Type 1 Diabetes is a medical condition in which an individual’s pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, their doctor will typically discuss the difficulties, changes, and life adaptations that accompany this chronic medical condition; however, navigating sex with Type 1 diabetes is rarely addressed. The journal Diabetes Care found that…
Tag: contraception
The History of the Condom
Background Condoms are a barrier method of contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. A male condom is a thin sheath that is placed over the user’s erect penis before sexual activity to prevent direct contact of the penis with the partner’s skin, mucosa, and genital secretions.1 Though not…
How can I Remember to Take my Birth Control?
Why Do I Have To Be Consistent With My Birth Control? When comparing different birth control options, there are often two effectiveness percentages that are shown. One describes “perfect use,” while the other describes “typical use.” It is important to differentiate between the two numbers. “Perfect use” rates describe the protection that the contraceptive method provides when it…
Teaching Comprehensive Sex Education
Welcome, sexual health educators! We would first like to thank you for your contribution towards a happier and healthier future for each of your students. Comprehensive sex education is critical, and as an educator you directly affect the lives of all those you teach and all of their future sexual partners. Whether you are just…
Male Sterilization
Male Sterilization A vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control for males. It is a surgical procedure, typically involving local anesthesia, in which the vas deferens are cut, tied, or blocked off so that sperm cannot leave the scrotum. This procedure prevents the expulsion of sperm from the male’s body during ejaculation, thus eliminating…
Male Contraception
In recent decades, development of reliable and reversible methods of female contraception greatly expanded family planning options available to females. Male contraceptive development, however, has been greatly overlooked. Currently, male condoms and vasectomies are the only forms of reliable male contraception effective at preventing pregnancy for a female partner (and, in the case of latex…
Internal Condom
The internal condom, like the external condom, is a barrier method of contraception. When worn during sex, the internal condom lines the entire interior of the vagina, preventing semen from entering the uterus and potentially fertilizing an egg. By shielding the walls of the vagina or anus from semen and other bodily fluids, the internal condom also helps…
Contraceptive Sponge
The contraceptive sponge is a small, disposable polyurethane foam device that contains absorbed spermicide. It is soft, circular, and concave in shape, and it has an attached cotton loop used for insertion and removal.1,2 Before intercourse, the sponge must be inserted deep into the vagina and placed over the cervical opening in order to prevent pregnancy by killing sperm before…
Cervical Cap
The cervical cap or contraceptive cap is a barrier method of birth control. It is a small silicone cup that is inserted into the vagina in order to prevent pregnancy. A suction mechanism allows the cap to sit over the cervix, blocking sperm from entering the uterus and preventing fertilization. For people with vaginas who…