Testicular Self Examination

Have you ever examined your testicles? If the answer is no or few years ago, it is time to perform a self examination. This self examination can be very helpful when it comes to testicular cancer detection or other medical conditions that might affect your testicles.

Although the number of people suffering from testicular cancer is not that high, according to some statistics this number is rising constantly every year. Expert have come to a conclusion that if you have suffered from incompletely lowered testicles (cryptorchidism) or an inguinal hernia, you have around 10%-20% higher chances of developing testicular cancer. Of course there are few other risk factors and their influence is still being studied. These factors include – premature puberty, family diseases, maternal smoking during pregnancy, age of the mother at birth, complications during birth and various types of radiation.  Testicular cancer can be easily spotted with an examination. At the beginning it comes in a form of induration or lump that can be felt during examination. However not every lump is a testicular cancer and that’s why you should visit your doctor to determine the real reason for those lumps. In addition, you can take note for some of the symptoms of testicular cancer. First of all, look for gradually or rapid movement of one of the testicles. Find out if there are any swellings (painful or painless) on any spot on the testicles. See if you have a feeling of heaviness or unusual sensitivity in one of the testicles. Another symptom of testicular cancer is increased pressure by the lymph nodes to the bladder although this symptom is common for kidney disease too.

When it comes to self examination, experts suggest that these examinations should be performed once a month and on the same if possible. The testicles must be relaxed so try to perform this self examination in a warm room and the best time do to it is after you’ve taken a shower or bath. Don’t examine the two testicles at one, check them one by one and use the other one for comparison. It is better to know the elements of your testicles like vessels, vas deferens and epididymis are. In this way you can notice all the changes easily.

In order to perform a proper self examination you should take one of the testicles in both hands so that the thumb and other fingers of both hands are flat in order to feel the testicles. Check each testicle separately and try to keep an order. First check the epididymis, after that vas deferens and in the end the vessels. Make sure you’ve checked both testicles in the same order. Look for any unusual lumps, swelling or indurances.

Even if you are suffering from testicular cancer, you should not be worried, because treatment of testicular cancer is one of the most successful and around 90% of the people are cured. In most cases surgery is required as well as chemotherapy. That’s why don’t forget to perform testicular self examination frequently. 

Few things you should know about vaginal dryness

If your vagina doesn’t get enough moisture during the sexual intercourse it is very likely that you will experience unpleasant pain and even damages inside the vagina. Dry vagina is not only bad for you but it is also bad for your partner because he might experience pain and damages on the penis. In some cases the reason for this dryness is the fast foreplay and longer foreplay seems like a logical solution. Your partner can also use his tongue or saliva in order to penetrate more easily. It is completely natural that you will have certain problems with dryness during the menstrual period, because for example the tampon itself dries the vagina. That’s why you shouldn’t worry about the dryness during this period. 

Lack of wetness in vagina doesn’t always mean that you are having low sex drive. Sometimes there are periods when you are simply not that wet down there and using various products can help you. The best natural lubricant is of course the saliva but if you are having bigger problems you can use some other lubricants. Having sex with a condom that is already lubricated is another option. However you should be careful with the penetration – the penetration should be slow no matter what you use. If the vagina gets dry during the sex ask your partner to pull the penis out and use saliva for moisturizing.

When a woman reaches menopause it is a completely different situation. In these cases we are talking about hormonal changes and according to some statistics more than 20% of women have troubles with vaginal dryness during this period. We are talking about serious physical changes in the genitals and the urinary tract as well. During this period the estrogen levels are getting lower and the vaginal walls produce fewer fluids. It is very important that the partner fully understands this change and be patient. The vaginal dryness doesn’t mean lack of libido and low sex drive. If you don’t understand this change you will probably create an additional emotional problem. The vagina during menopause can still get wet but it takes more time. That’s why you should extend the time of the foreplay and you will see that the vagina will have the necessary moisture after a while.

How exactly can you moisten your vagina? Experts suggest avoiding bath oils, scented soaps, sprays and wipes for washing the vagina, because they can easily irritate the vagina and cause even more problems. It is also important to avoid decongestants and antihistamine products that are known for their role in vaginal dryness. You should use gels based on water which can be used on and inside the vagina and on your partner’s penis too. They don’t have any side effects and they are easy to apply. Having regular sexual intercourses is another useful thing in your fight against dryness, because these intercourses keep the blood flow in the genital area. If none of these things works consult a doctor.

Finding True Love

Is yours true love or lust? While there are those who establish relationships that last for a long time and possibly lead to marriage, there are those who establish relationships that do not last even months. Theirs are short-term relationships that do not have any basis. Simply put, there is true love and lust. Those whose relationships last establish their relationships on the basis of true love. On the other hand, those whose relationships do not last are only motivated by lust.

True love is like a lit dry oak wood. It takes time to catch the fire and burns slow with a steady flame. Furthermore, it burns for several hours. On the other hand, lust is like dry grass that catches fire in an instant. It burns hot very quickly before fading away just as fast as it caught fire. Although both dry grass and dry oak wood produce heat, dry grass produces intense heat, unlike dry oak that produces steady heat.

How do you ascertain whether yours is true love or lust? Both love and lust are fires. They evoke powerful feelings and emotions that can leave you confused. There are however ways through which you can tell whether yours is true love or simple lust.

1. You should know that yours is lust in case you are in the habit of establishing relationships that start off in a great way but die soon tragically. A good pointer to this is when you establish three or four relationships in a year. Being in a true love relationship means keeping a relationship for long, which can be for a year or two.
2. Although it is not clear why different people get attracted to different people, physical attraction is often given as the reason why. This however presents a serious challenge. Simply getting attracted to someone because of his/her physique is a clear sign of lust. Although true love has some element of physical attraction, there is that deep feeling of care and concern for another person. You should know that yours is lust in case you look at a person’s physique and harbour the thought of sexual intimacy instead of the other way round.
3. You should be able to know that yours is lust in case you view sex as a pleasure activity and not for procreation. Although true love also has element of pleasure in sex, it is usually accompanied by feelings of deep love and emotional attachment to someone else.
4. You should be able to know that yours is lust and not true love if such values as respect, loyalty, admiration, support and emotional fulfilment lack in your relationship. These are very important values that can only be found in true love. Being in true love naturally brings in the elements of respect, loyalty, admiration, support and emotional fulfilment when you think of your partner.

There is no doubt that it is extremely easy to enter into a relationship full of lust and find it very difficult in establishing a relationship where true love exists. Contrary to common belief, you do not look for true love in someone else you are interested in, true love starts with you.