Sexual Health
An intellectual is a person who's found one thing that's more interesting than sex - Aldous Huxley
image by: Jon Rawlinson
HWN Recommends
Sexual Healing
If you didn’t know that sex is good for your health, you haven’t been paying attention. Depending on which headline you believe, sex has six or eight or 10 or 16 or 17 different health benefits. According to the scientific research touted in stories like these, sex can burn calories, cut stress, ease depression, relieve pain, reduce the risk of cancer and heart attacks, lessen your risk of dying, and even reduce the frequency of hot flashes in menopausal women.
Assuming that these studies are correct (more on that in a minute), and that sex is good for your health, then the obvious next question would be, how should you arrange your sex life…
Resources
Sexual Health Gets Left Out as Colleges Begin the Fall Semester
“There’s just so much that comes ahead of safe sex right now for colleges to reopen,” she says. “It’s having enough hand sanitizer, getting the classrooms in place, getting the plexiglass up, getting the masks ordered. There’s so much that they’ve back-burnered this [issue], but it’s going to hit the front burner really quickly when students come back on campus.”
Think teens need the sex talk? Older adults may need it even more
Humans are sexual beings. This urge does not stop when the clock strikes 60. Or even 90. Young adults may deny older relatives are having sex, but sexual activity is a strong indicator of healthy aging and vitality. In fact, sexual activity is roughly equal to climbing two flights of stairs.
This is what love does to your brain
The sex drive is largely orchestrated by testosterone in both men and women, but romantic love is orchestrated by the dopamine system. I see romantic love as a basic drive that evolved millions of years ago to focus your mating energy on just one individual and start the mating process.
Why Sexually Transmitted Infections Can’t Shake Their Stigma
We live in an era of sex positivity — until we get positive test results. And that’s unfortunate, because S.T.I.s are on the rise.
Sex, health and society: what’s the connection?
Understanding sex and its relationship with health and society, and how to influence and change things for the better, involves asking some big questions...
Does Sexual Wellbeing Lead to Better Life And Leadership Skills? This Sextech Company Wants To Find Out
The preliminary results showed some interesting insights: More than 50% of respondents perceived that having a healthy fulfilling sex and relational life would positively impact all other aspect of their lives, including their careers.
Having sex in older age could make you happier and healthier – new research
Sexual activity is an essential part of intimate relationships, though it tends to decline as people get older. But although research shows that frequency of sexual activity can decrease with age, for many older people, sex still remains an important part of their life. There’s a common misconception that as people age, they lose their interest in sex and capacity for sexual behaviour. But as a UK survey shows, this isn’t the case.
Our Searches, Ourselves
Google reveals the truth about people’s romantic insecurities.
Saying 'I Love You' Makes Sex Better, According to Science
Save your cards and flowers, loser! Just drop the L-bomb while you're squelchin'!
Sex Ages Well
If there is a downside to intimacy at older age, she said, it’s the declining appearance of men’s bodies, generally. But in its place tends to come a tempering of undue self-importance, and with that an ease of connection and an ability to communicate easily and effectively.
Sex Hurts. Help!
Pain that is more persistent affects 7 to 22 percent of women, and up to 45 percent of menopausal women and 60 percent of cancer survivors report pain with sex. Pain with sex is up there in prevalence with migraine and low back pain, and yet it is woefully understudied and rarely discussed.
Silicon Valley Wants to Disrupt Orgasms—With Science!
Studies of the neuroanatomy of the clitourethrovaginal complex have come a long way since Grey’s Anatomy couldn’t even find the clitoris in 1948.
The 10 Most Appealing Sexual Acts To U.S. Adults
Some of these results aren't surprising, like the fact that vaginal intercourse, the sex act most critical for the continuation of our species, topped both genders’ lists. Yet, even this wasn’t universally beloved by everyone...
The future of sex ed has arrived. Is America ready?
Even in liberal California, families are pushing back against lessons on gender identity. The battles could be a blueprint for the rest of the country.
The Future of Sex: It Gets Better
Currently sex aids are widely available, but the future is going to hold some truly edgy products. Futurists are predicting that—in just 10 to 15 years—there will be robots that will look and feel incredibly lifelike, robots with which you can cuddle and have sex.
The Joy of (Just the Right Amount of) Sex
Researchers long ago established a link between having sex and feeling pleased with yourself and the world. In a representative recent study of 1,000 women, for example, the participants ranked sex as No.1 among the activities that made them the happiest.
We're in Our 70s. This Is What Our Sex Life Is Like
"My sex life is better than at any other time, even during the 'free love' era of the 60s and 70s."
What is a 'normal sex life?
From how often we do it to what we do, BBC Future's latest SmartList explores the wide spectrum of sexual desires and behaviours.
Why Are Young People Having So Little Sex?
Despite the easing of taboos and the rise of hookup apps, Americans are in the midst of a sex recession.
Why the Male Pill Still Doesn't Exist
Despite decades of research, it’s still only women who deal with the daily annoyances of contraceptive medication.
Yes, having sex makes you better at your job
It may be NSFW, but it’s a safe bet for improving your workplace productivity.
Yes, Your Doctor Really Needs to Ask About Your Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Simply put, sexual practices and gender identity should be viewed similarly to other categories that we now consider to be a necessary part of patients’ medical histories—for example, their past medical and surgical history, travel history, or family history of cancer. As many recent studies have demonstrated, patients in the LGBT community represent a population with certain inherently higher risks; therefore, a careful understanding of patients’ gender and sexuality can help tailor medical care to their individual risk factors.
‘Are Kegel exercises actually good for you?’
There is much less research on whether Kegels make sex more enjoyable or easier to orgasm, despite what you may have read online or heard from friends. However, what we do know is having a strong pelvic floor helps with sexual enjoyment after giving birth, and might also help men experiencing erection problems.
Sexual Healing
Does making love make you well?
6 maps and charts that explain sex around the world
People around the world are having sex. Right now. These maps and charts tell you how they're doing it.
Betty Dodson & Carlin Ross
Betty Dodson PhD and Carlin Ross JD launched this site in 2007 to promote the "Betty Dodson" method of selflove and feminist-based sex education. All of our content is based on questions submitted here and answered by Betty from users all over the world.
Coral
Achieve your best intimate life through a mix of science, stories and practical exercises created by experts, curated for you.
I wanna know
Iwannaknow is designed to help you learn about your sexual health in order to make good decisions, since you will be a sexual being for a long time. Whether you're 18 or 80, you are going to have a desire to fulfill your sexual needs. Taking precautions now will not only help you live long, you will have a healthier sex life to show for it.
It's Your (Sex) Life
It's Your (Sex) Life is MTV's Emmy and Peabody Award-winning public information campaign to support young people in making responsible decisions about their sexual health. The campaign focuses on reducing unintended pregnancy, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, and open communication with partners and healthcare providers.
Sex & U
SexandU.ca takes a real-life approach to the questions and issues around sex and sexuality that matter most to Canadians. From talking about sex, to lifestyle choices, to contraception awareness and sexually transmitted infections, SexandU.ca provides accurate, credible, and up-to-date information and education on topics related to sexual and reproductive health.
Sex, Etc.
Sex, Etc. is on a mission to improve teen sexual health across the country! Each year, five million young people visit Sexetc.org, and over 45,000 read our national magazine to get honest and accurate sexual health information. We’ve helped teens with answers to their questions about sex, relationships, pregnancy, STDs, birth control, sexual orientation and more!
When Sex Hurts
Resources for couples struggling with chronic pelvic pain
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally.
Advocates For Youth
Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
American Sexual Health Association
ASHA believes that sexual health includes far more than avoiding disease or unplanned pregnancy. We also believe that having a sexually transmitted infection or unwanted pregnancy does not prevent someone from being or becoming sexually healthy.
Couple to Couple League
Welcome to the best site for information on the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning! We hope our information is helpful and that you, too, experience the positive benefits of the NFP lifestyle.
EmbarrassingProblems.com
The best source of advice and support for sexual health concerns is your doctor. An itchy penis, strange vaginal discharge or erection problems can be worrying, so read our sections on talking to your doctor or visiting the clinic, and tackle it, move on.
Guttmacher Institute
The Guttmacher Institute advances sexual and reproductive health worldwide through an interrelated program of social science research, public education and policy analysis.
Institute for Sexual Health
ISH provides psychological services related to sexual health and promotes innovative education, research and professional trainings in clinical sexology.
International Planned Parenthood Federation
IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals.
International Society for Sexual Medicine
Welcome to ISSM online. The ISSM is the world largest sexual medicine society.
Planned Parenthood
Offering sexual and reproductive health care services such as family planning, gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment and more.
Reclaim Sexual Health
RECLAiM is an anonymous, online recovery program that helps struggling individuals break free from pornography addiction and other unwanted sexual behaviors.
Rewire.News
Rewire.News is an award-winning, nonprofit daily online publication devoted to evidence-based reporting on reproductive and sexual health, rights, and justice, and the intersections of racial, environmental, immigration, and economic justice.
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) is dedicated to advancing knowledge of sexuality and communicating scientifically-based sexuality research and scholarship to professionals, policy makers, and the general public. SSSS fosters a worldwide community of diverse professionals committed to a scholarly and scientific approach to acquiring and disseminating accurate knowledge of sexuality.
World Association for Sexual Health
WAS promotes sexual health through the world by developing and supporting sexology and sexual rights for all. Our membership represents thousands of experienced and trainee sexologists from a variety of disciplines.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
The Vision of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is to be the nationally and internationally recognized leader for multidisciplinary information, education, advocacy and standards in the field of reproductive medicine.
AVERT
AVERT provides a wide range of information to educate people about the risks of HIV and sex.
CDC
Definition, topics and links to information on sexual health.
MayoClinic
Sexual health and aging: Keep the passion alive Sexual feelings don't disappear as you age. Here's how to keep the flame burning.
MedlinePlus
In depth information and resources on sexual health.
Office of Population Affairs
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) serves as the focal point to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on a wide range of reproductive health topics, including adolescent pregnancy, family planning, and sterilization, as well as other population issues.
Population Services International
In over 30 countries throughout the world PSI empowers women and couples to lead healthier lives by providing access to innovative family planning and maternal health products and services. Every year, there are more than 70 million unintended pregnancies and more than 340,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes.
ScienceDaily
Current news on sexual health.
Vice
Multiple articles covering sexual health.
WHO
Definition, information and links to sites on sexual health.
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