a different view on health care reform, putting your pussy front and center.

i'm not actually suggesting that women show their pussies all around, but i was reading an article on alternet that got me thinking about why it is so important that we give our lady parts a whole lotta love.

i was reading liz langley's impressive and in-depth article on "the joy of sex toys: how vibrators stopped being 'shameful' secrets" which gave a great account of how much the culture surrounding vibrators has changed in the last century (i was glad that she mentioned that alabama is still an exception, something i think the sex positive community needs to work on). it included information from two studies i had not seen before, which not only confirmed widespread vibrator use, but found that people who use vibrators are more likely to look out for their overall sexual health:


"the embrace of the once-shunned sex aid was recently confirmed by two studies from the university of indiana (on one men, one on women), which found that 53 percent of women and 45 percent of the men between 18 and 60 have used vibrators and that those who had were more apt to safeguard their sexual health.

female vibrator users were more likely to have had gynecological exams in the last year or to have performed breast self exams in the last month. recent male users were more like to have performed a testicular self-exam and scored themselves higher in most of the five domains of sexual function (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction).

there was no significant difference in vibrator use between men who identified as straight and those who identified as gay or bisexual. the study, which queried 2,056 women and 1,047 men, is the first to publish nationally representative data on vibrator use and was funded by church & dwight co. inc, makers of trojan products (condoms, pleasure rings, etc)."

i was a little surprised (and delighted!) that the percentage of male vibrator users was that high. it makes me wonder about all the times i've helped men pick out vibrators for their "girlfriends" and if it was really them i was helping them pick out for. i hope that in the next few years there is an increase in vibrators that come in more masculine colors, not just for men, but for women who want to wretch when they see pink and purple are their only options. b swish has already done an amazing job of incorporating more serious and less girly colors like red, brown, and black that i looove.

i was not surprised (though still delighted) by the finding that women who use vibrators are more likely to recieve regular and preventative gynecological care. potentially this could at least partly be because women who have means to buy vibrators and extra time to masturbate may also have access to better health care. but this finding also reminded me of a classic article that tristan taormino wrote years and years ago "who does your pubic hair?" i'll never forget reading tristan's brilliant articulation of how great it feels to shave your pussy, the amazing feeling of having sex with a freshly shaved pussy, and that betty dodson believes that women who shave have better relationships with their pussies:

"shaving lets me stare intently at my pussy for quite a while, fussing over every inch of it. last year, during a one-on-one masturbation coaching session, betty dodson commended me on my grooming job. she told me that women who style their pubes often have a better relationship with their pussies as a result of preening them on a regular basis. i was glad to discover that my razor ritual was considered healthy by someone with a ph.d.!

after i shave it, i feel so much more connected with my pussy. for one thing, every time i pull down my panties, there she is. not hidden by a bush, but right out in the open for me to see. i absolutely feel sexier too; once all the hair comes off, i can see every inch and every fold. left unprotected, i become hyperaware of what's between my legs when i walk, sit down, or make any kind of move. my sensitivity also skyrockets: a tongue, a touch, or a vibrator feels 10 times more intense. i can't decide which i like better: sliding my tongue against a freshly shaved cunt or having someone's mouth on mine. must i choose?"

reading this was extremely validating for me because it described what i'd always felt but had never put into words before. i've always loved my labia, why would i want them hidden by hair? and the heightened sensations that tristan describes are definitely worth the extra shaving effort. when you enjoy sex and masturbation more because your pussy is shaved, it will only make you love paying attention to your pussy more too.

so to all the ladies out there, and the fellows too, if you haven't tried shaving down below or using a vibrator, i urge you to try both. not only will you get a pleasureable experience, but it will help you be more in tune with your body and overall health.