I need some really difficult questions for the Sexually Transmitted Infection jeopardy game I’m working on. The purpose of this activity is to provide a fun and quick way for them to get all the information they need so it also needs to be important questions.
Abortion is not murder. Fetuses are not babies. Abortion does not cause breast cancer. PASS is a myth. CPCs lie to patients. Adoption is not an alternative to abortion. Fetuses do not feel pain. People do not get abortions because pregnancy is “inconvenient.” Late term abortions are not the norm. -V
Condoms were originally designed to cover the penis. But if you don’t have a penis, and neither does your partner, condoms are still your friend. Here’s why condoms should be a part of your sex life.
1. Condoms turn into dental dams lickety split.
First of all, yes, you CAN get an STD from having unprotected oral sex. A dental dam is a barrier that covers your vulva to protect you and your partner from STDs when you’re going downtown. You can turn a regular old condom into one of these magic tools with little-to-no crafting skills. All you need is a pair of scissors. Check out our tutorial and start having safer oral sex.
2. Condoms keep your favorite sex toys neat and clean.
It’s possible to transmit an STD by passing a sex toy back and forth during sex. Luckily, condoms make great covers for dildos, vibrators, and plugs. Put a new condom on every time you or your partner use a toy.
3. You can wear a condom like a glove for safer fingering.
Covering up your hands during manual sex (fingering/fisting/whatever you’re into) can keep bacteria out of your partner’s vagina or anus and prevent cuts from your fingernails. Condoms or latex gloves both work, but condoms get bonus points for already being lubed up.
Most condoms come in 3 sizes: snug fit, regular, and large. A condom should fit snug over the penis when it’s erect (hard). Regular size condoms fit most people, but if the condom feels too tight or too loose, try a difference size. It is important to use the size condom that fits you best.
More questions? Text “Tumblr” to 57890 and a real educator will text you back!
A lot of people like to explain consent in sexual encounters as “No means no.” This is true, but doesn’t capture as many crucial parts of happy fun sex and experiences as “Yes means yes!” Consent should always be informed and enthusiastic, never coerced, and you and your partner should be looking for consent continuously. Stay safe, stay happy, and have fun!
There’s lots of messages you hear about virginity growing up. “It’s a special gift to save for your one true love”. “It’s embarrassing and you need to lose it asap”. “No one wants to sleep with a virgin because they’re clingy”. Virginity or lack thereof is used to judge a person’s worth, especially women’s ‘purity’. I certainly felt the double edged sword of prude vs slut when I was younger.
Historically it’s was an idea created because we lived in a very patriarchal society where men owned everything including women. When a father gave his daughter to her husband he wanted to get the best deal. Before birth control and DNA paternity tests virginity was a way to prove paternity and increase a woman’s value. There’s a lot of this still represented in modern weddings with white dresses for purity and fathers walking their daughters down the aisle and giving the daughter away but the patriarchal institute of marriage is a rant for another time.
Ideas around virginity are sexist. Male virginity historically doesn’t seem to be such a big deal. There was no physical value put on about it in the same way as women. Nowadays men may be judged higher if they’re not a virgin putting pressure on men to start having sex early. It’s often a prize for men to take a woman’s ‘flower’ and potentially shameful for a woman to be ‘plucked’.
Virginity is a very heteronormative cis idea. It’s often classed as penis in vagina penetration. For many people that is not the type of sex they have. What sex is can be a somewhat personal decision. Sexual activity can include oral and anal and using fingers. I’d personally class it as stimulating each other’s genitals for the purpose of pleasure. Only classing penis in vagina penetration as sex dismisses the sexual experiences of the LGBTIQ communities and other people who choose not to have that type of sex.
Virginity is not a physical thing. For men it is not detectable if you’ve ever had sex and looking at the hymen as a test virginity in women is dodgy at best. The hymen is a thin elastic membrane that partially covers the external vaginal opening. This can be different sizes naturally and can be torn from activities before you ever have sex such as tampon use and exercise. When you have sex you stretch the hymen, no need to break. So the idea of breaking the hymen or ‘popping your cherry’ the first time you have sex is not so true.
The first time you have sex doesn’t need to be painful. I thought I was so wise and clued up thinking vaginal penetration was painful for women at first. It really doesn’t need to be. Pain is usually from the vaginal muscles being too tense. If you are inexperienced, too rough or too rushed, then it may be painful and cause the hymen to tear and bleed (hence giving the pain and hymen myths). If you take your time, do plenty of foreplay and use lube then it can be a much more enjoyable experience for those involved.
Having sex isn’t a life altering event. There is no great psychological change that comes from having sex for the first time. With all the social pressure to have or not have sex it can feel very important. Just remember it doesn’t change who you are.
Having sex for the first time can be an important milestone but it doesn’t define your value. You don’t lose anything when you ‘lose your virginity’. So if you’re two consenting adults wanting to engage in sexual activity then go for it. If you’re not ready and want to wait to later to start engaging in sexual activity, then don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to.
(WARNING: LINKS MAY HAVE CISSEXIST OR GENDERED LANGUAGE. PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS WHILE VIEWING THEM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE INFORMATION FROM THE SITE, CONTACT ME AND I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH DIRECT QUOTES AND ANY OTHER INFO YOU NEED WITHOUT THE IGNORANT LANGUAGE)
Preparation:
-Always keep 2-4 pads/tampons (or a cup) in your backpack, whether you’re on your period or not.
-Keep a sweatshirt or hoodie in your locker incase of a leak.
-Wear dark pants. Leggings and yoga pants. No faded jeans, no gray sweats.
-Carry tissues for wiping up stains.
-Consider keeping a pair of underwear and a pair of leggings (or other thin pants) in a medium-to-large Zip-Lock baggie in your backpack along with the pads/tampons/etc. In case of a leak, you can change. The baggie is for your stained clothing.
Transportation:
-Tuck your pads/tampons under the band of your panties, on the side/at the hip. Pull your pants over them, and you’re good to go.
-If you use tampons, take a look at U by Kotex CLICKs. They’re about an inch shorter than regular applicator tampons, and therefore easier to store. ( <a href=“http://www.kotex.com/na/products/u-by-kotex-click-tampons-regular/15949”>http://www.kotex.com/na/products/u-by-kotex-click-tampons-regular/15949</a> )
-If you use cups, look into the Lily Cup Compact, which pops down to fit inside a small, plastic case, perfect for on-the-go. ( http://www.intimina.com/en/lily_cups)
-If you wear uggs, supplies can fit nicely inside them.
Nights:
-Lay down a towel to protect your sheets from leaks.
-If you sleep on your back, the pad has to be farther back, too.
-NEVER SLEEP IN A TAMPON.
-Wear “long” pads to cover the entirety of your underwear.
Showering:
-Have a pad already in your underwear so you can put it on right away.
-Insertable products can be worn in the shower.
-Rinse your privates with lukewarm water, and NO SOAPS, DOUCHES, OR WASHES.
-Use a dark towel.
-Shower more often than usual.
-If you do leak blood on the floor, it can be wipes up with a Clorox or Baby wipe. No big deal.
Stains:
-Cold water gets stains out, hot water sets them. If you use warm water on your stains, they’re more stubborn than before.
-Ice can help too. Its literally a stick of really cold water.
-They happen to everyone, not just you, so if someone laughs at you, death glare them or wipe blood over their forehead and shout “SIMBA!” (Just kidding, DO NOT DO THE SIMBA THING)
-As mentioned above - sweatshirts and long shirts can cover stains, stray away from light clothing, and carry spare clothes with you. Also consider carryinf tissues in your pocket. if its on your chair, you might be able to quickly wipe it up.
Men, Guys, and Boys:
-Wear briefs, put the pad in the briefs, and put boxers over the briefs. No one will see your pad, plus it gives you more layers (which means more layers a leak has to go through before it’s visable).
-If you’re comfortable with insertable products, a menstrual cup can often be worn for 12 hours before it needs a change. This means less public-bathroom changing.
-Clue is a period-tracking app that is red and white. That’s right. No pink. Ever.
-If you’re worried about buying supplies at the store, fake a phone call:
“No, no, I’m there…I don’t see that…wait, nevermind. Okay. Yeah, I’ll be home in ten minutes. Do you need anything else? Alright. Bye.”
-You are no less of a man because of this. Cis guys go running at the mere mention of a period, or a pad, or a tampon. You live it. If anything, you’re more manly than them. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise (if they do, punch them in the face and offer them a tampon for their nosebleed).
On May 31, a Black pregnant woman in Austin said she was shot by police in the abdomen with rubber bullets. That same day, the Colorado Doula Project shared a post on Instagram about other potential dangers to pregnant protesters. “Tear gas is an abortifacient,” the post read, explaining that the chemical has been linked to higher rates of miscarriage and stillbirth. Rodriguez’s post quickly made its way onto Twitter, where protesters like Stewart began sharing the reproductive health impacts that they had felt after exposure to tear gas. Some tweeted about breakthrough bleeding despite their use of IUDs; other trans people shared that despite taking testosterone, they were having periods as well.
Since the Black Lives Matter protests began, police have deployed tear gas in 100 American cities. Watchdog groups, activists, and public officials have raised concerns about the safety of tear gas, a compound banned for use in wartime by the Geneva Convention, especially as the United States grapples with the effects of a respiratory pandemic. Although research is limited, some have suggested that tear gas may also be linked to higher rates of miscarriage, and anecdotal evidence has suggested it may induce cause changes in menstruation, though there’s not enough research to definitively prove that. For many Black protesters on the frontlines of demonstrations, the use of chemical weapons is not only a reminder of the police violence they are protesting against, but of a long legacy of state violence in their reproductive lives.
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Vaginal health is a delicate subject to many people. However, it’s also a subject that’s actually rather important. So this post is to help out any person owning a vagina who wants to know more about their body.
There are two very common infections of the vagina- yeast and bacterial. They have very similar symptoms: itching, excessive discharge with heavy scent, burning sensation whilst peeing and pain during sex.
However, there are differences.
YEAST INFECTION (not considered an STD)
A yeast infection, otherwise known as vaginal thrush, comes with either thick white/creamy discharge that typically has no more scent than the average healthy vagina or very thin watery discharge, itching and soreness around the entrance of the vagina (painful labia), a burning sensation whilst urinating and potential pain during sexual incourse.
This is pretty common to get if you constantly wear wet clothing (such as not changing after swimming), have sex while not fully aroused, take antibiotics, are pregnant, have poorly-treated diabetes or have a weakened immune system.
Thrush itself is caused by yeasts (like in bread) produced by a type of fungus named Candida Albicans. This fungus is normally found in all vaginas and is perfectly healthy to have- however, when the good bacteria in your vagina can’t keep the fungus under control it causes thrush.
Mild or weak thrush can be treated by a short course of antifungal medication. The symptoms usually clear up within a week when treated. There are three different types of medication:
-pessaries – a special pill that you insert into your vagina using a special applicator -intravaginal creams – these are also placed into the vagina using an applicator -capsules –these are swallowed and may be more convenient to use than pessaries or intravaginal cream, but can have more troublesome side effects, such as vomiting or an upset stomach
Most of these medications can be bought over the counter, although some such as capsules need to be prescribed. The best brands are probably either Vagisil or Canesten, both over-the-counter brands.
Ways to prevent getting thrush altogether are: -use water and an emollient (moisturiser) soap substitute to clean the skin around your vagina, but avoid cleaning this area more than once a day
-apply a greasier moisturiser to the skin around your vagina several times a day to protect it (but be aware that these moisturisers can weaken condoms)
-avoid potential irritants in perfumed soaps, shower gels, vaginal deodorants, wipes and douches
-avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear or tights – some people find that special silk underwear designed for people with eczema and thrush is helpful
-ensure your blood sugar level is kept under control, if you have diabetes
BACTERIAL INFECTION (not considered an STD although generally sex is thought to increase the risks)
A bacterial infection, otherwise known as bacterial vaginosis, comes with thin, grey, white or green discharge, foul-smelling fishy odor, vaginal itching and a burning sensation whilst peeing. However, a lot of people with it have hardly any to even no symptoms.
Please visit your doctor if:
-You have vaginal discharge that’s new and associated with an odor or fever. Your doctor can help determine the cause and identify signs and symptoms. -You’ve had vaginal infections before, but the color and consistency of your discharge seems different this time. -You have multiple sex partners or a recent new partner. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are similar to those of bacterial vaginosis. -You try self-treatment for a yeast infection with an over-the-counter treatment and your symptoms persist or even worsen.
Bacterial vaginosis comes from overgrowth of one of several bacteria naturally found in your vagina. Usually, “good” bacteria (lactobacilli) outnumber “bad” bacteria (anaerobes). But if there are too many anaerobic bacteria, they upset the natural balance of microorganisms in your vagina and cause bacterial vaginosis.
Risks that increase your chance of getting bacterial vaginosis are douching (washing out the inside of your vagina using water or other cleaning agents), multiple sex partners, and sometimes you naturally lack enough of the good lactobacilli bacteria.
Bacterial vaginosis needs to be treated with prescribed meds only.
Ways to help prevent bacterial vaginosis are:
-Help keep your vaginal bacteria balanced. Use warm water only to clean the outside of your vagina. You do not need to use soap. Even mild soap can cause infection or irritate your vagina. Always wipe front to back from your vagina to your anus. Keep the area cool by wearing cotton or cotton-lined underpants.
-Do not douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you from infection. This may raise your risk of BV. It may also make it easier to get BV again after treatment. Doctors do not recommend douching.
-Practice safe sex. The best way to prevent the spread of BV through sex is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. If you do have sex, you can lower your risk of getting BV, and any STI, with the following steps. The steps work best when used together. No single step can protect you from BV or every single type of STI. Steps to lower your risk of BV or STIs include: -Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent BV or STIs when you have sex. Make sure to put on the condom before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs. -Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for STIs. Talk to each other about your test results before you have sex. -Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting BV and STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.
We’re taught that withdrawal won’t work, that it’s a sketchy contraceptive method, if one at all, and that its failure rate is high.
That said, 60% of sexually experienced women rely on withdrawal at some point in life! And on our fertility app Glow, we’ve also seen that a disproportionate portion of our population — 18% of our birth control users — list withdrawal as their primary birth control method.
These stats imply that withdrawal isn’t going anywhere. And if that’s the case, we need better education about withdrawal, good information about how to make the method as smart and safe as possible, and how technology can help.
We’re on it. Glow authored our first Medium article about this very topic. Check it out! This is data you certainly won’t want to pull out on ;)
New lovers are so fun but so tricky. You’re trying to figure out if they *actually* like you, and then there’s the physical stuff: holding hands becomes a first kiss, clothes come off, you’re sleeping over…
Before things get too hot and heavy, it’s a good idea to have the talk. Yep, the talk—the one where you learn about past sexual history and when they last got tested for STIs.
This may sound like an insanely awkward convo, but in general, women are unfazed. Over 60% of women discuss past sexual histories before sleeping with their partner, and almost 20% of women require their partner to get tested before sex, according to polls in Glow Community.
These women are wise: Recall that 1 in 3 Americans currently has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). And STIs can be transmitted via a number of intimate situations; they’re different than pregnancy, so they’re not limited to P-in-V sex!
No matter how cringe-worthy it is to bring up STIs, it’s way better than freaking out because you don’t know your partner’s status. So, how do you float the topic without killing the mood? A few ideas:
Setting Matters
Find a private spot for the conversation—your place, their place, maybe even in bed! Feeling a sense of privacy will help both of you feel comfortable opening up. Definitely avoid bars, restaurants, and other public places; the last thing you want is an interruption (or an eavesdropper)!
Say You Like Them
Real talk: It’s 100% amazing to hear your someone say that they’re into you! Why not give that gift to your crush? If you’re feeling good about how things are going, say it out loud. It’s a sure way to get your crush smiling. It’s also a natural lead-in to talking about how things have been heating up—a fact that you should both pause to acknowledge.
Float the Topic
Your crush is going to feed off your energy, so why not keep it light-hearted? Here are a few lines you can experiment with, depending on your style:
The Cool Cucumber: “Hey, tell me about your last relationship!”
The Smarty Pants: “Just want to make sure we’re being smart how we proceed here…when was the last time you got tested?”
The Clean Machine: “I’m clean and I’m planning on keeping it that way so…anything I should know about?”
The Popular Girl: “A friend of mine got an STD recently, so I’m trying to be extra careful moving forward. When was the last time you got tested?“
The Holiday Lover: “In honor of STI awareness month, tell me about last time you got tested!”
Being casual about whichever line you choose sets the expectation that the convo is totally and completely normal. And initiating in general shows that you’re a total badass and not afraid to break the ice with hard Qs. People find that kind of thing unbelievably hot :)
The T Word
Your crush might give you tons of details on past sexual partners and testing, but if they don’t, it’s fair game to be direct. Choosing to intertwine your bodies means choosing to intertwine your health, and you have a right to know what you’re getting into!
If your crush is super experienced with the testing process, then they’ll know the drill. If it’s someone who’s unfamiliar with the process, this is your opportunity to be supportive and show what you know. You can tell them to talk to their doctor, or just order an STI test online and get tested at home! There are a few different at-home STI testing services—myLAB Box is our favorite.
Lead By Example
If you really want to be a leader, you can get tested before you even initiate the conversation. Doing this shows that you take testing seriously, and that you’re more than willing to meet halfway. Having your free-and-clear test results in hand puts you in a great position to open up a discussion about sexual health.
These are hard convos to have, but obviously you’re going to rock it. Best of luck, heart eyes! See you on the other side ;)
The newest version of Eve just hit the stores, and it’s everything: tons of new buttons in the health & sex log, swank insights that interpret what’s up down there, and *Glow Premium*.
Dazzled? Figured. The new log will help you keep on top of many aspects of your health, and the new insights will spell out what’s happening with your bod. And you get all this for free because, yes, Eve loves you that much.
Eve users don’t shy away from the occasional “treat yo’self” moment (y’all log a lot of desserts and salty snacks!), so this release lets you indulge in powerhouse Glow Premium features. $3.99 per month unlocks the magic—addictive Fact or Fiction quizzes, nerdy cool comparative insights, and a dolled up Eve community with cover photos and private messaging. Chai lattes are great but Premium is yummier. Take a few bucks out of your caffeine budget, and voilà!
This all comes at a super exciting time for Glow the company (shoutout to the Evelings who never understood the “by Glow” part lolz). Glow now supports 4 million women tracking their health on our platform! You heard us right: We hit the big 4-000,000, and we’re jazzed. Thanks for being part of our wild ride.
