Sex, condoms and reproduction rights.

First, an interesting article in the NYTimes about sexuality and sexual desire. There's also another one that is, to put it frankly, about old peoples libidos. I found it refreshing that a major newspaper like the Times was pretty open about this kind of thing.

Even more surprising is New York City's new condom distribution plan. Basically, New York City has been giving out free condoms. Five million have been distributed so far. They've even got two short animations about the condoms (don't worry, the link is safe for work). The best part about the whole thing? Their slogan: "New York, we've got you covered." A major newspaper being explicit about sex and sexuality is one thing, a government agency being explicit and risque about it is even more amazing!

This isn't to say that all inhibitions about sex are bad. These inhibitions were sorely missed in the case where four middle school children had sex in a classroom while the teacher was out of the room. I'm not sure how something like this could happen. Is it glorification of sex in pop culture? Bad parenting? Declining sexual inhibitions?

Finally there is the case of an infertile woman* in Britain who is not allowed to use her frozen embryos that were inseminated by her partner. The man withdrew his consent to use the embryos because he did not want the emotional or financial burden of having someone raise his child. I feel sympathetic toward this woman, but I do think the court made the right decision.

Thoughts? Opinions? Comments?

*You might need a subscription to The Economist to read that article.

"Vaginal rejuvenation" and "revirgination"

According to the Washington Post, "laser vaginal rejuvenation" is a relatively new and unstudied cosmetic surgical procedure that is gaining popularity. The three main reasons for these procedures are "to enhance sexual gratification by repairing tissue damaged by childbirth, to give women a 'youthful aesthetic look' or to make those who are not appear to be virgins." While I think that the first reason listed is a perfectly good reason - after all, if you're having sex you ought to be enjoying it - I think the second two are absolutely repugnant.

The only people who need their genitals to have a "youthful aesthetic look" are porn stars. In any other case it is simply cosmetics taken too far. While I find them distasteful, having breast implants or other forms of cosmetic surgery can be used to attracted a partner. But a woman doesn't need a "youthful" looking vagina to attract a potential partner because by the time the potential partner can see her genitals he's moved well past the stage of "potential."

I don't have many comments on the use of vaginal rejuvenation surgery to "make those who are not appear to be virgins." I've never understood societies (creepy) interest in having men deflower virgins. Revirgination, as it is called, is a short procedure that basically puts the hymen back in place. The WP paraphrases a N.J. gynecologist: "the "revirginization" operation has become increasingly popular as a gift for men." I'm sorry, but this just frightens me. I'm not going to even get into how this surgery doesn't actually "restore" virginity.

While the revirgination is a physically harmless procedure, the laser vaginal rejuvenation surgery has not been studied in any detail. Nobody knows what the long term effects are, how often it actually works, how often it doesn't etc. As a general rule of thumb, anything with the word "surgery" in it should be studied carefully before it is available to the general public. The fact that many women are subjecting themselves to a potentially dangerous treatment for the sake of their physical appearance is worrisome.

I'm not calling for a ban on these surgeries, just more detailed studies. I also think that people as a whole need to stop encouraging this sort of thing. Frankly I find it disgusting that some women are so insecure that they have cosmetic genital surgery and that their husbands are in support of this. People focus far too much on their physical appearances and the amount of time and money that is wasted on these surgeries is further proof of that.