The timeless oral sex anthem, "My Neck, My Back" by rapper Khia, includes the renowned

Unsure how to approach a sensitive health conversation with your partner? While there shouldn’t be any shame around health issues, it can feel tricky raising concerns about your partner’s health – especially if it involves something perceived as being ‘embarrassing’ or sensitive. This can particularly apply to men: a survey commissioned by the app myGP last year found one in four men (23%) refuse to seek medical advice about a health issue due to embarrassment. But, what if you’re the partner of a man who may need to tackle a health issue, but you’re nervous about how to bring the topic up? First off, men’s health and sexual function specialist Dr Anand Patel, advisor to Eroxon, says being able to have these conversations in relationships is important. “It is the unsaid conversations that cause the most stress in relationships,” says Patel. “If you have a partnership where you can communicate your needs and stresses on a regular basis, you are probably going to have a really functioning relationship.” So, whether you’re in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, how do you go about it? “These talks are important to have in a kind manner,” says Patel. “Don’t blindside them, don’t catch them off-guard. It is about helping with the health of each other.” As Men’s Health Week (June 12-18) begins, here are three common men’s health problems, and advice on how to talk to your partner about them… Toilet habit changes Have you noticed that your partner’s toilet habits have altered? Patel says this could include them “having difficulty passing urine, running to the toilet all the time, or getting up a lot in the night” to pee. This can be very common, particularly as men get older, and it is often linked to the prostate (a small gland, located near the bladder, which helps make semen). An enlarged prostate can affect urination, and while this is usually caused by a harmless condition called benign prostate enlargement (BPE), it can sometimes be a symptom of cancer so it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor. Plus, there are treatments that can help – it isn’t something men need to just live with. But how do you raise the conversation if someone seems reluctant to talk about it? “I would suggest having an idea in your head of what you want to say. Speak in a private place, where they have not just got back from work or are rushing out,” says Patel, who suggests approaching it by saying: ‘Can we catch up about something that has been on my mind?’ “Keep an even tone, even if you are annoyed you are being kept up at night. This might be a bit embarrassing, signpost that, then discuss how it affects you and explain you are worried about them.” Erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common and often nothing to worry about if it only happens occasionally and there’s an obvious cause. But sometimes it can be more of a frequent problem – and Patel says it’s important for people to be able to talk about it in relationships. He explains: “It could be a sign of health issues. Perhaps due to anxiety, depression, work, grief, stress, or a health condition” – such as diabetes or a heart problem. Erectile dysfunction can be a sensitive topic, however. When it comes to discussing it with your partner, Patel suggests: “Pick a good place and time – not after sex. Signpost that it is not a blame thing. Explain that you still enjoy what you do together, but have noticed differences. Ask how he is feeling and whether the problem is something you can work on together. Say what you need to say, but do it kindly.” Remember, GPs hear about ED all the time and there are lots of effective treatments. “Many current treatments don’t involve the partner at all; he shuffles off and deals with it, be it through tablets or a pump,” says Patel. “Whereas if you are able to engage with foreplay, you can use something to improve the situation together, such as Eroxon [treatment gel]. The topical nature of the gel means you can get your partner fully involved with some manual stimulation too.” A lump on their testicles You are having sex with your partner and come across a lump. Now what? “Perhaps don’t say there is a lump when you are having sex – bring it up another time soon after, and don’t delay,” suggests Patel. However, he stresses that this “could be an urgent conversation”. Patel adds: “Maybe it is [a lump] they have known about for years that is nothing to be worried about, but you should ask. Once you have said something, be quiet and give them some time. They could be feeling angry, embarrassed, shocked, or confused about how you might feel. If they say they don’t want to speak to a doctor, try to work out why. Make it clear you are worried.” A lump doesn’t always mean cancer. However, this is a possibility – testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men aged between 15-49, according to the NHS – so it’s important to get any unusual lumps and bumps checked out quickly. Testicular cancer be often be successfully treated, but detecting it early does help. “Sometimes you have to mention cancer to make someone take an issue seriously,” says Patel. “You may want to be kind, but you cannot avoid the fact they might have a problem.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Prince William responds after three guardsman collapse during UK heatwave Chanel’s classic 1926 little black dress added to fashion exhibition in Scotland 6 innovative self-tan products to help you get your best-ever faux glow

Male sex toys don’t get talked about with the same celebration with which we hear

Bringing sex toys into partnered sex can open up entirely new realms of pleasure for

Masturbation is far more important in the timeline of human evolution than ever previously thought. In fact, we might not be here at all if it weren’t for primates masturbating thousands of years ago, a new study has claimed. New research from the Proceedings of the Royal Society B has focused on the effects of masturbating in male primates and its effects on ensuring reproductive methods. “Masturbation is common across the animal kingdom but is especially prevalent amongst primates, including humans,” the study authors said in a statement. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter They went on to say that masturbation “was most likely present in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes” before saying that it might have influenced mating behaviour. “Masturbation (without ejaculation) can increase arousal before sex,” the authors wrote. “This may be a particularly useful tactic for low-ranking males likely to be interrupted during copulation, by helping them to ejaculate faster.” According to the researchers, regular ejaculation evolved as a trait among male primates where they faced competition. That’s because it “allows males to shed inferior semen, leaving fresh, high-quality sperm available for mating, which are more likely to outcompete those of other males.” It also helped male primates “by cleansing the urethra (a primary site of infection for many STIs) with ejaculate”. Things were less clear with female primates, with the study authors stating that “more data on female sexual behavior are needed to better understand the evolutionary role of female masturbation.” “Our findings help shed light on a very common, but little understood, sexual behavior,” said lead author Dr. Matilda Brindle, of University College London. “The fact that autosexual behavior may serve an adaptive function, is ubiquitous throughout the primate order, and is practiced by captive and wild-living members of both sexes, demonstrates that masturbation is part of a repertoire of healthy sexual behaviors.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the world of sex toys or you’re a seasoned expert, chances are, you’ve heard a lot about suction vibrators. Between TikTok’s obsession with Amazon’s rose to the Tracy’s Dog OG’s laugh-out-loud reviews, these little suckers have risen to new unbeatable heights. And we get it! With non-touch clitoral stimulation using airwaves and pulses, suction vibrators are nearly able to replicate the unique feel of oral sex (and who doesn’t want a toy that can do that?). However, being sucked on dry land, our sensitive bits exposed to the cold air, often doesn’t feel like a mouth at all. That’s not the case with Unbound’s petite suction vibrator, Puff, though.

Our sex lives can be a complex, wonderful part of our identities, but they can

Vibrators are versatile tools in our self-love routines — but we’ve burned through a lot of duds in our time. With the sex toy industry booming with seemingly endless products for infinite types of stimulation, it can be hard to figure out which are actually the best vibrators out there. That’s why we’ve combed through all the shopping team’s vibrator round-ups and reviews to help you sort through quickly. In need of the best clitoral stimulator, according to a sex therapist? We have that. Maybe you want to know what all the fuss is about the most recent TikTok viral vibrator? We have firsthand reviews on everything from wearable sex toy jewelry to a tool-shaped vibe called the Love Hamma. Need a budget vibrator on your doorstep tomorrow? Let us point you toward the best Amazon vibrators on sale.

Picture this: You just finished a movie marathon of Marvel's The Avengers and something about

Where there’s a will, there’s a way As we like to say on the internet,

Carrying around a (non-expired!) condom is usually a smart idea — but according to Trojan,

As I swim through the waves of International Masturbation Month, I’ve had to face a harsh reality: My sex drive just isn’t there. There are so many factors that can cause a reduced libido — stress, depression, hormone fluctuations, new medications, fatigue, etc. And it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy to try to masturbate (and relieve some of that fatigue, stress, and depression) only to be unable to get aroused. The result can be more stress, exhaustion, and anxiety. Willing to try anything and everything to restore my libido, I found Bloomi. The Latina-owned sexual wellness brand is led by co-founder Rebecca Alvarez Story, a nationally respected sexologist that’s helping Bloomi customers de-stigmatize their own pleasure and get to know their own bodies via a wide range of pleasure products.