Can you do self-insemination at home ?
“I heard that guy was really into her while she leaned over the counter,” said Mark.
“Okay, but—”
“And she’s been with nearly every guy at the hostel. It’s just wrong.”
We were sitting in a courtyard surrounded by food trucks near the ruin bars of Budapest. I was on a solo journey around the world that spanned a year, and Mark, from Australia, was also exploring Europe alone for a few months.
As I listened to his remarks about another woman, I reflected on the number of men I had slept with during my travels. It had only been three months, and I had already counted seven—Mark included. In Malta, there was a charming Argentinian I met in the hostel showers. In Pisa, I connected with a romantic Italian construction worker who adored opera. Then there was the muscular German I met on the beach in San Sebastián, where words weren’t necessary; our bodies spoke for us.
In Barcelona, I had a memorable encounter with an older Belgian man—we shared intimacy at a rave in a castle. I also rekindled a connection with a long-time Swiss friend in Berlin, and just the day before meeting Mark in Budapest, I had a passionate moment with a striking Portuguese business student in his hostel bed while his friend slept above us (he assured me it was all right).
But I didn’t share any of this with Mark that day. Instead, I chewed on my veggie burger, silently.
She Could Have Easily Been Me
I told myself I wouldn’t engage in what that girl at the hostel did. I wouldn’t have allowed myself to be in such a situation, and indeed, I wouldn’t have done exactly what she did—being fisted in the kitchen. I mean, I had never even been fisted before, so why would I start there?
Yet, looking back, I realize distancing myself from that woman was arbitrary. She could have just as easily been me.
I should have supported her. I should have defended her.
In truth, we were all exploring intimacy in that hostel. Mark, myself, and seemingly everyone else there were partaking in sexual experiences. It’s what happens when young, attractive travelers share dorm rooms and indulge in a bit too much alcohol.
So who had the right to judge her?
I should have expressed all of this to Mark, but I let my fear of his judgment silence me.
Conflicting Messages About Sex
Many of us, especially those from the millennial generation or older, have been raised with incredibly confusing messages about sex. On one side, it’s celebrated to “get laid”; we live in a hookup culture. On the other, we’re often led to believe that having numerous partners equates to moral failure. Those who engage in kink or adventurous acts are frequently labeled as reckless.
We gossip about them. We shame them.
Women face the brunt of this—criticized for being too conservative yet also for being too promiscuous. Not long ago, my friends and I worried about our “numbers.” Each new partner felt like it diminished our worth as individuals.
The film What’s Your Number, released in 2011, portrayed the damaging notion that a woman who had slept with more than 20 men would be unable to find a husband. This is fundamentally misguided for numerous reasons.
I will admit, sex isn’t always perfect. It can be messy, regrettable, and thoughtless. It can lead to health issues or be motivated by power dynamics or social status. Too often, it’s forced upon others, whether overtly or subtly.
Yet at its core, when approached consensually and safely, sex can be healthy and beautiful. We often forget to celebrate that aspect.
Celebrating Intimacy
So, here I am, sharing my experience. I had intimate encounters with 16 men during a year of travel, and it was genuinely beautiful.
Though these moments were fleeting, lasting just a few days at most, they were intense and meaningful, free from expectations. We engaged in what we desired at that moment, without concern for the future—because there was no future.
We relished the pleasure our bodies provided. In getting acquainted with one another, both inside and outside of the bedroom, we impacted each other’s lives in unforgettable ways.
Who has the right to judge me for that? Or to judge that woman at the hostel?
Sex is a gift, a form of escape, a meditation, a way to disconnect from our thoughts and just be present. Osho suggests that everything beautiful in the world relates to sex—the song of a bird, a blooming flower, a delicious piece of fruit. The most vibrant aspects of life are tied to reproduction, which is, at its essence, sex.
So why is human sexuality so frequently viewed as shameful?
Ultimately, society isn’t ashamed of sex because it’s inherently dirty; it’s dirty because we allow ourselves to feel ashamed.
Let’s end that cycle. Let’s stop fretting over our numbers. Let’s honor sex as it truly deserves. I had intimate moments with 16 men while traveling the world, and it was nothing short of beautiful. So, what’s your number?
For more on related topics, check out this insightful post on home insemination and the authority on the subject at Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, the CDC provides excellent resources about pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
In a candid reflection on her travel experiences, the author recounts her intimate encounters with 16 men over the course of a year. While addressing societal judgments about sexual behavior, she emphasizes the beauty and empowerment found in consensual connections, challenging the stigma surrounding sexuality. The piece advocates for celebrating sexual experiences rather than shaming them, promoting a more open and accepting dialogue about intimacy.