Submissions

WASH wants you to submit thoughts, articles, stories, links, ideas, reviews, stats/data, resources, questions…anything relevant to be posted on our blog!!!

E-mail: w_a_s_h_@hotmail.com

*Please indicate if you want your name to be published with your entry. If you want to be completely anonymous please feel free to access the following email account to contact us from here:

id: washanonymous@hotmail.com
password: secret

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Oral Sex and STD/Is

Though the likelihood of getting HIV from oral sex is relatively low (unless there is a cut sore sore in the mouth (i.e. from dental work) through which infected semen/vaginal fluid can enter the body) there are plenty of STD/Is that are easily transmitted through unprotected oral sex. The most common of these is herpes (which is treatable but cannot be cured). Other common ones are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphillis and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) (these can usually be treated with antibiotics - usually, not always).

Here is a table of STD/Is and associated risks which might help clear things up:
STD Chart

ET TESTED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR!

- Vivian

Sexual Assault: Campus Resources

I volunteered with an organization called Sexual Assault Survivors Support Line (SASSL) in my 2nd year at York and I can definitely vouch for it as a wonderful organization that really reaches out within and outside of campus to promote awareness about sexual assault and to provide support and referrals to survivors of sexual assault. I figured I would try to find similar resources/information on other Toronto university websites (if you do not attend any of the three universities in Toronto let us know and we can help you find adequate resources).

Note: some of the resources available (i.e. on the Ryerson website/pamphlet) are not specific to sexual assault but are still useful to provide referrals and such.

SASSL at York

Safety Nets at Ryerson

- Vivian

Sexual Harassment Office at U of T

Does Oral Sex Qualify as Sex?

Here's a great article that looks at how sex is defined. Most individuals limit sex to vaginal penetration of a penis. WASH's definition? Sex = all of the great activities that get you off! Whether it's masturbating on your own or getting someone else to help you, enjoy your sex!

- Alice

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Contraceptives for men!

Here's a great site on methods of contraception for men.

The mission statement on the homepage says it all: "We believe that men can, and should, have access to contraceptive options beyond condoms and vasectomies."

I think that this site presents this issue very well. It discusses and disproves common beliefs about men, that they're irresponsible and/or uninterested in contraception/family planning. This myth has been used as an excuse for pharmaceutical companies in North America to not invest in research for effective male contraceptives. Heterosexuality definitely plays a role in how men are supposed to feel about sex... But I'm betting that there are a lot of men who would be interested in effective contraceptive methods that they can use. I'm not sure how effective these methods are, but it's great to know that there are options out there!

- Vivian

NOTE: The methods described on this website are not readily available. In fact, the only way to get your hands on them is by participating in clinical trials (for the time being). What's important, however, is the fact that several of the methods mentioned are in the stages of testing and will likely be available to the public once proven safe and effective.

Smokers... it's a good time to quit

Here's an article from the Washington Post urging women to quit smoking!

"Smoking also significantly increases the risk of many other cancers in women, including breast, oral, pharynx, larynx, esophageal, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, uterine, and cervical cancers." It affects your entire body, not just your lungs!

- Alice

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Reclamation

A Fat Rant

A wonderful rant by a woman named Joy Nash.

- Vivian

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Get Tested Week!

We've started a facebook event. From January 11th to the 17th, we are hoping that individuals will commit to getting tested for STD/I's as well as pap smears for women. It's something that can be very difficult to do, but is very important for your health, as well as the health of your sexual partner(s). As we've said on the event page "Remember: Monogamous or not, getting tested is a must! Testing should not be offensive to your partner - it should be an indication that you want to keep the relationship healthy and safe."

The event page also contains links to health clinics across Toronto. If you are not in Toronto, please email us and we will find a clinic near you.

Be Responsible! Be Safe.

- Vivian & Alice

Monday, November 24, 2008

Transgendered children

Here's an article about transgendered children. I think that it's an interesting examination of the different ways in which families deal with this issue, and how it's been approached as a psychological illness that requires therapy. It was actually the Transgender day of rememberance on November 20th. This is a day to remember those who have been killed in acts of transgender hate.

If anyone's interested, one of my new favourite movies is called "Ma Vie en Rose" or "My Life in Pink". It takes place in Belgium and it follows the life of a young boy who wants to be a girl. Here's some more info.

- Alice

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Number Two is Taboo

Target Women: Number Two

Similar to the last target women video that I posted (Period Control), this video is about another aspect of the myth of femininity, that women don't poop. Enjoy!

- Alice

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Pill

Here's an informative site about the different types of hormonal contraceptive pills.

- Vivian

Monday, November 17, 2008

Product Review: An Alternative Perspective on the Rock Chick


I did not enjoy the rock chick. Maybe it’s just not the right shape for my vagina or something but I find it really uncomfortable. It’s very flexible, going from the V shape to an L shape when you insert it. But, I find that as soon as you let go, it tries to get back to the V shape, closing up and making it really uncomfortable. I tried to make it work for a while, but now I just feel like I’ve wasted $100. I think that it was a great idea, but in practise it just didn’t work out the way that I’d hoped.

- Alice

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Adiposivity Project

This project is trying to broaden the definition of beauty/attractiveness. Some of the comments beneath the post were very interesting too.

- Alice

Fun Fact: Endometrial Sparing

Endometrial sparing is when a woman's body recycles the lining of the uterus instead of shedding it. This means that menstruation is incredibly brief and light. I recently met a woman who experiences this kind of menstruation. She said that her period is so light that all she has to do is wipe with a piece of toilet paper and she's done. No pads, tampons, cramps, head aches etc. etc. Wouldn't that be nice?

- Alice

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sexy Quote of the Month

"Masturbation is like tuning a radio -you don't know what frequencies you'll enjoy until you play with the knobs."
-Jayme Waxman

Tabling Nov.17th Volunteers needed!!!

We will be tabling at the York University Keele Campus in Vari Hall on November 17th between 10am & 2pm. The purpose is to raise awareness on alternative menstrual products (cloth reusable pads, chemical free disposable pads/tampons, menstrual cups). We may also be giving out samples of some products (provided our contact can get them to us on time). If anyone is available to help us out please email us or just show up at that date time. We need volunteers to
1) help set up/break down the table/chairs
2) hand out samples
3) hand out pamphlets

So even if it's only for 30 minutes on a break or before/after class we'd really appreciate it!!!

Anyone including non-members can volunteer, but we can only provide reference letters for those who are official WASH members (so don't forget to sign up with your full name and student number!!!)

- Alice & Vivian

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Virgin Cleansing

Here is some reading material re: "The Virgin Cleansing Myth" (in a nutshell: the belief that people with AIDS can be cured by having sex with virgins) which is obviously highly problematic on several fronts. Some links with further info:

On the virgin cleansing myth: gendered bodies, AIDS and ethnomedicine

Rape of individuals with disability: AIDS and the folk belief of virgin cleansing

The 'virgin myth' and child rape in South Africa

- Vivian

Monday, October 27, 2008

Happy Period Control!

This is a funny clip about how the birth control pill is never marketed for sex/contraception, but as period control. Check it out lol.

Happy Period Control!!!


- Alice

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Pharmacists above the law?

Here's an interesting video Friday Feminist Fuck you: Anti-choice Pharmacists.

We're not trying to endorse hormonal birth control use, but we do believe that individuals are entitled to certain rights under the law and should be allowed to take advantage of them when needed! Our purpose is to help people to make informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health.

- Alice

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Book review: “Vaginas: An Owner’s Manual”


I found this book really interesting. It’s written by a gynaecologist and her daughter who discuss everything from puberty to menopause. Specifically, they tackle anatomy, menstruation, gynaecology, maintenance, sex, contraception, STD’s, abortion, reproduction, and menopause.

Highlights:
- Really great chapter on “the standard equipment”, outlining all the internal and external parts of the vulva that are often ignored.
- The section on the birth control pill was really informative. I have not yet met a doctor/nurse who has explained the different types of pills (Monophasic vs. Triphaisal and estrogen-progesterone vs. progesterone alone) in this way, instead of just giving a list of the brands that they know or prescribe the most.
- The section on abortion explicitly outlines the different procedures and how they are carried out, the risks involved, and complications that may occur afterwards.

Criticisms:
- It’s written from the perspective of a doctor who practises traditional North American medicine. Much of the info. reflects this; although everything is explained very thoroughly.
- There are many times throughout the chapter on contraception where they make reference to long-term monogamous relationships and how they are the safest sex practise. I don’t think that monogamy = safe sex, although in someone's ideal world this might be true. It may sound cynical but things happen and that’s where you can run into trouble (ie: There are people who are married/etc. for years but suddenly contract HIV).
- I feel that the target audience is for the most part white middle-class heterosexual women. (ie: sex = heterosexual intercourse is a common theme)

Although some parts should be read critically, I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great introduction to the wonderful world vaginas! (Although the correct term is actually the vulva.)

- Alice

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Gravity


The weakening of vaginal, anal, urethral muscles occurs over time because of gravity, child birth, and aging. First a brief explanation of the internal female organs.

The frontal wall of the colon is the back wall of the vaginal canal. The front wall of the vaginal canal is the back wall of the urethal canal. So if vaginal walls are weak, so too will be the urethral and colon walls. This means that an individual may urinate accidentally and/or have difficulty eliminating feces completely from the colon. So what can you do to keep your muscles strong?

1) Kegel exercises: This should be done every time you urinate (or at least once a day). You do this by first starting to urinate and then trying to stop the flow. If you can stop it completely, hold it for a few seconds before starting again.

2) Headstand yoga posture: To reverse the effects of gravity, standing on your head for a minute or two everyday can help take some pressure off of this area. I've posted a picture to illustrate the positioning of your arms, but you can do this up against a wall to support your backside. First place a pillow on the floor infront of a wall. Kneel down facing the wall. Put your palms together and cross your fingers. Bend your elbows and place your arms on the pillow making a 'v' shape. Bend over and put the top of your head on the floor, aiming for the back of your head to be in the point of the 'v' you've made. Push off from the ground with your feet and stretch your legs vertically up the wall.

- Alice

Masturbation 101 for women

It's difficult for women to feel comfortable masturbating, or even talk about it when faced with a multitude of double standards. If you do it/talk about it you’re a whore/slut/dirty. If you don’t do it or just don’t talk about it then you’re a prude/tease/nun. Everyone has sexual urges, but repressing them may make you feel like you're just not sexual or horny.

Here's a fun way to masturbate for the first time without getting a cramp in your hand or buying a sex toy. Jump in the shower, turn on the water and have the shower head shooting at your clitoris. If you don't have a moving shower head then just lay under the faucet with your legs spread open. It should start to feel good in a few minutes and if you wait a little longer, you just might have an orgasm (or more than one if you're lucky!).

Give it a try. It's free and easy and it could change your life!

- Masturbation method borrowed from "Vagina's: an Owner's Manual" (but I'm sure that they weren't the first one's to try it!)

- Alice

Monday, October 13, 2008

Product Review: The Rock Chick


I can’t remember exactly how I found out about this toy, but the idea that you could have hands-free sex just blew me away. It works by first inserting one end into the vagina, and then rocking back and forth on a chair, bed, the floor, or any other surface. In addition to the hands-free feature, it also has a vibrating cordless bullet to stimulate the clitoris simultaneously. It can also be used in the shower as long as the bullet is inserted past the cap.

My experience: it was my first vaginal penetrating toy so I was pretty nervous, even though I’ve had tampons, menstrual cups, penises, fingers, speculums in there before. I have a sensitivity to water-based lube and so I use silicone lubricants for sex. This is a problem because the rock chick is made out of silicone. Although that makes it really easy to clean (you can boil it or even put it in the dishwasher though I haven’t tried it) and to keep clean (lint/hairs etc. don’t stick to it like pvc toys), you can’t use silicone lube on silicone toys. It may melt or damage the toy.

Some other drawbacks:
- you can’t use it lying down because it starts to come out. You must rock.
- It takes a bit of practise to get it in properly. It’s very flexible so you can bend the v-shape backwards to get it in. It didn’t come with instructions so my first attempt was kind of a battle.
- I read one online review stating that the outer part did not reach the clitoris, but this person said that they were pretty tall and that the rock chick was just too small for them.
- The bullet is a little noisy, and I needed to rock ontop of a pillow because the noise was magnified by my mattress.
- The battery that powers the bullet costs $5 to replace (but you can always rock without the bullet)

Some pros:
- Because it’s hands-free it’s great to use on yourself while stimulating another person at the same time
- the shape of the penetrating part curves up for g-spot stimulation
- made of silicone (which can be good!)
- it’s quite small so it’s a good choice for a first time penetrating toy

- Alice

Friday, October 10, 2008

Female Sexual Anatomy

Putting together an informational pamphlet I found this link. If anybody is interested in briefly learning the W5H of female sexual anatomy, this page is really comprehensive!

- Vivian

Toronto Public Health - Sexual Health

The Sexual Health division of Toronto Public Health has a considerable amount of interesting resources. Here is their website where you can find everything from general information about sexual health, to clinical services, to upcoming workshops. Check it out!

- Vivian

Monday, October 6, 2008

A Diagram of the Vagina

It may be shocking to have a vagina thrown in your face without warning, although you may be pleasantly surprised. Here's a link to The Big Vagina. You'll find several diagrams on this page, including a real live picture. Here's an opportunity to learn about parts of your body that are often ignored. Have fun and enjoy getting to know yourself!

- Alice

Sex, Bladder Infections & Vaginal Health

I've been reading "Vagina's an owner's manual" for the past few days, hence the little bits of info that have been posted. I'll write a book review soon. For now, here's some info about sex & infections that I found interesting:

1) thrusting of a penis or toy into the vagina pushes normal healthy bacteria from inside the vagina into the urethra, which can cause a burning sensation urinating the next day, and/or a bladder infection.

2) Having vaginal penetration many times in one day after a long period of no penetration may irritate the vaginal walls. Having a whole lot of sex suddenly also heats up the vaginal walls, which may cause normal vaginal fungus to multiply and turn into a yeast infection. This sudden increase in penetration will also shove lots of bacteria into the urethra, increasing chances of bladder infection.

So it's better to have sex everyday vs. 3 times in one day, but here's some advice for having lots of sex all of a sudden:
1) use lots of lube to make sure vaginal walls don't get irritated.
2) pee after sex to flush out bacteria from the urethra.
3) drink lots of water so that you can pee/flush bacteria out more often.

"Vaginas: An Owner's Manual" by Dr. Carol Livoti & Elizabeth Topp

- Alice

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Fun Facts: Periods

According to Dr. Bruce R. Carr, MD, the average woman in today's industrialized society menstruates 450 times in her life compared to about 50 periods for the prehistoric woman. Today, in agrarian societies around the world, a woman only menstruates about 150 times in her lifetime.

Periods can last from 2 - 8 days and a cycle (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period) can be from 21 - 45 days.

Taken from "Vaginas: An Owner's Manual" by Dr. Carol Livoti & Elizabeth Topp.

- Alice

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Product Review: Durex Play Ring



This is by far my favourite addition to the bedroom. If you like vibrators and you like sex, this is the thing for you! Small but just strong enough, the ring definitely adds a little something to your sex life. Basically, it turns the strap-on/penis it is wrapped around into a vibrator of sorts. My partner really enjoyed how it felt on him too. You can get it at your friendly neighborhood pharmacy's condom aisle (or anywhere that specializes in sex toys).

Downsides to this great toy:
a) it's expensive (about $10 each)
b) it's disposable (which, on the other hand, is good for sanitary reasons)
c) the battery only lasts about 20 minutes.

I'm planning to purchase a latex ring that will last more than one use for about $30 from Good For Her. I'll review that once i get it, until then, happy vibrating!

- Anonymous

Product Review: Velvet Dream




So far this has been my favourite toy purchase in terms of how the texture of the plastic feels. Like its name. It has a velvety texture. This one is shorter and thicker than my previous vibes, which made it slightly harder to accomodate, but its curved tip and significantly better vibrations have made it a great buy. This was also under $30.

- Anonymous

Product Review: Splash



For me, Splash was an upgrade for the Red Rocket. It had a few more curves intended to help reach g-spot orgasm...which it did. This was also a hard plastic vibrator and waterproof (it would be a crime if it wasn't with a name like Splash). It was under $30, used 2 aa batteries (Ikea ones are great value and last a while). It also had variable speed and it lasted about a year before its motor gave out.

- Anonymous

Product Review: Red Rocket



So this was my first vibrator. It was a cheap (under $20) and lasted pretty long (about a year?). The red rocket is hard plastic, which is my preference as you can better feel the vibrations and it doesn't hurt. This was a great "starting out" vibrator, but once you get over the thrill of your first vibe, you're likely going to want more....

- Anonymous

Uncaria tomentosa

I recently quit my job at a homeopathic clinic and wellness center. One of their most popular prescribed remedies is called cat's claw (or uncaria tormentosa). It is a remedy derived from a vine that grows in South America and it is believed to have really useful properties. I read up a bit about it is most commonly used in homeopathy to treat cancer, AIDS, viral infections, colitis, etc. as well as to boost the immune system. Apparently, though, the only condition it has actually (scientifically) proven to alleviate is arthritis.

Anyway, apparently cat's claw has traditionally been used as a contraceptive in South America, and if taken in relatively large doses, may induce miscarriage. I have a bottle of the stuff and I am a bit skeptical about trying it (as a contraceptive and otherwise) because of the lack of concrete information, studies and research about it that I have been able to find (mind you, I haven't done extensive research on it) but I thought it'd be interesting to mention anyway! I will update if I find new information about this.

- Vivian

In Need Of Members

As it turns out, WASH cannot be renewed as a York student club because our membership numbers are low. So if anyone's interested in becoming an official member, please email your full name and student number to w_a_s_h_@hotmail.com.

(We will keep your student info. completely confidential. It will only be used on our application form, and only York University will have access to this form).

Thanks to everyone who has supported us this far!

- Alice & Vivian

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Yoga for Women

Yoga for Menopause

Yoga for PMS

Prenatal Yoga

- Vivian

Re: Parsley & Late Periods

I actually tried the parsley method a few months back. I read extensively and figured "why not?". At the point that I attempted it, I had started getting mild cramps and breast swelling (a sign of my period approaching) so I figured it might speed up the process. I didn't have cheesecloth so I simply picked a palm-full of fresh parsley from my herb garden, gave it a good wash and carefully bunched it into my vagina. I left it there for quite some time (several hours), and I repeated the process about 3 or 4 times, making sure to carefully remove every bit of parsley when I finished.

It didn't work at all. In fact my period came two weeks after this (I'm rarely late!)...maybe if I had tried this method past the time when my period was due it would have worked? I'm not sure if I'd try it again, but perhaps! One of my mother's friends swears by it, so maybe it was just a bad time for my body.

- Vivian

Monday, September 29, 2008

Product Review: cloth menstrual pads




Since the seventh grade, I’ve used mainstream pads but I was never pleased with how they felt. I find them really uncomfortable, especially in the summer when it’s hot outside. The bottom line, it feels like having a piece of plastic rubbing against and sticking to my skin. I hate it.

Last year I found out about cotton cloth pads and have been using them since then. They’re great for so many reasons.

- You wash and reuse them so they’re great for the environment.
- They’re safe for your body. They do not have toxic dyes or chemicals (like bleach) or fragrances that many mainstream disposable maxi pads contain.
- Cotton feels great and lets your skin breathe.
- Using them saves you money overtime.

You may have to pay more than you would normally pay when buying regular pads, but in the long run you’ll save money. Calculate how much you spend on pads in a month, and multiply that by 12 months to see how much you spend in a year. On average, 1 pre-made cloth pad will cost around $10. If you by 4, that’s only $40. How much could you save in a year if you used reusable cloth pads instead?

If you’re savvy with a needle or sewing machine, you can make your own cloth pads. Just go to any store that sells fabric and follow these directions
This is just a site that I found in less than 30 seconds. There are many sites that can help you make cloth pads. I’ve made my own and they’re great. If you’d rather buy one, there are many places that sell them. Here are a few options:
- lunapads
- wholefoods
- etsy
- hyenacart

Once you've tried them, you’ll never want to wear plastic again!

- Alice

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Parsley & Late Periods

Apparently parsley can stimulate menstruation if your period's late. Check out this site to find out how. There are also links at the top of the page for herbal fertility, contraception and abortion. We're not sure how effective these methods are but it's definitely worth reading.

- Alice

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Re: Product Review: Lelo Nea Vibrator

I too own a Nea (I purchased mine for $95) and absolutely agree on every point made in the product review below.

Some extra notes:
1. Nea is great to use with a partner. It is small enough not to be disconcerting, but it is definitely an added bonus to already fun activities.
2. It is so quiet! The buzzing is really subtle.
3. It has several functions (speeds/pulsing patterns) that can be a lot of fun.

P.S. Lelo is the company that makes Nea & they have a pretty wide variety of neat toys!

- Vivian

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Product Review: Lelo Nea Vibrator


I came across this little gizmo in a sex shop in downtown Montreal. Surprised by the price ($130) I put it back on the shelf, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it! After a few months of research I decided that I had to have it. Luckily, I found it for a relatively reasonable price on the internet (brand new of course), and after owning it for almost a year, this is why I love it:

It is a clitoral stimulating vibrator, which is ideal if you're not into penetrating toys.

It features a built-in rechargeable battery so you won’t have to constantly buy those oddly sized and expensive batteries that most vibrating toys use.

The curved design fits well over your body.

The attractive design makes it inconspicuous, so you can leave it on your desk or night table without it being obvious that it’s a sex toy.

It has several speeds that you can adjust even in the dark since the buttons light up.

It is very easy to clean. A damp cloth with a bit of soap will do it.

Pressing and holding the two buttons down simultaneously locks them, so you won’t have to worry about your purse vibrating while you’re out in public or travelling, etc.

Cons
It is a little pricey. But it is definitely an investment that pays for itself (especially with the rechargeable feature).

Overall, I am very pleased with this product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a durable, convenient, inconspicuous, powerful and pretty way to make masturbation easier and more fun!

- Alice

A sexuality workshop in book form


The Clitoral Truth: the Secret World at Your Fingertips, by Rebecca Chalker.

Chalker offers an in-depth exploration devoted solely to women's genital anatomy and sexual response. Her highly informative tour of the clitoris is a sexuality workshop in book form. Female readers-straight, lesbian, and bisexual-will learn new routes to sexual pleasure and new ways to enhance their sexual response. Here are personal accounts, an in-depth survey of female sexuality resources, and the bold illustrations of San Francisco artist Fish.
- womensbookstore.com

This book is available at
1) Toronto Public Library
www.tpl.toronto.on.ca

2) The Toronto women's bookstore
www.womensbookstore.com

- Alice

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Cool resource

http://www.glbtq.com/

- Vivian

Depo Provera

At 16 I was paranoid as shit about pregnancy...so much so that condoms alone just didn't cut. So off I went to my family doctor to try to get some alternatives/options. The first one she gave me was Depo Provera and it seemed like a pretty sweet deal to my relatively uninformed 16 year old self. I mean, just one little needle every 3 months and that was that! My insurance covered it so each injection cost me less than $5. I must say, I felt a little sketched out when my doctor told me I'd probably stop getting my period but if no periods meant no babies I figured "Okay let's do this!!!". And I did. And dear god, I really wish she'd warned me about the side effects. Perhaps it was the fact that I was 16, but I simply was not aware that hormonal birth control = headaches, depression, total loss of sex drive and severe lethargy. Seriously, it was weird how much my entire system was affected. I had the shots a few more times after that, until I finally realized, DUH. The wonderous Depo Provera = why I've felt like I've spent the past half-year practically comatose. So I quit it and it was unbelievable how much better I felt about everything within just a few (3? 4?) months. I later found out that Depo Provera's side effects stretch far beyond what I experienced and may include things from hairloss to "abnormal skin spots" to bone mineral loss. Who wants that, really?

So, obviously Depo (and hormonal birth control in general) just wasn't for me. I suppose the moral of the story isn't so much "Stay away! It's evil!" but more so "Make sure you're well informed about everything to do with the BC of your choice. Ask questions! Use Google! Be prepared!".

- Vivian

Monday, September 15, 2008

Gardasil...required vaccine?

Immigration authorities add Gardasil to list of required vaccines

We're not arguing that Gardisil is necessarily evil... but to have it forced upon an individual (especially one who may be in a desperate situation and thus likely to submit to this) brings about issues of consent as well as many others outlined in the article. The link at the end of the article provides more information on consent etc.

- Alice

Saturday, September 6, 2008

3

One of the reasons we began WASH was to try to get people interested in talking/thinking about their bodies. Witnessing countless individuals' (from university students to people with children) sheer disbelief/amazement/outrage on numerous occasions upon finding out that women enjoy not one, not two, but three holes in their genital area was enough for us to try to start some sort of intervention. And this what we hope WASH will become - a way for people to engage in asking and answering questions, to discuss difficult topics, and to reach new levels of comfort and self-appreciation. For people to feel understood, and to understand others as well as themselves a little better...this is important! The precise number of "holes" a woman possesses can be (and evidently often is) written off as a petty technicality. But it isn't petty! For us, this little lacuna in the realm of what should be general knowledge created enough of a spark to push us to do something. Let's see where this goes!

So, for the record:
1) Urethra
2) Vagina
3) Anus
(Grab a mirror and take a look!)

- Vivian

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Cervix love

A friend referred me to this website and it's REALLY REALLY COOL. I'm super tempted to get myself a headlamp and a speculum and have my very own cervical adventures for a month! But really, if you're at all interested in fertility...click!

:)

- Vivian

We haven't read it but...

Getting Off: A Woman's Guide to Masturbation by Jayme Waxman

"Masturbation is like tuning a radio—you don’t know what frequencies you’ll enjoy until you play with the knobs. Masturbation has a complicated stigma attached to it; everybody is doing it, but not everybody talks about it. Some were told that touching oneself would cause cute kittens to die, some were told masturbation led blindness. Getting Off: A Woman's Guide to Masturbation is here to debunk those masturbation myths, and reinforce the truth.

Masturbation is a totally natural and normal way for women to connect with and find pleasure in their bodies.

Fun, informative, and illustrated, Getting Off provides women with a wealth of masturbation knowledge—its history, the mechanics of it, the joys of sexy toys—plus clear, concise tips on getting off."

- Vivian

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Who will fill birth control pill prescriptions?

This post on feministing.com is about pharmacists in the the US who have refused to fill birth control pill prescriptions on the basis of personal objections. I'm not trying to push contraceptive pill use, but the thought that someone could refuse to supply those few* who have access to "the pill" and wish to use it is unsettling.

*referring to those who live in large cities and "rich" nations.

- Alice

Take care down there!

Take Care Down There!

These short videos are kind of cute and informative, although Mr. Mustache is a little creepy. Also, I don't think that it should be called planned parenthood anymore... but it's a start.

:)

- Alice