What Happens to Relationships When Sex Hurts

Women who suffer from the chronic-pain condition vulvodynia often feel isolated from their partners. But a better medical understanding is helping. By Ashley Fetters In her 18 years as a sex therapist in Orange County, California, Stephanie Buehler has come to recognize a certain tense, fraught dynamic in couples when a female partner has vulvodynia. …

How female sexuality is finding its voice

By Remy Rippon After centuries of secrecy, female sexuality is finally finding a voice, with women entering a new era of enlightenment and fulfilment thanks in part to the booming wellness industry. Considering how long females have graced this earth, it’s astounding to think it was only 21 years ago that scientific research discovered something …

Happy endings

The ins and outs of clinical sexology By Matt Tilley Sexology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of human sexuality, including sexual behaviours, interests and function. A sexologist is a trained professional who specialises in human sexuality. There are many different ways a sexologist may work, and many different areas she may work in – in …

Think Your Child Might Be Questioning Their Gender Identity?

Get them willing to talk with these 5 tips You suspect your child is questioning their gender. You’re starting to pick up some clues, but what’s the next step? Should you approach your teen? Wait for them to come to you? Gender-questioning conversations can be difficult for caregivers. Pediatric endocrinologist Julia Cartaya, MD, discusses gender …

Why painful sex can plague women at any age

By Erin Blakemore Your brain may be ready for sex. But what if your body refuses to cooperate? Women desiring intimacy with their partner sometimes experience pain instead of pleasure. Painful intercourse can happen even without other health issues — and it’s more common than you might think. In a nationally representative 2013 survey, 1 …

Ways of Being

Three new books explore the variety of transgender experiences. By Stephanie Burt Assigned one gender at birth, we’d felt like the other since childhood. That feeling—which had nothing to do with sexual desire—grew until life in the wrong gender seemed not worth living. So we came out as trans women or trans men to loved …

The 5 things sex therapists want people to know

Female pleasure is equally as important as men’s By Chelsea Ritschel Millennials may be dating less, but that doesn’t mean they are any less interested in sex.  In reality, sex is an important and often integral part of relationships for people of all ages, sexual orientations, and genders. However, whether you consider yourself sexually experienced …

ANDRO/GYNE

By Cayla Rubin ANDRO/GYNE is an intimate photo essay that without words and through an alluring, artistic lens, gives voice to a large group of strong individuals that deserve a platform in mainstream discourse. The mysterious black and white, nude photo series juxtaposes a man and a woman who has undergone a mastectomy without reconstruction. …

Sex Drug for Women Stirs Up Controversy in Medical Community

Just don’t call the new medication for women’s low desire for sex ‘female Viagra.’ By Beth Levine There is some good news out about how women’s sexuality, long overlooked in the medical community, is treated now. Amid much hype and interest, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vyleesi (bremelanotide), an injection designed to improve female sexual …