Endometriosis is a painful female reproductive condition associated with chronic menstrual pain and infertility. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue begins to grow outside of the uterus.1 This tissue is similar to the lining of the uterus.1 Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, there are different types of treatment available that can help manage…
Category: Health
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis is caused by inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.1 A host of different strains of bacteria can cause meningitis, and people are more susceptible to certain strains at certain ages.1 Oftentimes, people carry the contagious bacteria, but do not show symptoms. However, if the bacteria break…
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…
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…
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…
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived or imagined defect or flaw in personal appearance that others generally do not see.1 The individual may focus on any part of the body and the preoccupation may involve multiple body parts at the same time. Preoccupation with one’s nose, chest, stomach, hair, or…
Breast Augmentation
Breasts are the human mammary glands. They are found on the chest wall and are made up of connective tissue, breast tissue and fat.1 Lobes, which are made up of several lobules, produce milk. Milk ducts connect the lobes to the nipple, which allows for the release of milk. Breasts vary in size, but most…