The Body as a Mountain: An Anatomical Journey Through Trekking

There’s something profoundly poetic about trekking up a mountain. Each step forward feels like a quiet conversation between your body and the terrain. Muscles contract and release, lungs expand like bellows, and the heart beats steadily—almost as if your entire anatomy is working in harmony with nature itself.

Imagine your body as its own mountain. The skeletal system forms the sturdy framework, like the ridges and cliffs that give a mountain its shape. Your bones—strong yet surprisingly dynamic—carry you upward with each step, absorbing impact and adjusting to uneven ground. The joints, especially in the knees and ankles, act like flexible pathways, allowing movement while maintaining balance on rocky trails.

As the climb intensifies, the muscular system comes alive. Your calves tighten as they push you uphill, your thighs burn with effort, and your core stabilizes your posture. It’s a coordinated dance of strength and endurance. Each muscle fiber contributes, reminding you that the body is not just a structure—it’s a living, responsive system built for motion and challenge.

Breathing becomes more noticeable the higher you go. The respiratory system works harder, drawing in cool mountain air and delivering oxygen deep into your lungs. That oxygen fuels your bloodstream, which the circulatory system tirelessly pumps throughout your body. Your heart, steady and resilient, becomes your most loyal companion on the journey.

Even your skin plays a role. It senses the chill of the wind, the warmth of the sun, and the roughness of the trail when you steady yourself with your hands. Sweat forms as your body regulates temperature, a reminder that internal balance is constantly maintained even in demanding conditions.

Trekking also heightens awareness of your nervous system. Every step requires coordination and quick adjustments. Your brain processes the terrain ahead, sends signals to your muscles, and keeps you alert to your surroundings. It’s a silent but powerful command center guiding your ascent.

By the time you reach the summit, there’s a sense of accomplishment that goes beyond the physical. You realize that trekking isn’t just about conquering a mountain—it’s about understanding the incredible design of your own body. Each system, each function, worked together seamlessly to bring you there.

In that moment, standing above the world, you feel not just the beauty of nature, but the quiet brilliance of human anatomy—strong, adaptive, and deeply connected to the journey itself.

Tips for sex during covid

While stating that you or someone in your household is the best choice of consensual sexual partner, the new guidance includes practical advice like sticking with one partner or as few partners as possible. It's also clear that if either person is feeling unwell, then they shouldn’t have sex.

Other tips include avoiding kissing, wearing a face mask and favouring positions where you’re not face-to-face, as well as using condoms or dams for oral sex and rimming.

There's also information about the importance of thinking about sexual health before starting to have sex again. That includes the strong recommendation of getting tested for sexually transmitted infections before starting to have sex again.

Sex is a normal part of life and should always be with the consent of all parties. This document offers strategies to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 during sex. Decisions about sex and sexuality need to be balanced with personal and public health. During this extended public health emergency, people will and should have sex. Consider using harm reduction strategies to reduce the risk to yourself, your partners, and our community.

But can you have sex?

Yes! Here are some tips for how to enjoy safer sex and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. 

1. Know how COVID-19 spreads.

• You can get COVID-19 from a person who has it.
• The virus spreads through particles in the saliva, mucus or breath of people with
• COVID-19, even from people who do not have symptoms.
• We still have a lot to learn about COVID-19 and sex.
• The virus has been found in the semen and feces (poop) of people with COVID-19.
• We do not know if COVID-19 can be spread through vaginal or anal sex.
• We know that other coronaviruses do not easily spread through sex. This means sex is not likely a common way that COVID-19 spreads.

2. Have sex only with people close to you.

• 
  You are your safest sex partner. Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex.
• The next safest partner is someone you live with. Having close contact — including sex — with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19.
• Have sex only with consenting partners.
• You should limit close contact — including sex — with anyone outside your household.
• If you do have sex with others outside of your household, have as few partners as possible and pick partners you trust. 
• Do they have symptoms or have they had symptoms in the last 14 days? Most people with COVID-19 have symptoms, but asymptomatic spread is possible. Fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath are symptoms to ask about. Note that asking about symptoms is not a perfect way to know whether someone has COVID-19.
• Have they been diagnosed with COVID-19 using a nasal swab or saliva test? People who have recovered from COVID-19 at least 10 days from the day their symptoms started and who have not had fever for at least three days are likely no longerinfectious.
• If two is company then three (or more) is definitely a crowd. Large gatherings of any type are not safe during COVID-19. Close contact with multiple people should be avoided. But, if you decide to find a crowd, below are tips to reduce your risk of spreading or getting COVID-19:
• Limit the size of your guest list. Keep it intimate.
• Go with a consistent sex partner.
• Pick larger, more open, and well-ventilated spaces.
• Wear a face covering, avoid kissing, and do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Always Bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• If you usually meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex, consider taking a break from in-person dates. 
• If you decide to have sex outside of your circle of contacts or a hook up:
• Closely monitor yourself for symptoms.
• Consider getting a swab or saliva test for COVID-19 on a more frequent basis (monthly or within five to seven days of a hookup). 
• Take precautions interacting with people at risk for severe COVID-19 illness such as people over 65 years of age or those with serious medical conditions.
• Be vigilant with face coverings and healthy hand hygiene to minimize risk to others.

3. Having antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 or a prior positive diagnostic test do not mean definite immunity. Use test results with caution in helping you make decisions about sex.

• 
  A positive antibody test for the virus that causes COVID-19 may indicate prior exposure, but it does not mean you are immune from reinfection.
• A prior positive diagnostic test (nose swab or saliva) means you have had COVID-19 and may be less likely to be re-infected. We don’t know how strong that protection is or for how long it lasts.
• Be cautious in using these tests to make decisions about who you have sex with and what kind of sex you have since antibody test results are not definite proof of immunity. 

4. Take care during sex.

• Kissing can easily pass the virus. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts.
• Rimming (mouth on anus) might spread the virus. Virus in feces may enter your mouth and could lead to infection.
• Wear a face covering or mask. Maybe it’s your thing, maybe it’s not, but during COVID-19 wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth is a good way to add a layer of 3 protection during sex. Heavy breathing and panting can spread the virus further, and if you or your partner have COVID-19 and don’t know it, a mask can help stop that spread.
• Make it a little kinky. Be creative with sexual positions and physical barriers, like walls, that allow sexual contact while preventing close face to face contact.
• Masturbate together. Use physical distance and face coverings to reduce the risk.
• Condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva, semen or feces during oral or anal sex. 
• Washing up before and after sex is more important than ever.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Wash sex toys with soap and warm water.
• Disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others.

5. Skip sex if you or your partner are not feeling well.

• 
  If you feel unwell, or even start to feel unwell, avoid kissing, sex or any close contact with others. For more information, visit nyc.gov/health and search COVID symptoms.
• If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, avoid close contact with anyone outside your household and follow NYC guidance about how to prevent exposing others. People exposed to COVID-19 should get tested for the virus using a swab or saliva test.
• If you or your partner have a medical condition that can lead to severe COVID-19 illness, you may also want to skip sex.
• Medical conditions include lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer or a weakened immune system (for example, having unsuppressed HIV or a low CD4 count).

6. Prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.

• HIV: Using condoms, taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and having an undetectable viral load all help prevent HIV. 

Sex during Covid-19

Let’s start with what we know right now. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, so direct contact with saliva—through kissing, for example—can easily pass the virus. While COVID-19 has not yet been found in vaginal fluid, it has been found in feces of people who are infected. So this means that rimming (oral/anal contact) and anal sex may spread COVID-19 as well. Remember that condoms and dental dams reduce contact with saliva and feces during anal and oral sex or oral/anal contact.

All close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with an infected person can expose you to the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — whether you're engaged in sexual activity or not.

A recent study has also found the coronavirus in semen, both in men who had active infections and those who had recovered, but it isn’t clear at this point if it can be sexually transmitted through semen.

The virus spreads by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouth or nose of a person nearby. Coming into contact with a person's spit through kissing or other sexual activities could expose you to the virus. People who have COVID-19 could also spread respiratory droplets onto their skin and personal belongings. A sexual partner could get the virus by touching these surfaces and then touching his or her mouth, nose or eyes. In addition, the COVID-19 virus can spread through contact with feces. It's possible that you could get the COVID-19 virus from sexual activities that expose you to fecal matter.

Based on current evidence, coronavirus - the virus that causes COVID-19 illness - is not passed on through vaginal or anal intercourse.

If you or your sexual partner are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 – a dry persistent cough, temperature, or difficulty breathing – you should limit all close physical contact to stop the spread of the virus. This means avoiding physical intimacy, such as kissing and cuddling, as well as anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

If you decide to go online, be aware of what you are sharing and who you are sharing it with. Remember to only do what feels right. Your partner may want to explore this new way of being sexual but you shouldn’t feel pressured to share sexual content over the phone or internet if you don’t want to.

If you live in the same house as a regular sexual partner and you both have no symptoms, then you can continue having sex (with consent) as normal for your relationship. 

If your partner is having sex with other people who don’t live with you, then this increases your risk of getting COVID-19.

If you have sex with someone you don’t live with there are a few things you can do to lower the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19.

• Avoid kissing or exchanging saliva with anyone outside of your household.
• Avoid sexual activities which include licking around the anus.
• Use condoms or dental dams to reduce contact with saliva or poo.
• Take a shower and wash your hands and body thoroughly with soap and water both before and after sex.
• If you use sex toys, wash these thoroughly with soap and water and do not share them.
• Consider sexual arousal techniques that don’t involve physical contact – like talking.
• Mutual masturbation while physical distancing.
• Limit your physical interactions by reducing the number of sexual partners you have overall, and/or at the same time.

Having sex with yourself, masturbation, has no COVID-19 risk and is one of the best ways to keep enjoying sex during this pandemic. You can also explore other ways to have sex without anyone physically present, including through phone or webcam.

Leng Altura Controversial Photo

Recently, a Facebook user named Joshua Dela Torre has shared the photo of Leng endorsing a clothing line “KainPepe” owned by “Boss Toyo”. The photo garnered various reactions from the online community.

In the photo, it can be seen that ‘Boss Toyo’ is slightly holding Leng’s lower body behind while posing for a photoshoot. However, the photo shows that Altura permitted the guy and has no malice regarding the incident.

In the photo, it can be seen that ‘Boss Toyo’ is slightly holding Leng’s lower body behind while posing for a photoshoot. However, the photo shows that Altura permitted the guy and has no malice regarding the incident.

The social media icon Leng Altura’s “Nagpahawak sa Pwet” controversial photo is now circulating online and elicited comments from netizens.

Arlene Altura or popularly known as “Leng” is one of the most popular female personalities on social media. Leng is known for her dance cover videos on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Altura rose to fame and garnered instant popularity after posting daring photos and dance videos such as “Neneng B,” “Ivana Dance,” “Macarena,” “Catriona,” and other entertaining video clips.

What can you say about this? Just feel free to leave your comments and reactions to this article.

Removing a condom during sex can result in dangerous consequences

The act of removing a condom during sex can result in dangerous consequences, leaving the person to a risk of pregnancy or STDs. The bill was filed in the House of Representatives and the solons said, they want to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases (STD), as well as unwanted pregnancies. "A violation of this conditional consent is not rightfully considered a form of sexual assault," the bill reads.

There are many sex trends out there that people try to either experiment or spice up their sex life. But ever wondered if a sex trend could seriously cause trouble for some? The latest sex trend that everyone has been talking about is called stealthing. According to Urban Dictionary, stealthing is an act ‘when a man removes a condom during sex despite agreeing to wear one so that he can cum inside the other person without their knowledge.’ This is a major issue as it’s an explicit breach of consent and once the consent is revoked it turns into a form of sexual assault. In several countries people who indulge in this creepy sex trend can be punished under the law.

A man removing the condom during sexual intercourse after agreeing to put it on, could soon be a criminal offence in the Phillippines. A House Bill 3957 or Anti-Stealthing Law was filed in the House of Representatives by AKO BICOL Party-List Reps Alfredo Garbin and Elizaldy Co in the month of August. If the bill is passed into law, then stealthing can become a punishable form of sexual assault.

The man will be penalized if he agreed to put on a condom first and thus lead to consensual sex. But during the sexual activity, if the condom is not used or removed without the consent of the partner, it can account to sexual assault. In a case of tampering the contraceptive even before the sexual activity, the person will still face charges. "With this bill, even children, teenagers, and seniors of any gender who are victims of sexual assault through stealthing may bring their offenders to face the police.

The disturbing sex trend was examined by Alexandra Brodsky for the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law who said the practice is not new but is rarely spoken about. Stealthing leaves a victim vulnerable to pregnancy or STIs and can cause emotional and physical harm. Often the partner doesn’t even realise or understand whether rape or sexual assault has taken place. Non-consenual condom removal is considered by most to be sexual assault as it forces an individual into a sexual situation they were not agreeing to.

Those who indulge in acts of stealthing will be sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined P100,000 to P500,000. In a case of passing on an STD or impregnating the woman, a man will be sentenced to 20 years and fined P200,000 to P700,000. And those who purposely commit the act with the intention of getting their partner pregnant will face stricter punishments. They could land a maximum of 40 years in jail and fined about P1 million to P5 million. In a case of forcing the partner to have sex after removing the condom, the partner stealthing will be held liable to rape and sexual assault. Apart from the Anti-Stealthing Law, it would be counted as a separate crime.

While the Phillipines will soon have an Anti-stealthing law, there are several countries where the dangerous sexual trend is already illegal. It is illegal in the UK, with consent being an important factor in the sex act. In the year 2017, A Swiss court also convicted a man for rape for an act of stealthing. In 2018, a first of its kind case of stealthing was prosecuted in Germany.

Sexual Anatomy & Sex

As HIV can be transmitted sexually, youth need to understand their sexual anatomy and different types of sexual activity. It is important that adolescent sex education lessons include basic male and female anatomical structures and physiology, where these structures are located, and their function related to sexual activity and reproduction.

To be inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and to educate young people about the positive aspects of sexuality, lessons should include:

Puberty (brain development, biological sex, and reproductive anatomy and physiology)

• Sex (types of sexual activity, risks associated with different types of sexual activity)
• Sexuality (sexual expression)
• Sexual health
• Sexual Anatomy

Beyond the four biological functions of reproduction, most people use their sex organs (penis, vagina) to express their attraction to or love for a sexual or romantic partner.

Female sexual and reproductive organs include (in alphabetical order):

• Accessory glands
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries
• Uterus
• Vagina
• Vulva
• Male sexual and reproductive organs include (in alphabetical order):

Bulbourethral glands

1. Network of excretory ducts (epididymis, ductus deferens (vas deferens), and ejaculatory ducts)
2. Pair of testes
3. Penis
4. Prostate
5. Seminal vesicles
6. In both females and males, the perianal region (area around the anus) and anus may also be used for sexual arousal.

Sex
Sex can be defined in many ways. While some people believe sex only includes vaginal sex (penis inserted in a vagina), sexual health experts know sex involves a spectrum of activities. Some people engage in no, some, or all types of sexual activity. Everyone is different and the way they express their sexuality is also different.

Types of sexual activity include (in alphabetical order):

• Anal sex (penis in anus)
• Dry humping (genital-to-genital)
• Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital)
• Kissing (lip-to-lip or lip-to-body)
• Masturbation (exciting one's own genitals)
• Oral sex (mouth-to-penis, mouth-to-vagina, mouth-to-perianal region)
• Outercourse (sexual stimulation between partners without anal or vaginal penetration)
• Vaginal sex (penis in vagina)

While each activity is a way to express attraction to or love for a romantic or sexual partner, it comes with varying levels of risk for HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy.

The sexual response cycle is the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person becomes sexually aroused in response to sexual activity. There are four phases in the cycle: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Pregnancy is caused by semen (ejaculate) or pre-ejaculate getting inside the vagina or vulva. Usually this occurs as a result of male orgasm achieved during vaginal sex. It may also happen if pre-ejaculate is released during penis-to-vulva contact without penetration. The most effective ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy are to: 1) choose not to be sexually active or 2) if sexually active, use a dual method (condom and another kind of birth control) every time.

To be inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and to educate young people about the positive aspects of sexuality, lessons should include:

• Puberty (brain development, biological sex, and reproductive anatomy and physiology)
• Sex (types of sexual activity, risks associated with different types of sexual activity)
• Sexuality (sexual expression)
• Sexual health

SAVE VAGINA NOW!

To maintain a healthy vagina you must know what to do to avoid infection and it is equally important to educate your sexual partner on some of them to also help you help the vagina.
Here are some few things you can do or avoid.

1. Fingering 
During foreplay or romance, as part of it some people insert their finger or fingers into the vagina. The question is, how many people wash their hands before sexual intercourse? Some people do not even keep their nails clean so it gathers a lot of germs and during the fingering, these germs are deposited in the vagina...leading to infection. Same thing apply to autopleasure acts or masturbation.

2. Anal sex
I am not here to tell anybody to have anal sex or not to but I simply want to draw the attention of those who engage in anal sex with the opposite sex that it is dangerous to have anal sex and continue having penovaginal sex. If this is done, the penis will pick bacteria from the anus and deliver them to the vagina even if you are using a condom....which will lead to infection.

3. Quest to make the vagina TIGHT
Some guys complain bitterly about the vagina of their sexual partners. They complain that it's too big and they no more feel any sensation during intercourse. Some ladies are therefore pushed to find a quick solution and in the process some use herbs or other substances in the vagina with the hope of making the vagina tight. Some of the substances cause infection or sepsis. Some of the herbs can cause the vagina to get tighter to the extent that penetration is no more possible. This will require treatment.

4. Douching 

Some parents, when bathing for their baby girls put warm water in a milk tin or dip a towel in the warm water and pour the water through a hole made beneath the tin or squeeze the water out of the towel into the vagina of the baby. This is sooooo WRONG as it can damage the hymen.
Some parents also insert ginger or pepper or both into the vagina of adolescents as a form of punishment. This is sooooo WRONG as it can lead to infection.
Some people are use to bathing by adding dettol or other detergents to the water and they put this solution inside the vagina with the help of sponge or towel or just the hand with soap to clean the vagina. This is soooo WRONG as it will change the normal flora in the vagina, leading to infection.

5. Use of water closet
Some people have the habit of not sitting on the seat of the WC when using it so they end up urinating on the seat. The possibility of picking infection when using it in that condition is high. Don't let your pant be at the thigh level when using the WC especially the public ones as the inner of the pant may rub the surface of the WC. Where the water is not running and people have used but have not flushed and you don't have any choice but to also use it, use enough toilet roll to cover before using the WC to avoid any splashes on the vulva.

6. Washing and drying 
Develop the habit of disinfecting your panties frequently...depending on the number of pants you have. Keep exclusive panties to wear whenever you are menstruating and don't mix those panties with your regular panties. Pay particular attention to those panties when washing. Ensure that the panties are made of cotton and are dried in the sun or well ironed to kill germs.

7. Change sanitary pads
Some people try to economize the use of their sanitary pads so during the period they tend to still wear the pad because there is little or no blood. This is soooo WRONG as it can lead to infection.

NB: If there is any bad scent from the vagina or there is a discharge coming from the vagina then it might be an infection which you have to have it treated.
Help save the vagina by ensuring that you get the message to as many friends as possible. Help save the vagina by getting the message to your sexual partner or sisters.

REASONS WHY A FILIPINA WOULD DATE A FOREIGN MAN

Philippine women are culturally, financially, and lovingly attracted to foreign men.  It’s not just a fantasy; it’s a fact of Philippine life. This article may leave the impression that dating a Filipina will always result in a happy marriage.  While that is the goal of every love struck Philippine lady it is not the only outcome.  Date a Filipina!  Enjoy the experience!  If you don’t feel it is the right fit then date another one.  She will understand.  In fact some Filipinas will recommend you to a friend once she realizes that marriage is an unlikely outcome.  What could be better?

MacArthur is a National Hero - The love affair between Filipinas and foreign men seems to have its roots as early as WW2.  This is when General MacArthur returned to Philippines and saved the local population from their enemies.  Since that time, all foreign military men have received a warm welcome from the people of Philippines and from the ladies in particular.  In recent times those warm feelings have spread to include most foreign men from all walks of life.

All Foreign Men are Rich - Of course this is not true.  Most foreign men are just normal folk trying to get by on a modest income.  The prevailing assumption in some cultures is that Filipinas must only be interested in money because the men they choose are old and ugly.  That is another fallacy.  The foreign men that Philippine women date may be old or young, rich or poor, fat or thin, but never ugly.  All foreigners are handsome to a Filipina.

There are financial hopes and dreams that encourage a Filipina to date a rich man.  She values education but it costs money.  She may want to start a business and need a rich husband to support her.  These are practical considerations but not the primary motives for a Filipina to date a foreign man.

Foreign Men Value Commitment - Living in crowded conditions, a Philippine girl often has her first local boyfriend as soon as she reaches puberty.  Even those girls who avoid early sexual encounters can see that their friends are getting pregnant and their boyfriends are unable or unwilling to support the children financially.

As those same girls get older and wiser they notice many Filipinas with foreign husbands who live well and raise healthy families.  This sets up a fantasy that finding a foreigner will give the Philippine girl a better life.  Of course there are Philippine men who are great husbands and raise wonderful families but the fantasy is that foreigners are better.  Philippine men seem to accept this fantasy and even encourage girls to find a foreigner.  The men are confident in themselves and do not seem at all threatened when foreigners date local girls.

Family Encouragement - The Philippine family welcomes foreigners who marry into it.  There is a social status to having a foreigner in the family and there is a practical element too.  When a foreigner marries into a Philippine family he will be seen as one of the richest members of the clan.  There will be poor relations who will ask for a loan or handout when their kids are hungry or in need of medicine.  There will be better off relatives seeking a little help to establish a business or go to school or travel to a job abroad.  Many foreigners who marry Filipinas face these requests and often they choose to help out.

The family acceptance comes without any financial requirement.  Helping the family is a voluntary concept which is culturally expected in Philippines but not demanded of a man coming from a different culture.  A Filipina and her family are both happy with foreigner babies.  All babies are loved in Philippines but a baby from the coupling of a Philippine woman and her foreign husband is put high on a pedestal and will get royal treatment.

Love and Trust - Philippine woman are among the most romantic in the world.  Spanish blood mixes with island fervor to make a passionate mix.  These ladies believe strongly in love.  They are jealous lovers who will give all and expect all in return. When a Filipina finds her foreign lover she will go everywhere with him, follow his lead and show him the way if he gets lost.

It only takes a short while for a Philippine lady to learn to trust her foreign partner.  This is a society that values marriage and land so a man needs to propose marriage and purchase a house and lot.  Filipinas marry for life.  There is no divorce in Philippines.  A Filipina commits all her love and trust to just one man.  A foreign man who finds such a love is lucky indeed.

12 Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

Unfortunately in most cases, prostate cancer symptoms only appear in the cancer's early development.

The symptoms of prostate cancer are different for each man so never rule out the possibility that some of these symptoms may be caused by other illnesses.

It's extremely important, especially for men past the age of 50, to undergo medical examinations to find out potential problems in their bodies.

1. Frequent urges to urinate especially during the evening
2. Difficulties in urination when in the standing position. There is also difficulty in starting and ending the urination process.
3. Decreased flow of urine and changing the color of urine.
4. A burning sensation during urination
5. An unpleasant feeling at the beginning of the urination process
6. Pain or numbness that occurs in the hips, thighs, legs and/or lower back
7. Bone pain which may leads to fractures
8. Discomfort and Swelling in legs or pelvic area
9. Problems with ejaculation - Painful ejaculation
10. Impotence - Erectile Dysfunction
11. Blood in urine (Hematuria)
12. Blood in semen (Hematospermia)

Remember to visit your doctor if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.

Husband and Wife

A Guy who has no job got married to a banker, despite his fears and several advises that it's not good to marry without a job. Every month the girl Would give the guy her full salary of $80,000 after removing her tithe. The guy would give the wife $20.000 for personal upkeep and the guy determined what happened to the remaining money.

This happened for 3 good years. There was happiness in the family and the wife never refused to do her primary home duties for that 3 years, despite wrong advice from friends that 'you can't be paying the bills and still be doing all the work'.

There was a particular month the guy used about $50.000 to travel from region to region for different interviews. He finally got a job with a good firm. His salary was $380,000 monthly for a start. He bought his first car (a brand new) for 2.2 million dollars he gave the wife the car key,& continued to take public transport to work for about 3 years. Then he bought the 2nd car for 4 million took the keys of the first car & gave his wife the keys of the 2nd car. They eventually moved into their own house after few years. One day, the wife was looking for some documents. She stumbled on a file neatly hidden, when she opened it, she saw her wedding picture when she was very slim in the first page of the file. She then saw that the document the purchase of the land and every other thing in the house were all written in her name! At the last page was the husband's wedding picture and a note
written by him:

''MY WIFE IS ALL I HAVE GOT. NOT EVEN THIS HOUSE WORTH 100 millions AT THE TIME I BUILT IS MINE'' .

Tears started to roll down her eyes. This couple got married in 1998. Last Sunday was their wedding anniversary, blessed with 3 children. True LOVE still exists till this day. Are you sure the love you have for your partner can be compared to this one you just read? No matter what remember you chose each other. It doesn't matter who puts food on the table or who pays the bills. Always know, NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT.

Now I pray that God will surely lead you to your destined life partner

Secrets of Great Sex

A Portrait of ‘Great Sex”. They focused their attention on identifying specific characteristics that comprise ‘great sex’. The investigation was conducted in the hopes of debunking sexual myths, and to offer an broader view based on a spectrum of sexuality. Adrenaline, intense attraction, or the things they know how to do in bed; what is it about a sexual encounter that makes it so great? The outcome of such work offers a new way for people to view “human erotic potential and expand our understanding of what sex can be”.

The data was accumulated from the answers collected in detailed interviews, which lasted anywhere between forty five minutes to two hours. The focal point of the questions was to learn more about optimal sexuality by learning about respondents’ best sexual experiences, then tabulating their responses to come up with the most common factors. The study based their findings on a total of sixty four participants, encompassing a diverse sampling of population. Those interviewed were men and women, diverse in age range, ethnic origin and sexual orientation; some also identified themselves as polyamorous, practitioners of S&M, as well as Sex Therapists. Participants’ ages ranged from twenty three to eight two years of age.

What Comprises Optimal Sex?

Sex is subjective. Many of the participants of the study put it this way, “no one can simply define ‘great sex’ for others”. Yet their responses revealed a great deal of commonality, despite differences in lifestyles, ages and Sexual Orientation. Ultimately, the study illustrated that “there may be many routes to experience great sex, but the actual experience can be very similar across varying individuals”.

Ten key components of phenomenal sexual experiences were identified during the course of research. Eight were deemed significant because they came up most often and were greatly emphasized by almost all respondents. The last two were characterized as insufficient in themselves to be necessary aspects of great sex, but were still considered by researchers as worthy of mention in the study.

1. Being present, focused and embodied

The state of feeling “totally absorbed in the moment”, of being completely in tune with the sensations being experienced during great sex, was stated by interviewees most often and ahead of any other characteristic of an ideal sexual experience.

Another distinguishing aspect was the ability of respondents and their sexual partners to completely let themselves go during sex. They were unimpeded by distractions such as the mental ‘running commentary’ that many people have trouble shutting off.

2. Connection, alignment, merger, being in synch

Many of the respondents believed that a deep connection between two people, irrespective of the length of the relationship (hours to years), was a key component of optimal sexual union. Some described it as feeling synchronistic during intimate contact and a sense of merger, a “loss of personal boundaries, a distinct loss of … self-awareness in the sense of separateness from the other”. Others characterized it as a powerful energy and a sense of connectivity that kindles between two individuals.

Interestingly, with all this talk of merger and fusion, those who responded most passionately regarding this aspect of sex noted that the more grounded they were in themselves (with a strong sense of self), the more capable they were to let go with another. Additionally, they emphasized the need to set clear boundaries, accept themselves for who they are, and feel respected by their partner.

3. Deep sexual and erotic intimacy

The essence of this category is to imagine the undercurrent of intimacy two people develop long before they actually have Sex . The panel asserted a powerful connection between erotic intimacy and a sense of safety/security in a relationship. This affinity can be derived by a “deep mutual respect, caring, genuine acceptance and admiration”. As it relates to this category of intimacy, practically every one who participated in this study expressed the importance of a profound sense of trust between lovers.

4. Extraordinary communication, heightened empathy

The emphasis on communication doesn’t stress individuals being technically skilled communicators as much as it underscores people’s capacity to truly and freely share themselves. Participants articulated the importance of listening well and paying attention to verbal and non-verbal cues. They also reiterated the ability “to recognize (in a sexual capacity), even without being told told, what and when a particular kind of touch elicits a certain response in your partner and another does not.” Non-verbal communication was seen as a vital component of transcendent sex. In order to successfully embody this element of sexuality interviewees stressed the responsibility of individuals to be emotionally mature enough to recognize their own needs and desires, in order to be able to convey them to their partners.

5. Authenticity, being genuine, uninhibited, transparency

One woman summed up these qualities as “sex where you can say anything and be anything”. Authenticity in a sexual relationship involves individuals being entirely self-expressive, uninhibited and unself-conscious. With the results of this study continually building upon the importance of ‘letting go’ in relationships, the participants’ data proved another important corollary; being so completely genuine with another human being has an incredibly powerful effect emotionally and sexually. ‘Baring it all’ was considered by many to be liberating and an important component of amazing sex. It also gave permission to their partners to be free to do the same.

Respondents attributed much of their success in coming to such a state of confidence and genuineness, to letting go of restrictive sexual myths and unrealistic expectations as it relates to eroticism.

6. Transcendence, bliss, peace, transformation, healing

The feelings of “bliss, peace, awe, ecstasy and soulfulness” were the signature characteristics of extraordinary sex. Some likened the experience to the transcendent feeling reached during meditation, while it reminded others of timelessness and expansiveness. Being able to trust your sexual partner enough to let yourself experience such intensity was seen as the fundamental basis of these factors.

7. Exploration, interpersonal risk-taking, fun

Participants of this study explained that great sex was a vehicle for them to discover themselves. By taking risks and pushing their own sexual boundaries, respondents felt a sense of adventure and personal growth, which in turn fuels further development and discovery. Many of them also agreed on the following, “What’s sex without a little fun and laughter?”

8. Vulnerability and surrender

The ability to give oneself over to their partner was a distinguishing factor between regular and amazing sex. Being willing to let go and feel vulnerable were among the characteristics that allowed individuals to achieve this state of interpersonal sexual abandon. There is a way to tell whether you’re truly surrendering to sex with your lover; as one interviewee put it, in unexceptional relationships, “There’s always some maybe small but detectable barriers, some things held back. In great sex, I think those (for me) disappear”.

9. Intense physical sensation and orgasm

There were a range of opinions presented as to the role Orgasms play in great sex. Both men and women agreed that an orgasm was not necessary for a sexual experience to be considered exceptional. However, they noted that orgasms seemed to come naturally anyway when they were having ‘great sex’. Some respondents also underscored the satisfaction they derived from a slow build up to pleasure.

10. Lust, desire, chemistry, attraction

A striking conclusion drawn from the results of these interviews was the role that lust and desire played in amazing sex. They made it onto the ‘Top Ten’ list not because they were valuable in and of themselves, but rather because of their impact when they’re mutually experienced. Whether individuals were drawn to one another through lust or attraction, their compelling chemistry influenced their perception of sex positively.

Breaking Sexual Ground

The study found that there was a lack of valid research regarding the nature of great sex, citing that experts in the field of Sexual Health actually have “minimal data on the farther reaches of human sexual potential”. It also pointed out that other studies have a tendency to not take into account the broader spectrum of sexual function; they either take a more black and white approach, or focus too attention on treating dysfunction.

Final Thoughts

One of the most significant outcomes of this study was that the actual ‘acts’ performed during sex were deemed inconsequential when compared to the “mindset and intent of the person or couple engaged in these acts”. These findings draw powerful conclusions about sex and healthy functioning, namely that individuals need not look outside of themselves to achieve great sex. Too great a focus on the physical mechanisms of sex will not be as fulfilling overall as the emotional, spiritual and psychological benefits of being present, embodied and vulnerable during sex. Additionally, the study encourages “comfort with self, personal and interpersonal exploration, revelation and acceptance”. If an individual can achieve this level of growth, they are more apt to take risks both sexually and psychically, and can discover erotic attributes that they did not even know they possessed!

How To Masturbate for Men

Masturbation is considered by many to be the cornerstone of sexual health. Most men believe that they already know everything about their own genitals and sexual response. It’s all out there, boys will be boys, etc. But just because you know how your tools work, doesn’t mean you can build the Eiffel Tower. In fact most men experience a fraction of their full erotic and orgasmic potential. Read on for simple and fun tips on how to masturbate for men.

Time Required: Male masturbation doesn’t have to always be a “quick affair”. Take your time and enjoy.

Here’s How:

Make time for more than a quickie. Most guys first learn to masturbate in secret and furtive ways. They do it quickly and need to figure out what to do with the evidence afterward. This can create a powerful pattern of masturbating quickly, without paying attention to where your sexual arousal can take you. To start exploring something different, make sure you have some extended time and privacy for yourself, where you aren’t trying to finish quick before someone interrupts.

Turn off the porn (just for a while) and tune into your body. Not everyone likes porn, but a lot of guys do, and while porn can be great, it also takes you out of your body a bit with the fantasy. This can distract you from what’s actually happening in your body. You don’t need to throw the porn away, but for a few times, masturbate without porn, and objectify yourself for a change!

Do a…dry…run through. Bad pun aside, it’s a good idea to try the above suggestions, and then just masturbate as you normally would. As you do this pay attention:
Changes in your breathing: Does it become shallow and quick, slower and deeper?
Changes in your body: is there tension in some places, and relaxation in others? Is this the same every time you masturbate?

• How does it feel just before you have an orgasm?
• How does it feel as you orgasm, and immediately post-orgasm?

Time to switch it up. Men learn early in their lives the most effective way to get themselves off. And most never waver from the utilitarian approach to self love. But sex is less like a well oiled machine, and more like a chaotic food fair, where there is an endless selection of ways to satisfy your appetites. So it’s time to throw a wrench in the works and shake up your routine. Try any combination of the following suggestions:

Does your left hand know what your right hand is doing? Do you always use the same one hand to masturbate? Most guys do. If you’re among them, start with the simple tip of switching hands. It can feel strange at first, the rhythm might be off, it’s almost like sex with someone new for the first time. Enjoy the newness, and see if a new hand can teach an old hand some tricks.

Experiment with positions. If you aren’t an experimental type, it’s time to start. If you’re used to masturbating lying down on your back, try sitting up. If you normally sit in a chair, try standing, or kneeling. As with all these changes, this might feel ridiculous at first, and you’ll probably go back to old faithful, but see what masturbation feels like in different positions, and notice if it brings with it any new sensations.

Get your hips moving. The way your body moves when you masturbate is probably very different from the way it moves when you’re having sex with someone else. Many men don’t move at all when they masturbate. Try to move your hips when you masturbate, simulating the thrusting of intercourse. Notice how moving your hips in different ways can bring you closer to, and at times take you farther away from, the point of orgasm.

Use different hand strokes.
Most men learn early on that a vigorous stroke does the trick. This intense up and down stimulation usually ends in a good orgasm. But there are dozens of other strokes that each bring with them different sensations, and different orgasms. Roll your penis in between your hands, moving your hands up and down your shaft. Try using long twisting strokes instead of just up and down. Experiment with different movements, pressures, and speeds.

Explore your shaft. While most of the nerve endings on the penis are at the head, and specifically the frenulum, many men will have spots on their shaft that are unusually sensitive. Try putting one hand at the base of your penis and press it towards your body while experimenting with different hand strokes along the shaft of your penis. Treat this like a treasure hunt, and try to feel the difference between one side and the other, between stimulation near the base and up near the tip.

Reach around, yourself. For many men the balls (testicles) are a very sensitive area that responds well to feelings of touch and pressure. Take your forefinger and thumb and make them in a circle at the top of your scrotum. Gently tug on your scrotum as your masturbating. This is both a way to prevent you from ejaculating and a way to extend sexual feelings in your body. Experiment with other kinds of touch including tickling, scratching, and rubbing.

Check out the neighborhood. While the penis and scrotum tend to be the epicenter of masturbatory attention, if you’re looking to open things up a bit, be sure to take a tour of some other nearby areas. The perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus, is very sensitive to pressure and massage, and rubbing it provides external prostate stimulation. Speaking of which, don’t be afraid to explore the anus, both externally and by using a finger for penetration.

Bring it all together. Not everything you try is going to do it for you, but the idea behind the above tips is to try lots of different things, and then incorporate whatever you like into the ways you regularly masturbate. Maybe it’s a different stroke, or position, or breathing technique. Obviously there is no one, correct way to masturbate, and even if you’ve got something that works for you, consider the fact that there could be more out there if you experiment with it.

Tips:

• Another myth about male masturbation is that you shouldn’t use anything other than you hand. While your hand might be doing the trick, adding some accessories can make the stimulation even more intense, and inspire more creativity with yourself, and with partners.
• Get a good quality personal lubricant . If it’s only for masturbation you can use something that’s oil based without worrying about condom compatibility. Oil based products are better because they won’t dry up.
• Add a sex toy into the mix. It might be a vibrator, a dildo, or a cock ring (if you’ve never tried one I recommend trying one on your own before you use it with a partner). Sex toys can add a completely new kind of stimulation, and accentuate the manual stimulation your doing.

Female Sexual Response

The beginnings of sexual arousal in a woman's body is usually marked by vaginal lubrication, engorgement of the external genitals, and internal enlargement of the vagina. Further stimulation can lead to more vaginal wetness and further engorgement and swelling of the clitoris and the labia, along with increased redness or darkening of the skin in these areas. Further changes to the internal organs also occur including to the internal shape of the vagina and to the position of the uterus within the pelvis.

Mental and physical stimuli such as touch, and the internal fluctuation of hormones, can influence sexual arousal. Cognitive factors like sexual motivation, perceived gender role expectations, and sexual attitudes play important roles in women’s self-reported levels of sexual arousal. Basson suggests that women’s need for intimacy prompts them to engage with sexual stimuli, leading to an experience of sexual desire and psychological sexual arousal.

Goldey and van Anders showed that sexual cognitions impact hormone levels in women. For instance, sexual thoughts result in a rapid increase in testosterone in women who were not using hormonal contraception. Inconsistent study results indicate that, although testosterone is involed in libido and sexuality of some women, its effects can be obscured by the co-existence of psychological or affective factors in others.

Other bodily changes include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as flushing across the chest and upper body. If sexual stimulation continues, then sexual arousal may peak into orgasm, resulting in rhythmic muscular contractions in the pelvic region characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure. Experienced by males and females, orgasms are controlled by the involuntary or autonomic nervous system.

As women age, their estrogen levels decrease. Reduced estrogen levels may be associated with increased vaginal dryness and less clitoral erection when aroused, but are not directly related to other aspects of sexual interest or arousal. In older women, decreased pelvic muscle tone may mean that it takes longer for arousal to lead to orgasm, may diminish the intensity of orgasms, and then cause more rapid resolution. The uterus typically contracts during orgasm, and with advancing age, those contractions may actually become painful.

Eating A Vag!na Cures Cancer

The experts have been using most of their time trying to find new solution to the problems that the society is facing right now. Especially when it comes to the diseases. They are constantly trying to find new ways that could be effective and efficient for all the people.

Did you know that eating a girl’s private organ could save you from fatal diseases such as cancer and heart disease?

According to the research that was made in the State University of New York, the most important meal that a man should take is eating a v@gina.

The hormones such as the DHEA Hormones and Oxytocin are being produced whenever cunnilingus happens. These hormones are capable of preventing cancer to an individual.

This act does not only satisfy the urges of man and woman but also helps improve the health condition of an individual. It is a way of enjoying the pleasure while having health benefits.

So the next time that you doubt about going down on a woman, be sure to keep all of these things in your mind. This is not only for your safety but also for the pleasure of your body.

Tuwad na Daan

Sexy dancers wearing skimpy black outfit performed on stage after Mar Roxas led the oath-taking of 80 local officials as new LP members in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The affair coincided with the birthday celebration of Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao.

One of the dancers even gyrated to sexy music while sitting on top of a man clad in a yellow shirt based on a video posted on social media.

“Emcee says these girls are MMDA chair Francis Tolentino’s ‘surprise gift’ to those who attended LP event,” Inquirer reporter Marlon Ramos captioned a snap of the photos showing the performers.

A short video of the lewd performance was also posted online during the LP gathering attended by presidential bet Mar Roxas.

Tolentino has drawn flak for bringing dancers as “gift” during Agarao’s birthday party. The senatorial aspirant however has denied any involvement, saying the emcee was probably misinformed.

Fake Orgasm

Madalas, mga babae ang nagfe-fake ng orgasm.  Nakaranas na ba kayo na ang partner nyo ang nag-fake ng kanyang orgasm?  Pano nyo ba masasabi kung fake ang orgasm ng babae?  Well, mahirap i-identify yan.  Kasi magaling mag fake ng orgasm ang babae.  Ganun din kasi ako.  Akala nila nilabasan na ko pero hindi pa.  Kaya minsan humihingi pa ko ng second round.  Sa mga babae, mararamdaman mong nag-orgasm ka na kung nanginginig at umiinit ang iyong katawan, bumibilis ang pintig ng iyong puso, umaakyat ang iyong dugo sa iyong ulo at parang nararamdaman mong pumapantig ang iyong puke.  Kung ito ay mapapansin ng mga lalake, ibig sabihin ay napapaligaya nyo ang iyong partner.

Bibigyan ko kayo ng tips, lalo na sa mga lalake, para mabigyan nyo ng orgasm ang mga partner nyo.  At sa mga babae naman, para ma-achieve nyo ang orgasm na di lang isang beses, pwede ring multiple orgasm.

• Foreplay - Importante 'to sa bawat babae.  Ito ay panimula upang uminit ang babae.  Tulad sakin, gusto ko may foreplay muna bago ang pagkantot.  Maaring passionate kissing, sensual massage, petting o touching ang gawin na foreplay.  Maaari din na manood kayo ng porn habang nagtatalik para parehas kayong uminit at maging horny.
• Masturbate - Para sa mga babae, maganda na rin na matuto tayong mag masturbate.  Ibabahagi ko sa inyo ang mga paraan ng pag-masturbate sa susunod kong post.  Sa pag-mamasturbate, mas malalaman mo kung ano ang magpapaligaya sayo sa pamamagitan ng paghawak at paglaro mo sa iba't ibang parte ng iyong katawan.
• Sex toys - May ibang mag-partner na ayaw gumamit ng sex toys.  Anila, maaring masanay ang tao sa paggamit ng sex toys at hindi na sila labasan sa aktwal na pagtatalik.  Ito ay hindi totoo dahil ang mga sex toys ay isang paraan lamang para malaman ng tao kung saan sya maliligayahan.  Isa lamang itong tulong upang ma-explore mo ang iyong katawan at kakayanan.
• Communication - Importante na sinasabi mo sa partner mo kung ano ang mga bagay na magpapaligaya sayo pagdating sa sex.  Sa ganitong paraan, pareho nyong maaabot ang langit.  Kung kinakailangan nyong mag talk dirty, gawin nyo.  Kung ang iba't ibang position ay makakapag-arouse sa inyo, gawin nyo.  Ang importante, di ka nahihiya at sinasabi mo sa partner mo kung ano ang gusto mo.  Kaya importante rin na pinagkakatiwalaan mo ang partner mo pagdating sa sex.

 Maaaring marami pang paraan para maabot ang orgasm.  Ito ay base lamang sa aking karanasan.  Baka meron pa kayong mai-share.  Kaya nyo bang ipa-multiple orgasm ang babae?  Gawin nyo nga sakin yun!

Rape in typhoon yolanda-hit areas

Survivors in Tacloban City claim looting, rape continue, even with security personnel around. And residents testify to the rape of some women worsening the human devastation after the typhoon.

As the international relief effort in the Philippines gets under way, UK development secretary Justine Greening says not enough is being done to protect women and girls from the threat of rape, violence, forced marriage and trafficking.

Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan has raised the alarm concerning reports of escalating violence and rape in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

 “A humanitarian crisis of this proportion can and will spawn violence,” she said.

“It is high time that the Aquino government get its act together rather than waste time and effort defending itself from international criticism for its glaringly disorganized and incompetent response to the disaster brought about by super typhoon Yolanda.”

The deployment of security forces to control looting had no impact on allaying fears of further violence, including rape primarily because survivors need organized relief and rehabilitation efforts, she added.

Ilagan said six days after the typhoon, survivors continue to walk, sleep and scour for food among the dead in ruined structures.

“Why is it that there’s no centralized shelter or even a tent city in these areas?” she asked.

It is unthinkable to most of us that as well as having to contend with the basic human need of finding food and water, shelter for you and your family and medicine to prevent disease spreading or treat those with wounds, hundreds of thousands of women and girls will face the very real risk of violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, rape, forced marriage and trafficking.

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig video scandal

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig video scandal has been leaked online! OH-MY-GEE!!

Scandal video shows Chito Miranda and Neri Naig in a very private moment, which is supposed to be PRIVATE and not to be shared with everyone else. But now, it has gone public and being watched by millions of web users.

The 7.18-minute Chito Miranda and Neri Naig video scandal is believed to have been uploaded first on Youtube, but, of course, it was later taken down.

However, many were able to re-upload and download Chito Miranda and Neri Naig's video, and copies have already circulated anywhere on the web, until it reached another popular video hosting site. On Facebook, someone even created a page dedicated to the video controversy and posted a copy of it there. Oh no!

It's really saddening that this has happened considering that Chito is a well-respected Pinoy music icon.

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig, age 37 and 27 respectively, became a couple in December 2011. Before Neri, Chito had been long known as boyfriend of actress Kaye Abad.

There are unconfirmed reports that Chito Miranda and Kaye Abad video scandal has also leaked. I hope it's not true. Please!

Lesson to be learned here? Don't ever make your own video scandal.

FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA: VULVA, LABIA, and CLITORIS

The Vulva is the external sexual organ of women. The above view (A) shows the external view of the female vulva as normally seen when the woman is standing up. View (B) shows the vulva when it is opened, and from the top down one can clearly see the Veneris Mons, clitoral hood, clitoris, and labia minora. There are many questions about the vulva on alt.sex, and this FAQ will begin to attempt to answer some of these.

Vulva

The external female genitals are collectively referred to as The Vulva. All of the words below are part of the vulva.

Mons Veneris

The mons veneris, Latin for "hill of Venus" (Roman Goddess of love) is the pad of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone below the abdomen but above the labia. The mons is sexually sensitive in some women and protects the pubic bone from the impact of sexual intercourse.

Labia Majora

The labia majora are the outer lips of the vulva, pads of fatty tissue that wrap around the vulva from the mons to the perineum. These labia are usually covered with pubic hair, and contain numerous sweat and oil glands, and it has been suggested that the scent from these are sexually arousing.

Labia Minora

The labia minora are the inner lips of the vulva, thin stretches of tissue within the labia majora that fold and protect the vagina, urethra, and clitoris. The appearance of labia minora can vary widely, from tiny lips that hide between the labia majora to large lips that protrude. The most common metaphor for the labia minora is that of a flower. Both the inner and outer labia are quite sensitive to touch and pressure.

Clitoris

The clitoris, visible in picture (B) as the small white oval between the top of the labia minora and the clitoral hood, is a small body of spongy tissue that is highly sexually sensitive. Only the tip or glans of the clitoris shows extrernally, but the organ itself is elongated and branched into two forks, the crura, which extend downward along the rim of the vaginal opening toward the perineum. Thus the clitoris is much larger than most peole think it is -- about 4" long, on avergae. The clitoral glans or external tip of the cltoris is protected by the prepuce, or clitoral hood, a covering of tissue similar to the foreskin of the male penis. During sexual excitement, the clitoris may extend and the hood retract to make the clitoral glans more accessible. On some women the clitoral glans is very small; other women may have large clitori that the hood does not completely cover.

Urethra

The opening to the urethra is just below the clitoris. It is not related to sex or reproduction, but is instead the passage for urine. The urethra is connected to the bladder. Because the urethra is so close to the anus, women should always wipe themselves from front to back to avoid infecting the vagina and urethra with bacteria.

 

Hymen

 

The above illustrations show the area between the labia minora. From top to bottom can be clearly seen the clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening. A, B, and C show vaginal openings with a normal hymen, a membrane that partially covers the opening. The hymen is the traditional "symbol" of virginity, although being a very thin membrane, it can be torn by vigorous exercise or the insertion of a tampon. Illustration D shows an imperforate hymen that completely closes the vagina; this rare condition requires surgical intervention to provide for a normal flow of blood once menstruation begins. Illustration E is of a vagina in a post-partum woman (one who has given birth).

Perineum

The perineum is the short stretch of skin starting at the bottom of the vulva and extending to the anus. The perineum in women often tears during birth to accomodate passage of the child, and this is apparently natural. Some physicians may cut the perineum preemptively on the grounds that the "tearing" may be more harmful than a precise scalpel, but statistics show that such cutting in fact may increase the potential for infection.

 

Teenage girl faces lashing for pre-marital sex

The ruling came 10 months after UN human rights chief Navi Pillay urged the Maldives to stop publicly flogging women for having extra-marital or pre-marital sex.

Pillay noted during a visit that the Maldives had progressed in safeguarding the rights of its 330,000 Sunni Muslims, but more needed to be done to protect women.

Flogging, carried out with a cane, is normally handed down as a punishment by village chiefs who also act as local judges.

Rights activists slammed the judgement and called for it to be overturned.

"Degrading and inhuman punishments should find no place in a democracy," said Aruna Kashyap, women's rights researcher for Asia at Human Rights Watch.

"Maldives should immediately halt the execution of the punishment and take action to amend its discriminatory laws."

Suhas Chakma, director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights, said the sentence reflected the government's intention to consolidate its support among sharia law followers, in the face of serious political opposition.

"This could be used by the government to say they're committed to Islam," he said. "Courts are not independent in the Maldives so the government will have a hand."

He said the lashes were also a breach of the UN Convention against Torture.

There were mixed reactions in comments posted on the local news website Minivan News.

"This is ridiculous, and hypocritical," said one reader, identified as Mariyam.

"How many people over the age of 18 are having sex outside of marriage every day in this country. Why not flog them. And why not flog the 29-year-old man. If the girl has to face public humiliation why not the man."

Another, identified as Dhivehi Hanguraama, volunteered to administer the lashing.

"I myself would volunteer to whip this creature, as would any of self-respecting, esteemed, members of the ulama (religious scholars)."

Police said they began their probe after receiving a complaint from the girl's family.

"We investigated and forwarded our findings to the prosecutor general. The man was convicted of having sex with a minor," police spokesman Hassan Haneef said.

Official sources said the girl had been tried under sharia law which prohibits girls between the ages of 13 and 18 having pre-marital sex. Sex with a girl under the age of 13 is considered rape.

She was convicted on the basis of her confession.

Her lover, on the other hand, was tried under common law and convicted of having sex with a minor, an offence punishable with a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The pair had intercourse on the Raa atoll, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital island Male.

There was no immediate comment from the Maldivian government, which includes the ultra conservative Adhaalath Party, whose supporters follow a strict brand of Wahhabi Islam.

The country's first democratically elected president, the Western-educated Mohamed Nasheed, resigned in February saying he was forced out in a coup backed by Islamic extremists along with elements of the police and the armed forces.

The unnamed teenager was convicted on her confession under sharia law after her family complained she had sex with a 29-year-old man in July.

The man was given 10 years in jail during a court hearing on the remote Raa atoll on Sunday.

A court official said the girl could refuse the flogging and would then instead be subjected only to eight months house arrest. Should she agree, the lashing will be carried out when she reaches the age of 18.

"In most cases, the offenders would accept the lashing as part of penance," the official, who declined to be named, said.