BV or UTI? How To Tell the Difference
You have an itch or a pain in your vaginal area. You know it’s abnormal, but you can’t pinpoint what it is. You may be contending with a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bacterial vaginosis (BV) — two conditions that can make you pretty uncomfortable down there. “There can be some overlap in symptoms [for both conditions],” explains Dr. Eduardo Hariton, MD, MBA, and a fertility specialist at the Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area. So, you’re not the only one who may have difficulty distinguishing between the two. According to the Office...
When it comes to sexual desire, many of us have been led to believe that it should always be spontaneous, urgent, and all-consuming. However, the reality is far more nuanced. Sexual desire can manifest in different ways, and understanding these variations can be empowering for women and couples of all ages. Now, let’s dive into the concepts of spontaneous and responsive desire and explore how they relate to female sexuality. What is spontaneous desire, and how is it different from responsive desire? Spontaneous desire is what most people typically associate with sexual arousal. It's that sudden...
Does Adderall Mess With Your Libido?
If you’re taking Adderall for ADHD or narcolepsy, you might have noticed some unexpected changes in your sex drive. Maybe you've found yourself suddenly more interested in intimacy than usual, or perhaps the opposite is true, and you’re struggling to feel desire at all. If this describes your experience, you are not alone. After all, no one really talks about how ADHD meds could impact your sex life! So, what’s really going on here? Let’s explore how Adderall works, why it might affect your libido, and what you can do if you’re finding this side effect...
Can Plan B Cause Infertility?
Another day, another Internet myth about women’s health that needs to be debunked. In our post-Roe world, where abortion and birth control access are under very real threat, it’s essential that we dispel this one. The myth in question is about Plan B — according to several people on social media, this emergency contraceptive can cause infertility. One TikTok, for example, features a creator pretending to pop multiple pills as the text overlay reads “Finding out that taking a certain amount of Plan B can make you infertile.” The TikTok is clearly a joke (the creator...
Ultra Thin Condoms: Do They Really Feel Better?
Let’s be real: when it comes to sexual health and pleasure, condoms play a crucial role. They’re not just about protection from pregnancy and STIs; they can also enhance comfort and enjoyment. And that’s where ultra-thin condoms come in. You might be wondering if these barely-there barriers really feel better than regular ones. So, let’s unpack this topic and see what ultra-thin condoms are all about and whether they really live up to the hype. The shift in condom use: What’s going on? Recent data shows that fewer young adults are turning to condoms for protection,...
Never heard of lichen sclerosus? You’re not alone. The condition is not one you hear about often. Chalk it up, at least in part, to the fact that lichen sclerosus is rare, according to Yale Medicine. We’re going to guess that there’s more going on than just the fact that lichen sclerosus is uncommon, though: It’s also that, due to the nature of the condition and the areas it typically affects, there may be a bit of shame and stigma involved. According to the Mayo Clinic, lichen sclerosus typically affects the genital and anal areas —...
One in seven women in the U.S. suffers from chronic pelvic pain, a condition that is often questioned, misdiagnosed, or dismissed altogether, especially if the person hasn’t mustered the courage to discuss it. Elizabeth's* experience is a reflection of this struggle. Overcoming vaginismus: Elizabeth's story As a teenager, Elizabeth tried using tampons but found it impossible to insert them. “I was having panic attacks with heart palpitations, racing thoughts, and shaky limbs,” she recalls. “This was my first signal that something was different. I questioned my anatomy, wondering if I even had the ‘right parts,’ despite...
Sex With a Menstrual Cup: Yes or No?
Period sex: It's already taboo enough. But with the growing popularity of sustainable period products like menstrual cups, you may have found yourself wondering if it's okay to have intercourse while using one. First off, there’s absolutely no reason to feel awkward or ashamed about having sex during your period. It’s totally natural, and lots of people enjoy it without any issues. However, adding a menstrual cup into the mix does come with its own set of things to consider. You’ve probably heard whispers that using a menstrual cup can make period sex less "messy." And...
Why Pain Relief for IUD Insertion Matters
Here at Rescripted, we think a lot about the pain gap. The term refers to our societal dismissal of women’s pain. Think about it: Have you ever expressed that your period pain can be debilitating, only to be told that menstrual cramps are “normal”? Or, have you ever told someone you have a migraine and had them suggest you just “pop a Tylenol and rally”? If so, you’ve experienced this very thing. The pain gap keeps us suffering in silence, and leaves countless women gaslit and fighting to be heard — which leaves many conditions undiagnosed...
Navigating Sexual Desire Discrepancy With Your Partner
Picture it: A rare Saturday night where you and your partner have nothing on the agenda. No one needs to catch up on work, neither of you has plans with friends, and the kids are at grandma’s house. Instead of firing up Netflix, one of you tries stroking the other’s leg. Except the other person pulls away, clearly not interested. It’s baffling behavior: You haven’t been fighting, and things have been pretty stress-free lately. Is your relationship in trouble? Before you rush to update your dormant Tinder profile from 10 years ago, keep in mind that...