The New York Times recently published an article about alternative treatments for Erectile Dysfunction (turns out, Viagra doesn’t work for everyone). While I do think this country spends entirely too much time focusing on ED at the neglect of many other equally important concerns, I chuckled to myself as I came across this paragraph:

Another cost-effective option is a vacuum erection device or penis pump. It works like this: you place a tube on the penis and then pump the air out of the tube, which pulls blood into the penis. When the penis is erect, you then put a snug ring around the base to maintain the erection, which lasts long enough to have sex.

The cost for the device, which requires a prescription, can run from $300 to $600, but most insurers and Medicare will cover part of the cost and the device should last for years. Even if you spend $300 out of pocket and use the device once a week, you’ll be spending much less per year than on pills or injections. You can also buy a nonprescription pump online (even Amazon carries some) for as little as $30, Dr. McCullough said.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about penis pumps in the New York Times. As I was reading this, I couldn’t believe they decided to stress the prescription pumps which are so expensive and leave cheaper pumps as an after thought. I was also disappointed they didn’t mention that there are helpful and informative places to buy and learn about these pumps (ahem, Babeland) but what can I expect – it’s the New York Times, after all. We help plenty of people with ED and I bet it’s more fun to shop with us than from a medical supplier.

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Yup, that’s the subject of an article on the Huffington Post this week: whether it is appropriate to buy your 12-year-old daughter a vibrator. The piece, by author Romi Lassally, is well-done, neither bashing the idea outright, nor endorsing it as the proper course for everyone. Isn’t that what we learn as parents? That no two kids are the same? That they develop at different speeds and what might be appropriate for one might not go down for all?

Being a sex educator and author, who happens to sell vibrators, who happens to have a  daughter who just turned 13, I decided I’d broach the vibrator question with her last night.  Some background first: I’ve tried to walk the talk in the sex ed department: correct names for genitals, instilling good body image, explaining sex, gender diversity, safe sex, giving her good books, etc.  She, however is intensely shy and private, so the conversation tends to be initiated by me, and is often mostly me talking. Oh, and yes, my daughter knows what I do and is profoundly embarrassed by it.

So last night we talked about masturbation and sexual pleasure; and it was really clear that these two words were not in her lexicon or consciousness in any way. Yes, we’ve discussed masturbation before, but it didn’t stick. This is something I’ve seen over and over again with my kids–they often don’t absorb or retain the information we give them until they are ready for it. (I’ve got a 7-year-old who asks more about sexual intercourse than my older daughter, but as often as not, the answers go in one ear and out the other.)

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Here’s what I’ve been reading recently in the blogosphere:

Bitch Magazine has a new look! I’ve loved this magazine for years. It’s thoughtful and radical and is a must for any feminist.

Audacia Ray spent 6 months being celebate and recently wrote about the experience on her blog. This is one post not to be missed.

Susie Bright, always in the know, just posted a fabulous piece about Herpes.

Want to win 1000 free minutes of porn? I thought you did. Hot Movies 4 Her is having a contest.

Want to recycle your sex toys? Now you can!

Babeland dishes advice on Savage Love