The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care for Closing the Gap on LGBTQ+ Health Disparities

By Elly Belle In doctor’s offices across America, medical professionals often provide care based on the assumption that patients are cisgender and heterosexual. But LGBTQ+ patients—especially those who are trans, gender non-conforming, or nonbinary deserve better, and experts say improvements will only come when LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming health care becomes commonplace. This type of care—which …

Contraception, consent, kinks – welcome to the sex-ed you wish you’d had in school

Your questions answered by sex-positive pros. By Ali Pantony For most millennials, the words ‘sex education’ probably conjure up images of clinical vulva diagrams, scaremongering STI leaflets, entirely heteronormative textbooks and absolutely tons of bananas encased in condoms. Basically, you know that bit in Mean Girls when the PE teacher tells the class that if …

Sexual health during cancer treatment

Many patients don’t want to talk about sexual health while being treated for cancer — here’s why they should. By: Sara Thompson Cancer treatment and sexual health Depending on the treatment you are given, sexual side effects range from mildly annoying to downright debilitating. For instance, hormone-blocking medications can cause vaginal dryness, which can lead …

Aging and Sex

By Korin Miller Sex advice is often geared toward people who are having it for the first time, but it’s understandable that you might still have questions, even when you’re a sex veteran. After all, your body changes as you get older, and you’re not born knowing how to navigate all of this. >“Our bodies …

10 Men’s Sexual Health Questions That Are Too Embarrassing to Ask

Sex, Viagra, & Ejaculation 1. Do Different Sex Positions Increase or Decrease Chances of Pregnancy?  No. Regardless of what sexual position you use, vaginal sex can cause pregnancy.  2. Can I Drink Alcohol With Viagra and Cialis? Yes. There will not be a bad interaction between the two; but, keep in mind that when you …

How Sex and Masturbation Are Changing in Quarantine

  By Sandra Song Quarantine has changed our everyday existences, from the workplace to how we consume content to the way we go out and interact with others. The question, however, of ways self-isolation is affecting our sex lives has remained speculative thus far. Because while people have joked about a post-pandemic baby boom and …

Exploring the common misconceptions regarding trans and non-binary identities

Eight reasons why anti-trans rants are unscientific. By Hannah Seo Last month, a series of anti-trans tweets by author J.K. Rowling incited a maelstrom of anger, pain, and indignation. Specifically, Rowling opposed the phrase “people who menstruate” in an article, commenting on the social media platform, “I’m sure there used to be a word for …

Understanding These 2 Types of Sexual Desire Will Help You Feel In Control of Your Libido

Introducing: Spontaneous and responsive desire. By Gabrielle Kassel By now, you’ve probably heard a sexual health pro say—punctuated by 👏👏👏, of course—that porn is entertainment, not education. And that’s true. But there’s another type of media that shoves lies about what sex “should” (eye roll) look like down our collective throat: Romantic comedies. One of …

How and when to have sex for the first time after giving birth

By Julia Naftulin Doctors suggest waiting four to six weeks after giving birth to have sex again, but new parents shouldn’t feel pressured if they aren’t ready. When they are, it helps to ease back into the experience with self-pleasure and oral sex. Going on dates or spending quality time with your partner before sex …