Sex Position of the Month (continued): The Standing Crane

This position starts with both partners standing up facing each other. The two embrace with their legs interlocked for stability. The woman then lifts one of her legs up, while the man holds it up for extra support. Between the full-body contact and ability to look into each other's eyes, this position is great for increased intimacy and closeness.

A&E's Resident Sex Expert: Dr. Kat (continued)

Your questions answered Dr. Kat Van Kirk, a AASECT certified Sex Therapist and licensed Marriage Therapist. This month's question is…

Q&A: The Benefits of Sex and Working Out

Dear Dr. Kat,

My husband is really into Cross-Fit. For Christmas and for my New Year's resolution, he'd like me to get more fit. I know the physical benefits of it but now he's telling me that it will help our relationship and sex life. Is he full of crap or what?

Happy Holidays,
Kristy

Dear Kristy,

Your husband wins this round. There are indeed, multitudes of ways that engaging in a regular fitness program will serve you when it comes to your sex life. The obvious is that you will experience longer stamina, more flexibility and strength to get into your favorite sex positions. But it actually goes way beyond these few benefits.

Turns out, the more fat we all carry on our body the more estrogen we produce. Estrogen, frankly can be quite the arousal killer. In men it can actually cause the penis to shrink. Yikes! So getting into better physical condition can make your Mr. Happy happy.

Higher levels of estrogen can also cause long-term desire to wain and that means the “use it or lose it” philosophy extends here. Research has shown that it can take quite a while for the fire to return if you disconnect from sex for a long period of time.

Sex begets sex, so having it on a regular basis, even if you do not feel aroused. It will help you get in the mood. Research has shown that if women wait to become aroused, they simply may not. Whereas if you make masturbation or regular sex a part of your repertoire, you'll feel more like doing the wild thing with a partner and sex is a great physical activity to share with a loved one.

Pelvic floor exercises - this does not mean getting on the floor and thrusting your pelvis; although I'm sure there is some benefit to that too, can help you have stronger PC muscles leading to more intense orgasms for you and potentially for him. I've spoken to many a couple that when the woman began Kegel exercising during sex, their husbands reported a massage sensation on their penises. Think of it as a pleasant vaginal friction hug.

The release of endorphins while working out is similar to the release of them during sex. Research has shown that people who work out on a regular basis, feel better about themselves. Having a good sense of self-esteem translates directly into the bedroom. If you feel good about yourself you tend to be more open to exploring your own body leading to increased orgasms and even bonding between you and your partner.

We all release our own concoction of pheromones. This is especially true during not only sex but working out. A little bit of physical exertion and sweat can really help to arouse one another. This is why the gym can be such a great place to meet partners. You can smell the scent of your partner up close and personal.

So, in addition to improved cardiovascular health, increased immune system, lower rates of cancer, and simply a longer life, being fit can help you keep that flame burning long into old age. As if I needed to give you another reason. Now drop and give me twenty.

Sincerely,

Keep in touch with Dr. Kat:

Sex Chat with Dr. Kat and Her Gay Boyfriend has NEW episodes on iTunes! Comedian Ross Martineau and I chat over cocktails while we answer questions, discuss lifestyle, dating, self-empowerment, adult products, celebrity sex and relationship buzz and frankly somewhat embarrassing personal anecdotes. Sex Chat is bite size (about 20-30 mins) and is perfect for your commute or while you are gently sobbing doing housework with a truffle in your mouth.

Your Sexual Secret Weapon: Kegels! (continued)

Many people start the new year with big workout resolutions, but working out those kegel muscles doesn't even require you to get off the couch. And while women might hear more about kegeling, it's also great for men, too.

Just what are kegels? Everybody's got 'em. Named for a Dr. Kegel, these muscles are simply your pelvic floor muscles. They stretch from the pubic bone in front to the tailbone in back. Imagine them stretching from the front to the back like a hammock that supports all your downstairs business.

Okay, so how do I "kegel"? It's an easy squeeze, hold for 5 to 10 seconds, and release. But first you've got to know where and what to squeeze. First, imagine you're urinating (seriously) and imagine trying to cut off the stream by squeezing your muscles. Now, imagine you're breaking wind (yes, seriously) and try to cut that off by squeezing your muscles. Good? Now imagine that hammock, and try to squeeze and contract that entire muscle from front to back. Hold for those few seconds, and release. That's it. Beginner kegel-ers can start with ten repetitions a day, and ramp up to fifteen. Some experts even recommend doing a few sets of kegels three times a day.

Why should I keep this up? Over time, regular kegel training will make your PC muscles stronger. When you orgasm, well-toned kegels can contract with more strength for a more intense climax. Regular workouts bring more blood flow to the area, which heightens arousal and sensitivity. Women who kegel regularly may notice sex feels better because they have an improved vaginal 'grip'. Kegeling men may discover it feels better because they've increased their ejaculatory control, letting them relax and build up to a serious finish. Both genders have reported easier, more frequent orgasms.

There's more to this than the awesome sex benefits, right? Definitely. Exercising your kegel muscles can assist with incontinence, promote prostate health, can help with bounce-back after pregnancy, and more. If you're interested in kegels and their health benefits, consult your doctor for more information.

Wait, do I need kegel balls? Ah, also known as Ben Wa Balls, Love Balls, and Duo Balls, kegel balls are designed to be inserted inside a woman's vagina. Once there, she can use her kegel muscles to squeeze the balls and experience a natural erotic massage. Some kegel balls have rolling weights, some have contoured shapes, and some even vibrate. Women can use kegel balls to assist in kegel training, or just for fun, but they aren't required for a kegel workout.

Ready to start your new year in a kegel-tastic way? Adam & Eve can help. Shop our selection of kegel balls, exercisers, and more.

You Can Fight Off Winter Colds With…Sex! (continued)

That's what researchers at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania say. More specifically, they discovered that couples who make love once or twice a week develop an anti-body that keeps the sniffles away. Those few intimate moments produce higher levels of Immunoglobulin (IgA), an effective barrier against disease.

But don't over-do it!

Before you get some new lingerie or sex toys to brighten up your winter sex, just know that couples who have sex MORE than twice a week are just as likely to catch a cold as anyone.

So make it count -- hook-up 1 to 2 times a week for better health.

Don't forget to also do the following: eat right, stay active, get enough sleep, and keep up with your vaccinations.

Sex isn't just for fighting colds, either. Here are the other health benefits of sex (as if you need a list, but in case you do -- you're welcome!)

• Keeps your immune system happy
• Boosts your libido (sexual activity encourages more sex)
• Improves a woman's bladder control (a pelvic floor workout strengthens muscles)
• Lowers your blood pressure (according to one study)
• Counts as exercise (burning about 5 calories per minute, while watching TV burns only 1)
• Lowers the risk of heart attack (keeps your estrogen and testosterone levels in balance)
• Lessens pain by releasing another hormone that raises your pain threshold (just genital stimulation or masturbation can help)
• May reduce the risk of prostate cancer (a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that men who ejaculated frequently, at least 21 times a month, were less likely to get prostate cancer. And masturbation counts, too)
• For better sleep (orgasm releases prolactin, which is responsible for feeling relaxed and sleepy)
• Eases stress (being close to your partner can calm stress and anxiety, sexual arousal turns on your brain's pleasure and reward system, intimacy can boost your self-esteem, too)

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