Parabens – Part II November 19, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Personal Lubricants, Preservatives, Safety, Science, chemicals, cosmetics.Tags: chemicals, cosmetics, Parabens, Personal Lubricants, Preservatives, Science, shampoo, Skin Care
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Sparing you any pithy comments, here is an article from Cosmeticsdesign.com which can be found here:
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulation-Science/New-data-on-parabens-suggests-no-adverse-hormonal-effect-on-the-body/
New data on parabens suggests no adverse hormonal effect on the body
By Katie Bird, 18-Nov-2009
Related topics: Formulation & Science
The industry awaits the judgement on parabens following the release of further data on skin absorption and the distribution of the chemicals in the body.
Florian Schellauf from industry trade body Colipa presented the findings from a recent study on rats at a conference organised by the Scandinavian Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCANCOS) in Sweden.
The study was performed at the request of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) (formerly the SCCP) for more data on the longer parabens, propyl- and butylparaben, following research that claimed the commonly used preservatives may affect the reproductive and hormonal systems of the body.
According to the study data presented at the SCANCOS conference, in rats, parabens are well absorbed after oral administration but only partially absorbed after dermal exposure.
In addition, the data suggests that the compounds are fully metabolised before they enter the blood stream.
Blood plasma tests highlighted only the presence of a paraben metabolite PHBA (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and no concentrations of the parabens themselves, regardless of which paraben was used and how it was applied (oral, dermal or subcutaneous).
According to Schellauf, PHBA is not known to have any estrogenic effects and is found widely in plants and human food, so trace exposure in the human organism poses no health risk.
“The study confirms the results of a number of research studies, which concluded from their work that parabens are metabolised rapidly and to a large extent in living organisms and therefore cannot exhibit any adverse effects,” said industry trade body Colipa.
The study will be submitted shortly to the SCCS, which will have to come to a decision on whether this new data means the acceptance of methyl-, ethyl, propyl- and butyl-parabens as preservatives in cosmetics products, should remain unaltered.
According to Maria Lodén founder of Sweden-based consulting firm Eviderm and a member of SCANCOS, a decision from the SCCS can’t come soon enough.
Anti-paraben stance
A number of consumer groups, environmental organisations and some industry members have taken an anti-paraben stance which may not be based on respectable scientific evidence, she said.
For example, the Nordic Swan, an environmental label well known in Denmark and Sweden has said products aiming to gain its label cannot contain parabens. Following the release of this new data and the SCCS’s forthcoming opinion, Lodén believes the Swan label should change their criteria and allow the compounds.
“My interpretation of the current data is that, in addition to methyl- and ethylparaben, also propyl- and butylparaben will represent the safest option for preserving cosmetics in the future,” she said.
“The society anxiously await the final SCCS report on the issue to reduce dissemination of misleading information on parabens,” Lodén added.
Me again -
WOW! It looks like scientists may not have been lying to you! Of course I blame the Media…
Eat it? I just want to lick it! October 16, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Couples Sexuality, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, Physiology, Preservatives, Safety, Science, chemicals, cosmetics, sex toys.Tags: chemicals, cosmetics, edible, fellatio, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, men, orgasm, Personal Lubricants, Science, sex, supplements, sweet semen
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Here is a question I hear fairly often, “Hey Dr Tim! Is that edible?”
Quick answer, “Does it have Nutrition or Supplement Facts? If not, no!”
So what about flavored lubricants, gels or lotions? If they have flavors, they must be edible!
Yes, we make these!
No, not really. But here is the thing. Have you ever heard of incidental ingestion? Let me explain, if you have ever used for example, lipstick or lip balm, you have accidentally eaten some of it. If you have ever kissed someone wearing lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss, you have consumed some. Who hasn’t kissed someone and licked their lips afterwards, especially if they are using that yummy new acai berry/pomegranate lip gloss (now with kiwi!)?
Kiss me now!
That is incidental ingestion. With flavored lubes, haven’t you ever pounded it hard and long, then given it a quick kiss of gratitude afterwards? Well, would you rather take away the slight taste of strawberry or the industrial taste of a high-functioning, chemical tasting lube? Thought so. me too. Strawberries are just so much tastier than motor oil.
So why don’t flavored lubes have nutritional facts? You are not supposed to eat them! If we wanted you to put the anal jelly on your toast, we would have that cool box with the information about calories, trans fat, etc, etc on a label sans naked people with a grocery store friendly name. The same goes for lotions, creams and such. Remember Jessica Simpson? Her line of “edible” cosmetic products were actually called “kissable” after the Regulatory Department got through with it.
And what about those throat numbing mints? Well, those don’t have nutritional facts because they are drugs! They need the drug facts box on the label. Yeah, it gets complicated. But if you want to play with the Government, you really do have to play by their rules. (Unless you are a real gambler. But when you get caught, you will wish you hadn’t!)
We make these too!
Supplements meant to be consumed have different rules too! They need supplement facts about daily values and junk. Confused yet?
So lubes aren’t food. Drugs aren’t food. Supplements aren’t food. Only food is food! Follow the directions! If it does not have nutritional/supplement facts available, it is not supposed to be eaten, chugged, or swallowed in big mouthfuls.
And if someone wants you to eat it, ask them to take the first swallow. That’ll separate the wheat from the chaff.
Take Your Time! (It’s not a race to the grave…) October 6, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Anatomy, Couples Sexuality, Dildos, Fashion, Female, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, Physiology, Psychology, cosmetics, sex toys, sexuality.Tags: dildo, emotion, fellatio, Female Sexuality, female stimulation, Male Sexuality, orgasm, Orgone, Personal Lubricants, sex, sex toys
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Practice what you preach.
Being the father of a 17-year-old boy, this phrase echos in my head quite frequently. Today I stopped to think about that and what it means to my career and my life.
I can guess what you are thinking. “Oh great! A maudlin, self-indulgent rant in an attempt to cleanse his soul and make peace with the world since his life is probably well past half-over.”
Close. (Sure enough, Horowitz playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata just came on my iPod.)
Can't you just hear it?
This is a short spiel about longing, need and redemption. I am a big believer in redemption. I believe it down to my bones that we can pull it off. Let’s get back to the point.
Folks talk about what is good for you. What you should eat, how to have sex, how to live your life. But do they ever follow their advice? I knew a sexologist who no longer had sex because they were tired of it. If one does not stay up to date on their chosen field, how can they teach?
Last month I talked about sex toys and fashion. What the heck do I know? Well, plenty. I personally have over two dozen pairs of shoes, more jackets than I can ever wear and a whole dresser full of sex toys and lubricants.
And I take the time to use them. Why promote or sell something that you would never use? My first question when I make something in the lab is, “Would I buy and use this?” If the answer is “No!” then I go back to the bench and work it out. I won’t even accept a “Maybe.” If I won’t use it, how could I expect anyone else to use it?
You may laugh, be shocked, disgusted or wonder exactly what toys I own and use. Really, that’s none of your business. You have to buy and download the clips off the internet like everyone else. But even though I work at one of the largest adult novelty manufacturers in the USA, I don’t use everything they make. Because it is not right for me. And that is the point of this convoluted missive.
Have you ever done anything willingly or been talked into doing something of a sexual nature that left you feeling dirty, despairing and crying? I hope not. That is not a very good place to be emotionally. If you did it to please someone else, that was probably not a good idea. Despite the backlash I may get from a few communities, no one really wants to feel used and unloved. Nobody. And that is not a healthy outlet for your sexuality.
Lie down and tell me all about it...
My parents, always told me to wait to have sex as long as possible. Do you think I listened? Not a chance. As a wise woman told me once, “I get in where I fit in!” And guess what? I had many Walk of Shame moments. Some of which are forever recorded and out of my control. That’s life.
So what did I do? I took the time to learn about my own particular sexuality. I used many types of toys and implements of mass destruction. And I learned what works for me. Who works for me. What styles work for me. I learned my personal rhythm.
Did I need the toys? Sure! But to (badly) paraphrase Carlos Castaneda, not every pupil needs the same stimulants. Do you need sex toys? I hope so! I get paid that way!
So when you talk to your children or nieces/nephews or whomever and tell them that sex is a wonderful, sacred thing. Are you speaking from experience or just talking out of your ass?
Take some time to experience truly good sex. Either by yourself or with someone. Experiment, find out what makes you tick. Find your personal rhythm. Tap into the Orgone energy of the universe. (We will discuss Orgone energy and Wilhelm Reich later.)
Orgone Box
Enrich your life and soul with uber-satisfying orgasms and feel the love of the universe. (Oh yeah, use my products too!) Either every day is sacred or none of them are.
Be good to yourself. Practice what you preach.
I’ve got a good feeling about this…
Fashion Week!!! (Looking Good, Feeling Better) September 11, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Couples Sexuality, Dildos, Fashion, Female, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, sex toys, sexuality.Tags: cosmetics, dildo, fashion week, Female Sexuality, female stimulation, lubricants, orgasms, sex toys, vibrator, women
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It is Fashion Week in New York! What a wonderful time of year. Brisker temperatures, changing colors and hundreds if not thousands of Fashionistas invade the Big Apple! All the major designers, all the major models all in one place making a difference in the way we look and dress. It is truly inspiring. Their influence is undeniable.
You may ask yourself, “Dr. Tim! Why are you so interested in Fashion Week? Isn’t your area of expertise a bit more private? (S-E-X?)”
Sure it is! But what makes you think that fashion and sex are not connected? After all, isn’t everything you do, done by design to get laid? Don’t lie to me. How many of us would bathe, shave, style our hair or dress in the latest fashion if we were not concerned with attracting a potential mate? We are all connected. Fashion, cosmetics, sex toys and lubricants. (Did I mention the big Health and Beauty Aids show going on in NYC during Fashion Week? It makes me giddy!)
Humans are wired to procreate. And being human, we do it in all sorts of delightful and delicious ways. Peacocks may show off brilliant feathers, crickets sing songs, and people, well people dress up and strut on the runway. And how about some of those fetish outfits for making a statement? Leather and latex are amazing materials. If only I could get a bag and shoes to match!
All that brings me to sex toys. Yep. Sex toys. After all, there are only so many basic shapes that can practically be inserted or rubbed on yourself. So why do companies bring new ones out each year?
Dildos are like shoes. Why would you need more than one pair? All the Ladies should be laughing at me for saying that. You need many pairs of shoes! Work shoes, play shoes, party shoes, shoes for running, shoes for walking, shoes to impress, knock me down and fuck me pumps, and the list goes on and on. (Technically I do not believe that there is an end to the list. At least no woman I know has ever owned enough pairs of shoes…)
Guys, you aren’t much different. Gym shoes, office shoes, basketball shoes, golf shoes, take out the trash shoes, etc.
How about that new commercial for the deodorant? “I use all the different scents because I’m a man.” You don’t always want strawberry-flavored lube either! Sometimes you don’t want any flavor, or you need lime, black currant, water-based, silicone – whatever gets you through the night. You need options! The toys and lubes need to fit your mood and situation.
Sex toys, you need one for private action, one to share, one for vaginal, one for anal, one for oral, one for fun, one for punishment, small ones, big ones, enormous ones, vibrating ones, pulsing ones, still ones, electric ones, machine-driven ones, suction cup ones, black, white, mocha, glowing green, gold flakes. Come on people! Open up, expand your horizons! This is more than simple fun. It is fun with style! And no matter what your kink or preference, we have something to help you maximize your orgasm. Dare to desire! (TM pending)
I’ve read where folks have bought solid gold sex toys, some with diamonds. Those are great items if you can afford it! Just like the latest purse. Why let the designers and models have all the fun? I read the color forecasts put out each year to help determine what we need to make for next year. What woman wouldn’t like to be able to color-coordinate her boudoir accessories? Getting turned on in a nice purple/black peignoir with matching mules and then reach for a fluorescent orange dildo? I think not! Or having a steamy, dirty, greasy encounter with ropes in an alley and you pull out a “Hello Kitty” vibe? (Well, maybe that one could work…)
It is fall. Fashion Week is about to go into full swing. You should too.
Who’s Got Them? (Besides me…) July 31, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Personal Lubricants, Physiology, Preservatives, Psychology, Regulatory, Safety, Science, chemicals, cosmetics.Tags: adult toy industry, business ethics, claim substantiation, FDA, prove it, sex industry
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“If all of your friends jump off a bridge would you jump too?”
Sound familiar? And not just from your Mother either. I bet you hear that from your Regulatory Departments at least once a week. And just like Mom, you sometimes ignore the advice and end up paying for it later. And those particular lessons can be very costly indeed.
Ethics. Some folks, particularly those in government, think our industry does not have them. Well, we do, but like another thing Mom told us, “One rotten apple can spoil the barrel.”
And so it goes for all of us. All it takes is for one dishonest manufacturer to bring the FDA, FCC, and many other organizations down upon us. And what could trigger such devestation? Unsubstantiated claims for one.
Have you ever read the copy on a jar, a pamphlet or package and think, “Wow! This is amazing! Not only will it give me earth-shattering orgasms, but it will cure my STD’s too!” If you did, there is a problem. Anything that cures a condition is a drug. Drugs require lots of safety testing, proof of efficacy, a special license and a boat-load of money.
I can pretty much guarantee that no adult novelty company is filing any New Drug Applications.
“But wait Dr. Tim!” you may say, “You make OTC Drugs!” Yes we do, but there is a monograph that must be followed, specific language that must be used and other certain limitations which must be followed.
There is a big difference between “Delays the onset of premature ejaculation” and “Last ten times longer!” Guess which one is correct.
Basically, if you claim it, you have to be able to prove it. Phthalate-free is popular these days, but you need proof from your manufacturer that the product is indeed Phthalate-free. It does no good to say it just because you believe it and then Greenpeace or someone tests it and calls you a liar in the media. Unless you are a movie star or rock star, bad press is not good press. And if you make drug claims, you better be able to back them up and have yourself and your product registered at the FDA.
Yes, it does take time and it does cost money to do everything correctly. But if you do, when the sweep comes, you may just be the last man standing. Right next to me.
Ethics. Got ‘em?
Tricky, tricky, tricky (or The Economy and You) July 17, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Couples Sexuality, Dildos, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, Plastics, Psychology, Science, cosmetics, sex toys, sexuality.Tags: Couples sex talk, dildo, fellatio, female sex organs, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, orgasm, sex, sex toys, sexuality, vibrator
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So, how’s it going these days?
A little rough? Yeah, here too. I mean the economy, the environment, politics, well everything is getting complicated.
For example: To save the Earth, stop using plastic bags! Makes sense. Plastic takes a long time to break-down and quite frankly the landfills are stuffed with plastic bags and bottles. But guess what? I put “Plastic bag manufacturer” + “plant closure” into a search engine and discovered that globally over 30,000 people have lost their jobs due to factories that make those plastic bags have had to close! Decreased demand equals decreased supply equals decreased employment.
The economy is tanking, people are losing their jobs and you would rather save the planet? Like I said, tricky.
And that brings me to sex toys.
How? Easy. When my mind gets frantic with political correctness, war, trauma, the economy, etc, nothing clears the mind better (in less time than time than meditation) than a good orgasm. A good orgasm clears the mind, relieves the stress and generally brightens the day. Now when it comes to orgasming, I’m a pretty handy guy. 
But sometimes you need more to really make it memorable. Whether you are with your significant other, a friendly group or flying solo, toys and lubes can help. And while there are many, many excellent products on the market, you should buy everything that my company makes. (Remember the bit about decreased demand? Daddy needs to get paid!) There are all types of strokers, dildos, butt plugs, vibrators, cock rings, pumps, lubes, creams and stuff for every taste and every flavor. If you aren’t sure what to buy, ask me! I can help.
“But Dr Tim!” you say, “Everything seems so expensive!” Well, yes. Good sex toys can be pricey, but look at it this way: You could buy a sex swing, a good vibrator and some lube or go on vacation. A vacation is over in a week, but those sex toys are something you will have for a long, long time. (Apologies to Woody Allen.)
So leave your inhibitions at the door, grab your favorite partner or toy, put Skinimax on the flat screen and get it on! Remember porn stars only have you in mind! And do what they do just for you and at some level of personal risk as well. God bless them one and all!
Slide it, slip it, clamp it or tie it. Whatever gets you there. I don’t judge, but studies have shown that folks with frequent sexual activity tend to be more even-tempered, calm, cool and collected. You are cool aren’t you? Some say that everyone should have at least three orgasms a week.
So I’m doing my bit. How about you?
Secrets (Shhh!) July 10, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Couples Sexuality, Dildos, Female, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, Strap-ons, cosmetics, sex toys, sexuality.add a comment
Be vewy, vewy quiet. I’m hunting celebrities!
And don’t tell anybody either! It’s a secret!
What kind of secret? Well, it is a shameless plug of a secret! Our Director of PR/Marketing used her skill of persuasion most elegantly when she sweetly whispered to me, “Promote our summer secret promotion or I will have your goodies on the anvil. And you know I can do it too!”
Here it is: http://topsecretroom.topcosales.us/
Check it out. Have some fun. Watch a video, look at pictures, see a photo of Lindsey Lohan. Keep me out of the blacksmith’s shed! (Although the leather is intriguing…)
FDA Approved???? May 22, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Personal Lubricants, Regulatory, Safety, Science, chemicals, cosmetics, sex toys.Tags: Approval, FDA, personal lubricant, Regulations
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I hear things.
And some of them can really be exasperating. How many times has someone told you that they are an FDA approved lab or that all of their products are FDA approved? Probably quite a few. And probably a lie. Maybe not intentional, sometimes non-technical people misinterpret the meaning of certain things.
Let’s set this issue to rest. Brought to you directly from the FDA website (www.fda.gov) is the following list:
The FDA does NOT approve: Companies, compound drugs from pharmacies, cosmetics, medical foods, infant formula, dietary supplements, food labels including Nutrition Facts, structure-function claims on dietary supplements and other foods.
The FDA does approve: New drugs and biologics, medical devices (risk-based tier system we’ll discuss further down), additives in food for people, drugs and additives in food for animals, color additives used in FDA-regulated products.
That’s it! There is no FDA-approved cosmetic. We are not an FDA-approved laboratory or manufacturer. We are an FDA registered facility. That means that the FDA knows where we are, knows what we are manufacturing and can drop in to inspect us at any time. (We are also registered with the State of California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch. They inspect us too!)
Time to take a look at a couple of the items mentioned above:
1) Medical devices – OK, you may wonder how this category affects you. But it is very relevant. Condoms, personal lubricants, cock rings, clitoral engorgement items are all medical devices! Cock rings are in the lowest risk category and the FDA allows their sale without pre-market approval providing that they have the same use and are of the same technology of what is already on the market. They also need the appropriate instructions and warnings in the language provided by the FDA.
Personal lubricants and condoms are Class II medical devices. They can be cleared for marketing based on an FDA determination that they are substantially equivalent to an already marketed device of the same type. This requires a lot of testing and expense by the manufacturing company. And upon that determination, the product is granted a 510(k) number. In case you were going to ask, if your new product does not strongly resemble one already on the market, you have to complete a NDA (New Drug Application.)
High risk medical devices like a mechanical heart valve require FDA approval after what can be years of testing and review.
2) Color additives for FDA regulated products. Those would be all Foods, drugs and cosmetics. The US works on a positive list. If the colorant is listed for your particular application, you can use it. If it is not on the list, no way.
3) Dietary supplements. If someone offers you a vitamin pill, energy shot, “enhancement” pill and claims they are FDA approved, run away! The FDA requires the following statement: “This product has not been reviewed by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” And if it did, that dietary supplement would be a prescription drug.
So what have we learned today? The FDA does not approve companies or bunches of products. Since they don’t approve them, do we have to follow their rules? You betcha! Our products are regulated, but not necessarily approved. There are many things that I haven’t touched on here. Ask me!
Ask questions! Question authority!
Good Taste! (Really, lose the bleach!) April 24, 2009
Posted by Tim Crawford in Anatomy, Couples Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Physiology, Psychology, Science, chemicals, sexuality.Tags: ejaculate, fellatio, oral sex, semen, semenex, sweet semen
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To paraphrase a famous commercial: She wants a man that tastes good!
Down to business. If you were to ask a variety of women why they spit or dodge, they will reply, “His stuff tastes nasty!” So how do we avoid this problem?
Well, if she is regularly providing oral relief, quit complaining! But the point is to make the experience pleasurable for her so that she will enjoy it. Let’s find out what you have been up to lately.
Your diet: If you are subsisting on Mega-burgers, onion rings and soft drinks, you have a problem. Junk food equals bad tasting junk. Have a salad once in a while! Eat some fruit and vegetables. Choose leaner cuts of meat, chicken or fish. Drink some water. You see all of the materials, chemicals, that you consume have an effect on how you look, how you taste and how you smell. Sodas are very acidic. They make you acidic. Fried fatty meats give you a distinctive smell as opposed to vegetarians.
Your exercise routine: Yes, no pain – no gain. Working out regularly flushes the toxins out of your body via sweat and your excretory glands. If you are a couch potato, all those wonderful bad things are pooling inside of you, turning to fat. Yes, fat guys can get laid. Fairly often too! But they really have to work at it. They need to be damn charming and eloquent. Climb every mountain indeed. However, obesity can lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke to name a few. And those medications are not always erection-friendly. Get off your ass and take a walk or something.
But if you eat right and exercise daily, you can make your life much easier. Not only will you be healthier, more alert and ready for action, you will taste better too! Have you ever heard the term “clean sweat?” It exists. That is the light sweat coming from a healthy man or woman who just participated in some light to medium impact exercise, like a sexual encounter. Mmmmm, think of your favorite Lady with a light sheen of sweat covering Her body as you un-make the bed. Nice? You bet! You don’t mind lying next to Her after that, do you? She’s happy too.
Even then, genetics may have dealt you a bad hand and your semen still has that ammonia flavor to it. You need to lose the bleach! How can you do that? Well, there is a lot of folklore on that question. Most popular is to drink lots of pineapple juice for a couple days before sex. That works for some. Others say to eat spices like cinnamon to take the bitter edge off the taste. But can you maintain that particular regime every day? It is hard enough to eat right in this day and age, but to maintain yummy sperm too? Brutal.
Too much to eat every day!
There are some supplements that claim to help make your semen sweeter and help make her taste sweeter as well. (Yes, the same conditions apply to the ladies.) We have all visited the Bakery from time to time…
The best supplement I have found is Semenex. Yes my company manufactures and sells it, but I tested many of the commercially available products and after tweaking the patented formula a tiny bit found it to be very effective. It is a combination of fruits and spices that goes down smooth when mixed in water or shakes. And if your diet is at least quasi-healthy, one dose a day for a couple days really makes a difference. While no true, scientific clinical studies have been done to verify the claim, there are many, many testimonials from happy couples to groups who did taste comparison testing. (Now there is an interesting thought!)
Mmm... Tasty...
In the end, you have to be a healthy individual. Clean up your act and your Lady should be more than willing to provide some good loving. Supplements do help, so don’t be afraid to try some and improve your game.
Oh yes, never forget to return the favor. She deserves it!
Premature Ejaculation (What, too soon?) December 22, 2008
Posted by Tim Crawford in Anatomy, Couples Sexuality, Female Sexuality, Male Sexuality, Personal Lubricants, Physiology, Psychology, Science, chemicals, cosmetics, sex toys, sexuality.Tags: Couples sex talk, Ejaculation, Hair Trigger, Men's Sexuality, Premature Ejaculation, The Penis
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I’ll try to keep this short.
Folks, have you ever been in a sexual situation where the game was over before the coin toss decided? Then you may have had an experience with premature ejaculation. What does that really mean?
Premature ejaculation is when a man has an orgasm sooner than he or his partner would like. If it just happens once in a while, that is fairly normal and reciting baseball scores or thinking of Aunt Martha’s arm fat may slow you down just enough. However, if it a regular occurance, you may want to look into the issue.
Folks used to think that premature ejaculation was purely a psychological problem, but modern medicine has determined that there are physical causes as well. Let’s take a quick look at it. First, there is no medical standard as to how long a man should last before orgasm. The largest indicator is that orgasming too soon causes distress or concern between partners. But remember, there doesn’t have to be a partner. You can also experience premature ejaculation during masturbation. The question is, “Does it bother you?”
There are many possible causes. Psychologically, perhaps you have established a mental pattern which could include having to rush to orgasm to avoid being caught or feelings of guilt over sex. Yes, you can train your body to respond through repeated actions or thoughts. So please, be nice to yourselves.
Biologically, it could be caused by abnormal hormone levels, abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system, thyroid, inflammation or infection of the prostate or urethra or unspecified inherited traits. So it could be a combination of problems, or a single source. Current thought leans towards a single source if this has been a lifelong problem. Of course this can all be complicated by impotence (we’ll talk about this later), stress, medication or health problems.
When should you seek help? If you are unhappy, talk to your doctor! I cannot stress enough that your doctor has heard it all before and can help. Don’t fear the MD! Are there some things you can try before going to the doctor? Sure!
Try the Squeeze Technique. Begin sexual contact as normal. If it feels like you are going to ejaculate, have your partner squeeze your penis right where the head meets the shaft until the feeling goes away. It should only be several seconds. Then continue. Don’t worry if you go a little soft. Simba will be up for the challenge as soon as sexual activity resumes. Repeat as necessary, soon you may be able to control the feelings without squeezing.
Squeeze 101
Or…
You could masturbate an hour or two before sex. The second orgasm almost always take longer to reach. (Which reminds me of a joke: A man picks up a sex worker for a paid encounter. After she disrobes she sees him in the corner masturbating furiously. She asks him why and he replies, “For $100 you’re not getting the easy one!”) Or as a couple, you can decide not to have intercourse every time and focus on other sexual activities which may relieve some of the performance anxiety. It may also help you feel more comfortable in your sexuality as well.
My friend Karinna Kittles-Karsten (www.sacredlove.com) is a strong believer in Sexual Toning. She is brilliant. Check out her website, you’ll thank me for it someday. But don’t forget to thank her too. Here is how she describes Sexual Toning: Note: if you have a urinary tract infection, consult a physician before attempting. 1. Come into a squat position with your heels turned in slightly. Elbows between your knees, bring hands into a prayer position. 2. Inhale and contract the small muscular area between your anus and genitals. 3. Exhale and relax the muscles. Repeat nine times to start. When you become comfortable, work up to 3-4 sets a day.
Work those PC Muscles!
You can also work this area sitting at your desk.
Then we have topical medications. There is a category of Over the Counter Drugs (OTC) called Male Genital Desensitizers. These can be creams, gels or sprays usually containing benzocaine or lidocaine. These are sprayed/massaged on the head of the penis, under the head in particular. After a few moments, there will be a mild numbing effect. This will theoretically delay the physical sensations that lead to premature ejaculation. Be sure to use it five minutes or so before engaging in intercourse. After all, we just want to slow ourselves down, not numb our partner, right? These products can be found in drugstores, on-line and in high class adult emporiums. Male Genital Desensitizers are recognised drugs that are regulated by the FDA. Only FDA registered OTC manufacturers can produce them. Your penis is serious business and believe it or not, the US Government wants to protect it!
This is a drug folks!
(Say, Topco Sales and Basic Solutions are FDA registered OTC manufacturers! What a lucky coincidence.)
So, if you suffer from premature ejaculation, you do not have to suffer alone. Talk to your partner, talk to your doctor, get yourself in better physical shape, increase your sexual repertoire, use a topical product for those precious extra minutes. You are a stallion. Never forget that.
