Options

Plan B - many have probably heard of it, but the information out there can be muddled, and certainly riddled with politics. What is it? How does it work? How can one get some?

Plan B is an emergency contraception pill that a woman can take after failed contraception, unprotected sex, or sexual assault. It basically contains levonorgestril, the same ingredient as regular birth control pills, but in a larger dosage. It works best if taken no more than 72 hours after unprotected sex. It works primarily by preventing ovulation, though it is possible that it may prevent fertilization or implantation. This pill is not the same as the abortion pill, RU-486. The FDA has a Q & A section about Plan B that details a bit more about how it works.

And speaking of the FDA - recently the agency made Plan B an over-the-counter drug for those 18 and over. This is a good first step, however, because of the age requirement it will still be kept behind pharmacy counters. This also means that pharmacist may refuse to carry it or dispense it. There have already been some reports that this has happened. Generally, pharmacies will have a policy that someone else must be available to dispense this medication. Also, women younger than 18 years of age will still need a prescription from a doctor.

It's a good idea to have some Plan B on hand, since it is so time sensitive and there are still obstacles to obtaining it. You may also want to help a younger friend or sister by getting some for her if you are over the age of 18. And if you are really feeling spunky, you may want to see which pharmacies in town will dispense Plan B without problems, in case you need some. I will report if I find any with issues.

Toys - easy and complicated

Today I have a couple of toy questions - one that many can relate to, and one a bit more advanced. Not everyone uses toys in their sex lives, but they can certainly bring a bit of extra fun to the bedroom, whether you are alone or with a partner(s).

So, without further ado, question 1 - I am in the market for a strap-on, but don't know what to buy! Where do I start? What brands are good and why?

Well first, my dear friend, you should narrow your search down a bit. Are you going to be using the strap-on for anal play or vaginal or both? What size do you want it? Realistic looking or more creative? Since you are asking specifically for a strap-on, you will need to get a harness and make sure the dildo you choose has a flared base. This actually comes in handy if you want to do anal play as well - don't want it to get lost in there!

As far as materials go, I recommend a silicone dildo for ease of use - it is easily cleaned by boiling, or even throwing it into the dishwasher. Toys in Babeland has a lovely variety of just such things. I recommend going to the store, or a similar store near you, so that you can feel them with your own hands and get an idea of what they look like and how they feel. Your friendly sex shop employee may even allow you to try them on (over your clothes, for now.) Just remember to use lots of lube, wherever our little friend will be going.

Now, the question for our more advanced players - How long can you leave nipple clamps on before you risk losing a nip?

First, a word about nipple clamps themselves - make sure that you choose ones either specifically designed for the purpose of use on a body (here are some good examples), or if you use a household item like a clothespin, make sure the clamping will be bearable and that there are no sharp cutting edges or splinters. A test you can use to gauge clamping strength is to pinch the bit of skin between thumb and fingers with the item and see how it feels.

It seems that most BDSM folks recommend that a nipple clamp not be left on a tight setting more than 15-20 minutes. If you are going to use nipple clamps on other parts of the body like thighs or buttocks, the clamps may stay on for a bit longer. You should experiment on yourself before putting anything on your lover/partner. Play safe and pay attention to your partner(s).