Tips for feeling better about your body after cancer:

Feeling great about our bodies is no easy task and negative perceptions of the way we look run rampant among all women. Add the side-effects of chemo, radiation, surgeries, drugs and medical probing into the mix and it’s no surprise that most women diagnosed with cancer also struggle to love and embrace their bodies.

But body image is less about the way you look and more about the way you feel about your body. It is a core component of self-worth and impacts the ways in which we relate to ourselves and others. It is also key to sexual functioning and positive body image is  positively correlated with levels of desire, orgasm and sexual satisfaction.

An overwhelming number of women living with cancer diagnoses report a decline in sexual desire and many connect body image issues with this side effect. And while sex may be the farthest thing from your mind during treatment and recovery, feeling as comfortable and...

Continued from Part 1 here...

3. Minimize Negative Triggers

We all have our ups and downs and it would be futile to attempt to eliminate all sources of negativity. However we can minimize exposure to unnecessary triggers that tend to promote a less than positive attitude toward our bodies.

If certain social circles, individuals, television shows or even social media updates leave you feeling inadequate, you may want to reframe or reconsider how often you embrace these connections. Surrounding yourself with people who focus on their positive attributes while acknowledging that their body is only one component of their whole selves will help you to do the same. 

4. Accept a Little Jealousy!

In our culture, we tend to view jealousy as unconditionally negative. It is often dismissed as a sign of weakness or low self-esteem when this is not always the case. In fact, we all experience some feelings of jealousy and since it is
difficult (near-impossible) to directly control our ...

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Fay Weisberg, a Toronto-based gynaecologist, who has recently introduced new technology that piqued my interest. I don't have a background in medicine, so I asked her to explain a bit more about the Mona Lisa Touch treatment:

What inspired you to start the FemRenew clinic?

In my years as a gynaecologist, I have come to realize that many women have real issues with their vaginal health,  whether it be pain, dryness, mild incontinence, burning or all of the above.  I have also realized that many women are either embarrassed about these symptoms or have their questions passed over and not answered.  As a result, I have become very sympathetic to these patients, and have made it my mission to help women obtain excellent vaginal health - as it does make a very big difference in their quality of life.  My FemRenew clinic is a forum for me to provide this service.

How does it work?

The Mona Lisa Touch is...

Dating in in the digital age isn’t easy and neither is finding the right online dating site. There are many options out there that claim to be the best and to find you “true love,” but as most of you know, that’s not always the case. So, instead of wasting hours of your own time, Reviews.com, a company dedicated to conducting unbiased research, has looked into finding the best online dating sites out there. The last thing you want to do is be on an ineffective dating site that never pays out, so let’s see what they found…

They first rounded up all of the contenders, focusing on dating sites as opposed to apps and they looked for sites with a wide geographical net. Then they prioritized an active user base, looking through a web-traffic analytic company to see how many people are actually on each site . Then they scoured through user-reviews and even personally tested the finalists to get a hands-on feeling of each site.

After...

Excerpted from Dr. Jess' book Hot Sex: Tips, Tricks and Licks

Oral sex isn’t always about getting on your knees and puckering up. Some of the best oral sex (think long-term payoff) can be taken care of standing up or sitting at the dinner table—through real, honest communication. Getting oral with your partner is probably the most important thing you can do to cultivate a red-hot sexual relationship. So start talking!

It may not be easy to do, but the more you practice the easier it gets. If a topic is awkward, use these four tips to get started:

• Talk when the time is right. Initiating a serious conversation about sex right before you’re about to get hot and heavy isn’t always an ideal. you’re more likely to rush through the discussion if you’re goal is really to get down to business. So set some time aside when sex is off the table: Start talking about sex while you’re out for coffee,...

By: Lyba Spring

Do we have to talk about sex?

It is generally accepted that we have to talk about sexuality in some way to our children so that they can develop into sexually healthy individuals. But what about our partners?  Whether it’s a one-time thing or a long-term committed relationship, there are three prerequisites to any sexual activity: consent, safety and pleasure.

There is no way around it: communication is key. For some people, this feels entirely natural; for others, they’d rather visit the dentist. Let’s say you have a new partner. You are very turned on to each other. You’ve managed to discuss mutual protection and have negotiated safer sex and/or contraception if pregnancy is an issue. You’ve agreed that you’re going to have sex – whatever that term means to the both of you. That’s two down off the checklist. Now, are you going to present a menu of what pleases you before the clothes come off; or are you going to...

The Calgary Taboo Show was an absolute blast! In addition to hosting 12 jam-packed shows and meeting some fun and sexy Canucks, Dr. Jess got to try out a few cool products from Scentsy, No More Wet Spot and BlissToys. It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it!

During her off hours, Dr. Jess had a chance to explore the beautiful city of Calgary. She spotted a deer in the back of a pick-up truck, tried her hand (and discovered her two left feet) at two-stepping and chased bunnies through the snow. What more could one ask for? Check out some of the pics below.

Calgary Taboo Show program book featuring Dr. Jess' "Red Hot Kissing Techniques" and an ad outlining Dr. Jess' seminar "10 Steps to Hotter Sex," presented by Desire Resorts (@DesireResorts)

Dr. Jess at the BMO centre, Stampede Park.

Dr. Jess with the lovely Dr. Trina Read.

Dr. Jess' books The Little Book of Kink and Hot Sex Tips, Tricks, and Licks on display at the show

CTV interviews Dr. Jess...

Dr. Jess had a blast at Toronto's Everything to do with Sex Show this year. From boys on poles to girls in body paint, it was certainly a weekend to remember. Dr. Jess' workshops were so full, people were lining up outside the entrance just to hear some of the oral sex tips featured in her best-selling book Hot Sex Tips, Tricks & Licks. Here's a recap of the excitement from this year's event.

Dr. Jess presenting to a packed house!

The two best dressed ladies at Toronto's Everything to do with Sex Show

Holly Wolf and Dr. Jess

Quiver Books winner, Alicia!

Packed house for Dr. Jess' couples' workshop presented by Playboy TV (©Liam Kavanagh-Bradette)

Another Quiver Books winner! Christine Kelly and Dr. Jess

Dr. Jess signing books for her fans. (©Liam Kavanagh-Bradette) Dr. Jess and Lea from Oasis Aqualounge Dr. Jess and Marie Roberge Pellerin Dr. Jess takes a photo with fans of Playboy TV's SWING Keren is very excited about picking up Hot Sex Tips, Tricks and...

Dildos

Dildos are sex toys designed for vaginal or anal penetration and they can take on a variety of shapes and textures. Though dildos don’t move on their own (unlike vibrators), their curves, shapes, sizes and materials make for great sexual props for fun do-it-yourself sex play.

Double Penetration

Double Penetration (DP) often refers to the simultaneous penetration of both the vagina and anus by two different objects. While pornography often portrays DP involving one woman and two men, many people partake in DP using one penis and one toy like an anal plug, vibrator or strap-on.

DATY

DATY stands for Dining At The Y and is another term for cunnilingus or going down on a woman. Click here for some pointers.

Daisy Chains

A Daisy Chain is a group sex activity in which all members both give and receive oral sex simultaneously. Named after a string of daisy flowers linked together into a wreath, the sexier version of the daisy chain requires at least...

via GIPHY

C is for Cupping:

Cupping is a form of sex play in which suction cups are placed on the skin to draw blood to the surface. Cups come in varying sizes (to suit different body parts) and some use a suction cup or vacuum to create suction, while others use heat. Specialty kits designed for the explicit purpose of cupping can be purchased from sex stores and practitioners need to exercise caution when playing with suction and fire. I advise clients to take a workshop to learn about safety measures associated with cupping and discuss safety measures with their local sex-positive retailer.

C is also for the CAT position.

Designed for penile-vaginal intercourse, the CAT offers clitoral stimulation against the male’s pelvic bone. The CAT is a basic modification of the missionary position that involves the man riding up on a woman’s pelvis so they can rock and rub the clitoris against the base of his penis and/or pelvic bone. This is how the CAT breaks down:

1. The woman...