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How does the Affordable Care Act affect my birth control?
As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that as of fall of 2012, new health insurance plans have to cover any FDA-approved birth control method your doctor prescribes without a copay or a deductible. The one thing we love more than birth control is free […]
What to do if you are refused birth control
The get-away weekend we planned would be picture perfect: three days in a cozy guesthouse near the ocean. Day hikes tracing the tracks of a moose through the snow. Evenings with board games by the warmth of a woodstove. Nights cozied up under layers of woolen blankets, our tired legs tangled up to share warmth. […]
When sex hurts—even just a little
Somehow we all come to understand—even before we try it—that sex feels good. Pleasure may not have been part of high school sex ed or “the talk” with your parents, but most of us see it as an important part of sex. Unfortunately, for some people, this is not always (or ever) the case. Up […]
Code Red: How to deal with period leaks and spotting
Surfing the crimson tide. Aunt Flo’s visit. Code Red. Whatever you call it, periods have a way of showing up unexpectedly. If you have a uterus, you probably have a story or two about a surprise attack from your period or an embarrassing leak. Whether you’re spotting from a new birth control method or just […]
Gone Viral: 6 things you should know about herpes
Genital herpes is one of the most feared and misunderstood sexually transmitted infections (STIs, a.k.a. STDs). Here are 6 things you probably didn’t know about this virus (but should) in honor of STD Awareness Month . 1. You’re having sex on the tip of an enormous iceberg. You might ask a prospective sex partner whether […]
Happy, healthy vaginas: What’s safe to use down there?
Between getting it on, having our periods, and just generally staying healthy, there are a whole lot of products we use on—and in—our vaginas. There’s also a whole lot of public talk about the potential risks of things we use down there. What’s the real impact of all of those products on our bodies and […]
Men’s health and the Affordable Care Act: What’s covered?
UPDATE: President Biden has opened the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for 2022. You can now enroll in one of these plans until January 15, 2022, at healthcare.gov . Some states have their own open enrollment periods and websites for signing up. Check to see if your state does . […]
Goodbye waiting rooms: How to get health care online
Too busy for a trip to see a health care provider, or live really far away from one? Using a telemedicine service (a.k.a. a “virtual visit” with a provider), you can skip the waiting room and communicate with a provider using your phone or computer—from home or any other private location. Although it doesn’t work […]
The 3-Month Itch: My battle with a recurring yeast infection
I sat on the toilet, ready to insert a clove of garlic into my vagina. A month earlier, the symptoms of a yeast infection had seemingly gone away after a 1-day suppository treatment. When I felt the symptoms coming on again, I texted a friend who has a degree in public health. “Do I need […]
How to get tested for HIV
Getting tested for HIV is a standard part of health care for U.S. adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all people between ages 13 and 64 be tested at least once. Your health care provider may recommend testing more often depending on your personal risks. The good news is that […]
