Talking to Your Daughter About Her First Period

A girl’s first period is an important step in her life. It can be a very exciting time, but it can also be confusing and stressful. The best way to make the process more comfortable for your daughter is to try to educate and prepare her the best you can. What Is Menstruation Menstruation, also…

Cissexism and Cisnormativity

With the increased amount of media attention towards transgender community, along with wider access to information regarding trans people across the globe, many people in North America and Europe have seen a dramatic cultural shift towards recognizing the struggles of trans people. However, as transgender people continue to gain affirmation of their individual and bodily…

Sex and Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of clinical diagnoses in which an abnormally high level of anxiety is the prominent symptom. These disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults in the United…

Yeast Infections

A yeast infection is a fungal infection on the skin or any mucous membranes. A yeast infection is caused by the fungus Candida, and thus is also referred to as candidiasis. The most common yeast infection sites are the vagina and vulva (vulvovaginal candidiasis), the nails (onychomycosis), and the mouth and/or throat (oral thrush). 1Although vulvovaginal candidiasis is more common than penile, both…

Sex and Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes severe shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels and can affect one’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Bipolar disorder affects about 6 million people in the US alone, and is marked by periods of extreme, intense emotions in the form of alternating episodes of mania and depression.1 During…

Sex and Personality Disorders

Overview of Personality Disorders The term personality refers to patterns that characterize how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Personality is what makes each person unique. Personality disorders occur when certain personality traits are too rigid or compulsive. As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), personality disorders are a group of mental illnesses that…

Raising Your Children Gender Neutrally

Disclaimer: Throughout this article, we will be using the terms “sons” and “boys” to describe children who were assigned as “male” by birth, and “daughters” and “girls” to refer to children who were assigned as “female” at birth. We understand that sex and gender are two different things, and that your children may choose to…

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)

What is EDNOS? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines EDNOS as atypical eating behaviors that cause significant distress and fit most, but not all of the criteria for the DSM-5 recognized eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder). Approximately 40-60% of patients who are treated for an eating disorder…

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) as a condition in which individuals do not meet the criteria for any currently diagnosable eating disorder yet still experience struggles with food and eating habits. A person diagnosed with ARFID is typically not…