Cisgender? Transgender? Intersex? There’s much to talk about in sexual health and ASHA sorts out the terminology. The letters LGBTQ (or GLBTQ) are often used as an abbreviated way of referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, as well as those who identify as queer.
Archives for February 2017
Advocate for Women’s Rights with ASHA
Get involved! Become an Ambassador and help us spread the word about positive, safe, and scientifically-based sexual health for women.
Tips To Keep Incontinence From Interfering With Your Sex Life
If you struggle with incontinence and have concerns about leaking during sex, you’re not alone. The American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD) reports that one in three women with stress incontinence avoids sex due to fears of leaking during intercourse or orgasm. But incontinence during sex doesn’t have to be an issue. Below are some tips to manage your incontinence and reclaim your sex life.
- Be Prepared. Believe it or not, your behavior prior to sex can have a big impact on your chances of leaking during the act. Here are a few tips to help you avoid an uncomfortable situation:
- Avoid bladder-irritating foods or drinks a couple of hours before bedtime. Not sure what your food and drink triggers are? There are some common ones, but you can also track your own habits for a week or so to determine what foods and drink you.
- Limiting your fluids prior to having sex.
- Practice “double voiding” prior to sex. This is when you go to the bathroom, wait a few minutes, and then go again to empty any residual urine that may still be present in the bladder.
- Use protective bedding so that you are covered in case an accident does happen.
- Try a new position. You may find that a new position creates less stress on your bladder muscles, making leakage less likely.
- Strengthen up down there. Regular pelvic floor workouts can do wonders for women who experience incontinence. An added bonus? Studies have shown that by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles you may also experience stronger orgasms and find sex more satisfying.
- Talk about it. While this is an uncomfortable discussion to have, the mere act of telling your partner about your condition may relieve some of the stress associated with it.
Talk to your Doctor
If you’ve tried the steps above to no avail, consider talking to your doctor about your condition. Incontinence is not a normal part of aging and many things can be done to correct the situation. Your doctor can tell you about options that will best fit your needs. Need help finding a physician? Click here.
This blog originally appeared on the BHealth Blog from The National Association For Continence, a non-profit association providing resources and support to those living with incontinence. For more articles, information and tools on managing bladder and bowel health conditions, please visit www.nafc.org.
ASHA Board Member’s Cervical Cancer Blog is Featured on the Huffington Post
“Part of our first-world indifference lies in the assumption that this is a disease relegated to the developing world. While it is true that the heaviest burden is in low-income countries, the reality check is that cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death for American women as well. These days, however, cervical cancer has become a disease of the poor, uneducated minority. As recent research confirms, the disparity in mortality rates between black and white women is even wider than previously believed.”
–Mamta Singhvi, MD, MPH
ASHA recently reported on research published in the journal Cancer that finds the rates at which women die from cervical cancer are higher than we thought. The most chilling conclusion of this paper is that with Black women the rate of death nearly twice as high as previously reported, and the true disparity in cervical cancer mortality between white and black women has been underreported by 44%.
Mamta Singhvi, MD, MPH, is an oncologist who currently serves on ASHA’s board of directors. In a blog appearing on the Huffington Post, Dr. Singhvi offers her perspective as a physician caring for a young woman of color with terminal cervical cancer and offers solutions to the many challenges we face in caring for some of our most vulnerable populations.
Drinking, Sex and a Healthy You!
By Charles Hassell
Most people reading this have probably had a drink before. And you have probably had sex. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance you have done those two things on the same night! Most people are looking to do two things on a night out:
1) Have fun with friends.
2) Have a romantic experience.
It’s completely natural to go out for a night, have a few drinks, and find yourself talking to an attractive person. When those drinks kick in there may be some action to go along with the talk. You start dancing, getting more confident; we’ve all been there.
While the drinking age is 21, this drinking-and-feeling-sexy behavior can even begin at younger ages. In many countries the legal drinking age is lower than in the U.S. and some argue that is better, because there is less of a societal “taboo” around drinking. No matter how you slice it, no matter where you go, it’s not uncommon for humans across the spectrum to mix looking for love with having a drink in hand.
The big problem with mixing drinking and sex is that alcohol impairs judgment. This could mean our sexual common sense drops a bit and leads to decisions we normally might not make, including having sex without protection. making decisions that aren’t the best. Sleeping with someone you wouldn’t otherwise. OK, a little embarrassment, maybe some hurt feelings. But the real dangers have to do with unsafe sex. Imagine for a second…
You’re looking for love at a party. After a fun night of drinking and dancing you find yourself back at your place with a hottie who wants to have sex- but one catch: your new squeeze prefers it with no protection (like a condom) or maybe neither of you thought to bring any. You both really want it…normally you’d say “No way!” but with the alcohol swirling along with your desires…maybe just this once? That’s why it’s a good idea to buy and carry condoms, and keep some on hand.
Have fun but be smart. And don’t be fooled by these myths:
- Myth: Sex Isn’t Fun With A Condom. If you are relaxed, with someone you are attracted too, sex is going to be fun. Plus condoms can help some guys last longer. You know what’s really not fun? Regretting unprotected sex later.
- Myth: Condoms Don’t Work. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are very effective at preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancy. They work!
- Myth: Just This Once Is OK. It only takes one time!
Websites like ASHAsexualhealth.org will give you the info you need to keep it real, keep it safe, and to stay in charge of your sex life. Please, by all means, go out and have fun. Meet your friends, grab a cold beer, enjoy it wrapped in your favorite koozie. Nothing wrong with drinking, laughing and having a good time. And if you decide to have sex with someone, enjoy that too! Wrapped in your favorite condom.
One great way to stay safe out on the town- and back in the sack- is to talk to your partner. For help starting the conversation, check out these videos:
Also, here’s a short, fun video with more information about condoms: http://www.sexualhealthtv.org/all-about-condoms
Sources:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/sex/the-ten-biggest-myths-about-sex
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/teenboys/Pages/Condoms.aspx
http://www.universetoday.com/38125/how-long-have-humans-been-on-earth
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National Condom Month
ASHA recognizes each February as National Condom Month. Follow us all month long at #CondomMonth and take advantage of everything we offer:
Talking to a Partner about Condoms and Safer Sex
Condomology: a collection of fact-based information (including fact sheets and videos) in simple, easy-to-understand language
Sexual Health TV: Sexual Health TV (SHTV) is your one stop for a wide range of sexual health programming. Tune in to watch all the channels including one dedicated to condoms and risk reduction.
For National Condom Month in February KoozieZ.com is partnering with ASHA to encourage anyone targeted by one of Cupid’s arrows to have fun and watch the #keepitcovered videos.
#KeepItCovered #CondomMonth blog on sex, alcohol, and making good choices.
Below are sample Tweets and Facebook posts you can share throughout the month:
Wrap it up! February is National Condom Month. Learn more @ http://ow.ly/XOQj8 #CondomMonth
Free fact sheet download – Male Condoms & Female Condoms. http://ow.ly/XOR8H #CondomMonth
How to Use a Condom animation. http://ow.ly/XORou #CondomMonth
ASHA’s Condomology busts myths & gets out the facts about condoms. Plain language to empower YOU. http://ow.ly/XOQId #CondomMonth
February is National Condom Month (#CondomMonth). Visit ASHA to learn more. It’s YOUR health – take charge and be safe!
During National Condom Month in January ASHA is offering a free download of the fact sheet Male Condoms & Female Condoms. Get yours at ASHA. #CondomMonth
During National Condom Month in February you can download fact sheets and more from ASHA. Get involved, make a difference! #CondomMonth
Condomology is an ASHA program to ensure that the facts about condoms are available and understood by all so consumers can make informed choices about their sexual health. FAQs, posters, videos, and more. Get the facts and take control of your sexual health. #CondomMonth