Everything You Need to Know About STI Testing

The idea of STI testing can seem daunting. The possibility of bad news looms over your head. But getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also known as STDs) is a way to be proactive about your sexual health and to potentially prevent more significant health concerns down the road. The more you know about STI screening, the more prepared you are to make smart choices, so we've gathered information to make you smarter about STI testing.

You Should Get Screened When

•  You have symptoms of STIs
• You have a new partner, and you haven't been tested in the last 3 to 6 months
• A sexual partner revealed they have an STI
• You had unprotected sex

You Should Get Tested Even If You Have No Symptoms

You might think that because you feel okay and have no outward symptoms that you are STI-free or that you cannot transmit an infection to another person. But this isn't necessarily the case. Some infections, including certain strains of HPV, chlamydia, herpes, and gonorrhea, have no symptoms. And you can still transmit them to a partner.

Just because you have no symptoms doesn't mean there's no reason to worry. Remember that HPV can be asymptomatic? But some HPV can lead to genital and anal cancers even if you don't have any warts on your body.

Are Luxury Toys Really Worth The Price?

Le Wand Petite Rechargeable Wand Massager

      

Once upon a time, you would be hard-pressed to find a worthy sex toy that costs less than $50, and if you did, it might be made cheaply or from materials that were not body-safe. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. While the first silicone and stainless steel toys were made only by luxury companies (and had the price tag to go with the brand name), you can find well-built toys made from quality materials if you're not specifically interested in a toy from the company that did it first.

Occasionally, you might notice that less-expensive toys lack the attention to detail that luxury toy makers provide (some storage bags to wax seals to gorgeous packaging to included extras). If you're willing to sacrifice an internal motor or don't need a sex toy that will last a lifetime, you may find that more cost-effective toys do you just fine. A lost or broken toy is less of a worry because you can buy a new one without breaking the bank.

You can find wonderful alternatives to luxury sex toys at a fraction of the price. Often, if you wait a few months after a company releases a toy with new technology, you can find something similar at a reduced cost. This happened with the clitoral suction device Womanizer and the more affordable Satisfyer. But sometimes you just can't find an alternative, so there's no less expensive option.

The Brightest Stars in Sex Tech

The Cowgirl Premium Riding Sex Machine 

It's been a while since we talked about the innovations in sex toys, so let's take a look at the newest developments in sex tech. While many of these creative toys and accessories are available, you'll have to wait for a few of them to hit the shelves. Still, that doesn't mean you can't plan for how they'll fit into your sex life!

Clitoral Suction 

Clitoral suction toys aren't exactly new. They've actually been around for a couple years, starting first with models by the company Womanizer. Satisfyer followed up with similar toys, and big-name sex toy company Lelo now makes their own version called Sona. Several other brands have their own toys that are obviously inspired by this trend. Regardless of the brand, these toys all use pulsated air to create a sensation that's different from other sex toys on the market.

If you're looking to try one of these suction toys, Satisfyer models tend to cost a little less. However, quality is a bit lower, too.

You'll notice that there are many models available, which can make choosing the right toy confusing. The size of the nozzle can affect pleasure, and Womanizer sells a few models with interchangeable nozzles to account for this. Womanizer, Satisfyer and Cloud 9 all make dual-stimulators with internal vibration and external suction.

While many people enjoy suction, it's not everyone's cup of tea. So keep your expectations realistic.

Smart Kegel Toys

Smart Kegel toys have actually been around for a couple of years, too, with the best-known being Minna's kGoal. However, there are now more options than ever, including the Gballs by Fun Toys and the similar Lovelife Krush by OhMiBod. A newer kid on the block is the Lovense Lush, which curves around your pubic bone as you wear it.

Despite differences in shape and mechanism for sensing the contractions of your PC muscles, these smart toys all have one thing in common: they rely on an app to guide you through your pelvic floor exercises, to sense when you're contracting (and how hard), and to track your progress so that you can reach your fitness goals.

UV Sanitation for Your Sex Toy

You probably know that you can sterilize your nonporous sex toys with bleach, by boiling or using the sanitize setting in your dishwasher. But what if you're in a hurry or if you want to sterilize a vibrator that cannot be submerged? Say 'Hello' to sex toy sanitizers.

Among the first was Dorr, but Uvee has entered the market with a bang!

Uvee comes in three sizes, and the largest is big enough to fit even a Hitachi Magic Wand and is designed that you can charge your toys while the UV light sanitizes them! The medium and large Uvee both have three USB ports inside the devices as well as a hole for toys that must be plugged into an outlet. The smaller Uvee has only one port and no A/C accommodation, but it's more cost-effective and requires less room.

This system will set you back a little bit initially, but you'll save a lot of time and energy – not to mention worry – not having to worry about the cleanliness of your sex toys in the future. Plus, Uvee acts as a storage container, is travel-friendly and neatly tucks cords away when not in use, so you'll never have to deal with tangled cords again!

JimmyJane also offers a device that sanitizes your set toys, and it's conveniently disguised as a “mood light.” This way, you can keep it on your nightstand or dressed with no one the wiser as to its true use or what is hidden inside.

Toy and Lube Warmers

If you're the type of person whose body shuts right down whenever it comes into contact with a cold glass dildo or a chilly dollop of lube, this might be your year! You can now find pouches that hold your sex toys and warm them at the same time. Warm Intimate Toy Warmer makes a surprisingly chic envelope to tuck away your favorite toy before you're ready for it.

There are at least two companies offering warming lube dispensers, too! One is Pulse, which makes a smaller dispenser that looks like it comes straight from the future of a Sci-fi flick and warms lube from a cartridge before dispensing it into your hand. Touch is another company that makes a similar lube warmer and dispenser; although, the design is a bit larger.

Fucking Machines

Finally, the last item on our list isn't an entirely new type of sex tech. Rather, it's a re-imagining of existing tech. You might have seen traditional Sybians, also known as fucking machines. They were bulky and decidedly unsexy. JimmyJane has decided to enter the market of fucking machines with an updated appears.

The Cowgirl is still a machine that you mount to enjoy penetration, but it now has a sleek black veneer made from vegan leather. It's also compatible with apps on your smartphone, and the shaft both vibrates and rotates as you're riding it.

Another update to the fucking machine category comes in the way of Cloud 9's F-Machine Gigolo Mini with Wireless Remote. You can adjust the position of this machine, which is compatible with any Vac-U-Lock dildo.

Of course, any good idea in the world of sex toys will be copied and expanded upon, which is a good  thing for consumers who love to try new things and get off in new ways!

By: Adriana Ravenlust
Follow on Twitter @adriana_r

Affordable Sex Toys for Back to School Blues

Fall is in the air, and so is the smell of books, dorms, and student debt. Time to return to all-nighters in the library and a massively increased caffeine consumption. Perhaps these five sex toys will at least make study breaks a little more fun. Perfect for college students, these toys are quiet, so neighbors won’t hear them through paper-thin dorm walls, easy to hide from nosey roommates (although we’re fans of combating sexual shame and talking openly about pleasure), and all under $20, so you can afford them even after buying yourself your weekly ramen. If this sounds like you, fear not, friend. I’m right there with you.

Cici Silicone Dildo

A dildo is a staple of any sex toy collection, and the Cici dildo by Blush Novelties works wonderfully for solo masturbation or, because of its flared base, in a harness for strap-on play. Curved for G-spot or prostate stimulation and average sized at 1.5” wide, the Cici works for a whole bunch of bodies, able to venture into vaginas and butts alike!

INYA Spade Butt Plug 

The best thing about butts is that everyone has one. Buttplugs can add a little extra excitement to any sort of sexual play. If you’ve got a penis (or strap-on), wear it while penetrating someone, or if you’ve got a vagina, wear it while being penetrated! Plugs can make using vibrators or strokers more exciting, and can enhance orgasms no matter what gender you are. These plugs come in small and medium and are made of silicone with a T-base for both comfort and safety.

Tenga Egg 

Thinking of trying a stroker? A Tenga Egg is a great place to start. These tiny masturbators will only last a few uses, but the tiny egg-shaped case is perfect for tucking away in a sock drawer to avoid the eyes of any roommate. A simple sleeve of squishiness, these strokers add a little extra texture and sensation to what your hand can do, and allow you to control the exact pressure on your peen.

Silky Rope Kit 

If you and bae are thinking of getting a little kinky, rope is a great place to start. This soft rope can be used as handcuffs, ankle cuffs or to string someone up in a hogtie. Trust me, those standard-issue bunk beds they give you make the perfect anchor for tying your playpal to the bed in all manner of ways. Just don’t forget the pre-kink conversation, safeword, and safety scissors.

Safer Sex Materials

Of course, this list (and your hookup) wouldn’t be complete without condoms! Keep a variety on hand to practice safer sex. They don’t have to boring, either! Although basic condoms both with lube and without are great, some condoms are studded for extra stimulation, flavored for oral pleasure, or glow in the dark for giggles! Looking for a little oral action on a vulva or anus? Try strawberry flavored dental dams: wide pieces of latex that act as a barrier between your mouth and their vulva or anus to prevent the transmission of STIs like herpes.

Sex toys don’t have to break the bank to be body safe (and super fun). Whether you’re canoodling at midday or midnight, by yourself or with a pal, with a long term boo or a one-night stand, trying a new toy is always exciting. Now, I know you’re reading this to procrastinate doing homework, so get back to it. Have a great semester!

By: Sammi

Follow on Twitter @Squeaky_Springs