When I was growing up – before the internet got its greedy little hands on us – we had books and tv and movies and music. If we were lucky, we had parents who had healthy views on sex and welcomed the inevitable questions of burgeoning adolescents. While I was one such fortunate kid (and…
Sexual Health
Why Aren’t You Taking Your Medications?
I went to a very progressive medical school, and one of the principles I learned was that it is not good enough to make the diagnosis and prescribe the right medications. You have to remove as many obstacles as possible that may be interfering with your patients taking the drug. The most prevalent obstacles tend…
Self-Insemination – A Natural Pregnancy Hack
Have you heard of Self-Insemination? Self-Insemination is a process where a man will ejaculate at home into a cup and use that sample to draw it up with a syringe to insert into his partner. Whenever it comes out, it’s clumpy and goopy. And then basically there are enzymes that break it up. So, he…
How To Have The Best O
We realize that it’s one thing to know all about the orgasm, and quite another to experience one. Whether you’ve never had one, or want to improve the ones you already enjoy, we’ve got you covered. Here are some simple steps to start exploration: 1. Above all else, fly solo and explore. Whether you’re looking…
Pilates Benefits for Sex: Can Pilates Improve Your Sex Life?
Pilates benefits for body, mind, and soul are known by many. From improved posture to less stress, Pilates seems to be the form of exercise that’s all the rage these days. But how about Pilates benefits for sex? Science says that Pilates might be one of the most effective workouts to improve your sexual health…
What Is the Purpose of a Pap Smear Test?
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…
Best Foods to Support Your Sex Life
When it comes to sexual performance, no food will magically boost it on its own, but some can go a long way working in synergy with other efforts, helping you be your best, healthiest and sexiest self. Hormone Balancing Foods With the increasing amounts of hormone disrupting toxins in the environment and lifestyle problems like…
Pride…All Year Long.
If you’re a member or an ally of the queer community, you know that Pride isn’t just one month of celebration. Being proud of who you are as an individual and as a sexual being (or not – that’s the “A” for asexual in LBGTQIA+) is something we strive to experience every day. But since…
Introducing SHIP: Sexual Health and Integrative Pleasure Model
A lot of the research on sexual health has historically focused on dysfunction and disorders like erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia. While this type of research is necessary, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Focusing solely on dysfunction misses the idea that humans are complex creatures with endless factors that influence how we engage with our…
Intimacy Shouldn’t Hurt
Intercourse should not hurt. I’m always surprised at how many of my patients have been suffering with painful intercourse of some kind for years. But I’m also so glad they have finally decided to seek treatment. There are many reasons why a woman might be suffering from painful intercourse. For example, lack of lubrication, vaginal…
What Is High-Risk Sexual Behavior?
Sex is a beautiful part of most people’s lives and relationships. Unfortunately it also comes with its own difficulties and details to navigate. Certain sexual behaviors and habits are inherently risky, that’s a part of life. Understanding these potential risks, why people engage in them, and how to avoid them is an important step in…
All About PrEP: Are You a Good Candidate?
The first reported cases of HIV were diagnosed in 1981. This devastating epidemic disproportionately affected the LBGTQ+ community and places throughout the world that have limited access to sexual education and healthcare. Since then it has continued to be a major public health concern throughout the world. Approximately 84.2 million people have been infected with…
Emotional Blocks in Sexual Pleasure
You’re really into a new romantic or sexual partner. They make you feel lit up, seen, supported, and you also happen to think they’re super cute. You start to kiss and it feels right, you feel arousal building, everything feels hot and sexy, but then you just seem to… tap out. You like them, you’re…
WAP: The Problematic History of Vaginal Wetness
In the words of the great Cardi B “Now get a bucket and a mop, that’s some wet ass pussy”. Vaginas get wet. It’s one of the many wonderful things they do. If you have a vagina, I hope you embrace its wetness. If you don’t, we understand. People with vaginas have been told to…
Should You Be Able to Get a Prescription for Vibrators?
Using a vibrator can help you amp up your sex life whether it’s during masturbation or with a partner. But it isn’t all fun and games. Vibrators also have therapeutic applications and can help with various medical conditions. That begs the question – should you be able to get a prescription for a vibrator? The…
What Is a Tilted Uterus? And How Does It Affect Sex?
A tilted uterus, sometimes known as a “tipped” uterus or a “retroverted” uterus, can be a common condition that happens to nearly one in every three women. Even so, many of those who have a tilted uterus can go their entire lives without knowing it. But, for those who experience discomfort due to a tilted…
So You’re Thinking About Getting a Vasectomy
Considering this procedure? Then you’re in very good company. In fact, it’s becoming more and more commonplace, particularly here in the United States. While it can bring to mind words such as impossibly painful and very permanent, these are old school characterizations. Urologist Justin K. Houman of Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles gets it. “Because…
Vagina Tales: Myths About the Hymen
If you’re a fan of historical fiction you’ve probably seen many scenes in books, movies, or shows of aristocratic families making a big deal of someone’s first time having sex after getting married. They check the sheets for blood the next day, they may even have a “doctor” examine the woman to ensure her “purity”.…
10 Sexual Orientations You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Variety is the spice of life, and what’s more human than the primal urges and desires that drive you to connect with other humans? We’re talking about the complex and colorful world of sexuality. You’ve probably got the basics down – straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer, but there is so much more to sexuality…
It’s Time to Love Yourself This Valentine’s Day
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…
Attachment Theory in Love & Relationships
Attachment theory is the best way to understand love and romantic relationships. “Pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950′s, the field of attachment posits that each of us behaves in relationships in one of three distinct ways: Anxious — people are often preoccupied with their relationships and tend to worry about their partners ability to…
Sex in the Media: Explore or Ignore – “Fleischman is in Trouble”
If you haven’t caught this delightful FX-Hulu series yet, I highly recommend you do so. I’ve only seen the first episode, but I can’t wait to devour the rest of the season. “Fleischman is in Trouble” is based on the much-heralded 2019 book by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, and while I expected terrific performances by the likes…
You’re Hot and…You’re Not.
Why do we find particular people attractive? Is it merely pheromones? Is it about what’s normalized for us culturally? And what does science say about all of this? A 2019 study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America revealed that yes, we actually do have types.…
The Many Benefits of Kegels
It’s almost Springtime, and that means later sunsets, al fresco dining, and hammocks gentlyrocking in the breeze. And that got me thinking – as a women’s health specialist – about thehammocks that aren’t suspended by trees but the ones that naturally hang from our pelvicbones! Yes, indeed, Friends, our pelvic bones have muscles within the…
Suddenly, the World of Open Relationships is Much More… Open!
In the last few years, conversations around non-monogamy have become much more mainstream. From the Netflix series You, Me, Her to TikTok accounts like @OpenlyCommited – society is slowly becoming more open to the idea of being open. If you haven’t seen it, @Openlycommited is a TikTok account with upwards of 120K followers and nearly…
Hottest Gift of the Year? It’s Not What You Think
Tis this season, and as the 300 Hallmark holiday films (seriously – they’ve made 300 of them!) inevitably feature – it’s snowflakes and sugar cookies and lights all aglow. And it’s oh so romantic, lest we forget. What happens when daydreams turn from peppermint mocha everything to cuffing and cozying and curling up with your…
Unleash Your Sexual Tiger with Cold Water
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…
How Intentional Celibacy Can Improve Your Sex Life
What would you say if I told you that there are celibacy benefits that can improve your sex life? Yes, you’ve heard that right – not having sex can indeed make your sex life better! Celibacy doesn’t have the best reputation. And there is a good reason why people are hesitant about it. With it…
The Role of Laughter in Sex and Attraction
Seeing an attractive woman with a below-average guy inevitably draws all sorts of conclusions (often unfair ones), such as: he’s probably rich, she might be insecure, he must be good in bed or especially well endowed below the waist… However, the truth might be much simpler than that – maybe he’s funny. Science increasingly shows…
Having a Veiny Penis: Normal or Nah?
Penises: there are so many different kinds. Some are straight, some are curved, some have a larger base with narrow glans, others have a smaller base with wider glans. Just like vulvas, they’re all unique. Having said that, it’s fair to assume that many people, regardless of their genitals, have wondered if theirs are “normal”…
Autism: Relationships, Sex & Sexuality
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…
What To Do With Our Sexual Vulnerabilities
Couple years ago, my wife and I were on a winter vacation staying in a remote and lovely cabin. Outside was pitch black winter night with icy rain freezing as soon as it hit the ground, but inside it was pleasantly warm, with the fire burning in the fireplace, painting the room orange with a…
9 Solutions To Ease Sexual Performance Anxiety
Chances are you’ve experienced sexual performance anxiety at some point in your life. Anxiety disorders are the most common health issue in the United States after all, and sex, as wonderful as it is, can be pretty nerve-wrecking, especially when you’re inexperienced or with a new partner. The idea that sex is a “performance” is…
Sex & UTIs: The Uncomfortable Truth
While sex is meant to be a pleasurable experience, there are some uncomfortable truths that need to be addressed. And while we won’t necessarily be touching on the subject of sex in all its amazing glory, but rather the tips on keeping safe and healthy, we want you to know one thing. That is, sex…
More and More Men Want Bigger Balls
There were bulges as far as the eye could see. It was my first time in Puerto Vallarta, a hedonistic hub of homosexuality in Mexico, where BeefDip, a week-long event for muscular, heavy-set men and their admirers was taking place. The beach was filled with buff bodies, mango margaritas, and unceasing chimes from Grindr emitting…
What They Should Have Taught You in Sex Ed
Many individuals’ early experiences with sex ed were laughably bad—we’re talking Mean Girls’ “Don’t have sex, because you will get pregnant and die” bad. And while these instances may be fun to giggle at in hindsight or when played up in a comedy, the lasting impact of poor sex education is no laughing matter. To…
It’s Time to Talk About the Dark Side of Sex
We like to celebrate sex in all its joyful glory. I rejoice at the very possibility that my articles might encourage someone to have better sex, but I’ll never claim that it’s a one-way road and that there isn’t a dark and sinister quality to sexuality. Sex is a risky game and some of its…
Men’s Biggest Sexual Insecurities
Men have been raised to be “strong” which, according to societal interpretation, means we should keep everything bottled up lest we communicate and be vulnerable. Since there is no physical act more vulnerable than sex, you can imagine how tight-lipped men become concerning their sexual insecurities. One of the many culprits for sexual insecurity is…
How Many Calories Does Having Sex Burn?
Exercise… for some it’s a form of therapy, a way in which to feel happy and confident, a release, or even just an excellent hobby. For others, it’s dreaded. The sweat, making time for it, the activity itself which may be mundane. But what about sex? Sex counts as exercise, right? We do burn calories…
Surprising, Lesser Known Facts About ADHD & Sex
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, affects 6 million children and 366 adults in the United States (or that we know of so far, at least with an official medical diagnosis). Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably befriended or dated someone with this neurological condition, which is thought to affect the brain’s levels…
5 Remarkable Health Benefits of Hugging
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,…
People’s Agonizing Experiences With Monkeypox
“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…
Does Watching Porn Promote Sexism?
Before we dive in, allow us to give you a brief definition of the word ‘sexism’. Sexism is a kind of predjudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. For example, sexism is the belief that women are inherently inferior to men, should be subordinate to men, and belong in the…
A How-To Guide on Doing a Breast Exam at Home
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…
Do You Have Post-Pandemic Libido Loss? You’re Not the Only One
Two years on, from the COVID-19 global pandemic, and so much of our lives have changed. Even the things that haven’t changed are charged—charged with feelings of danger, or the feeling that the veneer of ‘normal’ has been cracked (what even was normal, anyway?). As much as we pretend otherwise, things are definitely not the…
The Role of Social Media for LGBTQI+ Young Adults and Teens
Regardless of who is using it, social media can have positive and negative effects. The Internet itself gives us the power to do good, to connect, and to stay informed, but it also gives us the ability to bully, harm, harass, or worse. In other words, the way in which we use social media, the…
How To Become a Porn Star & Maintain Mental Health – Q&A with Lumi Ray
The sex industry is evolving rapidly thanks to the hardworking creatives that push the envelope while creating opportunities for more people. One of those creatives is Lumi Ray. An upcoming star in the porn industry, who we sat down with (virtually) to chat about how to take care of yourself mentally and physically as a…
How to Heal (And Have Sex With) Anal Scarring
There are many reasons somebody may experience a mishap when engaging in receptive anal intercourse, all of which stem from a lack of education. Was anyone even told anal sex was a possibility in school? This then leads us to seek education in other places, like porn, where we rarely witness proper protocol because porn…
Vasectomy as Birth Control Method: Should Your Man Get a Vasectomy?
“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…
Techniques to Stay Hard During Sex
Societal expectations and gender roles have done a pretty effective job at destroying our sexual confidence. The most common query I get in my DMs are tips for maintaining an erection during sex. I can’t say I’m surprised, considering men are often portrayed as sex-starved neaderthals with perpetually hard cocks who will stop at nothing…