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Gaining weight: Is it the birth control?
It’s a very common story. A woman starts using hormonal birth control, finds herself gaining weight, and assumes the birth control is to blame. The tricky thing is that lots of research about hormonal birth control shows that, with one important exception, it’s probably not the birth control. A note on personal experiences vs. the […]
How to tell if you’re in an abusive relationship
1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. 25% of high school girls have faced physical or sexual abuse. 16- to 24-year-olds have the highest rate of intimate violence. A study found that 19% of undergraduate women had experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college. The harsh reality is […]
Adventureland: Tips for exploring new kinds of sex or relationships
When you go someplace new, do you plan your trip so you arrive prepared and ready for anything? Well, that’s a smart strategy for your sex life too. Especially if you’re exploring new kinds of sex or relationships. Here are some things to consider if you’re using new sex toys; experimenting with sexual fetishes or […]
Does birth control cause breast cancer?
Wondering if your birth control can increase your risk of breast cancer? This is a common concern, but don’t worry, we have lots of studies showing that birth control does not increase breast cancer risk. Let’s break it down. Why would birth control be related to breast cancer anyway? First things first: although breast cancer […]
Choosing a health insurance plan 101
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 . […]
While you’re in there: Birth control for right after having a baby
Planning for a baby can be overwhelming. You’re dealing with prenatal care, setting up a nursery, making a birth plan, and simply preparing to be responsible for a new life. But the real work starts when you get that newborn home—and the last thing you’re going to want to worry about is an unplanned pregnancy. […]
Am I normal? Let’s take a look and see
You grow up. You develop. You learn to love your body and use it in adult ways. Then one day something catches you off guard and all of the sudden you’re wondering if you’re normal. Let’s tackle a few of those scenarios and find out. Smelling. Sweat glands. Secretions. Bacteria. Men and women have a […]
Ring risks: Separating hype from fact
Lately the ring has been making headlines —and some of the stories the articles tell are downright scary. Vanity Fair ‘s piece , titled “Why Is Potentially Lethal Contraceptive NuvaRing Still on the Market?”, asks: “Would a young woman use NuvaRing … if she knew that … there was a 56 percent increased risk of […]
Not awkward: 5 tips for talking to anyone about sex and birth control
By Charreah K. Jackson, relationships editor for ESSENCE Magazine. I recently hit the streets of New York with a big sign that said “Let’s Talk About Sex.” As the granddaughter of a southern woman who avoided even saying the word—she would say ‘seg’ if she absolutely had to reference the act—I had come a long […]
Ask a yogini: How to make yoga a part of your sex life
Yoga is spiritually uplifting and physically rejuvenating, but can it help us have a happier, healthier sex life? Sara—the sweetheart behind Sara Levine Yoga —sheds some light on how we can all use yoga to stress less and love more. Which poses have a positive impact on our sex organs? Ustrasana (Camel pose. Backbend.) “Back […]
