We live in unprecedented times. We’re going through a seismic cultural shift, and when this wave of Covid-19 has passed, or become manageable, things will likely never be quite the same again. We’re in the contradictory position of trying to fix something together by staying apart. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in most of us…
Female pleasure isn’t complicated, but it can be complex. Which is probably why there are so many Google searches about this topic. We reached out to one of our favorite psychologists, Dr. Zhana, to help us answer the most frequently asked questions surrounding female pleasure. What would you like to know about female pleasure? Hi…
Phthalates. Easy to understand, hard to spell. And Read. And say without spitting everywhere. If it helps, you can just drop the initial ph- when you’re saying it and everyone will still know what you mean. We’re not fussy about the word, we’re fussy about all that it entails. That’s because phthalates have been linked…
By now, most of us have been impacted in one way or another by the coronavirus, and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Either we’re working from home, we’re in isolation or quarantine, we know someone who’s had it, or we’ve had it, or a million other ways that this thing is reshaping society. With all…
It’s easy to assume that men and women think about sex differently. But is that really the case? As it turns out, no it’s not the case. Or at least, it’s not the full story. There are differences. For example, whether gay, bi, or straight, men tend to respond automatically to specific body parts they…
What do we really know about male ejaculation? Sure, we’ve heard the expression, “I’m gonna come!” in movies and TV shows, and perhaps we’ve even heard it in real life (or something more like “Are you on the pill?” before they let rip. We also know that there’s sperm in semen … you know, the…
This article was scientifically fact-checked by Human Sexuality expert Dr. Laurie Mintz. Our lives are currently a contradiction of fears and anxieties like most of us have never experienced before. Fear about an invisible contagion that can be carried and transferred by strangers without their knowledge, and anxiety caused by having to isolate ourselves in…
We’re saturated by the thought that men are obsessed with how their penises are perceived. Penis jokes have entered our daily vocabularies. I only have to say ‘size matters’ and, by some magic process of osmosis, we all know I’m talking about dicks. One of the most popular articles on this very blog is about…
Taste is arguably the most intimate of the five senses. Think about it—on any given day, we see so many people, we hear so many people, we (unfortunately) smell so many people, and even touch multiple people. We are so constantly bombarded by these sensory interactions—the multitude of faces encountered, the tone of that lady…
This article was scientifically fact-checked by Human Sexuality expert Dr. Laurie Mintz. Sarcasm aside, we invite everyone with female genitalia to take a sec and reevaluate their vocabulary when it comes to naming their bits. Even seemingly minor things such as names (although names are definitely not a small deal) deeply influence how the female…
While foreplay, dirty talk, fornication, and sensual toys are sexy, the spread of STI’s and HIV is not. So, without trying to be a boner killer, the use of condoms is a conversation that simply needs to be had. Why? Because with them, we can all enjoy near risk-free sex which is the ultimate goal…
It’s 2020 and how the world has changed! By now you are likely on some level of self-isolation, if not full-on “shelter-in-place” lockdown. Panic and doom dominate the headlines. Uncertainty rules. And the health news is focused on how to stave off the virus. But I’m here to share the good news. There is a…
Know the feeling when you have an itch in a hard-to-reach spot on your back, and you try everything within your power to relieve it? This involves rubbing the spot vigorously against a wall, grabbing a long stick of some sort, or even asking someone to help you out. And when you finally do rid…
The current situation is enough to make anyone go crazy. Whether you’re cooped up in your home, at work during these trying times, or have been affected personally with the CoronaVirus pandemic, it’s fair to say that almost everyone, worldwide, is feeling the pinch, devastation, and frustration. And for couples who have decided to self-isolate,…
The single biggest obstacle people face in the bedroom is being too much in their heads — because that’s what’s behind basically every other sexual issue. If you’re thinking or worrying during sex, this can lead to difficulty getting aroused, orgasming , and truly connecting with your partner. If this is an issue you’ve been…
I recently came across a kink known as somnophillia, or sleep kink. I’ve written extensively about all kinds of kinks in the past, there isn’t a lot left out there that shocks me. Or makes me feel uncomfortable. But this kink seemed different. Somnophillia is a kink for a sleeping partner, or for somebody having…
An increasing number of countries worldwide are under various states of lockdown and quarantine due to the COVID-19 virus, including all of the European Union and significant parts of the United States. But being in a state of lockdown is no reason to freak out – remember all those times you wished you had some…
For the past month, and for what is sure to be a few more, the world has been occupied with COVID-19 (coronavirus). From stocking absurd amounts of toilet paper to thinking up the best 20 second songs to wash your hands to, it has been an interesting mix of panic and amusement as we come…
For many of us introverts, the idea of ‘social distancing’ feels like a blessing in a very dangerous disguise. Our governments are advising us all to stay home, to avoid all unnecessary travel, and to keep a roughly two-meter gap between ourselves and others. That’s bad for our social lives, but what does that mean…
To the cynical among us, the common thinking around penises is that ‘if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. But many owners of penises — men — know that every peen is different and unique in its own way: like snowflakes, with no two the same. Yes, the size and shape of a penis…
I’m 25 years old, and I grew up thinking there were two types of sexes: male and female. I didn’t learn about what being intersex was in high school, and I didn’t really learn about it in college either. At the time, I identified as a cisgendered woman (and still am) with a sexual preference…
It’s the time of year for runny noses, sniffles and coughs. If you’re feeling the effects of a cold or flu, you probably don’t feel much like getting intimate with a partner or practicing self-love while you’re in that state. However, if you’re like this author and believe that an orgasm a day keeps the…
Sex addiction comes with a plethora of negative connotations and preconceived notions. While essences of truth exist in stereotypes, the sex addict archetype of an international playboy with an ostentatious sports car and an icy aortic valve under his tailored suit is in the minority. We heard about sex addiction from a female perspective ,…
We’re midway through February, and you know what that means, right? National Condom Day, of course! What – did you think overpriced five-course meals and ugly heart-shaped jewelry were the only ways to celebrate February 14th? Not so, my amorous amigos and amigas. National Condom Day is a holiday that’s been alive and kicking since…
You’ll often find men and women cursing the opposite sex for one or other reason. “Men!” she may exclaim, after just having had her heart broken (and vice versa). And so, we continue to tell ourselves that men are from Mars and women are from Venus… two totally separate entities that are so indecipherable that…
If you hear ‘Sexual & Reproductive Health Day’ this February 12th and think ‘putting condoms on bananas’, then you might be exactly the people this holiday is for. While safer sex practices are absolutely something that needs to be covered before you start an active sex life, there are unique aspects of your sexual and…
The American novelist Erika Jong said this about porn: “After the first 10 minutes of a porno, I want to go home and screw. After the first 20 minutes, I never want to screw again.” That’s both a great witty little line, but it also describes our complex relationship with pornography. So it’s no wonder…
“What a cutie!” I commented when meeting my nephew for the first time. An adorable redhead who seemingly always smiled. “Poor child will probably get ripped to shreds when he starts school, though,” I said under my breath. “By the time this kid reaches school, being a redhead will probably be cool,” a family member…
There’s no doubt that some people suffer because of their sexual behaviour, and that they have sex in ways that are unhealthy and harmful to them or their friends and family (like spending all their income on sex workers, getting fired from their jobs for masturbating, or continually cheating on partners they promised monogamy to).…
It never fails to amaze me just how little we know about sex . I’ve written frequently about my frustration at the lack of empirical knowledge about the clitoris compared to the understanding of pretty much all of our other anatomy. Another thing we know little about is the difference, or similarity, between men and…
A recent survey showed that around two-thirds of women have faked an orgasm. I suspect the remaining third have faked an answer in a recent survey. That’s not fair, I’m kidding. But it’s safe to say the majority of women have faked an orgasm at some point in their life – or at least given…
Our bodies are weird and wonderful things, aren’t they? As wondrous as they are though, we’ve still got some questions and they’re especially about the male body. For instance, what makes you guys scratch your balls so often? Also, what the hell is a foreskin even for in the first place? This leads us to…
We’re complex creatures. But we tend to become entirely enigmatic in issues of our sexualities. It seems to me that, even in a healthy relationship, our relationship is confused by a poor understanding and a lack of honesty about our sexualities. We lack awareness of our own sexualities, and that of our partners. We just…
You ever show up to work in a particularly good mood and one of your colleagues says, ‘someone got laid last night…’ Well, new evidence suggests that your sex life has a direct, positive influence on your work life. We all tend to bring our work home with us, so doesn’t it make sense that…
There are plenty of contraception options available for those who are able to become pregnant, but you know what they say about the best laid plans! Things rarely work 100% to plan when it comes to getting laid. Thankfully, whether your barrier contraception has failed or otherwise, there is emergency contraception available in many parts…
Fans and owners of vaginas alike (and those who fall into both categories) may argue about which slang terms for this part of this body are sexy vs offensive, but we are here to get technical. We want to take a deep dive (ha!) into the question ‘what is a vagina?’ and more specifically, is…
Have you ever felt just a little bit different when it comes to how you feel desire for other people? While gender, sexuality and desire will never feel exactly the same for any two people, some of the common cultural narratives we have exist because, well, they’re common. But, those ‘common’ experiences of love and…
While more than one straight male has lamented that they’re competing with ‘batteries’ when it comes to women they’re interested in. But, in a game of orgasms, are there really any losing sides? Still, it can get in our heads, and coupled with a lack of information about masturbation in general, plenty of sex toy…
December 1st marks World AIDS Day, and while many people don’t think they relate to this holiday, it’s a day we should all be celebrating– whether that be celebrating our friends living with AIDS or celebrating the long way science has come in educating us about this disease. A lot has changed, but that doesn’t…
Very soon after its publication in 2011, ’50 Shades’ became a dirty word in the adult and kink communities and industries. We quickly learned to hate it. Not necessarily the book, but the fact that we had all become Christian Grey’s submissives over night. We just couldn’t escape it. I was at an erotic poetry…
As we’ve covered so extensively here before, sex and pleasure are very beneficial to your mental as well as your physical wellbeing . Sex, with its rush of endorphins and other happy brain chemicals – not to mention the exercise you get – is a great way to relieve stress. And it’s true, sex can…
Has someone caught your eye? Or maybe your loins are burning with desire when it comes to that cute barrister that serves you your morning coffee? Sure, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but there is another way that you can capture the heart and private parts of the person you’re pining after… or…
Being a Psychosexual Therapist, or Sex Therapist is less scandalous than the title would indicate. In the way that I see it, it’s the art of having open conversations and solving challenges around sex. The reasons that people attend psychosexual therapy are as varied as we all are individual; and really it’s about anything to…
Casual sex already has a bad reputation. But could it be directly linked to depression and anxiety? It’s something a lot of young people worry about, and it’s a scary thought that something as good as sex might cause psychological problems. Academics, health professionals, and the media alike have all expressed concerns that hooking up…
The cum that comes before the cum – is pre-cum! Otherwise known as pre-ejaculate in more professional or formal parlance, you have no doubt encountered it before. The clear-ish fluid, which you’ll notice seeping out of the tip of his penis when he’s aroused, plays an important role in men’s reproductive responses. However there’s much…
Hi everyone, Dr. Zhana here! Let’s answer some questions! To start off with, “Is it healthy to masturbate?” The answer is: absolutely yes! There are so many benefits to masturbation and virtually no downsides! So go ahead and explore! Dildo or vibrator? That depends on what kind of stimulation you’re going for. If you just…
This first thing everyone wants to know is how I even got myself into this. So this is how the story goes. I was studying abroad and looking for some extra beer money. Stumbling into a late night job search online (after a few beers of course), I came across a posting that most matched…
Lawyer? Porn star? Pilot? Accountant? Our sex hormones influence every facet of a life, and none more so than our career choices. Our sexualities direct affect the kind of occupations we eventually choose, according to psychologists. A study out of the psychology department at Penn State suggests that our interest in working with things, as…
There is real, solid science that shows the brain activity of young transgender people more closely resembles the brain patterns of the gender they believe they are than the gender they were assigned at birth. Transgenderism is the experience of, or identification with, a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. Gender…
In the span of three to four decades, HIV/AIDS has swept the entire world, making it a pandemic affecting millions. And to think that at the beginning of the 1980’s, medical professionals believed that it was Kaposi’s Sarcoma, a fairly harmless cancer, while seeing cases of pneumonia rise considerably. By 1981, the first diagnosis of…