Professional Workshops

LUBE! AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT PERSONAL LUBRICANTS

Lube seems pretty simple - it's all just slippery stuff, right? Perhaps you've learned about the different basic types of lube as well. But the science of lubricant goes way beyond choosing water-based, silicone or oil.

We know that personal lubricants have the ability to increase sexual pleasure, stamina, sensitivity, and relieve symptoms of sexual dysfunction. But many popular lubes can actually be harmful to the body’s mucous membranes, can increase susceptibility to STIs and cause infection, irritation, or allergic reactions, and lack appropriate testing and regulation. If that seems scary, don't worry! This workshop is designed to help you sort through the details and acquire the latest, most thoroughly researched information about lube, as it pertains to consumers, manufacturers and medical professionals. This class is also available as a webinar, if you're not in the Minneapolis area. 

In this workshop you'll learn:

• How to identify potentially harmful ingredients in lube, and what makes a lubricant body-friendly and safe
• How the pH and osmolality of a lubricant impacts mucous membrane integrity
• What preexisting conditions may exacerbate adverse reactions to lubricants, and what works best for people with different medical and sexual needs

SEX AND CANCER

Smitten Kitten has developed this class as a collaboration with oncologists and nurses to meet the needs of folks who have gone through cancer treatments, like radiation and/or chemotherapy.  These treatments, along with many other factors, can change sexual function, genital health, arousal, and desire. We’ve worked with many educators and oncologists to provide this education to bridge the gaps of knowledge and communication around how cancer, and cancer treatments, manifest in sexual function, and how to teach patients and clients how to move forward towards sexually fulfilling futures. 

Workshop Objectives:

• Understand physical ways chemo and/or radiation therapy directly and indirectly alter the genitals, sexual response, and arousal
• Discuss ways cancer and cancer treatment influence body image, relationship dynamics, and desire
• Share tools for combating sexual function difficulties and for maintaining or improving genital wellness and function

SEX AND MENOPAUSE

Menopausal and postmenopausal bodies often experience changes in sexual function, desire, and pleasure, but it’s important to remember that change can be good! This workshop will go over the physical changes that accompany menopause and low-estrogen, focusing on the tools and education that work best to empower folks experiencing these changes to take care of their genital and sexual health. After collaborating with medical professionals, we've developed this class to bridge the gap between health and pleasure, and provide alternatives to prescription treatments when possible. 

Workshop Objectives:

• Understand the ways that low or decreasing estrogen manifest in the body, in sexual function, and in arousal and desire
• Learn options of tools, practices, lubricants, and toys that can increase genital wellness and pleasure
• Discuss sexual response models and learning new ways to interact with changing bodies

PLEASUREABLY POSITIVE: SEX WITH STIs

Globally, over 1 million people contract an STI daily, 500 million people yearly seek care for curable STIs, and in the U.S. roughly 16% of people are living with genital herpes; it’s obvious STIs are common, require adequate acknowledgment, and we need better STI education. But what about those of us living, permanently or temporarily, with an STI? This workshop focuses on the needs STI positive folks, from education, healthcare, safer sex practices, and counseling, to destigmatization and support.

Workshop Objectives:

• Demonstrate how to facilitate basic sex education, counseling, or teaching styles around STIs and/or themes of sexuality without using language or themes that convey stigma or alienate folks living with STIs
• Identify at least 3 concrete ways in which they can provide support services or education to include patients or students (or themselves) who are STI positive

HOW TO SPEAK INCLUSIVELY IN SEX EDUCATION

This workshop explores the importance of developing an intentionally inclusive vocabulary, offers practical tips, and tales from the trade of speaking inclusively in sex education. Inclusive language has been shown to be a key element in creating the safe, welcoming spaces necessary for facilitating sex education or therapy. Through years of providing sex education to a diverse population at The Smitten Kitten we've learned how validating, refreshing, and empowering the intentional use of inclusive language can be for all identities.

Workshop Objectives:

• Identify concrete vocabulary changes they can make in their own speaking habits to facilitate a space and conversation around sexual health that is more inclusive of folks with marginalized and/or intersecting identities
• Demonstrate, through creating statements and plans, that they can implement intentionally inclusive language in their workplace via verbal communication, social media language, advertising, or augmentation of their physical workspace