We've Moved to Studio Anya

We're excited to announce that Sex Ed Solutions has moved to Studio Anya. Schedule a coaching session now by calling 212.686.5359. We look forward to working with you in our new home.

Talking With Your Kids About Sex—If Not Now, When?

Want to talk with your kids about sexuality, but not sure when to start, what to say or how to keep the conversations ongoing? This workshop is for parents and caregivers of newborns, toddlers, young children, tweens and teens.

Led by Amy Levine, MA, CSE—a nationally recognized sex coach, certified sexuality educator and founder of www.sexedsolutions.com—you'll learn tips and tricks to raise sexually healthy kids in a world of mixed messages. So, plan a play-date for your children to spend time with friends so you can attend (or feel free to bring your infant along), and take the time to make a difference in their lives.

Sunday, October 10th
1:30-3pm
Studio Anya, NYC

Register here before tickets are sold out: http://talkingwithkidsaboutsex.eventbrite.com/

Sex, Wine & Chocolate--Sign up before it's sold out!

Sex, Wine & Chocolate
Coco de Mer, NYC, 236 Elizabeth Street (btw Houston and Prince)
Tuesday, October 5th, 7:00 p.m.
$75

What more could anyone want? All three benefit your health and bring pleasure. Savor every sip, taste and touch more fully through this decadent tasting of wine and chocolate, which integrates a unique look at the intersection of these three joys in life. Wine educator Tracy Ellen Kamens will help you appreciate a series of wines on a deeper level by breathing in their scent and savoring the taste, especially when paired with rich chocolates. Sexuality educator Amy Levine will relate how this attention to detail enhances intimacy and sexual satisfaction, as well as addressing sensual touch techniques. Talking, sharing and laughing are encouraged in this classroom as participants practice how descriptive words heighten enjoyment. The owner of Grand Cru Classes, Tracy Ellen Kamens is a Certified Wine Educator who combines her love of teaching with her passion for wine. Amy Levine is a nationally recognized sex coach, certified sexuality educator and founder of Sex Ed Solutions whose mission is to inspire singles and couples to be savvy and empowered in and out of the bedroom.

Coco de Mer accepts reservations over the phone or at the store. To RSVP please call 212 966 9069.

Sex Ed Conference of the Year!

The Center for Family Life Education (CFLE), a national leader in sexuality education, is celebrating its 30th year by hosting its first TWO-DAY Sex Ed Conference on November 18th and 19th. This year’s conference features experts in the field of sexuality presenting 28 workshops about a variety of topics including sexuality and disability, sex and the media, how poverty affects learning, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention, gender and sexual orientation, healthy relationships, sexual violence, technology and more. www.sexedconference.com

Double-Duty has Many Meanings

Well, I was on Rachael Ray the other day for my double-duty cleaning tip. When they originally called, I thought they wanted me to do a segment on sex. Who knew my cleaning tips were in such demand?!?! It was a fun experience, so check out what I have to say. Just remember, not to use dryer sheets on porous surfaces like Teflon, as the smell seeps out of the oven when it's heated (something that's likely not healthy). Only use it on glass, stainless steel and other non-porous products.

Mengagement Rings: Proposals Come Full Circle

I heard exciting news this week that a friend got engaged. Aside from the beautiful story of the question being popped on the Brooklyn Bridge during a bike ride back to the borough, it gets even better! He wanted a mengagement ring, a symbol to mark the change in his single status. I know of two men who absolutely wanted wedding bands before they got hitched--but this is the first time I actually knew of someone who went with his fiancee to pick out of ring for himself. I love it! After all, while women often can't wait to adorn their finger with a rock, we want our partners to advertise that their taken too!

Sexual Scientists Applaud President Obama's Budget for Sex Education

ALLENTOWN, PA — The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) applauded President Barack Obama’s decision not to fund “abstinence-only-until-marriage” (AOUM) programs in his 2010 budget proposal.

Despite repeated independent analyses that have concluded “just say no” AOUM programs do not work and put America’s teenagers at risk for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and other negative outcomes, more than $1.5 billion in taxpayer money has been spent in recent years on AOUM programs.

In making his decision, President Obama designated federal funds to scientifically-evaluated teen pregnancy prevention programs that allow sex educators to teach about abstinence, as well as methods of contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

“President Obama is making good on his promise to ‘restore science to its rightful place,’” said Konstance McCaffree, president of the Society. “Teen health is one area where public policy must be guided by sexual science.”

McCaffree pointed to evidence-based programs approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their efficacy, as well as research in the American Journal of Sexuality Education, the Journal of Adolescent Health, and other peer-reviewed academic resources that have described the success of sex education programs.

“The research has been there for quite some time, but the funding has not. We are delighted the president has made teen pregnancy prevention a priority. Moreover, we are encouraged to see his support of programs that have an evidence-based, scientific foundation.”

For Further Information Contact Bill Taverner, M.A. at btaverner@sexualscience.org

I just learned about My Little Red Book, a fantastic project started by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff. This little red companion tells first period stories, breaking the silence of many women to talk about their first time for the first time. The book aims to provide support, entertainment, and a starting point for discussion for mothers and daughters everywhere. Royalties from sales of the book are being donated to charities promoting women's health and education.

The truth about teens and sexting

According to a recent press release from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com, one in five teen girls (22%)—and 11% of teen girls ages 13-16 years old—say they have electronically sent, or posted online, nude or semi-nude images of themselves. The survey reports that these racy images are also getting passed around: One-third (33%) of teen boys and one-quarter (25%) of teen girls say they have had nude/semi-nude images—originally meant to be private—shared with them.

The survey of 1,280 teens and young adults—conducted online by TRU, a global leader in research on teens and 20 somethings—indicates that 15% of teens who have sent sexually suggestive content such as text messages, email, photographs or video say they have done so with someone they only know online.

Teen girls are not the only ones sharing sexually explicit content. Almost one in five teen boys (18%) say they have sent or posted nude/semi nude images of themselves. One-third (33%) of young adults—36% of women and 31% of men ages 20-26—say they have sent or posted such images. What teens and young adults are doing electronically seems to have an effect on what they do in real life: Nearly one-quarter of teens (22%) admit that technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive. More than one-third of teens (38%) say exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up with others more likely and nearly one-third of teens (29%) believe those exchanging sexy content are “expected” to date or hook up.

“Teenagers are early adopters of technology—from the latest social networking sites to the hottest new cell phones,” says Susan Schulz, Special Projects Editor, Hearst Magazines. “While this tech savvy can be seen as a positive, our study reveals there's also a negative side. Teenagers should be aware of the real consequences to this type of behavior and we need to provide them with guidance and encourage them to make smart choices.”

“That so many young people say technology is encouraging an even more casual, hook-up culture is reason for concern, given the high rates of teen and unplanned pregnancy in the United States,” said Marisa Nightingale, Senior Advisor to the Entertainment Media Program at the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. “Parents should understand that their own notions of what’s public, what’s private, and what’s appropriate, may differ greatly from how
teens and young adults define these concepts.”


Other findings from the survey include:

• Sending sexually suggestive messages is even more prevalent than sending nude/semi-nude images. Nearly half of young people (49% total, 39% of teens, 59% of young adults) have sent sexually suggestive text messages or email messages to someone.

• Even more have received sexually suggestive messages: 48% of teens and 64% of young adults (56% total). Fully one-third of young teen girls (ages 13-16) have received sexually suggestive messages.

• Teen girls who have sent or posted sexually suggestive content provide a number of reasons why: Two-thirds (66%) say they did so to be “fun or flirtatious,” half (52%) did so as a “sexy present” for their boyfriend, and 40% as a “joke.”

• Even though nearly three-quarters of young people (73% total, 75% of teens, 71% of young adults) say that sending sexually suggestive content “can have serious negative consequences,” nearly one-quarter (22% total, 19% of teens and 26% of young adults) say sending sexually suggestive content is “no big deal.”

Please visit www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech and www.cosmogirl.com/sexsurvey for more information about the survey, tips for parents and teens, and other related materials.

Looks can be deceiving

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.

From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

My latest gig: Interviewing celebrity moms

The documentary The Business of Being Born made such a positive impact on me that I immediately wanted to interview Ricki and Abby. So, I pitched a celebrity interview article to Pregnancy and Baby, and now have another gig.

Check out two recent interviews:

Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

Gabby Reece

Know of any celebrity moms that fit the bill... send them my way.

The Girl Effect: Get 600 million girls out of poverty and change the world

The Girl Effect

I just learned of this amazing initiative. Click on the link above and watch the video--the words speak for themselves. Learn, create change, and watch girls and the world reap the rewards!

Raise Money with a Celeb-styled Lifestyles Condom Box

Today is World AIDS Day. There are so many way to take action and make a difference to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

For starters, help save lives by placing a bid in the LifeStyles Celebrity Pop Art Auction.

All you have to do is place your bids December 1-5 on LifeStyles condom boxes designed exclusively by some of today’s hottest celebrities including Ethan Hawke, Marc Ecko and more.

All proceeds go to YouthAIDS – an education and prevention initiative using media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by reaching out to 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.

Check out the December Sex Ed Solutions Newsletter for more ideas of how you can make a difference.

Cherry TV--my new fun endeavor into the world of online TV content

I had a blast filming upcoming segments. Featured videos thus far address Curable STDs and STD Testing. Check out my online TV debut.

A Benefit for the New Space for Women's Health

Ricki Lake to host Women Come First: A Benefit for the New Space for Women's Health at Babeland

Confirmed notable guests include: Ricki Lake, Helen Hunt, Erica Reid, Todd Oldham- more to be announced.

On Tuesday, November 18th at 7 pm, acclaimed actress, producer and former talk show host Ricki Lake will host Women Come First: An Evening to Benefit to the New Space for Women’s Health at Babeland SoHo. Ricki is a board member of the New Space, which will open New York City’s only independent women’s birth and health center next year. Babeland, the city’s premiere sex toy shop, is hosting the event, and Urban Decay cosmetics is the headline sponsor.

Earlier this year, Ricki produced “The Business of Being Born,” a documentary about midwifery and the state of birthing in America today. Babeland and the New Space have recently joined forces to launch a speaker series on issues pertaining to motherhood and sexuality at Babeland’s newest store in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

What: Women Come First: An Evening to Support the New Space for Women’s Health is a benefit party hosted by Babeland, sponsored by Urban Decay
Where: Babeland SoHo, 43 Mercer Street at Grand, New York City
When: Tuesday, November 18th, 7PM-10PM
Tickets available at www.newspacenyc.org/events/

About The New Space for Women’s Health, a project of Friends of the Birth Center
The New Space for Women’s Health grew out of the community of the Elizabeth Seton Childbearing Center, which, challenged by insurance demands and increasing costs, closed in 2003. Once open, the center will create an environment where midwives, mental health professionals, family educators and a community of other professionals will provide more than 20,000 women and families each year with prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth education, gynecological services, social work, and psychological care in a welcoming and environmentally sustainable setting. www.newspacenyc.org.

My latest article for Pregnancy and Baby

Check out my latest article Birthing Tips from the Experts on Pregnancy and Baby, and learn how to let a Doula help you to manage your birth, find an acupuncturist before your due date, and that episiotomies aren't as necessary as you might think.

By the way...you might have an STD

Have you heard about the website inspot.org that has cornered the market for e-cards to let current or past sex partners know they should get tested for STDs? Hopefully, you won't need to send any...

New brides expect better sex after the big 'I Do'

Brides.com went through all this trouble to poll women online, and the women took the time to answer. The press release is below. What they forgot to address: Many couples don't even end up having sex on their wedding night!

Great 'Sex-pectations': Brides.com Survey Reveals Majority of New Brides Expect Better Sex After the Big 'I Do'

Over A Third Fantasize About A Different Partner When In Bed With Their Fiance

Nearly A Quarter Plan To Spice Up Their Wedding Night & Honeymoon With A Sex Toy

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (52%) of brides-to-be expect that their sex lives will improve after walking down the aisle, according to a new survey from Brides.com (www.brides.com), Conde Nast's premier destination bridal Web site. Before that walk, however, more than a third (37%) admit to fantasizing about "another man" when in bed with their fiance. A good number (76%) also say that their sex life has either simply stayed the same or worsened since they got engaged.

Poll results additionally indicate that new brides agree that the wedding night and honeymoon warrant something special in the boudoir. Nearly a quarter (24%) said that they plan on purchasing a sex toy for the occasion and an overwhelming majority (95%) plans on buying new lingerie.

In order to make the wedding night sex even more memorable, most brides (92%) plan to sleep in separate beds the evening before their nuptials, with many (42%) intending to halt sexual activity well before they head to the altar. Of those planning a bedroom hiatus, a majority (53%) expects to abstain for a month or longer.

In addition, there is a percentage for whom the wedding night will not require anything new to spice up the bedroom, with more than one in ten (11%) respondents stating that they want to say "I do" before having sex for the first time.

Methodology:

The poll results contained in this release are non-scientific and are based on questions posted on Brides.com from June 18 - 30, 2008. A total of 2206 women answered the online questions.

Is cheating in his genes?

A recent study by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm suggests a scientific basis for men's tendency to cheat. Their study found that men who carry one or two copies of a gene variant called “allele 334” were twice as likely to have had marital or relationship issues in the past year than those who don’t have the gene.

See what some experts have to say in an MSNBC article.

Is your school sexually healthy?

A few weeks ago, the maker's of Trojan condoms released the results of their third annual Trojan Sexual Health Report Card. The report card ranked more than 130 colleges and universities across the county. While the methodology is unclear--as to how many people participated in the ranking and what it actually takes for their school to be included, it's a good gauge of what's happening on campus.

I'm not sure why NYU isn't on the list and have inquired as to why. However, it's no surprise that the Catholic colleges and universities are among the least sexually healthy.

Click on the Report Card for more details.