again. \nSindt, also the director of UIHC's contact-lens service, said the lenses soaked in MoistureLoc produced an "unusual" amount of staining, named because of a dye's adherence to dead cells. \nShe immediately expressed her concern with Bausch & Lomb's public relations director, who told her he was certain the solution had undergone appropriate studies and had passed. When the director, Fred Edmunds, said the company had not conducted tests that could measure corneal damage over time, she urged him to do so. \n"The eye heals itself in about eight hours," Sindt said. "So the most staining would be noticeable in one to two." \nThen, she waited. \n"I felt like at that time I had done my part to voice my concern, and I handled the information appropriately within my own practice when I recommended solutions to my own patients," Sindt said. \nMeanwhile, contact wearers worldwide using the MoistureLoc solution began reporting cases of fungal infections. \nGoins said Sindt developed the theory that a new preservative in the formula could get "trapped" in the lens, causing both the corneal staining and infection vulnerability. \n"If her theory is true," he said, "the increased preservative in the lens would lead to a breakdown in corneal epithelial surface cells, thereby allowing pathogens direct access to the cornea, so they may be directly linked." \nBausch & Lomb, in a report issued May 19, stated it will continue searching for a cause of Fusarium keratitis. Representatives from the corporation could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. \nWith MoistureLoc pulled from store shelves, the threat of its damage remains behind medicine cabinet doors. And until the culprit causing these infections is identified and its inclusion in future solution products permanently banned, Sindt wants only to know one thing: "How long can you beat a dead horse"