Period sex — some people love it, and others avoid it. While it’s completely your own prerogative whether you choose to have sex while menstruating (and by sex, we mean penetrative sex, oral sex, masturbation, or toy play), there are some benefits to it that you may not be aware of. If the mess is your reason for steering clear, well, we have a solution for that, too.   What are the benefits of having sex during your period?  Now let’s look at some of the benefits of having sex on your period, and how it’s even...

In one study of reproductive-age women in the U.S., 40% were unfamiliar with the ovulatory cycle. Yes, you read that right: 40%. When I first came across that statistic I thought, “That can’t be right.” But after really contemplating it, I can’t say I’m very surprised.  I was 27 and newly married with a bachelor's degree before I knew I could only get pregnant during my ovulation window. A few months later, I was completely blindsided by an infertility diagnosis — even though, according to the CDC, 1 in 5 women struggles to conceive for...

Bacterial Vaginosis, or "BV", is a common vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. While it is usually not a serious condition, it can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms including itching, burning, and discharge. BV can also have an impact on fertility. Recent research has shown that BV can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the reproductive tract, leading to a range of complications that can make it more difficult to become pregnant. But don't panic just yet — in this article, we'll explore the link between Bacterial Vaginosis and fertility...

Sex has many moving parts: there’s lighting, lingerie, foreplay, or the mathematical and biological backflips you have to compute in order to get your ovulation schedule just right.  According to studies, anywhere from .07 to 9 percent of menstruating women also have to juggle the reality of bleeding after sex (or postcoital bleeding, as it is clinically known). Regular postcoital bleeding may prompt a doctor’s visit, but if this is your first time experiencing bleeding after sex, here’s what you need to know.  Why am I bleeding after sex?  Postcoital bleeding is not the result...

When it comes to contraceptive options for men and women, it’s an uneven playing field. From pills to patches and even implants, there are various options for us women to prevent getting pregnant. Meanwhile, condoms remain the only medically-approved contraception for men, that is, aside from vasectomies, which have actually seen an uptick since the federally-protected right to abortion was revoked in June 2022. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic Center for Male Fertility saw a more than 2x increase in vasectomy inquiries from July 2021 to July 2022. Researchers are now looking into both hormonal...

Email newsletters are the go-to way for many people to stay up-to-date with the latest news, trends, and information. For women in particular, email newsletters have become a valuable resource for receiving content on various topics, from career advice and health and wellness tips to fashion and entertainment news. The best email newsletters are the ones you don't leave unread — the ones you actually look forward to reading every time it slides into your inbox. With so many newsletters available, it can be hard to know where to start. That's why we've compiled a...