Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections are one part of sexual health, but that’s not all! Any aspect of health or healthcare that is related to sex and reproduction is about sexual health: menstruation, common infections like yeast or bacterial infections, birth control and abortion, health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS or phimosis, vaccinations, pain with sex, safer sex and other preventative sexual health practices and yep, STIs, too.

a couple o' peaches

Highlighted content

Articles and Advice in this area:

Article
  • Finn Black

As many as one in four Americans have HPV.

Article
  • Janel Hamner

In the United States, approximately 75% of all reported gonorrhea is found in people age 15 to 29.

Article
  • Janel Hamner
  • Heather Corinna

One member of a group of herpes-type viruses, CMV is transmitted through body fluids, sexually and nonsexually, and from mother to infant during birth. CMV is also incredibly dangerous for people who are immunocompromised or people with HIV.

Article
  • Janel Hamner
  • Heather Corinna
  • Robin Mandell

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among people with vaginas of childbearing age (15-45). However, half the people who meet clinical criteria for BV have no symptoms.

Article
  • Heather Corinna

It’s amazing that with something as safe, simple, affordable and revolutionary as emergency contraception that it STILL isn’t being used by millions of people who could use it, and who would prefer to avoid an abortion or an unwanted pregnancy. In part, that’s because so many doctors and clinics still do not inform and educate people about EC. Here’s some EC clarity, on the house. Pass it on!

Article
  • Caro Buchheim

I started to grasp that AIDS hit very diverse people from lots of different backgrounds, but AIDS had no face for me. No real face, I mean. Only a face hidden in a shadow, or behind glasses, with a wig or a base cap and a weird, computerized voice, without a name. But it did get a name for me. And a face.

Article
  • Heather Corinna

Using a condom is generally easier than it looks (especially if you can relax about it), but the first few times, it can be tricky, especially if you’re nervous about knowing how to use one.

Article
  • Tricia Mack

I’m 16 and I used to be pregnant.

Article
  • Heather Corinna

We get a lot of questions from teens who are wondering if they can prevent pregnancy after intercourse, whether the concern is due to a broken condom or from not using any method of contraception in the first place. Regardless of how it happened, there is something that can reduce the risk of pregnancy if used within 120 hours (or with an IUD, eight days) of your risk. That something is Emergency Contraception.

Article
  • Heather Corinna

Am I blue? Find out what “blue balls” are really all about: the facts may surprise you.