SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS
You deserve to feel empowered, supported, and informed about your sexual health. A fulfilling sexual life is fundamental to your well-being, for the creation of couples and families, and to the social and economic development of communities.
The concept of sexual health is expanding every day, but we still have a long way to go. The ability of women to achieve well-being used to depend more on who you married - thankfully young women have more options today. Many generations before us grew up with a very narrow idea of sex, but now, people have access to decades of knowledge on the internet, and have expanded their views about what sexual wellness truly means.
We offer a positive and respectful approach towards women's complex sexuality and relationships. We encourage having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. #youknowme
SEXUAL WELLNESS INCLUDES
Sexual health related issues are wide-ranging and complex. Some of these various factors include:
Sexual Orientation | Gender Identity | Sexual Rights | Relationships | Pleasure | Hormones | Infections | Disease | Pelvic Health | Pregnancy | Abortion | Infertility | Sexual Dysfunction | Religion | Abuse or Violence
WHAT ARE STDs?
Sexually transmitted disease, or "STDs" are infections that spread from one person to another, usually through sexual contact. This can mean during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. STDs are common, and many people who have them, don’t have any symptoms.
The good news is that getting tested is no big deal, and most STDs are easy to treat, especially early. Without treatment however, STDs can lead to serious health problems, so it's important to talk early with your doctor about any possible symptoms you think you are experiencing.
Think you have some symptoms? Some STD's are more contagious than others - get informed about symptoms and how to protect yourself, or notice them in partners: Check STD Symptoms here
HOW TO HAVE SAFER SEX
What's the deal with safer sex?
Safer sex is all about protecting yourself and partners from sexual infection, while having a blast in the bedroom. Condoms protect against STD's and pregnancy - but there are other ways to protect yourself too.
How does safer sex save the day?
Whether it's oral, anal, vaginal, sharing fluids or skin-to-skin, STDs can sneak in - even if there are no symptoms, which is common. Take simple steps to stay safe from infections. Here are some cool ways to make sex safer:
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Barrier Power: Use condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, or latex/nitrile gloves during oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or when sharing sex toys. It's like having your own shield against STDs, protecting you and your partner from fluids and skin contact that can pass on infections.
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Risk Free Romp: Get it on and enjoy intimacy like kissing, mutual masturbation, grinding, touching your partner's genitals with clean hands, or using sex toys.
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Get Tested: Regularly getting tested for STDs is a part of being a savvy sex superhero. Even if you always use barriers and feel good, some STDs don't show any symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for sure and take the right steps to stay healthy and protect others.
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Explore New Realms: Engaging in sexual activities that don't spread STDs, like outercourse or mutual masturbation, can be a fun way to connect with your partner. But if things heat up and clothes come off, using barriers is the way to go for extra protection.
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Clean Hands, Happy Parts: If you touch your partner's goodies, wash your hands or keep wipes handy nearby, before touching your own body, mouth, or eyes. This will help avoid passing on any fluids. Also, don't go straight from anal sex to vaginal sex before properly cleaning the penis or toy, to avoid other, painful infections.
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Toy Trick: If you're sharing sex toys, make sure to clean them with soap and water before they touch someone else's body. You can also use condoms on toys before they come in contact with another person.
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Stay Alert: Drinking too much alcohol or doing drugs can cloud your judgment and lead to riskier decisions. It's harder to use condoms correctly or remember safe sex basics when you're both wasted. Plan for safety!
HOW TO ENCOURAGE SAFETY WITH PARTNERS
BLAME VS RESPONSBILITY
"No one is forcing you to have unprotected sex" or "Just make him wear a condom" are phrases we hear often. And it sounds simple enough, in fantasy land. In reality, where women live, even loving partners try to get out of safe sex all the time. The bummer is, it really should not be on the woman at all, as only the man controls the direction of his sperm, but a woman cannot control or move her egg away.
Neither partner may realize this decision is significant at first - but prioritizing slightly higher pleasure for ONE partner, when the result for the OTHER partner may cause life changing pregnancy - is absurd, and no woman should accept (if she can avoid it.)
Men who claim condoms "don't feel as good" are usually simply unpracticed at using them, don't use enough lube, or have not experimented with enough brands to see the differences. Men who use condoms regularly do not find any noticeable difference in personal pleasure, and report fewer inhibitions from partners, who feel safe enough to explore new things with them.
MEN: IF YOU EVER WASH YOUR HANDS, WEAR A SEATBELT, USE PASSWORDS, LOCK YOUR DOOR, OR WEAR SUNGLASSES - YOU UNDERSTAND WHY YOU SHOULD WEAR A CONDOM.
HOW TO RESPOND TO COMMON EXCUSES
Don't take it laying down ladies! You have a voice, so use it. Some men fall back to these lines because it's what they have heard from other men, but is not necessarily their true experience. Try and offer a new perspective, or give them a reason to try something new with you.
WEAK SAUCE: "Condoms don't feel as good." | "I can't afford them." | "I'm allergic to latex." | "They always break on me!" (wink)
HOW TO REPLY: "No problem, we don't have to have sex." | "Yeah right, that's funny - here's a condom!" | "Ok. (looks at phone) Hey listen I've got to get going..." | "This is not negotiable. No condom? No cookie." | "I don't want a baby." | "Child Support is expensive." | "Try the non allergic kind" | "Yes, you can afford them." | "We have not gotten tested yet." | "This will be fun, I promise." | "I want to try new things with you, but I need to feel safe."
