So there’s good news and there’s bad news. Bad news first: the pandemic is still a thing somehow. But the good news is that due to the pandemic, a lot of us are spending more time outside, where it’s safer, which presents tons of new opportunities to have sex in public places. Here are a few fall-specific ideas to get you started.
Getting sexual and reproductive health services can be…awkward. The whole process of going to the doctor, getting up on that table, and talking about your sex life can be enough to make even a seasoned sex educator blush. But luckily, there’s a way you can get your birth control and sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests without having to look another person in the face: telehealth.
Some of the best sex happens when we’re just having fun and enjoying our bodies. But what happens when it’s not so fun and carefree? Whether it’s past trauma, having your sex drive not line up with your partner’s, or body shame that’s getting in the way of you getting on top, it can be tempting to go through rough patches in silence. After all, the snags in our sex lives and relationships sometimes work themselves out without much outside interference. And it can be daunting to imagine sharing intimate details with a stranger. But when a hurdle turns into an obstacle that turns into a problem you can’t get over by yourself, it’s okay to ask for help. That’s where a sex therapist comes in.
No one likes getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You have to talk about your sex life with a stranger. (Or, worse, the same health care provider your mom goes to.) You have to make time for, schedule, and go to an appointment. Then you have to have swabs and/or blood taken, neither of which is at the top of anyone’s “fun things to do” list. But in the age of telemedicine, a few companies are making it easier than ever to get tested.
You know when you go to your health care provider the first time and they make you sign that form about HIPAA? If you’re like many people, you probably didn’t take the time to read it all the way through. But HIPAA—which stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—is actually a really important law that protects your privacy, among other things.
If you're worried about the side effects of birth control—or if you've had a bad experience—here are a few things you should know.
