Sex and Autism

Autism is a “spectrum disorder,” meaning that symptoms can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe; for this reason autism may also often be referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder.1 Autism initially manifests in early childhood through a child’s difficulty in communicating or interacting with others.2 Some children may also perform repetitive…

Swallowing Your Partner’s Ejaculate

Swallowing a partner’s ejaculate may be an erotic activity to some; however, others may find this activity unappealing. Choosing to swallow, spit out, or refrain from touching semen are all personal preferences that should be respected. For those who decide not to swallow their partner’s ejaculate, spitting out the ejaculate or withdrawing the penis before…

Furry Fandom

Furry: a word that can spark so many different emotions when it is uttered; responses that range from positive acceptance and curiosity to disgust. The Furry community itself is just as diverse as the reactions directed towards it. This controversial subculture is one example of people’s desire to establish their sexual identity, in whatever form…

Mittelschmerz (Painful Ovulation)

Mittelschmerz, German for “middle pain”, is also known as painful ovulation. It is a medical condition characterized by lower abdominal pain during ovulation that occurs midway through the menstrual cycle, about two weeks prior to the menstrual period.¹ Ovulation is the process in which an ovary releases an egg, or ovum, to be fertilized by…

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary (or ovarian) syndrome, also known as PCOS, is the most common endocrine ailment affecting people with uteruses, impacting about 8-13% of adults of reproductive age and approximately 6-18% of adolescents.1 PCOS is caused by an imbalance in an individual’s androgen hormone levels. This hormonal imbalance can cause a number of issues, including difficulty…

How to Give a Sensual Massage

A sensual massage is a massage that focuses on the partner’s erogenous zones to provide both stress relief and increased intimacy between both partners. This is a very unique activity that provides both partners with the opportunity to build intimacy and trust. Sensual massages are unique because the goal of the sensual massage is not…

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in Men who have sex with Men (MSM)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health disorder where an individual obsesses over a single or multiple feature(s) of their body that they perceive as abnormal, deformed, ineffective, or unattractive. The perceived flaws are often imperceptible or insignificant to others.2 BDD affects people of all ages, genders, and sexualities. It is often correlated with anxiety and low…

Penile Fracture

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to fracture a penis. The penis is an assembly of tissue, not a bone. Penis fractures are a rare occurrence, but when they do happen, 95% of injuries occur during vaginal intercourse.1 A penile injury is not limited by sexual activity. A fracture can occur by blunt force trauma…

Sex on Your Period

It is common for people to avoid engaging in sexual activities during menstruation. Menstrual blood, tampons, sanitary pads, or other menstrual products can potentially make partners feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. There are also certain religions and beliefs that during menstruation, females are “unclean.”  However, there can be benefits to having sex during menstruation and many…