A transgender woman has to go through a great deal of struggle and strife before she attains the ideal image for her body. All she wants is to feel comfortable in her body, which is rather difficult when you’ve been given a clunky male figure and hormones. With hormone therapy, surgery, and vocal training, one can truly become secure in their femininity. While these factors may seem like the worst part, they don’t take account of another pastime many of us take for granted. Shopping for clothes is something that comes easily to women who are a size “2” and who’ve probably never had an issue with their weight. However, for the vast majority of women, finding something that is comfortably flattering can often seem like a battle in futility. Every woman comes in a unique size and shape, and unfortunately, designers tend to make their best clothing for smaller frames that fit within the ideal image perpetuated by the media. To help the process for transgender women, some designers have actually begun to design pieces especially for a naturally male frame. Of course, the idea is to minimize masculine features while playing up feminine ones, which is a skill that cross-dressers have down to a science. Someone who cross dresses but is not transgender will find crossdresser clothes shopping at GlamourBoutique.com to be very exhilarating. Of course, it’s also an ideal shop for transgender women as well, but it’s important to note the difference between someone who feels they are a woman inherently, and a man who just likes putting on a costume.
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This Week on Tumblr
June 29th, 2013
- Google recently announced that it was no longer going to allow bloggers use the free version of Blogger and make money from adult ads. This affects all of you, sex-toy-reviewing Blogger users. Tumblr has been up in arms even though some might view it as competition.
- The SCOTUS deemed DOMA unconstitutional Federal support for same-sex couples is awesome!
- Other people discuss their experiences with EdenFantansys. In related news, the owner, Fred, makes a thread discussing how points will only be applied toward 15% of the order total. Stormy looks good in comparison to JR, who is just being an ass. You’ll have to ask folks for screenshots as that thread is now dead. Also, I am banned from posting on the forums.
- Don’t worry, though. SheVibe has stepped up to the plate and created an awesome new forum. You should sign up. I did!
- Someone reviews sex toys with motherfuckin’ comics.
- Any magazine with art like this has got to be worth reading.
- Win a WeVibe Thrill from Lovehoney.
- Folks want to know who is worth reading that isn’t Dan Savage.
- Men’s rights? Watch this.
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The Strap-On – Not Just For Women!
June 27th, 2013
If people think of strap-on dildos and vibrators, girl-on-girl sex is usually the first thing to come to mind. But it is not only gay women who take pleasure in wearable toys: some heterosexual couples also like to try out swapping roles, with a woman performing anal sex on her male lover. Commonly referred to as ‘pegging’, this is a sex act that can be particularly pleasurable for a man, since the prostate is a powerful erogenous zone.
Straight couples who want to experiment with anal play are advised to use personal lubricant that is designed specifically for this purpose. Ordinary lubricants might not last as long, and some might even cause skin irritation when used for anything other than vaginal intercourse. With a little bit of hygienic preparation and adequate lubrication, the experience is more likely to be a pleasurable and kinky experience. A two-way strap-on enables both parties to get off in the act.
There is also another kind of strap-on that is strictly for men. The simple truth is that some men are very modestly endowed, and this can make sex a less than earth-shattering experience! Luckily, there are hollow strap-on dildos which increase length and girth, and some designs are made to feel just like skin. Guys who struggle to remain hard for extended periods of time can alternate between using a strap-on and their own packages.
Strap-on dildos for men are also big in the leather scene, and a toy attached to a studded belt is a good accessory to add to a collection of restraints and other BDSM gear. When you buy a strap-on for anal play, remember to also purchase hygiene products for personal preparation as well as cleaning products for your toys. Squeaky-clean toys are a must, especially if you use them on multiple orifices.
The strap-on is a great invention for women who love women and heterosexual couples alike. With a little bit of silky lubricant and some good mood music playing in the background, your first experience using a strap-on is likely to be one to remember.
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Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure
June 21st, 2013
Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure
$14.07
from Amazon
Now, I have no prostate. I don’t even have a partner with one. What I do have is an interest in reading. It’s why I read all about the Multi-Orgasmic Man a while back. It’s also why I read a shitty little book — pun intended — called Tickle My Tush. It was intended to be an entry-level book about anal play. It didn’t go very deep. Okay, I’m done with the analogies. Now, I really am. When I walked way from that book, I was disappointed. It only briefly touched on any single concept, and it used these “cutesy” terms that made it oh so difficult for me to take it seriously. Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure does not do these things. In short, it’s the book you want if want to explore anal play, if your partner does, or if you just want to know how it feels.
Doctor Charlie Glickman and co-author Aislinn Emirzian have set off on a journey to educate the masses, and I feel educated! The book doesn’t feel like a pamphlet that is better published online. It’s a complete 15 chapters that are chock full of information, and this guide to anal prostate pleasure is actually a pleasure to read. I found myself wanting to read the next chapter, so it didn’t take long for me to finish it at all.
Some of the chapters in Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure are:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hygiene
- Penetration 101
- Searching for the Magic Button
- Bringing Up the Topic
- Massaging the Perineum
- Anal Sex and Strap-on Fucking
- Real Men Don’t
- Possible Benefits of Prostate Health
In the beginning, I found myself merely browsing the content. I didn’t need to read it word for word because I’m not a newbie to sex. I don’t need convincing that prostate play is good. There’s nothing wrong if you do, but you can’t review sex toys and hang around this corner of the blogosphere for this many years without picking up a thing or two. Still, I stopped to read the firsthand accounts from the men that Dr. Glickman had interviewed. Thanks to their responses, he was able to pretty accurately describe not only how prostate stimulation feels but how it differs from person to person. I think this is an important distinction to make because not everyone will experience it in the same way or even enjoy it. This might be especially important for men to read because it lets them know that they’re not alone. These asides were intellectually interesting to me, but that was all. One thing I noticed was how there were many in the beginning of the book but very few toward the end. That did make Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure seem a little unbalanced.
One of the things that I liked was how consistent the authors were about the fact that prostate stimulation varies on a case-by-case basis. It might make you cum, it may cause you to lose your erection for a while, it may not be the end-all and be-all the first time you try it. I especially liked the advice not to jump into toys the first couple times, and the authors are quick to point out that a person should experiment with his own prostate before introducing it to a partner.
Another thing that stood out is how trans friendly this book is. Dr Glickman takes time to discuss FTM individuals who still have a prostate that now acts something like a G-spot in a woman. In one chapter, he discusses talking to your doctor about prostate health issues, and he is gentle and supportive. If I were in that situation, I think I’d like to see Dr. Glickman. The same gentle support extends to the partners of people who are interested. Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure assures the reader that prostate play is normal and that there might be some undue side effects, but you walk away feeling like you can handle them.
As far as technique goes, this is where Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure was most helpful to me. There are chapters each on prostate massage, toys, the perineum and anal sex/strap-ons. My experience with prostate stimulation has been through the perineum, and the descriptions matched up quite well. In the toy section, the book discusses brands that are failiar to me like Nexus and Aneros. It also describes strap-ons, harnesses and harness-less strap-on dildos like the the Nexus and Feeldoe. The toy chapter even goes on to explain how urethral sounding can stimulate the prostate, which I didn’t know before. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
If I wanted to explore internal prostate stimulation, I feel like I’ve not got enough information to locate it, try a few different methods and help my partner relax along the way. The book often suggests sliding along the prostate rather than poking into it, which I can appreciate because my G-spot prefers the same sensation.
Illustrations are scattered throughout the book where they’re helpful. I found them most beneficial in the chapters about toys and positions — where Glickman discusses using pillows or Liberator shapes to aid you. The illustrations have a hand-sketched appearance. They’re simple and easy to understand. For people who are less experienced, the good doctor and his co-author cannot recommend enough using lube and being in a state of arousal before you begin. Good advice for anyone.
A particular chapter that I found to be of note is “Real Men Don’t.” In it, the authors discuss some of the stigma around prostate play. In earlier chapters, they reassure the reader that strap-on sex is just your partner stimulating you so there’s no worry to fear that the act — or you — are gay. This chapter goes further to explain how society tends to lump a “real man” into a box and how this is harmful to people no matter where they fall on the gender spectrum. Men must do certain things to be considered real men, otherwise they’re too womanly, which is an insult to woman as well. Dr. Glickman explains why trying to fit into the box leads to emphasis on values over pleasure, and this just doesn’t cut it when it comes to prostate exploration. He recommends forgetting the box to enjoy it by yourself or with a partner.
If you’re still not convinced, the final two chapters suggest that prostate play can benefit prostate health and the common prostate conditions that exist. The book ends with several resource lists. You’ll find other books, places to buy toys and websites with additional information. However, I really don’t see what information you won’t be able to find in Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure.
While the title might indicate that Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure is for men, it would be a good resource for any man’s partner — gay or straight — trans-men or couples. If you only have one book about prostate play on your bookshelf, Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure should be it. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s the best book on anal play of any sort that I read simply by being inclusive, realistic and easy to digest.
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This Week on Tumblr
June 20th, 2013
- Some writer had a grand ol’ time coming up with the title for U.S. patent case climaxes with win for Canadian vibrator maker
- This video explains all about sex toys in a way that more people need to hear
- Remember, $5 off $25 with code: Summer at Store.OfSexandLove.com
- Learn How to Choose a Dildo
And this post about why boys will be boys is bullshit:
This is so brilliant. We learn things from socialization process. What our parents, friends and peers do, media and all. I think perhaps rape is because parents think boys will be boys, they bully, fight and destroy things, it’s their characteristics so they don’t bother to stop them. But it manifests in them, knowing or unknowingly, they will just think, because I’m a boy and boys tend to do these, so it doesn’t matter even if the girl hates it, says no, because I’m a boy.
Also, I want a sex toy like the one below. Sadly, it’s just a design concept.
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U Touch Down
June 17th, 2013
The second piece in the U Touch line is a gently-curving internal vibrator called the Touch Down. Topco graciously sent me this in addition to the Touch Up, which I previously reviewed. That vibrator was constructed well and reminded me of Siri, but I really do like Lelo’s offerings better. The Touch Up doesn’t look all that different from Lelo’s Liv or the similar vibe by Sportsheets. There is a version with a more pronounced head, but I don’t need that for G-spot stimulation.
Aside from the shape, there’s really nothing different between the Touch Up and Touch Down. They have the same packaging, for example. I didn’t post the photos from the Touch Up because I wanted to do the comparison shots with Siri, but you can see them here. There’s an outer cardboard sleeve, and inside of this is a thicker box that opened with flaps.
Magnets inside the flaps open to reveal the vibrator on the right and the adapter and instructions on the left. These items are in a thin box inside a narrow divider. The use of space seems a little weird because much of it is empty. Overall the presentation is nice, but it’s not really functional. I mean, the box is big and clunky and there’s no storage pouch. I really prefer a pouch to any other method of storage, and the lack there-of seems like an incredibly oversight here. Get it together, guys.
I do like the design though. It’s gentle and middle-of-the-line in terms of size. It’s easy to hold and reaches my g-spot; although, you might need something more drastic if yours is tucked further behind your pubic bone. There’s about 5 inches to insert with a few inches of hard plastic as the base where the controls sit. The base tapers to this narrow, almost-flat shape that I actually find easy to hold and maneuver.
With a girth of 1.3″, this toy is easy to insert with a little bit of lube and no warmup. It’s not the toy for a size queen, however. The silky silicone does not have a discernible seam to the touch. I like how it feels in my hand, but it collects lint. Duh. I shouldn’t even have to say this in reviews anymore. Let’s just call it “that lint sucking material.”
Topco uses slightly thicker layers of silicone where the toy bulges out at the G-spot area, so it’s a bit softer. However, the whole thing is softer in general than you might imaging from the photos. I’m not talking squishy and bendable, but a little give if you really squeeze it. If you find other toys a little too poky, this might be a better design for you. Overall, I prefer the design of the Touch Down to the Touch Up.
Like I said, the toy itself is pink and white. It looks slick, I must admit.Sure, there’s no cool colors, but you’re sticking it inside you. Who cares? The LED control panel looks cool, but it suffers from the exact same issues that I had with the Touch Up. It’s just not intuitive. There’s some good ideas, but the implementation is lacking.
You’d think that the four-button setup is pretty easy, and there is a + button as well as a – button. The other two cycle through other settings, too. However, the + button doesn’t turn on vibrations. Instead, you have to hold the up and down arrows simultaneously for a few seconds to turn it on and off. This is completely lacking in intuitiveness in my opinion. I should be able to turn it on by simply pressing the + button and turn it off by pressing the -.
What makes it worse is that all the toys in the U Touch line come with the same, generic instruction manual that doesn’t actually talk about the toy itself. It has general instructions for inserting batteries, when there are none. Nowhere does it say that you have to press both buttons to turn on the toy. There is a note about how the toy locks, and I do have to say that I like this feature. It locks while it’s on after five seconds of disuse. Because I frequently accidentally turn off vibes, I like this feature. Pressing the + and – buttons simultaneously unlocks it. Of course, I find that I have to stop playing and raise the toy to my face to see those buttons. Sadly, there’s no indication that you’ve turned it from locked to unlocked, which is pretty inconvenient.
I do still prefer this one, and it’s under $100. I wish I had Liv or a similar G-spot vibe to compare power. I don’t need much on my G-spot, so I don’t think that I can accurately be the litmus test for consumers at large. That.. and a litmus test doesn’t use female ejaculate. Har har.
However, I did compare it to all the other G-spot vibes I had handy and charged and.. the Touch Down was weaker than all of them on their lower settings than its highest.
- The Form 6 G3 might be slightly weaker at its lower settings but is deeper
- The highest setting of Touch Down is comparable to the third or fourth setting on the Mona. My Mona 2 is dead.
- Minna Ola, which is really too weak for me, is stronger.
- The Key Ceres and Nomi Tang Getaway.
As you can see, I couldn’t find a single toy that was weaker, and it was hard enough to find one that was on par with the U Touch Down’s power output. Really, none of the vibes on this list, save for the Form 6 G3, are anything more than middle-of-the-line. So, there’s that.
This isn’t a loud toy by any means, but it does seem to run at a put that’s just a little bit louder than you’d expect. Will your parents bust down the door because “What are you cutting with a chainsaw?” No. Then again, I doubt they’ll rescue you from your throes of passion due to the Touch Down.
I wanted to love this toy, and while I don’t hate it, it’s just not wooing me.
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This Week on Tumblr
June 13th, 2013
Since I am more actively pinning things to my Tumblr account, I’ve decided to change the “Saw This on Tumblr” feature to a roundup up of the best things I’ve reblogged on Tumblr this week.
- You can now get vibrators that lubricate themselves
- Hitachi is updating the magic wand and packaging!
- Silicone dildos are the best
- Working at a really cool sex toy store must be really cool
- This article about female masturbation has been turning heads
- Socialized healthcare = fewer abortions -gasp!-
Someone said this:
Sit down. We need to have a little chat.
There are children starving in Malaysia.
North Koreans want to go to war but are being pussies about it.
Speaking of pussies, I need to say a thing.
Swiggety swildo please buy me a dildo.
Someone else discusses how using low-quality sex toys resulted in developing an allergy to latex. Eww:
For example, platinum cure silicone is non-porous, and easily washable, as is glass and metal. These all make great materials for sex toys, yet still manufacturers churn out sex toys with terrible materials. Why? Because it’s cheaper. True story, because of my lack of knowledge about these things, since I started using sex toys, I have given myself a latex allergy, and also kept on giving myself urinary tract infections from one of my toys because it was semi-porous, despite the material supposedly being “anti-bacterial”.
