Comment: i was 14 my first time. obviously didn't last because my number is in the 11-20 range. while it wasn't the smartest thing i've ever done, what i've realized is that i have a strong sexuality that has to be taken care of, and that was an expression of it. i'm 32 now, and more comfortable with myself than ever. i've been told i'm highly unusual as a woman in the fact that i've actually sought out sex. i remember times in high school and college where i thought to myself, i need to get laid, and going out that night looking for a partner to scratch my itch. that's how i got to my number of partners! lol... and all but one of those partners were before i was 19 and involved with my first husband! in my opinion, we as americans are too hung up on sex. it comes partly from our puritanical roots, partly from a strong evangelical christian presence. while i am not completely liberated from that, i am more in the camp that if we just embraced the fact that we are sexual beings, maybe some of the sexual dysfunction we have as a society would right itself. ok, getting down off my soap box...

Comment: There is a definition for insanity: making the same choice over and over again and expecting differing results. Maybe his "itch" is making him insane...

Comment: While it frightens me to be with someone nearly twice my age and what that may bring, it frightens me more to think of wasting my life on someone who does not cherish me in the way I deserve. Been both places, and so happy to be sharing a life with the older man. Face it. We all roll the dice with whomever we choose. My lover said to me, "Say I have a stroke. How would it be for you to care for someone who is incapacitated?" I said, "Say I am in a horrible accident , incapacitated and you have to help care for me. Could you do it?" He said, "Yes, because I love you and I will do anything I can to make your life wonderful." Because of answers like that, I can push past the fear and live most every day grateful for this beautiful, amazing man.

Comment: Thanks to this article and the practical advice it gave, I tried anal sex today with my lover. I enjoyed it, didn't have an orgasm, but I can tell I will be able to have one next time. I am so grateful to this author for dispelling some of my fears. Thank you for a great article, and for opening up another realm of sexuality for me.