Baby basics
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By: health
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March 20, 2013
We know that you know how babies are made, but this little refresher makes one hell of a point: Sperm are extremely determined. (Better stock up on birth control .) original post
Um, can I get pregnant if…? Part 2!
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By: health
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March 14, 2013
We got so many questions about pregnancy scares in the comments of the original “Um, can I get pregnant if…?” that we decided it was time for part 2. Last time we talked about specific sex acts that could lead to pregnancy—this time we’re talking the chance of pregnancy in various circumstances. Can I get […]
Pregnancy 101
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By: health
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February 4, 2013
Pregnancy is what happens when sperm meets up with an egg and the fertilized egg sticks to the lining of the uterus. So any type of sex where semen gets inside the vagina could result in a pregnancy—even if the penis is near but not inside the vagina when the penis-owner ejaculates. It doesn’t matter […]
5 myths about herpes, busted
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By: health
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December 11, 2012
Herpes is common. Really common. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in six adults has genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by herpes simplex virus.* (To learn more about the two types of herpes, HSV-1 and HSV-2, check out the CDC’s herpes fact sheet ). While […]
The magical powers of semen…
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By: health
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September 19, 2012
Just when we thought we had the biology of human reproduction figured out, new research shows there’s still plenty we don’t understand. Today’s example? A team of biologists have shown that a protein commonly found in the semen of many animals—including humans—can help kick-start the release of an egg (a.k.a. ovulation). The protein, which has […]
Sex myths? Sex myths! You can handle the truth
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By: health
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September 14, 2012
Did you know that our Fact or Fiction video series obliterates 24 different sex myths? It’s true and there are more out there we’re ready to tackle. If you haven’t seen them, here’s the complete list. They’re illustrated, award-winning shorts—and they’re funny as hell—but don’t take our word for it. Click on one that jumps […]
A very happy National HIV Awareness Month…
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By: health
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July 18, 2012
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is definitely doing its part to make this July, which just happens to be National HIV Awareness Month , a special one. It kicked off the month by approving OraQuick, the first DIY over-the-counter HIV test to be made available on the U.S. market. Now, mid-month, the FDA has […]
Mycoplasma geni…huh? A new STI comes to town.
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By: health
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July 17, 2012
Ever heard of Mycoplasma genitalium (or M. genitalium … because that’s so much easier to say)? If not, you’re in good company—even some doctors don’t know about it. M. genitalium is a tiny bacterium that growing scientific evidence shows is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Considering how little-known it is, M. genitalium is actually pretty […]
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Wait, there’s good news?
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By: health
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June 12, 2012
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 HPV vaccine: Is it working yet?
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By: health
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May 10, 2012
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 […]