Whether you’re a sex educator or someone advocating for your own healthcare, having access to scientific and medical journals can be an important part of getting the latest and most accurate information, but paywalls often get in the way. Here’s a guide to help you access the resources and information you need!
Announcing a new, private, sex-positive and inclusive “Mast Cell Diseases & Sexuality” Facebook group for open conversations around mast cell diseases, sexuality, sexual health, sex education, and relationship issues.
Internalized ableism is when you direct all those feelings and beliefs our society holds about disabled people at yourself, but I don’t think you necessarily have to be disabled to experience it.
Yeast infections are so common for folks with vulvas that you’re statistically more “normal” if you have had a yeast infection than if you’ve never had one, yet nearly 70% of people with vulvas are embarrassed when they have one, and less then half would feel comfortable telling a friend.
Sensitivities to fragrances and chemicals are often an accessibility issue that is easily overlooked. Learn why it’s important to accommodate those with fragrance and chemical sensitivities, what the challenges are, and what can be done to provide accessible spaces.
Being chronically ill is also one of my biggest motivators for becoming a sex blogger (my other reasons were a love of sex and obsession with sex toys!) Even before vulva pain was an issue for me, I had so many questions from problems I would run into that not even google had good answers to—and I realized that I couldn’t possibly be the only person looking for answers. I love sex, but I’m also a person living with chronic illness, and it’s had an enormous impact on my sex life—so I’m going to keep talking about it so hopefully the next time someone goes looking for answers they’ll be able to find them.
What are sex-positive doctors or therapists? They are medical professionals who make it a point to be well-educated about sexual health and aim to provide their patients with accurate, helpful, and non-judgmental information. They consider sex to be a healthy part of life that should be enjoyed, and they’ll be able to discuss it with you without awkwardness or being judgmental about your lifestyle, sexual practices, or preferences.
When you’re living with a chronic illness there’s a lot in life you have no control over. The “Spoonies Can Have Great Sex Too” series is a discussion about how to take back control over your sex life. This edition: Dealing with sexual side effects. What are sexual side effects? It’s a term that encompasses a number of symptoms; loss of libido, vaginal dryness, being unable to orgasm, erectile dysfunction, or genital numbness. Read more to learn what to do about them.
There are many causes of vulva pain. I can tell you that having any kind of vulva pain truly sucks— there’s really no good way to spin it to make it sound like a good thing—but if you are well-informed, advocate for yourself, and find the right doctor, things can get better.
I am the less-then-thrilled owner of a chronic illness. It’s hard to quantify just how much my life is affected by having a chronic illness, despite my best efforts to just live my life. Sex is one of the areas of my life most heavily influenced by Fred, and in turn I’m sure it plays a role in why certain toys work for me when others don’t— but I do know that it is possible to have a chronic illness and a great sex life.