It’s a potential game changer in the fight against HIV, and doctors say it happened almost by accident.

A baby with the virus that causes AIDS was given high doses of three antiretroviral drugs within 30 hours of her birth. Doctors knew the mother was HIV positive and administered the drugs in hopes of controlling the virus.

Two years later, there is no evidence of HIV in the child’s blood.

The Mississippi girl is the first child to be “functionally cured” of HIV, researchers announced Sunday. They said they believe early intervention with the antiretroviral drugs was key to the outcome.

A “functional cure” is when the presence of the virus is so small, lifelong treatment is not necessary and standard clinical tests cannot detect the virus in the blood.

The finding was announced at the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta.

The unidentified girl was born HIV positive to a mother who received no prenatal care and was not diagnosed as HIV positive herself until just before delivery.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to treat the mom during the pregnancy as we would like to be able do to prevent transmission to the baby,” said Dr. Hannah Gay, a pediatric HIV specialist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Gay told CNN the timing of intervention — before the baby’s HIV diagnosis — may deserve “more emphasis than the particular drugs or number of drugs used.”

“We are hoping that future studies will show that very early institution of effective therapy will result in this same outcome consistently,” she said on the eve of the Atlanta conference.

High-risk exposure

Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga, an immunologist at the University of Massachusetts who worked closely with Gay, called the developments fascinating, including the fact that the toddler was found to have no virus in her blood even after her mother stopped giving her treatment for eight to 10 months.

“This is the very first case in which we’ve conclusively been able to document that the baby was infected and then after a period of treatment has been able to go off treatment without viral rebound,” Luzuriaga told CNN.

Once it was determined the Mississippi mother was HIV positive, Gay immediately began giving the infant antiretroviral drugs upon the baby’s delivery in an attempt to control HIV infection.

via CNN.com

The toddler is now considered “functionally cured” as doctors are not currently treating her for AIDS or HIV. The possibility remains that the virus may have left tiny remnants in the body and could possibly return, which is why she will be monitored by doctors over the course of her life.  

Sources: 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/03/health/hiv-toddler-cured/index.html

I have a question for your website ..

What is female ejaculation made of and where exactly does it “squirt” from?

Excellent question! As women become more in tune with their bodies, they are able to differentiate out what makes them feel good from what makes them feel REAL GOOD. Female ejaculation comes from various levels of stimulation that may occur differently in each woman. Finding what works for you may take a little practice and a lot of exploration…

 —-

Like Stonehenge, solar eclipses, and countless other wonders of nature, female ejaculation has provoked both awe and controversy. Because the fluid in question is expelled from the urethra upon orgasm, many researchers, women, and their partners believed that the phenomena of female ejaculation was really just a loss of bladder control. The book, The G Spot, by sex researcher and educator Beverly Whipple, Alice Ladas, and John Perry, broke through the silence and embarrassment that surrounded female ejaculate, leading many to G Spot joy.

—-

Now researchers believe that female cum is produced by the Skene’s glands, which are located near a woman’s urethra and are made of tissue that’s similar in composition to a man’s prostate gland. These researchers point to chemical analysis of female ejaculate that reveals the presence of high levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (a chemical secreted by the prostate gland and found in semen). This would seem to indicate that a woman’s ejaculation is similar in composition to semen — without the sperm, of course. Female ejaculate is not pee. It’s generally clear or somewhat milky, nearly odorless, and maybe a little sweet.

—-

Although modern science may not know exactly yet what female ejaculation is, women who experience it, and the intense orgasms that usually accompany it, are only too happy to conduct their own experiments, and direct partners with cries of, “Oh, yes, right there… THERE!”

 Read: “Squirting 101 – Can You Master the Phenomenon?”

—-

Sources:

http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/female-ejaculate-where-does-it-come

http://www.youtube.com

http://alcarabiya.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/gspot.jpg

http://www.jimbenson.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/choosing_when_to_pop_your_cork-300×265.jpg

Typically, applying hair dye to the “nether region” is a medical no-no. Unless your skin is the same thickness of a boar or hippo, you’ll be burned straight to the emergency room. Ingredients such as ammonia and bleach are harmful for the dermis, especially the delicate and thin skin protecting our vaginas. However, there is a great alternative on the market that is taking the Vadge world by storm; Brown Betty’s “Color for the hair down there.” Check out an Oprah approved review of the product – then decide if it’s the right dye for you.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/style/Brown-Betty-We-Tried-It-So-You-Dont-Have-To#ixzz2KeWG3bAh

“I think I have a question for your site! How do explain where babies come from to a 5 year old!! Lol”

This is an excellent question! Talking about the Birds and the Bees with children can be a serious task, but it’s not impossible. My first encounter was with my sister who was seven at the time. We went to a local zoo, and the howler monkeys happened to be having sex when we stopped there. Full on action – I was mortified! My sister looked at me and said “Are they having sex?” I smiled and told her yes. She paused, looked at me again and said “What’s sex?” 

Awww man. 

It was a quick, comfortable and effective conversation that I’m honored to share with you all. Following a few basic rules and tips can eliminate this problem for another 13 years 🙂

1. Keep it Mature

Do you call  your child’s genitalia a “hoo hoo?” “Tea kettle?” “pokie?” While pet names can be more comfortable for the parent, it is essential that children know and understand their body parts at an early age. In case of an emergency, your child should be able to describe their injury in detail.

“I fell on a rock and hurt my pokie” is not as detailed as “I fell and hurt my vagina.”

2. Keep it Simple

“Mommy? Where do babies come from?”

“Well, honey – sometimes when a man and woman love each other, they do something that is called sex.”

“What’s sex?”

“Sex is when a man puts his penis in a woman’s vagina. Sometimes when they have sex, they make babies.”

“What’s a penis and a vagina?”

3. Get Familiar

When was the last time you looked at a genital diagram? Knowing the anatomies of a penis and a vagina are crucial to the talk. Kids know when we don’t know what we’re talking about – make sure you do.

The Vagina:

No, you don’t have to tell your five year old about the mons pubis or labia menor. The goal is to make sure he/she identifies what the entire unit is by sight.

“This is a vagina. Girls have vaginas; they use them to pee and when they become women they can use them to have sex.”

“Babies come out of a woman’s vagina.”

They may point to various parts and ask what they are. Answer them as best you can, in the simplest, to-the-point way possible.

The Labia keep dirt out of the vagina, because it likes to be clean. 

The Urethra is where pee comes from. 

The anus is for making number two. (You can call that poop or doo doo if you’d like) 

Most five year-olds are not big on reading, so don’t expect them to point to big words and ask what they are. Simplicity is key.

The Penis:

“This is a penis. Men have penises; they use them to pee and when they become men to have sex.”

“Mommy? What is that ball right there?”

“That is a testicle; men keep their sperm in there. Sperm goes in a woman and makes babies.”

How?

To be continued…

To view the enlarged version of each diagram:

Vagina Diagram 

Penis Diagram

This week’s guest writer chronicles his quest to find understanding outside the closet…

Coming Out: A Process of Self-Discovery, Ownership and Affirmation

I remember it was a cloudy day in April; I was a senior in high school at the time. The school day had ended quite early as was usually the case for us seniors who were given the privilege of more relaxed class schedules. A friend and I were walking toward the Q64 bus stop when he asked me a question of the sort that I’ve always dreaded being asked, “so which of girls of our class are you interested in?” It was the kind of question many, if not all, guys that age have been asked at one point or another and are expected to answer proudly without hesitation. And many do so but I’ve long known I was not like many guys in that regard. Already, I could feel the beating of my heart pick up pace just a bit- at least that’s what I thought. Usually, I’d lie or sheepishly smile without saying anything in a futile effort to divert attention but this time I wanted to take a different approach. Without giving it too much thought, I answered, “none,” smiling uncomfortably. “What do you mean none? You’re a guy; you have a penis. There’s got to be someone…You know, I wanna see you with a girlfriend, man. I’m gonna’ try to set you up with one, what do ya say?” After another awkward exchange I was finally able to muster enough courage to tell him the truth, “I’m gay”.

Quite frankly, I don’t recall whatever it was in that moment that possessed me to willingly embrace the degree of vulnerability I’d never dared to face before then; at the time, my friend identified strongly as a conservative Republican and I wasn’t sure I was ready to handle what I’d potentially set myself up against. But he wasn’t that person I was afraid of. To my surprise, he was actually quite offended that I had taken, as he saw it, far too long to disclose that information; that in turn led to another awkward exchange. Needless to say, the first time I decided to come out to someone other than myself was by no means perfect but in retrospect it was one of the best days of my life. Since then that friend has become one of my closest of friends and we still talk to this day.

Coming out is not something you do only once; it isn’t a single event that forever alleviates one of the decision to disclose that aspect of oneself to others. Because of our heterosexist society- one in which it is already presumed that one is straight regardless of one’s sexuality, an LGBT person may quite conceivably come out many times over the course of his or her life. That’s what it means to be queer, in part. Case in point, I decided to come out in a very public way via Facebook a couple of months ago. Not only was this the first time I decided to share that part of me with so many people at once and in that public a way but also, and perhaps more importantly, it was the first time I reached out to family members other than my own mother. I like to think of coming out as a process of self-discovery, ownership and affirmation.

Generally, my family and friends were very receptive to my personal revelation; many sent me personal texts reassuring me that I had their love and support but there was at least one moment in which I was put on the defensive. In particular, the manner in which I chose to disclose my sexual orientation was interrogated: I was asked whether I considered how others such as future employers will perceive me and that perhaps it would have been better that I told my family members in person rather than broadcast this information so publicly; that the fact that I announced this truth about myself in such a way may have rendered certain relations irreparable. I was not surprised by this response; because I was ready to share the truth about my sexual orientation I was prepared to face that kind of response and far worse.

That someone may treat me poorly because of my sexuality is not an indictment on me but on that person in the same way if I were being abused or mistreated on the basis of my skin pigmentation. I’m not going to change my sexuality because some folk still find it offensive or morally wrong. It’s not an option; my sexuality is a fact about me. If sexuality were in anyway a choice it is not plausibly the same as choosing what flavor ice cream you want to eat: think about a person or any set of persons you’re attracted to and then try to not have that response. Think about a person or any set of persons you’re not attracted to and try to feel attraction. If you’re anything like me, which is most likely the case, such exercises are rather pointless. Of course, I want to be careful not to reduce matters of sexuality to mere attraction but the main point here is that my homosexuality is a fact about how I experience the world; that’s an empirically verifiable understanding of sexuality that ought to be taken seriously. Part of the frustration of being gay in this society is that at the level of both popular and political discourse, the idea that people like me are somehow mistaken about our own first person subjective experiences is still given respectability. My rights to equal and fair housing, employment, protection from violence and discrimination among other things depend upon the opinions of those who remain ignorant, often willfully so, about sexuality. As Jay Michaelson so eloquently stated, the fundamental battle that underlies the gay rights movement is the fight for the right to “self-definition, to say I exist-and to be believed.”

Ideally, I would have wanted to come out to each and every family member personally. There’s nothing like that one on one interaction, the awkward give and take, and all the anxiety that comes with such an encounter. It’s a very uncomfortable experience but in the end, luckily for me at least, the world becomes more human. When I came out to my high school friend we both shared something about ourselves in that moment; of course, I trusted my friend with the most intimate of all personal information but he showed me the depth of his friendship and love. Coming out is a bilateral and reciprocal experience; the people you come out to come out to you as well in a sense. And often what causes someone anxiety when making the decision to come out is that one does not necessarily know how others will receive one especially if they have treated the topic of homosexuality negatively or remained silent on the issue. To come out is often to make a leap of faith; the faith that the other will embrace you when you’re most vulnerable. I am the son of Afro-Caribbean immigrants and was raised in a highly Christian inflected community. Growing up, I became very familiar with negative attitudes concerning homosexuality whether at home, family gatherings, Sunday school –in spite of attending a more liberal denomination-and from teachers and peers until high school. What made coming out to myself so painful and difficult was, in large part, that I had internalized all of the attitudes I learned to accept as normative.

The decision to come out was not one that I ever took lightly. I knew when I first came out that I had to tell my family that I’m gay: it’s only fair to them and me that they know who I really am. Coming out is a chance for me to be loved for who I am, freely, without any pretenses. But the decision to come out is mine to make; I do have a say in how and when I disclose that information. Moreover, given the history and status of being LGBT, it’s my belief that anyone who faces the decision to come out owes that much to themselves; as queer people we have the right to analyze our own situations and make the best decisions for ourselves. In my case, I did not feel obligated to come out personally to each and every one of my family members because I do not share that kind of interactive relationship with all of them. I don’t share any common experiences at all with many of them let alone anything so intimate as my coming out; I doubted they would have expected me to do otherwise. Honestly, if anyone ended all ties to me supposedly on the basis of the way I came out there were more problems in that relationship to begin with; namely that, they weren’t as connected as they thought themselves to be and don’t care to learn more about me whatever the circumstance. But even if that were not the case, life is too short to waste it on people who don’t love you. I made a conscious decision that if I ever found myself in such a situation, in spite of the pain, I’d have faith that I’ll find love my own way.

So far, my coming out process has gone rather well- quite contrary to my expectations; I seriously underestimated how much people can and do change. Unlike so many LGBT people at home and in the broader global community, I’ve been quite fortunate to have many wonderful and loving people in my life. I’ve lost some relationships along the way but the ones I’ve gained and the others which have been strengthened were all well worth my choice to come out. Sometimes, I think I did wait too long: it would have been nice to know what full acceptance, love and support feels like earlier in life. At the same time, I believe it would have been wrong to pressure myself into doing something I wasn’t ready to do. My coming out, thus far, was by no means romantic or ideal but that’s what life is like generally. As far as I can see, we waste life unless we live it fully, embracing its lessons and cherishing all the wonderful people you’ll meet, and keep on going forward. I hope the day when coming out is no longer a spectacle will soon come.

Many vaginal infections share the same symptoms, so it’s easy to confuse one with another. As one of the most common, yeast infections can be very deceiving. Check out the symptoms and treatments below, for a quick and easy recovery.

Is this topic for you?

Other problems (like bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis) can cause vaginal symptoms that may seem like a yeast infection. If you need help finding out which problem you have, feel free to email me at vforvadge@gmail.com.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. A vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina . These infections are very common. Although they can bother you a lot, they are not usually serious and treatment is simple.

What causes a vaginal yeast infection?

Most yeast infections are caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans.

A healthy vagina has many bacteria and a small number of yeast cells. The most common bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, help keep other organisms-like the yeast-under control.

When something happens to change the balance of these organisms, yeast can grow too much and cause symptoms. Taking antibiotics sometimes causes this imbalance. The high estrogen levels caused by pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy can also cause it. So can certain health problems, like diabetes or HIVinfection.

What are the symptoms?

A yeast infection causes itching or soreness in the vagina and sometimes causes pain or burning when you urinate or have sex. Some women also have a thick, clumpy, white discharge that has no odor and looks a little like cottage cheese.

These symptoms are more likely to occur during the week before your menstrual period.

How is a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

It?s easy to guess wrong about a vaginal infection. See your doctor if you aren’t sure what you have or if this is the first time you have had these symptoms. Also see your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor may want to do a vaginal exam.

How is it treated?

If you have had a yeast infection before and can recognize the symptoms, and you aren’t pregnant, you can treat yourself at home with medicines you can buy without a prescription. You can use an antifungal cream, or a suppository that you put into your vagina, or antifungal tablets that you swallow.

If your symptoms are mild, you may want to wait to see if they clear up on their own.

Yeast infections are common during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, don’t use medicine for a yeast infection without talking to your doctor first.

If you use a cream or suppository to treat the infection, don’t depend on a condomor diaphragm for birth control. The oil in some medicines weakens latex, the material often used to make these devices.

Many women have infections that come back. If you have more than four yeast infections in a year, see your doctor. He or she may do some tests to see if your yeast infections are being caused by another health problem, such as diabetes.

Can vaginal yeast infections be prevented?

If you practice good genital hygiene, you can help prevent infection.

• Keep your vaginal area clean. Use mild, unscented soap and water. Rinse well.
• After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading yeast or bacteria from your anus to the vagina or urinary tract.
• Wear underwear that helps keep your genital area dry and doesn?t hold in warmth and moisture. One good choice is cotton underwear.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing, such as panty hose, and tight-fitting jeans. These may increase body heat and moisture in your genital area.
• Change out of a wet swimsuit right away. Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours may keep your genital area warm and moist.
• Change pads or tampons often.
• Don?t douche or use deodorant tampons or feminine sprays, powders, or perfumes. These items can change the normal balance of organisms in your vagina.

Want to keep it fresh down there? Try Healthy Hoo Hoo Natural Feminine Wash Here 

Sources: 

http://shop.vforvadge.com/body-care/hoo1-healthy-hoo-hoo-gentle-feminine-wash

http://women.webmd.com/tc/vaginal-yeast-infections-topic-overview

Men aren’t the only ones curious about the inner workings of their female counterparts. Women often wonder what goes on in the heads of males. No – it’s not just beans rattling around in a tin can; they actually have thoughts and concerns just like women do. It’s very refreshing to hear candid conversation amongst men about sex and relationships – so here’s a little something to brighten your day. Five guys from five different relationship stages, this should get interesting…

Enjoy!

The Hoo Hoo Monologues: 5 Tips For A Healthy Vagina

From the Writer’s Desk:

In a tropical place like Florida, it’s almost always summer. Regardless of whether you live near the Equator or at the North Pole, keeping a healthy vagina is crucial year round.

Our new partner, Healthy Hoo Hoo has some tips to keep your Va Jay Jay

nice and comfy 🙂

Nuff Love,

Kimi 

5 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOOHOO (THIS SUMMER)

Got vagina questions? Email me at kimi@vforvadge.com

As a woman, if you’ve never had the need to fake an orgasm – you are truly blessed. As a man, if you’ve never had a woman need to fake an orgasm – you will truly never know. Or so you think, right? Many men are certain that they’d know if their partner was faking orgasm , but what is that based on? The way her leg quivers? How loud she yells? Yeah – okay. Let’s take a look at some of the telltale signs if your lady is saying you’re great in bed, or she’s just a great actress…

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It has been estimated by various studies that 70% of women fake orgasms at some point in their sexual lives. Some fake it very regularly — as in every time — while others  only do it sometimes.

The psychology behind faking it is simple: She isn’t going to have an orgasm this time, and she knows it. She can’t be bothered with a) you trying hard to satisfy her and prolonging the encounter, and b) you feeling bad because you couldn’t satisfy her come hell or high water.

If you want to know if you are being tricked, use the following signs that she really is having an orgasm to distinguish the fake from the bona fide, and catch her in the act.

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Retraction of the clitoral head

This occurs just before orgasm and provides you with a clitoris-sized hint. When the clit disappears, you’re on the right track, so don’t stop. This coveted disappearance of the clitoris isn’t only visible if you have the lights on and your face all up in it; it’s something you can feel as well. So, get yourselves into a position where you can easily rub her clitoris during sex, and use it to your advantage. Under the guise of giving her some extra special treatment, you can feel whether she’s actually close to climaxing or just faking.

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Increased breathing and heart rate

Listen to the sound of her breathing in your ear: When it starts to get heavier, you’ll know you’re onto something. The change will occur reasonably swiftly when she is about to orgasm, and will be accompanied by a completely unconscious change in the tension, rhythm and pace of her other body movements. Liars and the truthful alike might clutch at you and moan and groan, but her breathing is the missing link. Her thumping heart will also be a sign that it’s for real; if she isn’t actually excited, her heart rate and bodily manner will be very ordinary.

Dilated pupils

Dilated pupils are another surefire sign that your girl is reaching her peak. This might be hard to tell in the dark, but if the lights are on, all you have to do is ask her to look into your eyes as she climaxes. Chances are she’ll be more than willing to oblige to that romantic request. Just make sure to make note of what her pupils looked like at the beginning of your romp so you can compare their difference in size at the end.

Red lips

This means both sets: Her mouth lips will go a little redder (lips swell and redden upon arousal), as will her vaginal lips. While you are penetrating one set of lips, try to feel the swelling in the other set of lips that you’re kissing. Be careful though: Kissing will also increase the redness of her lips, so be gentle with pecks so that you can get an accurate reading of her response level.

Vaginal muscle spasms

Muscle spasms are the biggest indicators of all because she cannot fake or hide this. During orgasm, she will have between 3 and 10 vaginal and cervical contractions, the first few being the strongest. They will grip your penis, and the tightening feeling you experience will be impossible to ignore.

Sudden perspiration

Hot, sweaty sex? Yes, please. Breaking out in a sweat means her body is at a high level of tension and her muscles are working overtime — her breathing, heart rate and blood pressure are all up. So, once you both collapse into a sweaty heap afterward, you’ll know she’s been pleased.

A good conversation may be the best remedy if you suspect your mate of faking orgasms. Finding out what pleases her and exploring options for stimulation can solve this problem and create an exciting experience.

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Sources: 

AskMen.com (1)

AskMen.com (2)

For the moments when you want it now, the Kiki Masturbator is available any and every time. Medical grade silicone gives the look and feel of real flesh, and the ribbed insides give endless pleasure. The Kiki stretches to accomodate all lengths and girths, and offers dual entries.

Discreet packaging allows for easy transport and privacy.

Available in Vagina, Anus or Mouth styles.

The male fleshlight masturbator is the number one selling sex toy for men – in the world. Don’t ever think you’ll be the only man who owns one of these.

Note: Our masturbators are encased in a non-descript plastic container. You can remove the label and leave your new toy anywhere, and no one will notice.

How to Operate:

1.  Remove your new toy from its casing
2. Soak your masturbator in warm water to enhance the lifelike feeling
3. Add a few drops of your favorite water-based lubrication to the toy, and to yourself  (You can use a condom if preferred)
4. Insert yourself, and enjoy 🙂
5. Rinse your toy out with water, and allow it to air dry before putting it back into the casing
6. Store your casing in a cool, dry place for best performance

For more information or to purchase this product, email vforvadge@gmail.com or visit LeVadge Shop Here.