Blog Posts by YourTango.com

Just like sex, masturbating gets old when you do the same routine over and over.Even if you're a masturbation pro, there are still ways to spruce up your technique. Like having sex, there are many ways to masturbate and adding new things to your usual menu of choices is a great way to keep things exciting. Here are some tips, in Honor of National Masturbation Month:

1. Tool. Some women prefer their hands, others their collection of vibrators, and, as a few of my friends will attest to, a shower head with appropriate pressure can also be a great clit pleaser. If you're usually a shower or vibrator person, try just your hand for a change and vice versa. You don't really know just how hard you can orgasm if you don't try different tools for satisfaction.

2. Mood. For many people, masturbation is a means to put horniness to an end or to relieve stress, but why should it stop there? If you're having a horrible day, masturbate to take your mind off things and set your mood right. Or if you have pain in some part of your body, masturbating, again, can take your mind off

President Obama announced his support of same-sex marriage on May 9.When President Obama publicly announced his support of gay marriage on May 9, homosexuals and same-sex marriage supporters nationwide rejoiced.

While some-gay and straight alike-have questioned what kind of change the President's announcement would actually effect (at least in the short term), there seemed to be little question: Obama has the gay vote locked down.

This may be true. Though, of course, not all gays care about gay marriage, nor will all gays be voting Democrat come November.

Yes, gay Republicans do exist. Even in the blue states. Some of them are as "out" about their sexuality, as they are their politics, despite the fact that conservatives generally have not supported-and have even crusaded against-gay rights. How do you support a party that doesn't support you back? Isn't that kind of like being a pacifist who belongs to the NRA?

Karl, 31, from Baltimore, MD, chooses the party that best fits his beliefs. But it's not a perfect match. Though he believes in marriage

If you have a pattern of dating men who use recreational drugs - or engage in any activity of which you disapprove - you may be wondering how to attract a different kind of guy. In this video, psychologist and YourTango Expert Dr. Susan Pazak explains what you can do to break the cycle of unhealthy relationships.

"I think you can break the cycle of dating men who are recreational drug users - or doing any behavior that you don't like - by really being open and honest with yourself," says Dr. Susan. "You have to take the time to identify 'what do I want in a man?'" Read More: 9 Facts You Need To Know About Sex Addiction

Want to learn more? Check out the video above.

More From YourTango.com:

• 10 Super-Cute And Nerdy Marriage Proposals
• 10 Signs Your Guy Is Definitely In Love With You
• 7 Sex Positions Men Love
• Weird News: Oklahoma Man Called 911 To Talk Dirty
• The Number One Thing Men Find Attractive [VIDEO]

You have nothing to lose and a happier relationship to gain.Relationships and marriage take more work than we ever imagined. They challenge us to look at our own foibles, fears, and personal struggles deep within. I have seen people push through intense pain and disappointment in their marriage and come out on the other end to find their relationship on a better level, one which they never imagined possible. However, no growth is gained without discomfort and struggle.

I have also seen people who ultimately choose to formally exit their marriage because even after looking deep within and giving the marriage a fighting chance, they must accept the sobering fact that their chance to grow as a couple is close to impossible due to their partner's dysfunctional limitations. Yet, the silver lining for many of these folks is that they ultimately enter a new relationship or marriage where they are able to do the hard work with a new partner who is willing to work as hard as they are. Read More: A Smart Tip to Having Less Drama in Your Relationship

Where can you save and where can you splurge on your big day?There's a lot of discussion as to how much to pay for wedding services. One can get dizzy trying to decide which pricing suites them. Being that I am a wedding vendor and have been a bride myself, I thought I'd share some personal insight.

Today's culture is more about buying something because it's a cheap and immediate thrill rather than buying a well-made, beautiful item that will last forever. This mentality carries over to brides and grooms choosing their wedding vendors. Budgeting is an important aspect of wedding planning. However, focusing only on the dollar amount and not thinking of quality is never the way to go.

I firmly believe you get what you pay for. However, I'm also a frugalista. I wait for sales, shop at consignment stores, and will take advantage of Living Social and Groupon.

Although coupons are great, here's something to think about: an authentic Chanel blouse may be $100 at a consignment store but it will last forever, never go out-of-style, and will make you

Kids learn healthy habits by example.We can all agree it's important to teach our children to have a healthy self-esteem, to eat well, exercise often and love their bodies. The question is: how? Below are our experts' best tips for how to be a positive role model for your kids so that they grow up healthy, strong and confident about the way they look.

1. Love your body. If you don't feel good about your own body, it will be difficult for your children to feel good about theirs. Remember: we are our children's guides. -Jennifer Kelman

2. Pay attention to how you speak about your body. How often do you say things like, "I'm so fat?" If you speak like that about your body, your child will begin to parrot those exact sentiments. -Jennifer Kelman

3. Remember: fat is not a feeling. When we say things like "I feel so fat," we teach our kids to use their bodies to describe their feelings. Eating disorders and poor body image develop when feelings are pushed down and too much focus on the body takes place instead of allowing real

One woman's journey from self-loathing to self-love.The size of my jeans used to determine my self-esteem. The shape of my body represented my deepest insecurities. A taut tummy signified my need for approval, while a muffin top indicated I'd been drowning my sorrows with food. For years, my fluctuating weight determined my self-worth. Hypocritically, I'd tout a different message. "Beauty is not defined by a dress size," I'd say, exalting the splendor of women in all shapes and sizes. Somehow, I was unable to see beauty in myself. Read More: 10 Tips To Avoid Emotional Eating

Then, last year, a week after Mother's Day, I finally figured out what authentic beauty was. On May 16th, 2011, I gave birth to and subsequently lost my daughter during my fifth month of pregnancy. During my pregnancy, I gleefully packed on 30 pounds, feeling plump and beautiful. My extraordinary weight gain became a thing of humor. I called myself the clumsy walrus on a daily basis.

For the first time in my life, the weight gain represented something wonderful.

What you learn from an online dating profile isn't enough.You finally went out with that cutie pie iloverocks69 from match.com. You met for brunch and it was amazing. He looked at you like no one has looked at you in a long long time; he pulled out your chair, and even helped you with your jacket; when you both picked up your menus, his hand brushed yours, and it was electric.

Not only was he chivalrous, you felt like 15 monarch cocoons just hatched in your stomach. This guy was a keeper. On the first date, he also made you cry from laughing so hard. Thankfully, you weren't cracking up so much that you couldn't keep your mimosa with strawberries in your mouth. Read More: Dating Is Like Roulette. 3 Rules of Dating Casino Style

You never thought you would date someone you met online, but now it seems inevitable. He called you the next day to tell you that he had a great time, and wanted to see you again next Friday. Date number two was better than the first. This time you went to your favorite restaurant and he was sweeter than before.

This