Like many sexually active, heterosexual women, I have had my fair share of experiences with men trying to explain to me that condoms just don’t “work” for them. I’m a little embarrassed to report that in my younger years when I was less experienced and much less confident, I might have tried to convince them otherwise or negotiate some way for us to have sex anyway (usually ending up doing it on his terms). Thankfully, these days I have no problem just saying, “that’s bullshit”...

In this day and age, sex toys aren’t as taboo as they once were. In fact, dildos are as common in a household as other living commodities. To summarize, it takes a lot to stir up the majorly desensitized internet in terms of sex. So then why is this seemingly normal dildo causing such a buzz? For starters, it can “impregnate” you. Not literally – now that would be cause for conversation. But, yes, if your fetish so desires, this Ovipositor dildo from Primalwere will cater...

I have three alarms set on my phone to remember to take my birth control pill. Three. And sometimes, I still forget to take my pill. If you also take the pill, you probably understand my struggle. If you don’t take the pill, you probably just think I’m an idiot. There is a new electronic reminder system to remind you to take your birth control! Oviary is set on a 24-hour clock. When you take your pill, the clock resets. You simply open up the device,...

In 1966, U.S. News and World Report asked: “Is the Pill regarded as a license for promiscuity? Can its availability to all women of childbearing age lead to sexual anarchy?” Did you laugh? I did. Ready for another laugh? People believe that Gardasil, the vaccine for HPV, will make you promiscuous... and should therefore be avoided. I’m not kidding! It’s 2015 and people still fear the false relationship between reproductive health technology advancements and promiscuity. I know, those things are terrifying. I have nightmares about promiscuity. But...

The July/August issue of Annals of Family Medicine provided a not-so-shocking discovery that women over the age of 60 are still having sex (and enjoying it). As a sexually active woman in my 20’s, I want to declare that I will never not (yes, that was a double negative) want to have sex and promise my opinion will be the same in 30 years time. Nobody should assume any woman becomes inactive after menopause, either, but that’s an entirely different subject on gender stigma we can...

If hormonal birth control doesn't sit well with you, you're not alone: Side effects include mood changes, weight gain, depression, and more severely, deep vein thombrosis or blood clots. Yes, methods like the pills or Nuvaring can be a great option for many, but if it's not for you—fear not! You have so many alternatives. Would the hormone-free birth controls please form an orderly line… Here we have the diaphragm!  The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup inserted into your vagina to cover the cervix. Exciting! If...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that one in five teens have used the morning-after pill, compared to ten years ago when it was only one in twelve. This is likely correlated to the fact that the pill is now over-the-counter and, as of two years ago, available to any age. More accessible birth control in combination with better sex education have led to a huge decrease in teen pregnancy. The survey found that even though the percentage of teens using emergency contraception...

Flibanserin! The female “viagra” that is nothing like viagra. Let’s discuss. There are two problems. I’ll break it down for ya: 1. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). This is a woman’s ongoing lack of interest in sex, to the point where it causes her personal distress or problems in her relationships. It affects one in ten women, so it’s not uncommon, but until now there has never been an FDA approved drug to treat it. Madness! 2. 26 v. 0. There are twenty six FDA approved drugs to...

Pain when urinating. Discolored urine. Lower back pain. Lower abdomen pain. Fever. Chills. Is this an STI or a UTI? It could be either! A new study found that emergency rooms are frequently mistaking STIs for UTIs, which causes a bit of a problem. They’re prescribing unnecessary antibiotics, killing a non-existent infection, and sending you home with the same STI you arrived with.  Here’s what happens: It hurts. It burns. It aches. You go to the emergency room, you pee in a cup, and they do an instant...

   The ubiquitous gyno tool is probably your least-favorite thing that goes in your vagina—so how did it get there? It’s a scary story By Johanna Gohmann Illustration by Maritsa Patrinos During a recent visit to my gynecologist (the too-perfectly named Dr. Fuchs), I realized I had been subconsciously crossing and uncrossing my legs as I waited for my name to be called. Although I am an adult woman who has had more pelvic exams than I can count, and have even pushed an actual human being out...