Cosmo Sex Facts: Confessions of a Fact Checker

Katherine Goldstein, on Slate, writes about her time freelancing at Cosmopolitan.

From the piece...

The days flew past and I stumbled my way through my first week and got asked back for future fact-checking sessions. My semi-regular stints at Cosmo now consisted of sitting in a cubicle in an open area next to a middle-aged office manager who wore leggings as pants every day, while drilling down on the truly important life questions: Is it scientifically true that when men spend time away from their partners the number of sperm increases the next time they climax during intercourse? Could a biology professor confirm for me that guys thrust more quickly and deeply during sex if they suspect their partner may be cheating? Usually the experts that I talked to were mildly annoyed that their thoughtful advice and explanations had been so oversimplified, but they also knew that their most recent book was getting mentioned in Cosmo after their name.

While other recent college grads might be placing orders for office supplies or turkey sandwiches, my side of phone conversations went something like this:

"Doctor, we're describing the technique of a 'hand job with a twist that stimulates the penis and G spot simultaneously.' Can I read you our description of this technique?"

"Oh. OK. So it's not accurate to call it a G spot. Only women have G spots? So you are saying it's important to call it a 'male G spot' or a 'P spot.' OK, I'm making a note of that to tell the writer."

"So here's the description: 'Wrap your hand around his shaft and gently bend it toward and away from his belly button.' Would this motion would be similar to moving a … joystick? Is that accurate?"

"So is it accurate to say that 'doing this causes the spongy tissue in his penis to rub against the prostate'?"

"Great. We have a quote from you on this as, 'Pressing on those nerves will have a domino effect. It primes his entire body, making every sensation down to his orgasm feel more intense.' Can we attribute that to you?"

"OK, so you are saying that is more of a description of direct prostate stimulation, rather than indirect, and that this technique doesn't have as strong of an effect?"

"So it's more about getting the penis to sink into the pelvis."

"Wonderful. And can I verify that your title is staff sexologist at goodvibes.com?"

"Thanks so much for your time."