Birth control and heart attacks and strokes—oh my!
“Nothing in life is risk free, and that includes birth control.” Margaret Polaneczky, MD, comes to this simple, spot-on conclusion in her post about a new study on hormonal birth control and women’s risk of heart attack or stroke. The good news? The risks with even the riskiest of types of birth control are still […]
Mismatched libidos: What to do when you want different things (in bed)
You’re unstoppable, but your partner’s sex drive has flatlined. Or it’s the reverse and you’re not feeling any fire-in-the-pants. Or you love sensual massage marathons, mood lighting, silk sheets, and 48 minutes of foreplay, but they are more of a wham-bam-lets-do-it-in-my-Dodge-Ram kind of person. Those scenarios can be frustrating and confusing, so we’ve collected a […]
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Wait, there’s good news?
Two of the most common STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in the U.S., chlamydia and gonorrhea, are caused by bacteria. We know that the large majority of people who get chlamydia and gonorrhea are under age 26. It’s difficult to know exactly how common these STIs are because lots of people who have them never have […]
The more you know…
Well, there’s good news and bad news. First, the good. A recent Guttmacher Institute analysis of a 2009 study on 18-29-year-olds in the United States found that the more people know about contraception, the better they are at preventing accidental pregnancy.* Women who got more correct answers on a quiz about birth control were more […]
Gold-standard birth control: The IUD and the implant
In terms of effectiveness, not all birth control methods are created equal. And if there was any doubt as to which methods stand out in that arena, an article by the folks behind the Contraceptive CHOICE Project (just published in the New England Journal of Medicine ) should put it to rest. The Contraceptive CHOICE […]
The HPV vaccine: Is it working yet?
We’ve called HPV (human papillomavirus) the common cold of the sexually active world —but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not worth preventing when possible. While there are 40 different strains of the virus, only a couple of them are the major cause of cervical cancer (types 16 and 18) and most genital warts […]
Ovarian cysts: No biggie, but birth control can help
Patients almost always have the same look on their face when we talk about ovarian cysts. It’s that look of, “OMG, I have a ticking time-bomb in my pelvis!” I worry that they imagine a giant green blob growing larger and larger inside them, like a Chia pet , that might one day suddenly explode. […]
The STI testing question of the hour: Where?
Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Early diagnosis and treatment means better long-term health and less likelihood of passing the infection on to future sexual partners. So why don’t more people in the U.S. get tested? Two new studies suggest that where the testing is happening may be […]
Earth Day Reminder: Birth Control is Green!
Kirsten Moore is a consultant for the Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP). It’s almost Earth Day and you’re thinking about what you can do to help the planet. An article blaming your birth control pill for a plethora of environmental woes, from intersex fish to male prostate cancer, shows up in your twitter feed. So, […]
How to talk doctor
Talking about sex can be tough enough in bed—even worse in a doctor’s office. Fortunately there are some dos and don’ts to make your visit easier and more productive for you and your health care provider.* Part 1: Before the visit (Prepare, prepare, prepare…) There are a few simple things you can do before seeing […]
