Relationships
First, But Not Last: On Finding, Navigating, and Losing First Loves
In the throes of first love? Did your first love just break up with you, or are you terrified they will? This is your article. Whatever your circumstances with your first love, let's process some of this stuff together.
The Sex Goddess Blues: Building Sexual Confidence, Busting Perfectionism
Many women and girls feel insecure about sex, especially when it's new. How can we build some sexual confidence?
To Ditch and Be Ditched: Relationships, Friends, and Finding a Balance
Have you been forgoing time with friends to hang out with your significant other, or vice versa? Either way, read on for help in dealing with this sticky predicament.
All the Barriers! All the Time!
Everything you'll probably ever need to know about safer sex barriers, like which to use, how to use them, how to get more comfortable with them, and how surprisingly cute they are.
Five Things I Learned Dating a Girl
Dating this wonderful person pushed me to think about some things in new and challenging ways. Here are some of my favorite lessons that I learned when I dated a woman.
Kisses and Snuggles FTW!
Kissing and snuggling sure seem awfully underrated. Check out why we think what some folks consider only "first base" can be home runs all their own.
Dealing With Doctors: Taking Control of Your Health Care Destiny
Taking charge of our own healthcare can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know how to navigate healthcare systems or work with providers. We're demystifying some of that for you, providing a toolbox to help you make sound decisions and get the best care possible.
How to Understand, Identify and Make Choices About Desire
What does desire feel like, and how does feeling desire -- or not feeling it -- have an impact on sex or masturbation? Is it okay to feel strong desire, low levels of desire, or even no desire? We aim to answer your most pressing questions on sexual or erotic desire.
When Sex "Just Happened" (And How to Make It Happen Instead)
Does sex feel like it's "just happening," rather than something you're actively doing? Here's how to change that.
The Rainbow Connection: Orientation for Everyone
Everyone has a sexual orientation and a sexual identity. Here are some basics and not-so-basics about what orientation is, some of the ways we can talk about it, how to figure yours out, and finding support.
When the Time Comes
It's hard to say when things finally changed for me. All the pieces were there for a long time, waiting to fall into place, but I just wasn't ready to let go and watch them tumble down. The idea of having to put it all behind me scared me. The idea of losing such a close relationship. Of losing something so familiar.
Risky Business: Learning to Consider Risk and Make Sound Sexual Choices
Choices about sex and intimacy will always involve some risks, and making sound choices when risks, emotions and social high stakes are involved isn't something anyone is magically expert at. How can we learn to do it well, and what are some common things that trip us up?
Sp[ace] Exploration: What Sexual People Can Learn from Asexual Communities
Asexuality saved my sex life. No, seriously -- I mean that. I will declare it from the middle of a courtroom, with one hand on Our Bodies, Ourselves. Asexuality, as much as sex-positive feminism and far more than any amount of "hon, you just need to get laid already," helped me to access a confident, positive, and excited relationship with my sexual self.
Sorting Maybe from Can't-Be: Reality Checking Partnered Sex Wants & Ideals
Is what you want from sex with a partner realistic, or is it impossible, unlikely or out-to-lunch? Take a trip with us to go visit our pal reality.
Whoa, There! How to Slow Down When You're Moving Too Fast
Is your sex life or sexual relationship feeling like someone pressed the fast-forward button and now it's spinning out of control? Evaluate whether things are moving too fast for you or a partner, and then get some help on pulling back the reins and slowing things down to a more comfortable pace.
Finding Elmo: Getting My Kid & Myself Out Of Domestic Violence
I was in an abusive relationship. Here's what finally got me to leave and the story of my journey in getting myself, my child and my heart and head out for good.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Feeling unhappy in or unsure about your relationship? Having problems you don't know how to work through, or don't even know if you should? We'll talk you through making these choices, including how-to's on conflict resolution and doing breakups better.
Yes, No, Maybe So: A Sexual Inventory Stocklist
What do or might you want to do, not want to do or aren't sure about when it comes to sex with a partner? Take stock with this awesomely in-depth list.
You, Them and a U-Haul: Considering Cohabitation
Are you at a point in your life and relationship where you're considering moving in with a partner? We've got the scoop on some things to consider, talk through and get going in advance to be sure that if you make the move to shack up, it's a good one.
Does Your Relationship Need a Checkup?
Does your relationship need a basic checkup to be sure it's healthy and well? Here's a list for doing just that.
Q is for Questioning
What's it mean to be questioning, why would you or someone else identify that way, how do you deal in the process and how might you answer the question?
Hello, Sailor! How to Build, Board and Navigate a Healthy Relationship
You probably hear the term "healthy relationship" a lot. But what does that mean, and how do you create -- and keep building -- one of those?
Love the Glove: 10 Reasons to Use Condoms You Might Not Have Heard Yet
You've probably heard or thought some things about condom use that might be keeping you or others from using them or from using them consistently, and I'm willing to bet you haven't heard everything I'm about to say. Even if you're already using condoms and using them every single time properly, I bet you know someone -- a sibling, a friend, a sexual partner -- who could stand to hear ten great reasons to use condoms.
Love Letter
I'm writing this because someone told you that you can't understand or experience love at your age. If no one did yet, they probably will soon enough. I'm writing to tell you that if you've heard that, I just don't think it's true.
Polyamorous? Does That Mean You Like Parrots?
One teen's experience with loving in plural.