Photo by Deon Black on LetsTalkSex
The Truth About Squirting
Q: I’ve never been able to find a definitive answer to this question—and I’ve been looking for a long time. A little while ago, my boyfriend made me squirt—I was as surprised as he was. Since then, we’ve tried different things to recreate it, and it’s happened a handful of times. But one of those times, I swear to god, it was pee on the towel afterward. I could smell it. It didn’t stink, but there was something there. I’ve looked at dozens of explanations of squirting on the internet. Most insist it’s not pee, but others claim differently. What is the truth?!
A: I can understand you are confused with all the conflicting information out there! Most of the research points to the conclusion that the fluid expelled is NOT urine, even though it may contain traces of urine. The fluid is created by the Skene’s gland during stimulation and moves through the urethra, creating the same sensation as needing to pee. You will notice that the fluid is colorless, whereas urine has a yellow tinge to it and a smell. Some women expel quite a bit of fluid, and others not as much. Rather than worry about where it comes from, just enjoy the sensation and let yourself go!
Pelvic Floor Issues
Q: I read somewhere that weightlifting can cause the pelvic floor to drop or loosen. I heard Kegels are good for this problem, and there are even weights that can go into the vagina to tone the muscles in there. Can other workouts besides Kegels work to strengthen these areas? Like hip thrusts? Or do they do more harm than good?
A: Heavy lifting can impact your pelvic floor if not done properly as it does put pressure on those muscles. If you are a weight lifter, it’s important to have a strong pelvic floor and to have the correct posture when lifting. If you are older and menopausal, or you have recently given birth, then you are at a higher risk for damaging your pelvic floor. Exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor include abdominal exercises, hip thrusts, and others that a trainer can help you with. Kegels, when done properly, with or without vaginal weights are also very helpful (check out Lavana spheres by ViViLo). It might be a good idea to consult with a pelvic floor physiotherapist as well to assess the condition of your pelvic floor and to help you with the right exercises for you. Just remember to listen to your body! If you feel pressure or heaviness in your vagina, then you need to adjust, and/or have it checked out by a physiotherapist that specializes in this area.
“New Dick Syndrome”
Q: This sounds silly when I say it out loud—and to be fair, it’s only a problem every once in a while. Basically, whenever I sleep with a new guy, I either get a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. When I’m with the same partner, everything is fine. But when it’s the first time with someone, my vagina always freaks out, and then I have to go get Monistat or antibiotics. It can’t be the condoms. To be frank, I don’t always use them—and when I consistently do, they don’t cause any problems. My friends have taken to calling it “New Dick Syndrome” as a joke—but it honestly feels like that’s the best descriptor for what happens the first time I sleep with someone new. What’s the deal?
A: I’m not sure why that happens, but I do know that yeast and bacterial vaginosis infections are more likely to happen when having sex with a new partner. Usually, the ejaculate or the lube you are using is causing a change in the pH balance of your vagina. It’s important to have the proper diagnosis from a medical doctor so that you can treat it properly.