Navigating your healthcare with autonomy and empowerment means knowing what your options are and what the purpose is of different procedures. One test that is commonly recommended for people cis-women and people with vaginas is the pap smear. Pap smears are an essential part of reproductive health care, giving providers vital information about your cervical…
Learning to love yourself may be harder than learning to love someone else. And having a great sex life when you don’t love yourself – well that can be tricky. So here are some things to think about as we approach Valentine’s Day: Be your own best friend: When you start putting yourself down for…
As a new year begins, we often here people speak about their “New Year’s Resolutions.” More often than not these resolutions are about changing something about yourself. Popular ones include: losing weight, getting to the gym more often, eating healthy, etc. But what if we stopped and thought for a moment about what we like…
Cold showers are traditionally considered a method for curbing your lust, but their actual impact on your performance and libido might be just the opposite. Of course, if you’re male and have an erection, a cold shower will definitely kill it, but your lust might not necessarily be impacted. The reason is simple – when…
There are so many things that can affect your sex drive and libido. From the way you’re feeling, the things you eat, to your hormones, the list is seemingly endless. Which is why there’s no reason to feel somewhat strange or even ashamed about your sex drive, whether you consider it to be high, low,…
It’s true that autistic people face certain challenges when it comes to communicating, learning, behaving, and interacting in social interactions. Not just that, but there are challenges in sex and relationships. Regardless, this is not to say that an autistic person cannot have a fulfilling sex life. Autism, Sex & Sexuality The thing about autism…
For some, hugging is done out of habit. It’s a sign of affection, endearment, or even a greeting that’s easily practised without blinking an eye. For others, hugging can be quite intimidating. The feeling of two bodies pressing up against each other, after all, is quite an intimate act. To further prove this point, hugging,…
“It felt like someone shoved a corkscrew with spikes up my ass and mercilessly kept twisting,” River Mitchell, a 30-year-old OnlyFans creator from Texas, remembers of their agonizing 21 days with monkeypox. “The pain was excruciating, I’ll never forget it. There were days that I would just lay on the floor sobbing.” Mitchell suspects he…
While many medical establishments advise that you should go for an annual mammogram from the age of 50, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any risks involved for those who are younger than 50. And for that reason, at-home breast exams are an absolute must for women of nearly any age. In fact, it’s recommended…
“I’ll get a vasectomy if needed.” Those words stunned me to silence for a moment after my new sexual partner said it to me. We were having a conversation about which form of birth control we want to use when we have sex. I’ve never been on hormonal contraceptives, and the idea of getting an…
Countries throughout the world are slowly but surely legalising weed, be it for personal or medical use. And what was once considered a huge taboo, a bad drug that shouldn’t be used, is now seen as somewhat of a marvel in a multitude of areas. And while we love the fact that we have the…
When you combine two (or more) sweatin’ and gruntin’ people doing sexual things to each other, there is bound to be some funky smells filling up the room. HOWEVER, much of that smell is emanating from your genitals, because – while we are not saying that they stink – they most certainly do give off…
If you grew up in the early 80’s or before, you’ll know how difficult it was to obtain any kind of racy material. Looking at lingerie ads, finding Playboy magazines on the shelf of your local store, or even hidden somewhere in your home. But since the invention of the Internet, there’s been a brand…
For many, menopause is a period of time that’s daunting, dreaded, and seen in a negative light. We’re bombarded with messages that lead us to believe that it’s a horrible phase filled with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood and bodily changes, as well as sleepless nights. And while yes, there are some negative side effects…
A loaded question, and one to which the answer can vary greatly from person to person. But, by looking at the various causes as to why one can’t orgasm, it may give them insight. In this way, we hope to shed light on the different reasons why some find it difficult to orgasm, the reasons…
Luckily, we’re living in a time where mental illness is being recognised and treated more humanely. In fact, the earliest written accounts of depression was in the second millennium, and meant that one was possessed by demons and evil spirits. The treatment? Being Beaten, physically restrained, and/or starved in an attempt to drive the demons…
Your sense of smell is a very powerful emotional trigger. Think of how, upon entering, the smells of your childhood home can immediately affect you and send you back to the emotional state you were in as a child–for better or worse. This is because scent is tied very closely to memory, and specifically tied…
With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start working on spicing things up in the bedroom. And one of the best ways to do it is to improve your sexual stamina and flexibility with easy workouts you can do at the gym or home. Looking to increase penis stamina? LELO is…
How can you fracture something that has no bone? It may sound like a riddle, but we are here to explain just that. Penis is entirely made of soft tissue, yet it gets fractured more often than we’d like to admit. I won’t deny that broken dick has somewhat of a comedic quality to it,…
Erectile dysfunction is something that, at some point of their lives, will have to contend with. Even outside of erectile dysfunction, a man should also consider the overall health of his penis and the quality of the erections that it can achieve. The issue can be considered erectile dysfunction if you are either not able…
Whether you’ve got a fabulous bestie, are partnered up, happily married, enjoying a bit of fun with someone, or crushing on another person, what exactly is it that attracts you to them? Maybe you can name one or more reasons straight off the bat, or maybe you simply believe that they’re special and deserve some…
While there are too many different sex toys out there to count, you’ll really notice the difference when you decide to prioritise high quality sex toys. Sure, you could buy a super affordable pleasure product you’ve spotted. And sure, it’ll probably bring you all kinds of sexy sensations. But once you decide to invest in…
Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and you’re living with some the dreaded effects, aka painful sex. Or maybe you’ve yet to visit your healthcare provider, but are having some difficulty during intimacy, creating some anxiety and discomfort. Unfortunately, there are many women who have endometriosis, and may not even know it. If you identify…
As we worry about the ways that time changes our appearance in terms of crow’s feet and laugh lines, do we ever consider what kind of effect it’s having on our privates? Just like everything else about our bodies, our genitals will also bear some of the signs of aging, for good and for ill.…
The female genitalia is a wondrous thing, and it becomes even more marvelous when you realize that you can bedazzle your bits with jewelry. There are actually a few different places on the vagina that can be pierced, but the most popular of them all is the vertical clitoral hood (VCH from here on) piercing…
Precum or pre-ejaculate is a fluid that comes out of a penis when the penis owner becomes aroused. It can show up at any time during foreplay or during masturbation, and some people notice it, while others don’t. It’s a very natural part of penis-owner anatomy, but there is still a lot of misconception about…
Vaginal discharge, arousal fluid, squirting fluid, and cervical fluid. So many different vagina fluids that it can be hard to keep track of and understand the differences between each, right? But it doesn’t have to be — once you understand the purpose of vagina fluids and why our bodies produce them, the difference becomes clear…
Physical disabilities can have an important impact on many different aspects of daily life, including sex. Unfortunately, however, sex and disability is a taboo topic of discussion that is rarely addressed, even by healthcare providers. It is important to break down the barriers to discussing sex and disability because everyone—regardless of their ability status—is deserving…
So you love a bit of anal pleasure? Fabulous! Those who embrace this kind of play are welcoming a whole new world of delicious sensations to their sexual experience. If anal isn’t for you though, that’s fine! Whatever floats your boat! But if you are either active or intrigued when it comes to this kind…
In honor of Earth Day and the importance of taking care of the planet, we’re sharing how we take green measures for your eco-friendly pleasure. The extra time and care that go in to our designs not only allows us to leave the smallest environmental impact possible, but also ensures that you get to enjoy…
Being fit takes you a long way in terms of sexual performance, but not every exercise is the same. Some types will do a much better job preparing you for sexual mastery. Fit for Sex One of the most obvious signs that you need to improve your fitness is feeling shortness of breath. Also, you…
A lot of what we have learned about how our brain controls our sex lives comes from research done on animals, typically rodents and small mammals. Although the use of animal models is obviously limited given the significant differences between animal and human sexuality, there is a relationship between the particular brain regions implicated in…
When it comes to sex and mating, what do you find attractive? As Daniel Conroy-Beam puts it, “All humans have a psychology of short-term and long-term of mating,” and some researchers in the field of evolutionary psychology study this issue in a variety of creative ways. Attraction is an incredibly personal issue. Even though there…
Taking control of the holidays is no easy feat. A popular misconception that has been debunked in recent years is the false connection between increased suicide and winter months (there’s actually a spike in the Spring), but things like seasonal affective disorder , failed expectations, and loneliness still weigh heavy amongst a lot of people…
The more you use a vibrator and the stronger, does it eventually desensitize you? Do vibrators desensitize the clit? If I stimulate my clit with my toy too much can it cause any damage? Can a sex toy harm your private parts (ex. intense hard vibration on [the] clitoris)? Can you get addicted to us[ing]…
So many amazing, challenging and sometimes funny questions roll through our inbox each week, and whenever we pick up on a pattern, we know it’s time to write an article covering the recurring topic. Volonte was created in 2011 with the sole purpose of offering sexual wellness advice based on the interest of our readers.…
We know what you think, but we’ll stop you right there – you’re only half correct. Let us show you how going topless this summer can do more for you than just get rid of your tan lines. Ah, cleavage – it brings us such joy… Most of the time. Aside from being a source…
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,…
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…
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…
It’s inevitable… the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. So, whether you’ve been dating for six months, or married for sixty years, those endorphin-fuelled romping sessions you enjoyed with your partner when you first started dating will never quite feel the same again. But that isn’t a bad thing! When you start feeling comfortable with your…
Right now, as you’re reading this, there are hundreds of thousands of people watching porn. Around one million years’ worth of porn was watched last year, and 20 porn videos were watched for every person on Earth. You know how it’s said that if everyone in America were to jump in the air and land…
Maybe you’re a committed health freak, or maybe you just like having sexy time. Either way, we’ve got good news for you. Displaying affection and doing the dirty with your partner leads to better emotional and physical well-being. The following list will convince you to never not have sex again. Let’s Start With Foreplay (Don’t…
If you haven’t guessed by now, we are super sex-positive and all for you getting laid (if you want to, of course). Abstinence may be the way for some people, but we do know that those who want to have sex are probably going to have it. Sex can be really amazing, but it is…
If you’re contemplating a new sex toy purchases – or even buying your very first sex toy – then there are a lot of considerations to make. Do you want a toy that’s primarily for solo use, or a sex toy to use during coupled play ? Which part of your anatomy are you looking…
Secrets to Becoming More Confident and Having Better Sex There is a distinct lack of confidence in a lot of young men and women these days. We can blame it on the sheltered modern lifestyle, a lack of social skills or the fact that some prefer the escapism afforded to them by video games and…
Secrets to Becoming More Confident and Having Better Sex There is a distinct lack of confidence in a lot of young men and women these days. We can blame it on the sheltered modern lifestyle, a lack of social skills or the fact that some prefer the escapism afforded to them by video games and…