Search

A great part about doing sex ed is that it’s a place where you can ask questions about all aspects of relationships. What can sometimes get forgotten, even in sex positive spaces, is that for some people kissing is as big a deal as sex is. Let’s tackle the first thing I notice in your question: that…

Eltahawy has traveled across the Middle East and North Africa, meeting with women and listening to their stories. Her book is a plea for outrage and action on their behalf, confronting a “toxic mix of culture and religion that few seem willing or able to disentangle lest they blaspheme or offend.”

The short answer is yep, using a vibrator should not compromise an IUD should you choose to get one. You can banish fears of enjoying a session with your favorite external vibe only to see your IUD on the floor. If you’re concerned about the interaction between the IUD strings and an inserted toy…

Public spotlight has focused intently on reproductive justice lately: in the campaigns of presidential hopefuls, in the media, and in the procedings of the U.S. legistlature. Debates have culminated this fall in a show-down on Capitol Hill as members of Congress attempt to de-fund Planned Parenthood. The House and Senate both voted to de-fund the organization, which amounts to cutting off Medicaid payouts to the non-profit that millions of low-income people depend on for healthcare. But wait a second: why are lawmakers making such a stink over Planned Parenthood anyway?

My answer to your question is at once simple and really, really complicated: don’t ask your mom permission. You’re an adult, you don’t need her permission, or anyone’s, to explore sex. Truthfully, you didn’t need her permission when you were sixteen either. Even when you’re a kid, what you choose to…

I think you are reading this situation absolutely right. That thing he’s doing, when you reach out to talk and he requests pictures and then threatens to break up if you won’t? That is a truly manipulative and toxic dynamic. It’s also a major red flag in terms of a relationship being abusive…

If you’re caring for a young person, then the question of when and how to have “the talk” with them has likely crossed your mind.

There are so many things that make me glad in your question. Glad that L has at least one person that he feels safe sharing that part of himself with. Glad you reacted positively and confirmed his trust in you. But oh how I am not glad that he’s still in a situation where he doesn’t feel comfortable…

Identity can be such an obnoxious creature sometimes. Just when you think you’ve got it all sorted out, some new evidence pops up and you have to rethink things. And I don’t need to tell you how frustrating that shift can be, because you’re in the middle of it. It can be doubly trying if you’ve…

Dr. Karen Rayne has spent a decade supporting parents and young adults with well-researched, thoughtful discussion of sex and sexuality.

Ah yes, the unexpected period gambit. Also known as the “I am not wearing white shorts until I hit menopause” phenomenon. I know it well, as do most people who menstruate. The image of the spreading, red stain on your pants (inevitably in front of the people who pick on you and/or the person you’re…

The tradition of “men pursue, women wait” is still culturally prevalent, and a lot of families (yours included) teach their children that men should be the ones doing the asking when it comes to romance. This notion is problematic for a number of reasons. It reinforces not-so-great ideas about how…

If by sex, you mean intercourse, you probably can’t. Even if you could, you or your partner probably wouldn’t enjoy it: the idea intercourse is something people do – or even can do, or would enjoy if they could – for an hour or two just doesn’t square with reality. A lot of people have unrealistic…

Oof, this is a tough spot, and I’m sorry you’ve found yourself in it. I want to start by saying that your instincts, and what you’ve been hearing, are spot on. When you sense that someone you care about is being isolated by a partner, especially a partner with a history of harassment and assault, it…

What can you do to stay connected without becoming the main component of your teen’s social life, and how do you support teens going through breakups?