Clooney: New Underwear Designer?

Hollywood star George Clooney said he was concerned about the new scanners in some airports that reveal the “private parts”.

For that reason, the protagonist of Ocean’s Eleven intends to create a new and exclusive line of underwear to hide the genitals.

“The truth is that I’m quite concerned. I have nothing to hide, but it is true that I wouldn’t like that someone would take advantage of that,” said the actor, who is convinced that his idea might be a success for his fellow artists, who are willing to safeguard their image.

“I think we could reach a fairly large market selling underwear to protect us from all that exposure,” said Clooney.

I wonder what kind of underwear and material he was thinking of. Something along the lines of a chastity belt?

Device may Boost IVF Success

Scientists from University of Michigan have developed a novel device that could one day lead to significantly higher IVF success rates in humans.

They built a device that imitates the motion that embryos experience in the body as they make their way down a mammal's oviduct (a woman's Fallopian tube) to the uterus.

Ethan Hawke's Vampire Love

Ethan Hawke thinks there is something "weirdly sexual" about vampires.

The 'Daybreakers' star said he was so taken with how beautiful a vampire character was in one film he saw as a child, he can see how young people find them compelling today.

He said: "I know why I like vampires, it's the same reason 11-year-olds like vampires. "I remember I spent the night over at a friend's house when I was about eleven years old and 'Nosferatu' came on, with Isabelle Adjani."

"She was so beautiful. "Other vampire movies have captured that completely too, like 'Twilight' and 'Interview With The Vampire' tried to. It's this sensuality, and something weirdly sexual about vampires."

Ethan, 39, also said he realised a long-held dream in his latest film 'Daybreakers' by not only playing a vampire, but also getting to wear fangs - even when not on set.

He added: "The worst thing was that I loved my fangs. Because they were fitted on to my teeth, and they were really cool to put them on for parties."

What is erotic for us might stem from something early such as an image we saw in our childhood. Fangs works for Ethan Hawke. What works for someone can be very different for another. There shouldn't be judgment about the different things that make people tick. I am sure we all do one or two things that others might find unusual. And it is perfectly ok.

Human "bed-warmers" for Hire

International hotel chain Holiday Inn is offering a trial human bed-warming service at three hotels in Britain this month.

If requested, a willing staff-member at two of the chain's London hotels and one in the northern English city of Manchester will dress in an all-in-one fleece sleeper suit before slipping between the sheets.

Next thing you know... you get a goodnight kiss too!

Billie Piper's 'Vulgar' Feet

The actress, Billie Piper, who plays a high class London prostitute in UK TV drama 'Secret Diary Of A Call Girl', refuses to let her toes be filmed for the programme, because she finds them "vulgar". She uses a foot double.

She said: "I hate my feet. They're my least favourite thing in the world. They're really crammed into my adorable shoes. They're so vulgar, and looking at them now makes me want to cry!"

The 27-year-old star admitted filming raunchy scenes for the show can be difficult and she has to be direct with the bit-part actors to help them overcome their nerves.

She explained: "It becomes very intense and nerve-racking, especially for the actors playing the clients who come in just for one day.

I have watched bits of the show and she is just gorgeous. Body image issues affect all of us. How do you have healthy conversations about yours if at all?

Thai Schoolgirl Pregnancies at an Alltime High

The number of Thai pregnant schoolgirls and university students sharply rose to about 10,000 last year. In the past, the number had never risen beyond 5,000 in a year.

"We have to prevent such cases otherwise more social problems will arise," Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai said yesterday. He was speaking at a conference on the enforcement of the Dormitory Act.

Issara said the new law might be drafted to prescribe harsher punishments against offending dormitory operators. "Student dormitories must not allow boys and girls to share a room. Also, they must not sell alcoholic drinks," he said.

Yes that's right. We don't need to be talking about safer sex because as long as we keep them separate and don't serve them drinks - they will grow up wholesome, mature, sexually healthy, perfect beings. Keep boys and girls separate. Better yet, keep them under lock and key. I know that's what I would probably want to be doing if I had a daughter - but I know it is not realistic.

If this simplistic message is reflective of the way most politicians think, it is no wonder there is little or no talk of sexuality education in schools. Just when will governments sit up and start having real conversations about sexuality education?

Media: Asking for What You Want in Bed

I contributed an article 'Asking for What You Want in Bed' towards in the December issue of Today's Motherhood, an online e-zine.

My piece on Sexual Communication for Today's Motherhood, an e-zine.

Carnal Nation: 18 - 24 Jan 2010

My posts with Carnal Nation, a website that provides comprehensive current, consistent, and uncensored content that embrace and honor human sexuality this week.

• 01/19/2010 - 8:57am
Singapore: The Bigger Your Boobs, The More Free Booze You Get

• 01/19/2010 - 8:14am
Outrage Over Air New Zealand's 'Cougar' Advert (Video)

• 01/18/2010 - 4:36pm
Blondes Likely to “War” Over Issues

• 01/18/2010 - 7:57am
Need Sex and Stress Relief? Find God

• 01/17/2010 - 3:43pm
Men: Smell Ovulating Women for Hormone Surge

• 01/17/2010 - 3:30pm
Singapore: Dethroned Beauty Queen Turns Condom Ambassador

• 01/17/2010 - 8:11am
Mr Gay China Cancelled: Failure to Follow Procedure?

• 01/17/2010 - 8:00am
Meet Jessica Rabbit in the Flesh

You can subscribe to my posts on Carnal Nation here.

Ugly Betty Star: 'I'm Not Gay Or Straight'

Ugly Betty star Michael Urie has opened up about his sexuality, insisting he's never felt comfortable labelling himself "gay" because he's enjoyed relationships with women in the past.

The actor, who plays fashion assistant Marc on the hit sitcom, is currently in a long-term relationship with a man but he refuses to categorise his sexual orientation.

He tells 'The Advocate' magazine, "I've never said I was straight, and I'm not saying I'm gay now. I never lie, and I've never shied away from the topic... I am not a hypocrite -- certainly not now. I've been in a relationship for a while now, and if you just met the two of us together we'd be 'gay'. But that somehow means anything that happened before (we met) didn't count -- and I don't feel that way.”

So is Urie a heterosexual who turned homosexual? Or has he always been homosexual but didn't realise? Perhaps bisexual even? Or maybe Urie is confused, undecided or still in the process of deciding?

You know what? It doesn't matter. And it shouldn't matter to anybody BUT Urie. It's his life, his choice and his decision to make.

We label people and things because it helps us make sense of the world we live in. It brings an order to the chaos and uncertainty of life. Again and again, I am learning that the world is not always straight forward or black and white. We are all different, unique, special. One's sexual identity, gender orientation and sexual preferences are not always clear and it should be determined by oneself -- not others.

Rather than be hung up on labels, look for the beauty inside each person. You might not always agree and do not even need to understand how one person can be so different from another. Just appreciate the person for who he or she is.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
– William Shakespeare

Media: On Facebook Bra Color Campaign

This is my first piece for The Online Citizen.

It is a personal commentary on how I felt the Facebook Bra Color campaign hurt more than help.

And of course you can read for yourself how one reader claimed I was the one who didn't get the plot.

Me and my big Wedding

In India, there is a trend that has seen many Indian families scale down their celebrations over the past 12 months.

India’s wedding seasons from mid-October to January and April to July bring with them street drummers and musicians, processions and open-air ceremonies where the statement often seems to be: the bigger and louder the better.

The industry is estimated to be worth 1.25 trillion rupees (27 billion dollars) a year. One leading wedding website Shaadi.com put the average cost of a high-end marriage at 44,000 dollars.

But wedding planners say that as the effect of the worldwide recession hits exports, imports and the service industry, India’s wealthier urban upper classes are cutting back on costs.

A traditional Asian wedding is lengthy and elaborate, starting with a trip to the astrologer or family priest who chooses the auspicious day and time of the ceremony considering phases of the moon.

Rings are exchanged at the engagement, followed by the “mehndi” ceremony, where the bride’s arms and legs are intricately painted with brown henna dye to ward off evil and strengthen love. The next day sees an elaborate “sangeet” – a musical, dance or even Bollywood-style extravaganza.

The wedding itself usually comes 24 hours later, followed by cocktails and a lavish evening meal. Moroccan- or Turkish-style weddings – with billowing tents, vast pavilions, hookah smoking pipes and finely-upholstered, low-slung divans – have proved popular with expat Indians who travel home to tie the knot.

India’s salaried urban middle classes are also learning to streamline costs, amid concern for their jobs.

Is having a grand wedding important to you? Do weddings really symbolise a good start to a new life? Are weddings really happy memories that last a lifetime? Or for the lady, a reality of what she has been waiting and planning for since she was three?

C-section Epidemic in China

Nearly one in two births in China are delivered by cesarean section, of which a quarter are not medically necessary, the latest survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found.

Unnecessary C-sections jeopardize women's health by raising the risk of complications, the WHO warned. And, babies born through C-section are more likely to develop respiratory problems.

The rate of C-section has grown almost 10 times from the 1970s to reach 46 percent today, far above the 15 percent rate thought reasonable by the WHO, experts explained.

C-section is not always better. Women who deliver naturally heal faster with less side effects. Women have been doing it for millions of years. Natural delivery is definitely an option to be discussed and considered.

Media: 'Sex Crimes' Couples Commit

The January issue of Simply Her quoted me in the story 'Are there sex "crimes" you are guilty of?' by Justina Tan.

Most married couples will experience highs and lows in their sex lives, but they could be making things worse by committing these six sex "crimes". Find out what they are and arrest them!

Sex Crime #1: You are all too familiar bedfellows with the Desperate Housewives

Sex Crime #2: Your little ones bunk in every night

Sex Crime #3: You fake the big O

Sex Crime #4: You use sex as a trump card

Sex Crime #5: You’ve turned your bedroom into a second office

SEX CRIME #6: You share every moment with him, even toilet visits

Depending on the couple concerned, the stated 'sex crime' may not be so bad for them. The above are just food for thought.

US Women Shackled During Childbirth

Across the USA, women prisoners have been chained while giving birth to prevent them from escaping, but some states are abandoning the practice in all but exceptional circumstances.

One woman who later had her charges dropped said during delivery, her arms were crossed and her wrists were chained with a lock box. Her ankles were shackled together with leg-irons. Only when she had an emergency caesarean section did the chains come off. They were replaced immediately after the operation, to prevent her from escaping. The leg-irons closed in on her ankles, cutting into her flesh until she was bleeding.

This is disturbing. Sure the prison guards don't want to risk losing their jobs but where is the humanity in all this?

Media: Honeymoon Sex

I contributed a piece on 'Honeymoon Sex: How to Talk about, Prepare for, and Pack for Your Honeymoon' for Extraordinary Weddings.

Extraordinary Weddings is a leading wedding portal in Singapore. It has great resources for couples planning to get married.

Read it here.

Online Brothels in Singapore

Prostitutes have largely retreated from the Geylang streets with daily anti-vice sweeps, but they are appearing elsewhere - on the Internet.

There are about 20 to 30 online brothels serving the Singapore 'market', featuring photos and information of a few hundred call girls.

And prostitutes eager to get customers through online brothels need to simply provide a photo of themselves and a $50 fee.

In a report by Chinese evening daily, Lianhe Wanbao, the call girls hail from quite a few countries, including China, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and even Russia and India.

Media: Featured Sex Educator in Good Vibrations Magazine

Good Vibrations is a fantastic shop which is bright, happy and friendly sex shop initially started by women for women. It is USA's first and premier provider of sex education and sex postive products. Good Vibrations is a San Francisco-based multi channel retailer that women and couples have trusted for over three decades to provide a comfortable, safe environment for finding sex-positive products and educational materials to enhance their sex life.

I have been to their store many times through the course of my studies and absolutely love it. The Good Vibrations Online Magazine is a project of Good Vibrations. I am very pleased to be featured in their Sex Educator Profile.

Click to read.

Carnal Nation: 11 - 17 Jan 2010

My posts with Carnal Nation, a website that provides comprehensive current, consistent, and uncensored content that embrace and honor human sexuality this week.

• 01/13/2010 - 2:43pm
Odds of Finding a Girlfriend? Use Math

• 01/13/2010 - 2:30pm
China's 'First' Gay Marriage

• 01/13/2010 - 3:03am
Magazine: No More Calling Us 'Female Genitalia'

• 01/13/2010 - 2:42am
Would You Hold 900 Weekly Protests? Ex-'Comfort Women' Would

• 01/11/2010 - 7:17pm
2020: 24M Brides Wanted in China

• 01/10/2010 - 9:47pm
India Opens First LGBT Pride Shop

• 01/10/2010 - 11:32am
Sex Thoughts: 5,000 Times a Year for Males

• 01/10/2010 - 11:27am
Sex Twice a Week Reduces Heart Attack by Half

You can subscribe to my posts on Carnal Nation here.

Medifund Extended for HIV Treatment From February

Medifund will be extended to Singaporeans who require HIV treatment from next month onwards.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it will pump in another S$8.5 million to the fund to help the needy. From April 2008 to March 2009, MOH had distributed S$73.7 million in Medifund grants to institutions - including some S$59 million that was channelled to needy patients.

Needy Singaporeans have been using Medifund for treatments like nursing home care and kidney transplants, and from next month they can use it to pay for HIV treatment. MOH's decision follows feedback from voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and doctors treating HIV patients.

In a statement, Action for AIDS president Roy Chan said the move is "a long time coming". He added: "Medifund will benefit individuals who are in the lowest income bracket and those who are unemployed."

In the first ten months of 2009, there were 378 new HIV cases reported among Singapore residents. For the whole of 2008, there were 456 HIV cases.

Koala Sex Overshadows Andy Roddick

Tennis ace Andy Roddick may have been talking about his latest match, but he couldn't put these frisky koalas off their game.

The randy creatures couldn't keep their paws off each other as Roddick chatted at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia.

Read more.

STIs Rising in Singapore

STIs stands for sexually transmitted infections, not the Straits Times Index in this case.

STIs, other than HIV, are on the rise in Singapore, with a 10.6% increase in recent three years. Singapore citizens accounted for about 62% of the number of infections.

This was a written answer from the Minister of Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, in response to a question posed by MP for Sembawang GRC, Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, as to how many cases of sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV (such as genital warts, herpes, venereal disease, gonorrhea etc) were seen in the clinics, public and private hospitals in past years.

The number of STIs increased from about 11,000 in 2006 to 12,300 in 2008. The three main STIs are gonorrhoea, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and syphilis.

Those aged between 10 and 39 years accounted for the largest increases in STI notification rates. For those in their 20s and 30s, the rate per 100,000 population has increased by 67%, from 270 in 2000 to 451 in 2008.

But for those below 20, the rate is especially alarming, having more than doubled from 61 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 133 in 2008.

Seriously... what is so surprising? I am not even going to get started here. No. I am not.

Terms of Endearment

How do you address your spouse? Or, for those dating, how do you address your romantic interest? How soon into a relationship do you start giving each other pet names or nicknames?

An ex-boyfriend used to call me 'Sexy'. It used to turn me all warm inside. I thought this was our special word and that he truly thought me sexy. It was only recently that I came across, by chance on Facebook, the fact that he uses this term with any and every woman he knows.

Besides 'Dear' or graduating when you feel emotionally closer to each other to 'Dearest' and 'Darling', what else do you use? How about 'Sweetheart'? ‘Honey’? ‘Baby’? ‘Love’?

It goes without saying that what term you use and when you use it does reflect on how you are feeling towards your lover at that time.

I had a tiff with my dearest the other day over something through no fault of his. He asked if I still loved him. I retorted, "Yes, but I am angry right now."

I didn't use any of cute or creative pet names we had brainstormed previously. They are adorable too. Next time, I am going to try it. I'd yell out 'Dearest' if I need to -- to remind him of my love which doesn't change even if I am angry.

New Sex Goals

The above title assumes you 'had' sex goals, and that they are 'new'.

What I am asking here is this: did you set any goals for yourself in terms of sex and sexuality for 2010? If not; why not? What’s stopping you?

For that matter: Did you set any New Year’s intentions for yourself?

It's the fifteenth of January today. Half of the first month of 2010 is already over. That's right -- O-V-E-R.

Don't wait. The moment is now. It's as simple as taking out a piece of paper and pen, and jotting down, in some short sentences, your honest answers to the following:

1. What do I want for myself in 2010?
• Professionally?
• Personally – Physically, Emotionally, Sexually, Spiritually?
2. Now quantify it – how much, how many, how often, what percentage?
3. In what time period?
4. How can you accomplish what you like to do?
5. What else can you think of?
6. How would your goal change if money was not an issue?
7. What would you do differently if time was not an issue?
8. Of the options listed, what is the one thing you can start doing most immediately?
9. How much do you think you want this thing?
10. Are you going to do it?

Good luck! Make the most of the rest of your 2010. You deserve to have the best quality of life possible. The first step is clarifying what it is YOU want!

Media: Helping Sex Addicts

This is the link to my article titled 'Helping Sex Addicts' published by Mind Your Body', a Straits Times supplement on last Thursday 7 January 2010.

Forgive and Forget

Forgive and forget. Let bygones be bygones. Turn the cheek. To err is human.

We hear these phrases often. Our culture teaches us to not only 'forgive and forget', but also to 'turn the other cheek'.

Maybe we have done this so often and so much that we no longer know what we feel and how to feel in any given situation where we are wronged.

For people who have been wronged, abused or traumatized, forgiving isn’t necessarily the answer.

It is easier said than done to begin to:
• Stay with your emotions
• Speak your truth
• Seek recourse
• Get closure
• Be a person of integrity and honesty for YOU at all times.

I say:
• Let it out: Scream, yell, cry
• Express: Write, draw, talk.
• Seek help: You don't have to do this alone.

Don't be quite so quick to forget! After you have processed your emotions you are in a better place to decide exactly what it is you want to do and what is right for you. Nobody should be telling you how to best lead your life.

As a clinical sexologist, I work with men and women who have been wronged, abused or traumatized sexually and emotionally. Email info@eroscoaching.com or call 6100-0851 to talk.

Workshop: Sexual Attitude Restructuring

SAR is a process-oriented, structured group experience to promote participants' awareness of their values, beliefs and attitudes on various issues in sexuality and to assist them in understanding how these attitudes and values affect them professionally and personally. The SAR experience involves viewing a series of sexually explicit films and discussing reactions in a small group facilitated by an experienced sexuality educator.

What is a SAR?
Sexual Attitude Restructuring (SAR) was a creation of National Sex Forum in San Francisco back in the 1970s, and has become an integral part of training in sexuality in USA. It is being facilitated by certified sexologist, Martha Lee of Eros Coaching (www.eroscoaching.com).

SAR is a process-oriented, structured group experience to promote participants' awareness of their values, beliefs and attitudes on various issues in sexuality, and to assist them in understanding how these attitudes and values affect them professionally and personally. Also an unusual opportunity for becoming more aware of one's unexamined beliefs and for clarifying one's values, SAR is neither a traditional academic experience designed to disseminate cognitive information, nor is it psychotherapy directed toward the resolution of personal problems. It is a powerful way to increase one’s sexuality comfort and change attitudes that may interfere with effective communication and teaching about sexuality.

Why is my attitude towards sexuality important?
Our attitudes express themselves through words and actions. Your attitude is an outward expression of who you are, rather than what you do or know. Attitude reflects behaviour: your attitude towards another determines the other’s attitude towards you. In short, your attitude determines outcome and the quality of the life you have. Have you examined what you stand for and why when it comes to sexuality? SAR allows you to do so!

What do you do at SAR?
The SAR experience involves viewing a series of sexually explicit films and discussing reactions in a small group facilitated by an experienced sexuality educator. The workshop is designed to increase understanding of the wide spectrum of human sexual arousal and behavior. Topics to be explored include fantasy; sexual myths; masturbation; heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships; transgender; alternative relationships; disability and aging.

Who should attend SAR?
Anyone who wish to better understand their own sexuality and that of others, as well as for people who are working in the fields related to sex and sexuality should take a SAR. SAR provides innovative and practical information, training and skills necessary for more competent, sensitive, professional and personal functioning.

Dates: Sat 14 and Sun 15 Mar 2010

Time: 9a.m. to 5p.m.

Fee: S$250 nett includes refreshments

Size: Max 15

To register/ enquire: Please email info@eroscoaching.com or call 6100-0851.

Support Group for Women with Herpes

Support Group for Women with Herpes
By DSC Clinic in partnership with Eros Coaching

Having ulcers that keep coming back?
Maybe it’s time to talk about it…

Topics:
Week 1: Learning about the news: How I came to know I had herpes
Week 2: Communicating the news: Should I tell my partner? If yes, how?
Week 3: Dealing with my condition: prevention, self care, self love etc.
Week 4: Moving on: What's next?

Facilitators
Ms Martha Lee, Clinical Sexologist, Eros Coaching
Dr Alison Ward, Clinical Fellow, DSC clinic
Ms Lalitha Nair, Senior Health Advisor, DSC clinic

Dates: Fridays (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) in March 2010
No. of sessions: 4 sessions in total
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Venue: DSC Clinic, Blk 31 Kelantan Lane #01-16, Singapore 208654
No. of participants: 8 – 12

For enquiries/ to register, please call Leister Neo at +65 629-9648 or email leisterneo@nsc.gov.sg with your:

1. Name
2. Contact number
3. Email address

Carnal Nation: 4 - 10Jan 2010

My posts with Carnal Nation, a website that provides comprehensive current, consistent, and uncensored content that embrace and honor human sexuality this week.

• 01/09/2010 - 9:20am
Reveal Bra Colour on Facebook: Save a Life?

• 01/07/2010 - 4:47pm
UK Men: Written Consent for Sperm Use After Death

• 01/06/2010 - 2:16am
Presenting: First Mr. Gay China Contestants

• 01/05/2010 - 10:20pm
Malawi Gay Couple Beaten in Jail

• 01/04/2010 - 6:25pm
Restless Legs? You may also have ED

• 01/04/2010 - 6:14pm
For Bigger Breasts: Consume Estrogen

• 01/03/2010 - 8:28pm
British Scientists: G Spot? No Such Thing

• 01/03/2010 - 5:56pm
Malaysia: Yes to Gender Education

You can subscribe to my posts on Carnal Nation here.

Operation Phony Love: Granny Sold Marriages

For more than two decades, Maria Refugia Camarillo played matchmaker for her family members, which investigators dubbed Operation Phony Love.

Camarillo found spouses for her children, her nieces, a nephew and even her three teenage grandchildren, all of whom lived within two blocks of each other.

The marriages were not only arranged, they were also lucrative. Since 1980, Camarillo arranged some 170 matches between more than a dozen of her relatives and foreigners willing to pay cash to marry Americans and get green cards. With fees of up to $12,000 per marriage, the scheme garnered more than $1 million, authorities estimate.

Federal prosecutors describe it as one the largest green-card marriage scams in the country and say it was unique because it was a family enterprise. Authorities say the 72-year-old Camarillo and her family avoided detection through identity theft, document fraud and immigration system savvy.

Camarillo and fourteen of her relatives pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with immigration documents, and fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents. They received sentences ranging from probation to nearly four years in prison.

But authorities aren't done with their investigation. They are now trying to track down the scores of immigrants who used sham marriages to obtain permanent residency.

Joined Good Therapy as a Member

I have joined Good Therapy as a member.

GoodTherapy.org is an international association of counselors, therapists, and psychologists who believe people are equipped to transform the obstacles to optimum health and happiness. As a leading advocate for healthy psychotherapy, GoodTherapy.org educates the public about the differences between healthy and unhealthy psychotherapy and promotes non-pathologically based approaches within the professional community.

Ranked as one of the leading mental health organizations and therapist referral sources on the web, GoodTherapy.org maintains the highest standards for membership, allowing only those therapists who meet all the membership requirements and who believe people are basically proficient at their core and have the capacity to access their own wisdom and internal resources to overcome the obstacles to health & happiness.

Want Better Sex? Stop Smoking!

It's true. If you want to have better sex, stop smoking.

FOR MEN
Smoking can cause male sexual problems like Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and infertility. ED is the persistent inability to attain and maintain penile erection adequate for satisfactory sexual performance.

Smoking causes ED when it causes fatty deposits to build up in the arteries supplying blood to the penis. This results in low penile blood pressure that decreases the flow of blood to the penis.

Further reduction in blood flow can also result from rapid contractions in the penile tissue that restrict arterial blood flow into the penis. This is a direct result of nicotine stimulation in the brain. Nicotine in the bloodstream also causes excessive outflow from veins in the penis and this reduces the duration of an erection.

Also men who smoke cigarettes have lower sperm count and motility. There are also increased abnormalities in sperm shape and function.

FOR WOMEN
Women smokers have decreased egg counts and are more likely to have painful and irregular menstruation. They have an increased risk of early menopause and are four times more likely to suffer from cervical cancer.

Should female smokers become pregnant, they also face an increased risk of miscarriages and are twice as likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilised egg grows outside the uterus. Smoking is also responsible for 15 per cent of premature births.

Hugh Grant: Rain Makes Head Swell

Hugh Grant hates filming rain scenes because he's convinced the drizzle makes his head swell.

The actor hates watching himself performing in the rain - because it always looks like he has a "gigantic pumpkin head".

He warned director Marc Lawrence about scripting a rainy moment in new film 'Did You Hear About The Morgans?' but he didn't listen - and now he's convinced fans will mock his big head this holiday season.

We shouldn't dismiss Hugh's anxiety just because we can't identity with it. It is very real to him. What matters is what you think of yourself and in this case, when raindrops fall on your head.

Malaysia: Cosplay is Popular

Cosplay is a hobby that allows you to transcend the world of reality to that of fantasy. In short, you dress up as a character, but it's not just that. You will have to 'become' the character and mimic the character's personality, gestures and even speaking mannerisms! It's like a grown-up game of dress-up and pretend.

Blue hair was all the rage at Malaysia's Comic Fiesta. So were dresses — which wouldn't be so strange if you were a girl, or a guy who appreciates girls in dresses. But when you have guys IN dresses... now that's a sight to behold. And in blue wigs, no less.

For cosplayers, though, they are also doing this for the benefit of their audience who are usually more than a little excited to meet their favourite anime characters in 'real' life. The event was held at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, and was one of the most successful ones to date, with attendance exceeding 6,000.

Kudos to the organisers for staging a great event. It was very satisfying to see the uninitiated (read: people who are new to cosplay) make double takes whenever they ran into a Hatsune Miku whose gender seemed a bit 'ambiguous'. And for all you know, said Hatsune Miku was probably secretly laughing his butt off inside.

Treatments for Premature Ejaculation

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a male sexual dysfunction characterised by ejaculation which usually occurs prior to or within one minute of vaginal penetration and an inability to delay it. It is also accompanied by negative personal consequences, like stress, frustration and the avoidance of sex.

PE is a problem not for men alone, but for their partners too.

These are some possible treatments:

1: Communication

2: Counselling

3: Stop-start technique

4: Squeeze technique

5: Medication

As a Clinical Sexologist, I have a number of men who come to me for their early ejaculation concerns. To make an appointment or make enquiries, please email info@eroscoaching.com.

Poem: Daughter

You are more precious to me than words could ever say.
When you were a child I held you in my arms and
now that you are grown you are held dear in my heart.
Whenever you go and whatever you do, I'll always love you.
May all your days be happy ones and may all your wishes come true.

- From a magnet

Taiwan Cool With Breastfeeding in Public

Taiwan is to protect the right of nursing mothers to breastfeed in public with hefty fines for those who try to stop them, as part of a campaign to promote the practice, officials said Wednesday.

The government’s Bureau of Health Promotion is drafting a bill that would impose a penalty of up to 30,000 Taiwan dollars (S$1,322) for anyone attempting to prevent breastfeeding in public, a bureau official said. The bill will require final approval by parliament.

This is fantastic. We eat in public. Nursing your child in public should not be forbidden.

The 2009 Rundown

• 10 Surprising Sex Statistics

• Top Ten Sexual Stories of 2009

• The 10 Most Iconic Relationship Books Of The Past Ten Years

• The 9 Most Provocative Sex Science Stories of 2009

• 9 Discoveries That Made Us Blush in 2009

Rockin' Sex Ed from MTV

Nice sex ed video

MTV Shows

Carnal Nation: 28 Dec 09 - 3 Jan 2010

My posts with Carnal Nation, a website that provides comprehensive current, consistent, and uncensored content that embrace and honor human sexuality this week.

• 01/01/2010 - 12:52am
Sex Sells? Not in Movies

• 12/29/2009 - 9:12pm
Operation Bombshell: Striptease Lessons for Military Wives

• 12/28/2009 - 11:04pm
Molest in Singapore? Settle Out of Court

• 12/28/2009 - 10:32pm
One in 10 Singaporeans Marry Vietnamese Women Behind Matchmaker’s Back

• 12/28/2009 - 9:18pm
Singapore Matchmakers for Vietnamese Women Risk Jail

• 12/28/2009 - 7:46pm
Outsourcing Baby: India’s Surrogate Trade Booming

• 12/28/2009 - 6:53pm
Top Celebrity Look-a-like Sperm Donor: Ben Affleck

• 12/28/2009 - 6:41pm
India Governor: Sex Tape is Fake, but I Quit

You can subscribe to my posts on Carnal Nation here.

Rise in Divorces and Affairs in China

China has seen a rise in divorces and extramarital affairs. Beijing Haidian District Court registered more than 2,700 divorce cases, from January to October. Three fifths of these couples have a university education, a decent job and income. More than half of them are divorcing because of marital infidelity, and about 70 percent of the guilty parties are men.

Chongqing municipality records show that 1,000 divorces in the third quarter of this year - nearly 43 percent of the total registered cases - were the result of affairs. Local civil affairs officials said it is a high ratio, since there are usually just a few hundred cases.

Working through your marital issues and increasing intimacy in your marriage are noble goals. Email info@eroscoaching.com for enquiries about our coaching services.

Sexual Self-Discovery for Women

“Sexual Self-Discovery’ - Clearing the Blocks to a Positive Sexual Self Image, is a four-part workshop where women are invited to come together to draw very important figures – their bodies.

This is not an art therapy class, or an art class; however, it uses artistic imagery and can be most therapeutic and life changing. Through the use of art, women can uncover body image issues, develop greater comfort and acceptance of their bodies, and learn more about themselves.

The first session begins with participants doing a full-body portrait of themselves. The second session focuses on expressing a body part which the participant appreciates on themselves; the third on sexual anatomy; and the fourth, on their ideal sexual self.

Each session will end with facilitated sharing by clinical sexologist, Martha Lee. Participants who wish to contribute their digital photographs and/or artistic work anonymously towards a future art exhibition may do so.

For feedback about a previous run, click here.

I like to encourage women to come to this session with an open mind, with the knowledge that the other participants are just like yourselves--desiring to uncover any body image issues and with the confidence that this will be a safe and supportive group.

• Thurs 11 March 2010 - Sexual being – Your full body as a sexual being
• Thurs 18 March 2010 - Favourite body part
• Thurs 25 March 2010 - Sexual Anatomy
• Thurs 1 April 2010 - Ideal sexual self

Venue: 33 Taman Warna, Chip Bee Gardens (opposite Holland Village Shopping Centre). Nearest MRT: Buena Vista. Email for directions.
Time: 7:30 – 9:30p.m.

Fee: S$100 per person for four sessions. To include S$75 material fee for all four sessions.

To register: Email info@eroscoaching.com or call 6100-0851.

Participants' Feedback for 'Tuesday Draw'

What participants of Tuesday Draw (now renamed 'Sexual Self Discovery') liked most about the program:

• "I like the ambience of the workshop. It is very relaxing. Martha is very willing and open to sharing during the session."
• "The sharing among the ladies"
• “Feel comfortable to share my deepest secret with the group”
• “The comfort level – all women, everyone open”
• “The sharing of each participant”
• “The sharing, spontaneity of participants”
• "Fun"

For details of the next run, click here.

Lost Generation (Video)

It is easy to feel negative and down when the odds are against you. One person can make a difference and sometimes it means going against the tide and doing what is different and even difficult.

More inspirational videos here:
Blue Ribbon Movieand
Make a Difference.

Have a good week ahead!

Sex Involves Body, Mind, Soul and Spirit

Sex is a matter of both the mind and the body, so doctors need to see sexual issues as 'multidisciplinary'.

Dr John Dean, president of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, who spoke at the 12th Biennial Meeting of the Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine, said sexual medicine is a fairly new discipline. But he added that it is not just a biomedical discipline.

'We are most comfortable with the biomedical aspects but we must remember that there are other aspects,' he said. These include the psychological and relationship aspects of sexual health.

Sexual medicine is not about disease, said the Briton, a sexual physician in private practice. It promotes health in sexuality and sexual function in men and women.

The psychological aspect of sexuality might involve one's sense of attractiveness and perception of sexual effectiveness. Relationship aspects cover changes in social or family structures while biomedical aspects include hormonal changes and contraception.

Indeed, sex is a full body experience. I would go as far as to say it is a body-mind-soul-spirit experience. For support on your sexual concerns and questions, do not hesitate to contact a certified sexologist such as myself.

To make enquiries or an appointment, please email info@eroscoaching.com. My website is www.eroscoaching.com.

Woman Gives Birth Then Serves Christmas Dinner

A pregnant mother gave birth moments after putting the Christmas dinner on - and was back home in time to serve it up.

Paula Thomas, 29, was preparing a feast for her family in England on Christmas Day when she began to go into labor, The Sun reported.

She continued to baste the turkey in the oven until the contractions were just three minutes apart - at 12.35pm local time.

Her husband Damian, 32, took her to hospital and daughter Lexi was born at 1.45pm.

By 3pm she was back home in St Austell, Cornwall, tucking in to her dinner and toasting the new arrival.

Was she driven by love for her family? Was she not in pain? Perhaps this goes to show that child labor isn't always difficult and painful. The human body is more resilient than we might think.

Media: Personality Profile by Skybluz

SKYBLUZ, is a new online love magazine conceived to give singles in Singapore a platform to learn the dating game and expand their social network.

I was asked these questions:

1. What exactly does a clinical sexologist like you do?
2. Who are your typical clients (Their age & professions)?
3. Who actually needs sex coaching?
4. When a couple comes to you for sex coaching, what should they be expecting?
5. Do you coach lesbian-couples or gay-couples? Why or Why not?
6. Where and how are your sex coaching conducted? Do your clients have to bare any of their private parts while being coached?
7. At the end of the entire coaching package, what tangible results could your clients expect?
8. Where do you receive your training and how many years have you been practicing it?
9. Have you sex-coached any local celebrities? If yes, how many? (You don’t have to name who)
10. What made you choose this profession? And what is the best thing about your job?

For the answers, click here.

Product Review: Lovemoiselle Elodie

My first toy under review is called Elodie, manufactured by Lovemoiselle. Simple in shape (Length 210mm x Diameter 31mm), Elodie is ceramic and has pretty green flowers printed on it. Elodie is perfect for all those who love the combination of minimalism and functionality.

I must admit that I was intimidated by its size. This fear was irrational because it is similar to many penises in terms of girth. Try penetration after some self stimulation. The use of lubrication is optional as this Lovemoiselle glazed ceramic toy has a friction-free finish that is so perfectly silky-smooth.

Once inside my body, I found myself pleasantly surprised, even gasping involuntarily, because the ceramic material felt cool inside my warmth. It was a sensation that might be akin to ice on skin – but way better – because there is no mess and you know you are not going to hurt yourself from it being too cold. This effect doesn’t last long as the ceramic absorbs warmth easily and adjusted to my body temperature fairly quickly.

The website suggested: “You'll find that simply holding your Lovemoiselle for few seconds in the hand, is enough to make it comfortably warm. But, of course, if you prefer a cold sensation, you can always put it in the fridge for a minute or two!” Ooh I like the sound of it!

You normally wouldn’t think ceramic when you think of sex toy material. However, it makes perfect sense in our humid climate and also in this age of STI, HIV, SAR, and H1N1 to begin to look at materials that are non-porous. Non-porous in the sense that it does not absorb water or other liquids which makes them very hygienic and easy to clean, compared to, say, most cybersex adult toys on the market.

I would definitely recommend Lovemoiselle’s products. Lovemoiselle is a modern design studio and manufacturer of chic adult toys made of first class ceramic. The sole distributor in Singapore is U4Ria http://www.u4ria.com.sg/. Don't forget to mention 'Eros Coaching' at U4Ria for a slight discount.



Dr. Martha Lee is Founder and Clinical Sexologist of Eros Coaching in Singapore. She holds a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and provides sexuality and intimacy coaching, runs sexual education workshops and gives public talks.