Being exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be a frightening experience, and testing to determine one’s HIV status can be even more worrisome. Though HIV poses many health complications, it also comes with a heavy stigma that may discourage many individuals from getting tested for the virus in a public setting. Additionally, HIV testing…
Author: The Sexperts
Asexuality
Sexuality exists on a continuum, and not within a dichotomy of heterosexual and homosexual. Thus, there are many different types of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation describes a person’s preferences for whom they find emotionally, romantically, and sexually attractive. One type of sexual orientation is asexuality, or the lack of sexual attraction to individuals of any gender. For example, someone might…
Effective Communication
Effective communication is essential in creating and maintaining strong relationships with coworkers, family members, friends, and loved ones. With globalization and technology changing the way people communicate with one another, it is now more important than ever to be adaptable. Learning to communicate through verbal and nonverbal means, as well as becoming a thoughtful listener…
Planning a Romantic Getaway
The stresses of school, work, and sometimes even children can be a lot to handle, so once in a while, couples plan romantic getaways so that they can appreciate each other without the distractions of everyday life. The U.S. Travel Association reported that couples that travel together experience better relationships, sex, and romance than couples…
Homosexuality and Religion
Disclaimer: In this article, for the sake of simplicity and consistency, we will be using the term “homosexual” as a blanket term to represent all queer, bisexual, pansexual, questioning, and other non-heterosexual orientations. If you would like to learn more, you can read our Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity article. If you need resources or…
Magdalene Laundries in Ireland
The following is a picture of one of the infamous Magdalene Asylums in Ireland, now nationally referred to as the “Magdalene Laundries,” where unwed mothers and other “fallen” women were employed as slave labour in inhumane conditions by the Irish Catholic church. A documentary following several women who spent their lives in Magdalene Laundries can…
The Birth Control Shot
The birth control shot, most commonly known as Depo-Provera® or DMPA, is an injection of the progestin hormone.1 This hormone is injected into the arm or buttocks every three months in order to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix.1 Since the birth control shot…
Deep Throating During Oral Sex
Deep throating is an intense form of fellatio in which an individual puts an erect penis as deep in their mouth as possible. Deep throating is commonly considered the most challenging fellatio technique to perform. The pharyngeal reflex or “gag reflex” is often triggered during deep throating. This is because the penis is constantly touching the soft…
Genderqueer
The word “genderqueer” is a term used to describe one whose gender identity does not necessarily fit within the male/female gender binary. Gender identity is an inner sense and experience of one’s gender, whether male-identifying, female-identifying, trans*, or non-binary.1 Though many individuals identify with the male or female labels, others reject this strict gender binary. Some identify with specific labels on the spectrum of…