Ah, it's that time of year again — the season of giving. And there's no better feeling than the satisfaction of giving — that is, of course, except for the satisfaction of getting. But for most of us college students who are strapped for cash and time, holiday shopping is not our favorite activity in the world. Add in the stress of getting the right gift for your significant other, and gift-giving becomes a nightmare. That's why Tufts Voices for Choice (VOX) is here to help you out this year with our tantalizing event, Oh Megan: Oral Pleasure. With two interactive workshops focusing on female and male anatomy and pleasure, you can learn to give that special gift that keeps on giving, the one that makes you or your partner go, "Ooohhhhh." Come learn how to really please your loved one, that girl you hooked up with in the basement of Delta Upsilon or yourself!
It all goes down tonight, Thursday, Dec. 3. VOX will partner with Oh Megan, a sex educator who specializes in the art of oral pleasure. The pleasure begins in the Crane Room in Paige Hall at 7 p.m. with "Petting the Kitty," a workshop about G-spots, female hot spots, sex toys and the clitoris. Whether you want to make your partner purr or you want to get down with your sexy self, this workshop is bound to be stimulating! But the fun doesn't end there; following at 8:45 p.m. is "Fabulous Fellatio: The Art to Oral Sex." Learn how to blow your partner away and become more comfortable licking the tip. This workshop teaches genital massage, male anatomy and mouth techniques that will keep your partner at attention all night long! You can come to one or both workshops with a partner, a friend or by yourself. Everyone is welcome at both workshops, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
But in case our description of the event is not enough to arouse your interest, here are three reasons you should attend "Oh Megan" tonight:
1. The big O. Besides the obvious pleasure factor, orgasms are also good for your health. Orgasms release endorphins, the feel-good hormones also released during exercise, which lower stress levels. They can also help you lose weight, by releasing phenethylamine and serotonin, which curb appetites and cravings. And they can reduce aging and promote healthy skin by increasing DHEA levels, a chemical that promotes brain function, fat metabolism and lots of other good stuff. As if these reasons were not enough, here's another really convincing fact: Orgasms boost your immune system by increasing levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that helps fight the flu. We can't promise you won't get sick, but coming to "Oh Megan" just might help you and your partner dodge the swine flu! And if you don't come, you do so at your own risk. Not being able to orgasm causes distress, which lowers your immune system's capabilities.
2. Learning valuable life skills. Oral sex should be fun for everyone involved, not just the one receiving. But we all know from our friend's (and maybe our own) horror stories that oral sex can sometimes be tricky. Ever hear the one where the guy's well-endowed member triggers the girl's gag reflex and she vomits all over? That's some really messy clean up. How about the one where the guy gets cum in his beard? Another nasty situation. Clearly, there's a learning curve and it takes some skill to give your partner the O-face. But oral sex is a good way to spice up your routine in the bedroom or add to foreplay. For heterosexual couples, it's a guaranteed no-pregnancy pleasurable experience. And for the 67 percent of women who cannot orgasm from vaginal intercourse alone, cunnilingus can be God's gift to the world. So for all the women who have been licked in all the wrong places and for the men who can't forget the time they felt teeth on their sensitive parts, "Oh Megan" can help.
3. Making it to the finish line. Think your partner is physically incapable of orgasm? Probably not true — you just may not have the right technique. While the male reproductive organ may be a little bit more obvious when aroused, every man is different and there are some useful techniques for getting yours to pop. Some want it faster, some want it deeper and others just want to lay back and enjoy the ride. Especially if your man is above and beyond average size, you may need a few tips to avoid choking on his tip. Or you might just need a confidence boost in the head department. Women on the other hand are a bit trickier. On average, women take longer and have a more difficult time reaching orgasm than men. Only one-third can orgasm from intercourse without any other form of stimulation. For most women, clitoral stimulation is necessary. Although it may seem small on the surface, the clitoris can extend back into a woman's body up to three-and-a-half inches and has thousands of nerve endings, sometimes even more than a man's penis! Cunnilingus is a convenient and pleasurable way to reach that elusive clit. Of course if you're not down for that, "Oh Megan" will teach how to hit the mysterious G-spot too. So if your partner plays hard to get, come to "Oh Megan" to learn the rules of the game.
So to wrap up, if Thanksgiving leftovers just didn't hit the spot this year and you think candy canes and Hanukkah gelt leave something to be desired, then come get down with "Oh Megan" in the Crane Room tonight. Oral sex is a pleasure that should be embraced, shared and celebrated. That is, of course, assuming that it's consensual, safe and done well. Forcing or coercing a partner to give oral sex is legally defined as rape. So before you test your partner's skills learned at our fabulous event, make sure they're in a giving mood. Oral sex can also still transmit STDs, including HPV, herpes and chlamydia. So if you're not in a monogamous relationship in which you've both been tested, make sure to grab a condom (Try a flavored one!) or dental dam before anyone goes down. Fresh out of condoms or wondering what a dental dam is? Come down to the Women's Center (the little white house behind the Campus Center) or visit Health Service and pick some up! And as for the done-well part, you'll just have to join us at "Oh Megan" tonight to learn how. After all, ‘tis the season!
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Alyssa Ursillo is a senior majoring in women's studies and community health. She is a member of Tufts VOX.
