We’re dead smack in the middle of “No Nut November”, and truly, we aren’t holding up. If you don’t know, “No Nut November” is an internet trend started to challenge people to avoid “nutting” or having an orgasm for an entire month. Crazy, right? Primarily this trend has been aimed at men and avoiding masturbation — but is it just another gimmick? 

We’re debunking 5 common masturbation myths, helping you (and your self pleasure) stay strong, sexy, and healthy!

“Masturbating reduces testosterone levels”

A common argument against masturbation, and used heavily when asking men to withhold from orgasm and masturbation, is the idea of reduced testosterone or lower sperm count. This myth about masturbation has been found to be untrue, with masturbation in males having no long lasting side effects on hormones. A study that took place at a sex club found that “In both men and women, testosterone levels were highest after intercourse. Levels were lower before sex and on days with no intercourse. These results suggest that sexual activity influences testosterone rather than testosterone influencing sexual activity.” 

In many ways, we can actually predict that no sexual activity perhaps keeps testosterone levels lower, which doesn’t sound like much of a benefit to us. Keep cumming, lovers!

“Masturbation lowers sex drive”

While masturbation can help curve our sexual appetite when we are craving it, it most definitely doesn’t wipe out sexual desire. Ironically, regular masturbation can actually help us stay sexually hungry for more with ourselves and our partners. We highly recommend masturbating regularly even when you’re in a relationship, as it’s a lovely time for self-care and heating things up for when your partner(s) isn’t around. If you feel your sex drive has been off, set aside 15-30 minutes each day to self pleasure for a sexy boost in your routine.

“Don’t masturbate in a relationship”

A common misconception is that masturbating in a relationship means you aren’t satisfied with your relationship — on the contrary! Masturbating regularly is some well deserved “you time”, and keeps your sex drive thriving. Make it fun by having some mutual masturbation, watching each other get off and seeing your partner’s reaction. We recommend bringing some sextoys to the mix, or ones that you can control from afar to see them squirm with excitement. 

“Masturbating desensitizes you”

Ahhhh, the age old idea that if you masturbate you may desensitize your genitals! Back in the day, this myth was used to scare off people from engaging in some good ol’ self pleasure. Technically, you can’t get desensitized but, you can get used to the same sensation and seek more. 

If you’re masturbating often and feel like it’s lost its spark, try these few tips:

• Take a few days off in between masturbating. While some of us can masturbate easily 2-3 times a day, perhaps it becomes routine or doesn’t feel as exciting. Allow a few days in between to build anticipation, and see how good it feels  “cumming” back to yourself.
• Slow down: As we said above, masturbation can become routine for some. Instead of quickly slamming out the big O before work or bed, slow down when you pleasure yourself. Taking your time while you masturbate can help you build more sensation and anticipation — try popping on a film you love, or reading some erotica to get your imagination going. 
• Shake up your touch! Do you masturbate the exact same way, every time? This can get repetitive, and lose its magical sensation. Experiment with different strokes, rhythms, and pressures. If you have a penis, try using a sextoy like a masturbation stroker or cock ring to enhance the experience. If you have a vagina, consider switching your sessions between using hands and vibrators to keep every experience new and varied with sensation.
• Try using a lubricant like GoLove CBD Lube, which can help calm anxiety, decrease inflammation, and add a kick ass glide to your masturbation routine. 

“Masturbation is addictive”

Just like anything in life, masturbation can become a problem for some. But, this isn’t to say that frequent masturbation is any cause for concern, in fact it’s pretty typical. It’s totally normal to masturbate frequently, and yes, multiple times a day. If you have time, why not? Remember to shake up your routine when you masturbate so it’s not repetitive. Try varying with how much time you take, and take a couple of days off to see if that varies your sensation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with touching yourself, and doing it often — we strongly encourage it. 

It’s best to listen to your own body, and needs

Bottomline — don’t worry so much about masturbation myths or fad internet challenges. Masturbation is completely normal, healthy, and in many ways an essential in keeping us sexually vibrant and satisfied. The key is finding the best ways to make masturbation work for you, and your lifestyle. You are your most important (and safest) sexual partner!

The post 5 Masturbation Myths Debunked first appeared on Tickle Kitty Blog.

The post 5 Masturbation Myths Debunked appeared first on Tickle Kitty Blog.

You know that feeling when you’re with someone new (or are still super into your partner), and you want to want them but something inside of you just isn’t…clicking? You’re probably perfectly healthy, and you’ve definitely had sex before, but lately you just can’t quite get, well, horny? Before you start panicking that you’re shriveling up and dying, relax. The chances are you’re probably fine.

Low sex drive is a very real thing that happens from time to time. The good news is, more often than not it’s totally fixable.

“People [experiencing low sex drive] usually feel one of two ways. Either, ‘This is all in my head,’ or ‘There is something wrong with me,'” says Dr. Holly Richmond, somatic psychologist and certified sex therapist. “Knowing whether the cause of their low sex drive is organic or psychogenic, or a combination of both, enables me to prescribe the most beneficial course of treatment.”

Mind Over Body

Before you hop right over to ‘Something is wrong with me,” it might be worth exploring what’s going on in your head. The mind has an incredible hold over our bodies, and often when something is eating away at it, even in our subconscious, it can put a pause on our sexiness, often without us realizing.

Let’s assume that we are not talking about people suffering from sexual trauma, which will usually cause low sex drive because of negative associations with sex. Let’s assume we’re talking about someone who has sex (and good sex) on the reg. and then all of a sudden just isn’t into it anymore.

Things to pay attention to are, is there dysfunction in a relationship? “Many times people do not want to have sex with someone they have anger or resentment toward, and that cycle of not having partnered sex overflows into their personal sexual routine, meaning they masturbate less,” says Dr. Richmond. “Sex begets sex—the more you have, the more you want, and ‘use it or lose it’ is also true.”

Another reason? Stress! In any and all areas of life. If your mind is preoccupied, whether by a work problem, a financial one, a familial one, a political one (ahem…preach!), or all of the above, your libido is going to take a backseat. And that’s natural. Sex is about being open, about freeing your mind and your body. So if you’re trapped inside your head and weighed down with other factors, it’s completely understandable that your on button might be switched (temporarily) off.

What’s your work/life balance like? Are you taking care of yourself lately or has there been a shift in your normal routine? Anything that makes you feel differently, in a negative way, will affect your sex drive. Having poor body image, for example, can keep us trapped in our heads. If you’re used to exercising and eating right and suddenly have become so overwhelmed with work that you start to slip from your usual routine might put you in a negative headspace.

Dr. Richmond says, “This keeps us trapped in our heads worrying about what our partner thinks of our body, which almost inherently precludes feeling pleasure.”

Body Over Mind

Okay, so if it’s NONE of the aforementioned things, then it might be time to start looking elsewhere. Maybe it is something medical, which also, usually, can be treated.

Are you on any medications like antidepressants, antihistamines or blood pressure medications? Side effects of these can be low sex drive. (Also, men, high blood pressure impairs blood flow to the penis, so staying healthy is not only a good idea for your overall health, but your sexual one, as well.)

Other issues might be diabetes, sleep disorders, or lowering of hormones, which happens as we age.

“When a client walks in and tells me they feel like their sex drive is low, especially in comparison to where it was, we discuss their symptoms and my first referral is always to an MD, either their primary care practitioner or a urologist. Getting a complete blood panel with hormone testing is critical.”

But the most important thing to remember is that this sexual hibernation isn’t permanent. If you were fucking before you will be fucking again, and with gusto. But it’s definitely something to talk about, look into, and recognize is a part of being human. Avoiding it only keeps you from getting it in that much longer.

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It’s never too late for pleasure. Explore new sensations with sex toys from TickleKitty.com:

The post Can’t Get it Up? Don’t Worry, Here’s Why first appeared on Tickle Kitty Blog.

The post Can’t Get it Up? Don’t Worry, Here’s Why appeared first on Tickle Kitty Blog.

Warning: do not consume too much of these phallic and yonic foods if you’re single. Trust me. You’ll basically put yourself into heat and then good luck dealing with that nonsense when there’s no particular friend to help you.

There are foods on this list which are so potent I’ve had to limit my consumption for years because I’ve been single for… Well, years. So yeah, I’m pretty excited to finally get a girlfriend and start binge eating all these delicious foods again.

In a relationship? Use these foods in all of your lover’s dishes. Sprinkle it in their smoothies. Chop it up and put it in their salads. Suddenly your boo will be the horny one in the relationship, and you’ll be the one trying to keep up. And that’s a wonderful place to be. So, here are five of those foods that’ll make you and your lover extra horny…

1. Oysters

These yonic sea creatures are a well-known aphrodisiac, as they boost production of testosterone and estrogen. The high amount of zinc oysters contain will also help surge blood to your sex parts when things get a little steamy. So get schlurping.

2. Cucumbers

If you or someone you love has erectile dysfunction, give cucumbers a try. These phallic vegetables boost libido and improve blood flow for stronger erections, helping the penis become cool as a cucumber when it’s called upon for super sexy missions. Cucumbers also aid with sexual stamina. Let’s all eat more cucumbers and get humanity’s average duration for sex up to like 13 or 14 minutes.

3. Bananas

I recommend gobbling down a banana or two right before you get it on. The simple carbohydrates will give you a quick energy boost, while the potassium will help you go the distance and will prevent muscle spasms and cramps.

There’s also this enzyme in bananas called bromelain which is a total bro because it increases libido and defeats impotence. Get outta here impotence.

4. Strawberries

All movies turn to this fruit when they need highly sexual foreplay food. They are also super yonic when cut in half. But do they actually help with your sex game?

Well for starters, strawberries boost sperm count in men. Plus, the antioxidant properties will help keep your heart and arteries running smoothly to ensure enough blood goes to all the right places. And when you dip them in chocolate, they are the ultimate aphrodisiac.

5. Avocados

The Aztecs referred to avocados as testicles, and it wasn’t just because of how they looked. They aid the heart and arteries, so your blood can better surge to your sex parts when things get a little steamy. Avocados also contain lots of B6 to boost testosterone.

BONUS: Maca

Okay, so maca root isn’t exactly a sexual looking food. Unless we really use our imaginations and envision what a Dr. Seuss character’s dick might look like. That’s why I included it as a bonus.

But it’s SUPER potent. It’s actually referred to as “nature’s Viagra.” Like, you might want to double wrap your tool if you ain’t tryin’ to make more humans. Maca will basically give men super swimmers. Like mini Aquamen. Or Macamen, as I like to call them. Maca will also supercharge the libido of both men and women.

Sometimes nature makes it pretty obvious which foods you should be eating. For instance: walnuts are good for the brain, wine is good for blood, and bananas are good for dick. Nature is kinda cheeky that way. And nature knows best, so take heed.

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After you’ve shopped for these sexual foods, pair them with sex toys TickleKitty.com:

The post Improve Your Sex Life by Eating These Tasty Foods first appeared on Tickle Kitty Blog.

The post Improve Your Sex Life by Eating These Tasty Foods appeared first on Tickle Kitty Blog.