If you have endometriosis, you probably already know this, but according to the most recent research, 50 to 70% of people with endometriosis report dyspareunia, or pelvic pain that occurs before, during, or after penetrative vaginal sex. Pain with sex for endometriosis patients has also been so normalized that the overall medical community hasn’t done much to treat it — it’s just expected, and has even been taboo to discuss in endometriosis patient circles.  For Jacqueline Solivan, Director of Partnerships at Rescripted and endometriosis warrior, “Painful sex has no limits or restrictions — it honestly almost...

Mara Santilli • Mar 25, 2024

If you have a vagina and you’ve had some form of sex, there’s a good chance you’ve had bacterial vaginosis at one point in your life.  The infection is incredibly common, and it’s not something anyone should be embarrassed about. But you may have some questions. Namely: Why do I keep getting bacterial vaginosis? Does it have something to do with my sex partner(s)? Truth is, we’re still learning all there is to know about bacterial vaginosis. However, the growing body of evidence does point to sexual transmission of the infection. Here’s why you may be...

Sarah duRivage-Jacobs • Mar 12, 2024

Going to the doctor for an annual physical is one of the many responsibilities that fall under the “adulting” umbrella. If you’re a woman — or assigned female at birth — then those responsibilities also extend to the yearly gynecological exam. Since we usually think of these exams as only pertaining to women, not girls, it might come as a surprise that your first gynecological wellness visit should take place when you’re still a teenager (around 15 or 16 years old). At this stage, the visit may just consist of a discussion with your doctor about your menstrual cycle...

Sarene Leeds • Feb 28, 2024

It’s safe to say that no one really looks forward to a Pap smear…maybe you even pay special attention to your period tracker beforehand to see if you might have a heavy flow day and a good excuse to postpone. However, the Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, which tests for abnormal cells on the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer, is an indicator of your cervical health and a super important preventative health measure to take.  If you have your annual OB/GYN visit locked in already, what can you do to prepare...

Mara Santilli • Feb 25, 2024

A Pap smear — a screening test performed every three years by an OB/GYN during an annual wellness exam — is the best way to check for abnormal cells in the cervix and monitor your risk of cervical cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, patients who receive regular Pap testing reduce their risk of cervical cancer by up to 80%.  So you might be thinking: okay, then why else might I get an “abnormal” result? Well, the fact of the matter is, according to the National Institute of Health, 3 to 5% of Pap smears...

Brighid Flynn • Feb 20, 2024

No one really wants to talk about sexually transmitted infections, especially if they’ve been affected by them, but it’s an important conversation to have to make topics like this less taboo. More significantly, we need to address the disparities in STI cases and care. Here’s a stat that everyone should know: In the year 2022, the CDC reports that Black Americans were diagnosed with 31.1% of cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Those who identify as Black women are specifically affected by long-term (sometimes referred to as “lifetime”) STIs such as herpes simplex much more frequently...

Mara Santilli • Feb 20, 2024

When you’re trying to conceive, the very act of intercourse can sometimes feel like a slog. The joy of sex sure can get lost when you’re thinking more about ovulation predictor kits than mutual pleasure. And if you’re undergoing fertility treatments, well, adding pills, injections, and medical procedures to the mix is hardly a recipe for fun. Especially if you’re hoping to get pregnant with twins. Whether or not you’re TTC, one of the easiest ways to spice things up in the bedroom is by trying out different sex positions. This is a fantastic way to...

Sarene Leeds • Feb 19, 2024

Yeast infections. They’re so common, yet they’re such a (literal) pain.  While most healthy vaginas have yeast, an infection can occur when too much of a particular type of yeast — known as Candida — grows in the vaginal area. About 75% of all women are likely to have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, with up to 45% experiencing two or more. Yeast infections are also the second-most common type of vaginal infections (after bacterial vaginal infections). Symptoms can include vaginal itching or soreness, pain during sexual intercourse, pain or discomfort while urinating, and thick, white vaginal...

Sarene Leeds • Feb 12, 2024

Orgasm. The word alone can cause some women anxiety. For others, it’s an immediate excitement. More often than not, in media — films, television shows, etc — women orgasm easily, euphorically, and intensely.  The truth is, however, that orgasms come in all different forms. They vary in intensity and length depending on the type of stimulation and the stimulated spot in the body.  Let’s talk about all things vaginal orgasms: how common they are, how they occur, what they are, and what they look like for most women. We’ll also share some other ways women can...

Brighid Flynn • Feb 4, 2024

If you’re old enough to get an annual gynecological exam, then you’re probably already familiar with Pap smears. The Pap test (this term can be used interchangeably with “Pap smear”) is commonly conducted at a gynecological checkup, and is “primarily a screening test for abnormal cells of the cervix, and also HPV (human papillomavirus),” says Dorothy Bestoyong, DO, an OB/GYN based in Orlando, Florida.  During a Pap smear, the doctor will use a metal or plastic instrument called a speculum to look inside your vagina and to reach the cervix. The doctor then collects a few...

Sarene Leeds • Feb 4, 2024