Description

Book Synopsis

Everything you need to know about sex in the 21st century

S-e-x isn't a bad three-letter wordbut many of us are afraid to talk about it. In this new edition of the fun and comprehensive guide to sex, you'll find out how to approach intimacy in a new way to get the most pleasure from a physical relationship. Written by the world's favorite expert on the topic, Dr. Ruth helps you explore the ins and outs of dating and commitment, talk about sex with partners, and consider any health and social issues you may encounter along the way.

As well as giving you all you need to know about how to make your sex life happy, safe, and rewarding, this edition of Sex for Dummies has been updated to include discussions of recent changes and issues surrounding sexual topics such as transgender rights and the #metoo movement to provide a modern, 360-degree view of how our diverse sexualities impact and enrich the world around us.

  • Whether experienced or not, get

    Table of Contents

    Introduction 1

    About This Book 1

    Foolish Assumptions 3

    Icons Used in This Book 4

    Beyond the Book 4

    Where to Go from Here 5

    Part 1: Getting Ready for Sex 7

    Chapter 1: So You Want to Know More about Sex 9

    What is Sex, Anyway? 10

    So Why Do We Have It? 10

    Understanding the Ins and Outs of the Sexual Response Cycle 16

    Partnering Up 18

    Playing It Safe 20

    Adjusting Over Time 20

    Are You Ready to Get Busy? 21

    Chapter 2: Tuning the Male Organ 23

    The Penis: Inside and Out 23

    Grasping the Basics of Your Testicles 31

    The Prostate Gland 37

    Chapter 3: Demystifying the Female Parts 39

    Making Time for a Grand Tour 40

    Translating All Those Latin Terms 41

    The “Men” Words: Menstruation and Menopause 49

    Breasts: Hanging in There 55

    Chapter 4: Dating 59

    Does Anybody Still Date? 60

    Where Chemistry and Physics Mingle 60

    Giving Romance a Chance to Bloom 61

    Overcoming Loneliness and Getting Yourself in Dating Shape 62

    A Road Map for the Dating Apps 63

    The Thrill of the Chase, the Bummer of Rejection 65

    Finding the Right Partner: Difficult, Yes; Impossible, No 67

    If You’re North of the 29th Parallel 73

    Practical Dating Tips for All Ages 75

    Should You Have Sex On a First Date? 76

    Chapter 5: Introducing Sex into a Relationship 77

    Determining When the Time is Right 79

    Safety First 82

    Advice for Virgins 84

    Advice for Those with Prior Experience 85

    Chapter 6: Commitment and Marriage 89

    Knowing That Love Isn’t Enough 90

    Handling Children and Commitment 90

    Putting Your Marriage First 91

    Strengthening Your Marriage 91

    Chapter 7: It’s All about Control: Contraception and Sex 97

    Why Use Contraceptives? 98

    Considering Your Birth Control Options 100

    Facing Facts about Birth Control Myths 119

    If Your Method Fails 122

    Chapter 8: Growing Up Fast: The Challenges of the Teen Years 127

    Being a Teenager in the 21st Century 128

    Evolving into Adulthood 130

    Dealing with Common Concerns 131

    Protecting Your Privacy 141

    Don’t Stop Here 142

    Part 2: Doing It 143

    Chapter 9: Foreplay: Revving Up Your Engines 145

    Foreplay for Life 145

    Linking the Emotional to the Physical 146

    Setting the Stage 147

    Getting Physical 149

    Switching Gears: Engaging the Genitals 154

    Moving on to the Main Event 159

    Variety is the Spice of Foreplay 160

    Chapter 10: Intercourse: Coming Together for the First Time 161

    What’s the Rush? 162

    Making Your First Time Special 163

    The First Time for Women 167

    The First Time for Men 170

    The First Time All Over Again 171

    Chapter 11: Changing Positions: Variations on a Theme 173

    The Good Old Missionary Position 174

    The Female-Superior Position 177

    Taking Her from Behind 179

    East Side, West Side, Side by Side 183

    Lap Dancing 184

    The Oceanic Position 185

    Standing Up 186

    Oral Sex: Using Your Mouth 187

    Anal Sex: Handle with Care 188

    Safe Sex: Playing Alone Together 189

    Sex During and After Pregnancy: Orgasms are Okay, with Changes 189

    Chapter 12: Going for the Big O 195

    What is an Orgasm, Anyway? 195

    Experiencing Orgasms: Differences for Men and Women 196

    Achieving Orgasm: Let Me Count the Ways 199

    Don’t Try — Let It Come You’ll Be Glad You Did 202

    Putting on Your O-Face: Responding to the Orgasmic Experience 203

    The Best Reason to Have an Orgasm 204

    Chapter 13: Afterplay: Embracing the Moment 205

    Understanding the Importance of Afterplay 206

    Sharing the Moment 207

    The Simplest of Techniques 209

    Chapter 14: Spicing Up Your Sex Life 211

    Using Variety to Add Some Va Va Va Voom to Your Sex Life 212

    Expanding Your Toy Chest 214

    What If You’re Just Never in the Mood? 217

    Part 3: Different Strokes 219

    Chapter 15: Enjoying Oral Sex 221

    Overcoming Your Inhibitions 222

    Leaving Him Breathless: What Men Like 223

    Making Her Toes Curl: What Women Like 225

    Dealing with Some Delicate Details 227

    Assuming the Position 229

    Addressing the Safety Issue 230

    Chapter 16: Savoring Solo Play and Fantasy 233

    Exploring the Mythology of Masturbation 233

    Avoiding Too Much of a Good Thing 235

    Masturbation: Good for All Ages 236

    Masturbation Education 239

    Fantasy: It’s All in Your Head 244

    Chapter 17: Keeping Up with Cybersex and Other Hot Stuff 247

    Eyes Wide Open: A Word of Caution 247

    Cybersex: Sights for Mature Minds 248

    Sex and the Telephone: Aural Sex 254

    Sex and the Radio: It’s All Talk 255

    Sex and Television: A Different Meaning of Boob Tube 256

    Pulp Nonfiction 257

    Sex with Multiple Partners: Where Do All of These Body Parts Go? 258

    Chapter 18: Celebrating Same-Sex Relationships 261

    Considering Sexual Identity 261

    Determining Your Orientation: What Turns You On 266

    Revealing Your Sexual Identity 266

    Sexual Practices among Gay Men 271

    Sexual Expression between Lesbians 272

    Marriage between Same-Sex Partners 274

    Chapter 19: Conquering the Challenges of Mature Sex 275

    Female Changes: Tackling Menopause 276

    Male Changes: Not All the Same 277

    A benefit of aging: No more premature ejaculation 280

    The Psychological Pluses and Minuses 280

    Chapter 20: Thriving Sexually with Illness or Disability 283

    We are All Sexual Beings 284

    Sex When You’re Physically Disabled 284

    Sex After You’ve Had a Heart Attack 288

    When Disabilities Arise Later in Life 290

    Sex When You Have Diabetes 291

    Sex and People Who are Mentally Disabled or Ill 293

    Sex and People Who are Living in a Long-Term Care Facility 295

    Uncompromising Compromised Sex 296

    Part 4: Having a Healthy Sex Life 297

    Chapter 21: What You Can Catch and How to Prevent It 299

    STDs: Battle Scars No One Wants after a Night of Sex 300

    Let’s Get Serious 312

    Chapter 22: Erectile Dysfunction and Other Male Sexual Problems 321

    Premature Ejaculation 322

    Erectile Dysfunction 328

    Delayed Ejaculation 338

    Priapism — The Case of the Permanent Erection 339

    The Bent Penis 339

    Lack of Desire 341

    Chapter 23: Low Libido and Other Female Sexual Problems 343

    That Elusive Orgasm 343

    Ouch! It’s Too Tight in There 351

    When Cleaning the House Sounds Better Than Having Sex 352

    Every Body is Attractive 354

    Sex After a Mastectomy 355

    Chapter 24: Avoiding Sexual Relationship Pitfalls 357

    Making Time for Alone Time 358

    Making the Most of a Long-Distance Relationship 361

    Dealing with Addictive Behavior: Hooked on Porn 362

    Staying Close to Avoid the Empty-Nest Syndrome 364

    Making Sex a Priority 365

    Chapter 25: Sex and the Law 367

    Sex, Children, and the Law 368

    Rape: A Growing Concern 372

    The Law and Contraception 373

    The Law against Spreading Diseases 374

    Abortion: A Legal Safeguard 375

    The Law and Homosexuality 376

    Prostitution: The Case for Legalization 377

    Pornography: Erotic or Obscene 378

    Adultery: Cheating the Law 380

    Chapter 26: Teaching Your Children about Sex and Keeping Them Safe 381

    Not Everything is Dangerous 382

    Answering Children’s Questions 384

    Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse 385

    The Accidental Voyeur 386

    Protecting Your Children from the Media 387

    Protecting Your Kids from Cyberporn 388

    Giving the Speech about Strangers 391

    Sex Ed and the Older Child 393

    Other Messages You Don’t Want to Send 394

    Part 5: The Part of Tens 397

    Chapter 27: Ten Dumb Things People Believe about Sex 399

    If I Haven’t Had Sex by the Time I’m 18, I’m a Loser 399

    The More I Score, the More Pleasure I’ll Have 400

    The Sex Depicted in Porn is True to Life 401

    The Grass is Always Greener in the Neighbors’ Bedroom 401

    Sex Will Make Everything All Right 402

    A Good Lover Must Be an Open Book 402

    I Should Compare Sexual Partners 403

    I Can’t Become a Better Lover 403

    Lovers Want and Need the Same Things 404

    I’m Too Old to Have Sex 404

    Chapter 28: Ten Tips for Safer Sex 407

    Learn to Say No 407

    Limit Your Number of Partners 408

    Don’t Rely Solely on Your Instincts 408

    Never Dull Your Senses When You’re with Strangers 409

    Discuss Safer Sex in Advance 409

    Use Condoms 410

    Develop a Relationship Before You Have Sex 410

    Don’t Engage in Risky Behavior 411

    Don’t Forget about the Other STDs 411

    Don’t Sell Your Other Options Short 412

    Chapter 29: Ten Things Women Wish Men Knew about Sex 413

    Chivalry Isn’t Dead Yet 413

    Appearances Count 414

    You Can’t Hurry Love 414

    A Clitoris is Not Just a Small Penis 415

    Women Need to Bask in the Afterglow 415

    Kinky Sex Isn’t Sexy Sex 416

    Wandering Eyes Mean Less Sex 417

    Slam-Bam-Thank-You-Ma’am Doesn’t Cut the Mustard 417

    Changing Diapers is Sexy 418

    Just Because You Can’t Doesn’t Mean You Won’t 418

    Chapter 30: Ten Things Men Wish Women Knew about Sex 419

    Being Aware of Mixed Signals 419

    Lack of Sex Really Can Hurt 420

    Sometimes Wasting Electricity is Okay 420

    Teamwork is Important 420

    Celebrities’ Bodies are Not a Threat 421

    A Little Tact, Please 422

    If You Really Loved Me, You’d 422

    The Way to a Man’s Heart is Not through His Stomach 423

    It Might Just Be Sex 423

    The Older a Man Gets, the More Help He Needs 424

    Chapter 31: Ten Tips for Truly Great Lovers 425

    Don’t Make Love on Your First Date 425

    Set the Mood as Far in Advance as Possible 426

    Find Out What Your Partner Needs 426

    Protect Yourself and Your Partner 427

    Don’t Fall into a Rut 427

    Fix the Potholes of Love 428

    Use Your Sense of Touch 428

    Become a Great Kisser 429

    Satisfy Your Partner Even If You Don’t Feel Like Sex 429

    Adjust to Changes Caused by Aging 430

    Appendix A: Step Into My Office 431

    Appendix B: Terrific Resources 441

    Index 445

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      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Everything you need to know about sex in the 21st century

      S-e-x isn't a bad three-letter wordbut many of us are afraid to talk about it. In this new edition of the fun and comprehensive guide to sex, you'll find out how to approach intimacy in a new way to get the most pleasure from a physical relationship. Written by the world's favorite expert on the topic, Dr. Ruth helps you explore the ins and outs of dating and commitment, talk about sex with partners, and consider any health and social issues you may encounter along the way.

      As well as giving you all you need to know about how to make your sex life happy, safe, and rewarding, this edition of Sex for Dummies has been updated to include discussions of recent changes and issues surrounding sexual topics such as transgender rights and the #metoo movement to provide a modern, 360-degree view of how our diverse sexualities impact and enrich the world around us.

      • Whether experienced or not, get

        Table of Contents

        Introduction 1

        About This Book 1

        Foolish Assumptions 3

        Icons Used in This Book 4

        Beyond the Book 4

        Where to Go from Here 5

        Part 1: Getting Ready for Sex 7

        Chapter 1: So You Want to Know More about Sex 9

        What is Sex, Anyway? 10

        So Why Do We Have It? 10

        Understanding the Ins and Outs of the Sexual Response Cycle 16

        Partnering Up 18

        Playing It Safe 20

        Adjusting Over Time 20

        Are You Ready to Get Busy? 21

        Chapter 2: Tuning the Male Organ 23

        The Penis: Inside and Out 23

        Grasping the Basics of Your Testicles 31

        The Prostate Gland 37

        Chapter 3: Demystifying the Female Parts 39

        Making Time for a Grand Tour 40

        Translating All Those Latin Terms 41

        The “Men” Words: Menstruation and Menopause 49

        Breasts: Hanging in There 55

        Chapter 4: Dating 59

        Does Anybody Still Date? 60

        Where Chemistry and Physics Mingle 60

        Giving Romance a Chance to Bloom 61

        Overcoming Loneliness and Getting Yourself in Dating Shape 62

        A Road Map for the Dating Apps 63

        The Thrill of the Chase, the Bummer of Rejection 65

        Finding the Right Partner: Difficult, Yes; Impossible, No 67

        If You’re North of the 29th Parallel 73

        Practical Dating Tips for All Ages 75

        Should You Have Sex On a First Date? 76

        Chapter 5: Introducing Sex into a Relationship 77

        Determining When the Time is Right 79

        Safety First 82

        Advice for Virgins 84

        Advice for Those with Prior Experience 85

        Chapter 6: Commitment and Marriage 89

        Knowing That Love Isn’t Enough 90

        Handling Children and Commitment 90

        Putting Your Marriage First 91

        Strengthening Your Marriage 91

        Chapter 7: It’s All about Control: Contraception and Sex 97

        Why Use Contraceptives? 98

        Considering Your Birth Control Options 100

        Facing Facts about Birth Control Myths 119

        If Your Method Fails 122

        Chapter 8: Growing Up Fast: The Challenges of the Teen Years 127

        Being a Teenager in the 21st Century 128

        Evolving into Adulthood 130

        Dealing with Common Concerns 131

        Protecting Your Privacy 141

        Don’t Stop Here 142

        Part 2: Doing It 143

        Chapter 9: Foreplay: Revving Up Your Engines 145

        Foreplay for Life 145

        Linking the Emotional to the Physical 146

        Setting the Stage 147

        Getting Physical 149

        Switching Gears: Engaging the Genitals 154

        Moving on to the Main Event 159

        Variety is the Spice of Foreplay 160

        Chapter 10: Intercourse: Coming Together for the First Time 161

        What’s the Rush? 162

        Making Your First Time Special 163

        The First Time for Women 167

        The First Time for Men 170

        The First Time All Over Again 171

        Chapter 11: Changing Positions: Variations on a Theme 173

        The Good Old Missionary Position 174

        The Female-Superior Position 177

        Taking Her from Behind 179

        East Side, West Side, Side by Side 183

        Lap Dancing 184

        The Oceanic Position 185

        Standing Up 186

        Oral Sex: Using Your Mouth 187

        Anal Sex: Handle with Care 188

        Safe Sex: Playing Alone Together 189

        Sex During and After Pregnancy: Orgasms are Okay, with Changes 189

        Chapter 12: Going for the Big O 195

        What is an Orgasm, Anyway? 195

        Experiencing Orgasms: Differences for Men and Women 196

        Achieving Orgasm: Let Me Count the Ways 199

        Don’t Try — Let It Come You’ll Be Glad You Did 202

        Putting on Your O-Face: Responding to the Orgasmic Experience 203

        The Best Reason to Have an Orgasm 204

        Chapter 13: Afterplay: Embracing the Moment 205

        Understanding the Importance of Afterplay 206

        Sharing the Moment 207

        The Simplest of Techniques 209

        Chapter 14: Spicing Up Your Sex Life 211

        Using Variety to Add Some Va Va Va Voom to Your Sex Life 212

        Expanding Your Toy Chest 214

        What If You’re Just Never in the Mood? 217

        Part 3: Different Strokes 219

        Chapter 15: Enjoying Oral Sex 221

        Overcoming Your Inhibitions 222

        Leaving Him Breathless: What Men Like 223

        Making Her Toes Curl: What Women Like 225

        Dealing with Some Delicate Details 227

        Assuming the Position 229

        Addressing the Safety Issue 230

        Chapter 16: Savoring Solo Play and Fantasy 233

        Exploring the Mythology of Masturbation 233

        Avoiding Too Much of a Good Thing 235

        Masturbation: Good for All Ages 236

        Masturbation Education 239

        Fantasy: It’s All in Your Head 244

        Chapter 17: Keeping Up with Cybersex and Other Hot Stuff 247

        Eyes Wide Open: A Word of Caution 247

        Cybersex: Sights for Mature Minds 248

        Sex and the Telephone: Aural Sex 254

        Sex and the Radio: It’s All Talk 255

        Sex and Television: A Different Meaning of Boob Tube 256

        Pulp Nonfiction 257

        Sex with Multiple Partners: Where Do All of These Body Parts Go? 258

        Chapter 18: Celebrating Same-Sex Relationships 261

        Considering Sexual Identity 261

        Determining Your Orientation: What Turns You On 266

        Revealing Your Sexual Identity 266

        Sexual Practices among Gay Men 271

        Sexual Expression between Lesbians 272

        Marriage between Same-Sex Partners 274

        Chapter 19: Conquering the Challenges of Mature Sex 275

        Female Changes: Tackling Menopause 276

        Male Changes: Not All the Same 277

        A benefit of aging: No more premature ejaculation 280

        The Psychological Pluses and Minuses 280

        Chapter 20: Thriving Sexually with Illness or Disability 283

        We are All Sexual Beings 284

        Sex When You’re Physically Disabled 284

        Sex After You’ve Had a Heart Attack 288

        When Disabilities Arise Later in Life 290

        Sex When You Have Diabetes 291

        Sex and People Who are Mentally Disabled or Ill 293

        Sex and People Who are Living in a Long-Term Care Facility 295

        Uncompromising Compromised Sex 296

        Part 4: Having a Healthy Sex Life 297

        Chapter 21: What You Can Catch and How to Prevent It 299

        STDs: Battle Scars No One Wants after a Night of Sex 300

        Let’s Get Serious 312

        Chapter 22: Erectile Dysfunction and Other Male Sexual Problems 321

        Premature Ejaculation 322

        Erectile Dysfunction 328

        Delayed Ejaculation 338

        Priapism — The Case of the Permanent Erection 339

        The Bent Penis 339

        Lack of Desire 341

        Chapter 23: Low Libido and Other Female Sexual Problems 343

        That Elusive Orgasm 343

        Ouch! It’s Too Tight in There 351

        When Cleaning the House Sounds Better Than Having Sex 352

        Every Body is Attractive 354

        Sex After a Mastectomy 355

        Chapter 24: Avoiding Sexual Relationship Pitfalls 357

        Making Time for Alone Time 358

        Making the Most of a Long-Distance Relationship 361

        Dealing with Addictive Behavior: Hooked on Porn 362

        Staying Close to Avoid the Empty-Nest Syndrome 364

        Making Sex a Priority 365

        Chapter 25: Sex and the Law 367

        Sex, Children, and the Law 368

        Rape: A Growing Concern 372

        The Law and Contraception 373

        The Law against Spreading Diseases 374

        Abortion: A Legal Safeguard 375

        The Law and Homosexuality 376

        Prostitution: The Case for Legalization 377

        Pornography: Erotic or Obscene 378

        Adultery: Cheating the Law 380

        Chapter 26: Teaching Your Children about Sex and Keeping Them Safe 381

        Not Everything is Dangerous 382

        Answering Children’s Questions 384

        Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse 385

        The Accidental Voyeur 386

        Protecting Your Children from the Media 387

        Protecting Your Kids from Cyberporn 388

        Giving the Speech about Strangers 391

        Sex Ed and the Older Child 393

        Other Messages You Don’t Want to Send 394

        Part 5: The Part of Tens 397

        Chapter 27: Ten Dumb Things People Believe about Sex 399

        If I Haven’t Had Sex by the Time I’m 18, I’m a Loser 399

        The More I Score, the More Pleasure I’ll Have 400

        The Sex Depicted in Porn is True to Life 401

        The Grass is Always Greener in the Neighbors’ Bedroom 401

        Sex Will Make Everything All Right 402

        A Good Lover Must Be an Open Book 402

        I Should Compare Sexual Partners 403

        I Can’t Become a Better Lover 403

        Lovers Want and Need the Same Things 404

        I’m Too Old to Have Sex 404

        Chapter 28: Ten Tips for Safer Sex 407

        Learn to Say No 407

        Limit Your Number of Partners 408

        Don’t Rely Solely on Your Instincts 408

        Never Dull Your Senses When You’re with Strangers 409

        Discuss Safer Sex in Advance 409

        Use Condoms 410

        Develop a Relationship Before You Have Sex 410

        Don’t Engage in Risky Behavior 411

        Don’t Forget about the Other STDs 411

        Don’t Sell Your Other Options Short 412

        Chapter 29: Ten Things Women Wish Men Knew about Sex 413

        Chivalry Isn’t Dead Yet 413

        Appearances Count 414

        You Can’t Hurry Love 414

        A Clitoris is Not Just a Small Penis 415

        Women Need to Bask in the Afterglow 415

        Kinky Sex Isn’t Sexy Sex 416

        Wandering Eyes Mean Less Sex 417

        Slam-Bam-Thank-You-Ma’am Doesn’t Cut the Mustard 417

        Changing Diapers is Sexy 418

        Just Because You Can’t Doesn’t Mean You Won’t 418

        Chapter 30: Ten Things Men Wish Women Knew about Sex 419

        Being Aware of Mixed Signals 419

        Lack of Sex Really Can Hurt 420

        Sometimes Wasting Electricity is Okay 420

        Teamwork is Important 420

        Celebrities’ Bodies are Not a Threat 421

        A Little Tact, Please 422

        If You Really Loved Me, You’d 422

        The Way to a Man’s Heart is Not through His Stomach 423

        It Might Just Be Sex 423

        The Older a Man Gets, the More Help He Needs 424

        Chapter 31: Ten Tips for Truly Great Lovers 425

        Don’t Make Love on Your First Date 425

        Set the Mood as Far in Advance as Possible 426

        Find Out What Your Partner Needs 426

        Protect Yourself and Your Partner 427

        Don’t Fall into a Rut 427

        Fix the Potholes of Love 428

        Use Your Sense of Touch 428

        Become a Great Kisser 429

        Satisfy Your Partner Even If You Don’t Feel Like Sex 429

        Adjust to Changes Caused by Aging 430

        Appendix A: Step Into My Office 431

        Appendix B: Terrific Resources 441

        Index 445

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