What is ‘sex’? What is ‘gender’?

— How these terms changed and why states now want to define them By Grace Abels This year, 17 state legislatures sought to narrowly define “sex” or “gender” in state law as based solely on biological characteristics. In Utah, one became law. Although they’re sometimes used synonymously, “sex” and “gender” have different meanings to medical …

What doctors wish patients knew about getting a vasectomy

By Sara Berg, MS When discussing reproductive health choices, one procedure has been gaining attention—especially since the fall of Roe v. Wade—for its effectiveness: the vasectomy. As individuals and couples explore long-term contraception options, vasectomies have emerged as a popular choice for those seeking a permanent solution—rates have increased by 26% in the past decade. …

The Lesbian Bed Death could be plaguing thousands of women

By Alice Giddings It may be 2024, but one controversial term from the 1980s is coming back from the grave. Lesbian Bed Death is, simply put, the idea that lesbian couples have less sex. It’s a sweeping generalisation of the gay community, but why has it gained traction? ‘Research by Blumstein & Schwartz in 1983 …

What you should know about coming out as LGBTQ+ in your 20s and 30s

By Adam Jowett For LGBTQ+ baby boomers, coming out in your 30s was the norm. The average age to come out among Gen Z is in your teens. Greater social acceptance and more LGBTQ+ representation in culture, such as the Netflix series Heartstopper and Sex Education, are making it easier for young people to be …

33 ways to have better, stronger orgasms

— Everything to know about the 11(!) types of orgasm. By Gabrielle Kassel, Korin Miller and Addison Aloian Look, everyone wants to have a mind-blowing orgasm every time they have sex. But unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. Only about half of women consistently climax during partnered play, and nine percent have never orgasmed during …

6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Sex after 50

— Vaginal dryness, erection challenges, safe sex and more By Ellen Uzelac With most physicians ill prepared to talk about sexual health and many patients too embarrassed or ashamed to broach the subject, sex has become this thing we don’t discuss in the examining room. “So many doctors talk about the benefits of nutrition, sleep, …

Let’s Talk About Sex

— The Science, the Script, the Human Right Why do we do ’it,’ fundamentally—have sex? Sex researchers, locally and abroad, are trying to drive home that it’s about a basic human right: pleasure. By Amy Nelson and Erik Tormoen Elbow-to-elbow, Minnesotans are filling up a large side room in Fulton Brewery on a Tuesday night …