September is a huge month for sexual and reproductive health because the awareness this month is focused on prostate and ovarian cancer. With reproductive organs all starting off the same at conception and having many similar looks and functions as we grow and develop into adulthood, it makes sense to focus on these cancers together as they are both the biggest reproductive killer in men and women (respectively) and can severely affect sexual drive or pleasure. There are many risk factors to make someone more likely to develop cancer, and although we are not medical professionals, Fantasy Gifts employees are trained in helping men and women find products to help reduce those risks or help create a better sexual experience after a diagnosis and during treatment.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second biggest cancer killer of men in the United States and is usually found in older men with an average diagnosis age of 66 years old. It s possible that it can be found in younger men and because this cancer doesn’t usually cause pain or show symptoms, it is important that men start getting prostate exams by at LEAST age 50. This type of cancer is rare in women, but not impossible – actually it would be considered cancer in the Skene’s gland and makes it just as important to screen for this cancer as well. One of the well known ways to help reduce the chances of prostate cancer is by prostate milking. Prostate milking is when you massage the prostate and studies have proven it has reduced symptoms for men who have chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia, but is primarily used for sexual pleasure. Fantasy Gifts NJ has many prostate massaging products that can help with that sexual pleasure and preventative health practices! For those that are beginners or are uncomfortable with the feeling of vibrations against their prostate, we have Dr. Joel Kaplan’s Prostate Locator which is about the size of a ring finger and made of silicone. For those who are more comfortable with the feeling of vibrations or prefer to use it for sexual pleasure, Zero Tolerance’s The Gentleman Prostate Massager would be prefect to wear. There is a risk to prostate massaging if you are already diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is not recommend to be practice at this point.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the largest reproductive cancer to kill women and about half of those diagnosed at 63 and older – so although seen more frequently in older women, is still possible to develop in those younger. A general prognosis of ovarian cancer is difficult to provide because this cancer can affect women differently and depends on where the cancer first originated from. Unfortunately, just being a women is a risk factor in this type of cancer among other things such as weight, smoking, and family history/genetic markers. Some of the protective factors you will see include taking birth control, having children/breastfeeding them, removal of the fallopian tubes, or a hysterectomy – and all of these can extreme depending on who you are talking to about prevention. For those that are of child bearing age and do see this as a choice they would like to make, we have JO’s Actively Trying Personal Lubricant to help keep swimmers healthy after ejaculation. For those who have gone through surgery and are finding sex painful for a variety of reasons, their are dilators to help relax the vaginal muscles as well as lubricants designed specifically to help women like JO’s Renew Vaginal Moisturizer and their Agape Original.
Get Help, Find Support
Before trying to take this on all on your own, get screened and talk with your doctor about what courses of action can be taken. This is not only important for your physical well being, but for your mental and sexual health and potentially the relationships you will have with you partners, your peers, your family, and yourself. You kind find more resources and support for ovarian and prostate cancer by clicking the links provided or going to your doctor and Fantasy Gifts is always here to support you!
