TresSugar

Dear Poll: Would You Try Female Viagra?

DearSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Earlier this week, an article in the Washington Post reminded readers that Viagra is officially 10-years-old this month. It seems hard to believe it was only a decade ago that the release of this male performance enhancer sparked such huge controversy. Of course, as that debate died down, a new one took its place: When will they make female Viagra? Though there has been talk of similar products, we're still waiting for the little blue pill to be made available for us women. It's pretty clear that it's going to happen eventually, so what I want to know is, would you try it?

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Some Words of Wisdom

DearSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0700

I just came across a wonderful poem whose commandments (if you will) struck a chord with me. I wanted to share it with all of you so just click here to read more

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a youth she's content to leave behind...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

-Author unknown
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Do Tell: What Female Trait Would you Change?

DearSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Being a woman is amazing, we have the honor of bearing children, we are sensitive and compassionate, we get to be feminine and girly whenever we want, but at the same time, as women, we suffer through our periods every month, we have to fight for job equality, and have to keep up with the Jones' in terms of weight, fashion and status. So ladies, if you had to abolish one female characteristic to make your life easier, do tell, what would you change?

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What is your Getting Ready Routine?

DearSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 08:30:00 -0700

Do you consider yourself to be a primper? Are you the type who takes hours getting ready for a date or a night out with friends, making sure every hair is in place and your outfit is perfectly pressed? I was meeting a male friend for dinner this weekend and he was shocked and quite impressed with how quickly I could get ready for an evening out on the town! So ladies, do tell, what does your getting ready regime entail?

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11 Female Photographers Who Rock My World

TresSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:37:56 -0700

Photography is one of my favorite mediums, and unlike many other art forms dominated by men, female photographers have played a crucial role in shaping and helping photography to develop. From the photojournalism of Margaret Bourke-White to the movie stills of nonexistent films by Cindy Sherman, female photographers continue to seize life as it's lived in the world and in the mind.

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Cheaper Version of the Female Condom Waiting Approval by FDA

DearSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Even if you aren't a fan of using condoms, we can all agree that they are an easy, effective, and inexpensive tool for preventing pregnancy and STIs. Some guys put up a stink about putting one on though, which is why female condoms are so great. They allow the woman to have some control about how she protects herself so she doesn't have to rely on her partner. However, female condoms are pricey, about $2 a piece, and if that's your only form of birth control, imagine how much money you'd be spending each month!

I'm here with some good news though. The FDA is evaluating a second-generation female condom (FC2), and within six months, it's expected to be approved. This new version will be like the first generation model, but they'll be 30 percent cheaper.

Tell me, do you think you'd be more apt to use female condoms because of the decrease in cost?

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What's Up With The Female Condom?

DearSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

If you're sick of using regular condoms while having sex, but still want to be protected against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, the female condom might be the answer.

The female condom (also called the internal condom) is about 6.5 inches long and at each end there is a flexible ring. One end is closed and that's the ring that gets inserted into your vagina, much like you would insert a diaphragm - this ring is also removable. At the other open end, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina.

What are the BENEFITS?

Female condoms actually better protect you against STIs than male condoms because they cover more of your mucous membranes.
It's made out of polyurethane, so if you have a latex allergy, this is another option for you besides polyurethane condoms.
They contain no spermicide which tends to irritate many women when they have sex.
The female condom is 75% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
Both water-based and oil-based lubricants can be used with the female condom.
It can be inserted up to 8 hours before you have sex.

Want to know what the DISADVANTAGES are? Then read more

The outer ring can be seen outside the vagina, so for some women, this makes them feel self-conscious.
It can makes noises while you have sex, but using more lubricant may help this problem.
Some women find it harder to insert, use, and remove compared to male condoms.
It may be hard to find in certain countries.
They are more expensive than male condoms, costing about $10 for a 5-pack.

Dear's Advice: Just like using any form of birth control, it takes a little practice. Here's a step-by-step guide to inserting the female condom so you can become a pro.

Check out these Adriana Bertini dresses posted by Fab. They're made out of condoms to increase people's awareness about AIDS.

With all this in mind, I am curious - do you think you would ever try this form of birth control? If you have tried it, do share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.

Egypt Bans Female Circumcision

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I was reading an article today about a 12 year old girl in Egypt who died during a $9 female circumcision procedure at an illegal clinic. It's believed that an overdose of anesthesia was the cause, but her death has sparked government and health officials to ban female circumcision, or genital mutilation. It is now "prohibited for doctors, nurses or any other person to carry out any cut of, flattening or modification of any natural part of the female reproductive system, either in government hospitals, non-government hospitals or any other places."

Female genital mutilation usually involves the removal of the entire clitoris which the Muslims and Christians who practice this believe, feel it tames a girl's sexual desire and maintains her honor.

A 2003 survey by UNICEF showed that 97% of married women have undergone this procedure and that as many as 50.3% were circumcised as early as 10 years old. Many parents believe circumcision is the only way to protect their daughters virginity before they marry.

Opponents of female circumcision believe that it's harmful to women, that they can bleed to death, suffer chronic urinary infections, and have life-threatening complications during childbirth as a result of the procedure.

I'm sure all women reading this will cringe and agree that female circumcision is all about taking the pleasure of sex away from women. I see it as a crime against women, but what about the popularity of male circumcision in the U.S.? Is it the same thing? Would people in Egypt think we are committing a crime against men? What do you think?

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Condoms: Male vs. Female

DearSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

Condoms are an amazing invention, aren't they? Not only are they effective at helping you not get pregnant, but also they help prevent you from contracting an STI. Male condoms have been around much longer than female condoms so I think they definitely get used more, but isn't it great that there's another option available that allows women can be in control too? A woman can now use the female condom to protect herself from disease and motherhood, and no longer has to rely on the guy to use a condom.

Want to see how these two compare? Then read more

	Male	Female
What they're made of	Latex, polyurethane, or lamb intestines	Polyurethane (great for people who have a latex sensitivity)
Price	Latex condoms cost $5 for a 12-pack Polyurethane condoms cost about $7 for a 6-pack Natural Lamb condoms costs about $8 for a 12-pack	$10 for a 5-pack
Efficacy against preventing pregnancy	85 percent effective	75 percent effective
Do they prevent STIs?	Condoms made out of latex and polyurethane do, but natural lamb condoms don't.	Yes
Lubricants	You can use only water-based lubes on latex male condoms, but you can use both water- and oil-based lubes on ones made out of polyurethane or lamb intestine.	You can use both oil- and water-based lubricants
Availability	Easy to find at pharmacies, grocery stores, and some bathrooms and doctor's offices for free.	They're not usually found at stores. You may need to get them from your doctor or order them online.
When can it be used?	It must be placed on the penis immediately before intercourse, when the man has an erection.	It can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse.
Use	They can break or slip off, but using the right size condom should help solve this problem.	It may make noise while you're having sex, but using extra lubricant can help.
Comfort and ease	It's easy to put on and it fits snugly around the penis when erect, so it stays put while you're having sex.	Some people complain that it's difficult to insert the inner rim, and that the outer rim doesn't stay put while you're having sex. Some also say that it moves around while they have sex, so it's really noticeable and distracting.
Removal	After sex, hold the outer rim as the man pulls his penis out of the woman. Then the condom can be easily slid off and thrown away.	After sex, gently tug on the outer rim and pull the condom out of the woman.

I know people who absolutely love the female condom, and I know people who absolutely despise it, but the same goes for male condoms. That's why it's great that there are so many birth control options out there to fit people's needs and preferences.

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How Well Do You Know the Female Condom?

DearSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you're not ready to become a mother and hormonal birth control isn't an option for you, you can still take the power into your own hands with the female condom. We've covered the pros and cons, but how well do you really know the female condom? Take this quiz and find out!

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Take the quiz