I have decided to add something new to the Carnal Knowledge blog. Several readers have asked me about the possibility of “guest blogging” about their personal sex lives. I love the idea! If you’ve got a great personal sex story to tell, send it to me at drjanellcarroll@gmail.com and we’ll see about getting it up on Carnal Knowledge. Below is our very first story entitled H2Ohhhh. Let me know what you think!
Dr. Carroll
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When you’re in high school, girls do not readily admit to touching themselves. I was one of the girls who kept mum when the subject came up, and nervously smiled off any indication that I might be among the sinners who would do such a thing. That is, until the day I was approached by two of my very good friends, who much like myself, secretly enjoyed talking and learning about sexual matters. I was a junior in high school – barely 16 – and sleeping over my friend Rae’s house. There were a few of our friends over that night, but for some reason, Deena, Rae, and myself were upstairs in the kitchen, with the rest of the girls downstairs. I opened Rachel’s fridge to check out the selection, and when I closed the door and turned around to put my feast on the table, I was caught off guard by the two of them staring at me. They looked at each other, then looked at me. Very sternly, Deena asked me, “Elle, do you masturbate?” My knee-jerk reflex blurted out a very defensive, “No!” But of course, these two were not buying it. They looked at each other again, then looked at me with raised eyebrows that said, “Oh, come on.” And then I quietly, reluctantly whispered, “Yeah.”
Before I knew it, we were slapping five and rejoicing in our proclamation. We walked down the stairs to join the rest of the girls, and asked them the same question. To my surprise, they did not jump on the masturbation bandwagon. It took about another week before the rest of our friends would admit it, too. Of course, being in high school word got around that we were talking about these things. However, the rumor was much different than the truth - we were now engaging in group orgies and masturbating with each other’s dildos (gotta love high school!). Regardless of the social repercussions at first, it felt good to feel normal, like what you were doing behind closed doors wasn’t dirty or something to feel guilty about. These personal disclosures about masturbation opened up doors for us to openly communicate about pleasure. We talked about what an orgasm actually felt like. We shared stories about almost getting caught. And most importantly, we discussed different positions and techniques we used to get off. My absolute favorite way of self-pleasure is something I like to call “H2Ohhh”.
H2Ohhh can be done in one of two ways: as you step into your bathtub, run the water (temperature to your liking!) from the spout, but don’t turn the shower on just yet. Lay down on the bathtub floor as if you were taking a bath, but slide all the way down so the running faucet water is between your legs. You may have to lift your legs vertically and rest them on the shower wall if your faucet does not extend far enough out from the wall, otherwise keep your knees bent and bottom pushed down towards the drain. As the water pours onto your clitoris, move your hips up and down, or in circles to control the pressure.
Another way to enjoy some alone time in the shower is to engage the showerhead. This can only be done if your showerhead is detachable, and works best if you have multiple speeds or settings. Although I have found the “pulsating massage” setting to be too much excitement for my clitoris, it does deliver a strong, constant blast to your nether-region. Regardless of the setting you choose, lay down (or stand up, if your knees can handle it!) and bring the showerhead in between your legs. Position the showerhead so that the stream of water is a comfortable distance from your clitoris; too much excitement can ruin an orgasm! Just like the first H2Ohhh position, move your hips up and down, or side to side. You also have the benefit of moving the showerhead to various angles or motions, without having to move your hips.
During these positions, or with any form of masturbation, it is important to remember to stay relaxed and confident. Masturbation is normal, beneficial, and extremely pleasurable if you allow yourself to be comfortable. If at first you don’t succeed, take a deep breath and switch hands.
Discovery Series: Introduction to Human Sexuality
Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity, 4th edition
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For Better: The Science of a Good Marriage
Who’s Been Sleeping in Your Head: The Secret World of Sexual Fantasies
Unhooked: How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love and Lose at Both
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys