The Importance of Comprehensive Sexual Education:
“Research has identified highly effective sex education and HIV prevention programs that affect multiple behaviors and/or achieve positive health impacts. Behavioral outcomes have included delaying the initiation of sex as well as reducing the frequency of sex, the number of new partners, and the incidence of unprotected sex, and/or increasing the use of condoms and contraception among sexually active participants. Long-term impacts have included lower STI and/or pregnancy rates.” [x]
We need to equip people with knowledge and resources to maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle. By teaching comprehensive sex education we are allowing people to make informed decisions about their health and and personal lives. - Paige
The Basics (Anatomy and Biological functions):
What is a vulva? (Basic Anatomy inside links.)
What is the vagina’s biological function during sexual intercourse (specifically PIV sex)?
What is the uterus and what is it’s biological function?
What is a hymen and what are the different kinds of hymens?
What is the purpose of a hymen?
Which hole does urine come out of and which hole does menstruation come out of?
What is a menstrual cycle?
How to use pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.
The vagina, is in fact, designed to keep itself clean with the help of natural secretions (discharge). But there are ways you can help maintain the cleanliness of your vagina (i.e. avoiding perfumed soaps and gently washing the vulva area, not the actual vagina.) Click the link for more information.
*Vaginal odors and discharge; what’s normal and what’s not?
“A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in people. A Pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix — the lower, narrow end of your uterus that’s at the top of your vagina.”
When do I need a pap smear?
What are vaginal orgasms? Clitoral orgasms? G-Spot orgasms? How can you achieve an orgasm?
“A “vaginal orgasm” is the notion that [people] can have an orgasm through stimulation during intercourse or other vaginal penetration, entirely without clitoral stimulation. However, the vagina has few nerve endings, and therefore cannot create an orgasm on its own. Instead of thinking of the vagina and clitoris as separate entities, try thinking about them as a network of nerves and muscles.”
“There’s some disagreement about the size of the G-spot; it may range from a quarter inch to a couple inches along the upper wall of your vagina, about an inch or two past your vaginal opening. Underneath it is highly sensitive tissue that, when touched the right way, triggers feelings of sexual happiness, explains Debby Herbenick, PhD.”
Myths and facts about orgasms.
Tips on how to have an orgasm.
Having trouble reaching an orgasm? No worries, there is help! [x][x]
Female Genital Mutilation Information:
“Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”
“The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women.”
“Procedures can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.”
“FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.”
The Basics (Anatomy and Biological Functions):
What are testicles? (Basic Anatomy inside links.)
What is the penis’ biological function during sexual intercourse? (Specifically PIV sex.)
Examining your testicles for Testicular Cancer: How to.
“Gently wash the penis with warm water each day when you’re having a shower or bath. If you have a foreskin, pull it back gently and wash underneath.”
“Gently washing your penis once a day with warm water is sufficient to maintain good hygiene. If you want to use soap, choose a mild or non-perfumed soap to reduce the risk of skin irritation.”
What is an erection and ejaculation?
“An erection begins in the brain. Physical and/or mental stimulation cause nerves in the brain to send chemical messages to nerves in the penis telling the penile blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow freely into the penis. Once in the penis, high pressure traps the blood within both corpora cavernosa. This causes the penis to expand and sustain an erection.”
“Ejaculation, the release of semen at climax, is triggered when a person reaches a critical level of excitement.”
*Overcoming ejaculation problems.
Is ejaculation and having an orgasm the same thing?
What is semen and what does it do?
What is Erectile Dysfunction? Treatments.
What is circumcision & is it medically necessary?
“Circumcision is the removal of a simple fold of skin (the `foreskin’ or `prepuce’) that covers the head (glans) of the un-erect penis.”
While there are benefits of being circumcised, it is not medically necessary.
What is masturbation and how do you do it?
Why do people masturbate?
Is masturbating normal and can it be harmful?
(Short answer: Masturbation is normal, and no it is not harmful!)
The benefits of masturbation: [x] [x]
An Asexual’s Guide to Masturbation.
People define “sex” in different ways. Some people believe that it only counts as sex if a penis goes into a vagina, but this isn’t true for everybody. There are lots of different ideas about what sex can be: Vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse), Oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact), Anal sex (penis-in-anus intercourse), Dry humping or genital rubbing, Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital contact), and Masturbation.
How to have safe sex.
(STI and pregnancy prevention goes more in depth below!)
What is Consent and is it mandatory?
“Whenever you have sex, you need to make sure that your partner is just as enthusiastic about having sex. In other words, that they give their full consent.” Consent is an enthusiastic, freely-given, uncoerced, sober, “yes”.
Consent is ALWAYS mandatory, whether you’re married, dating or just met.
What is sex without consent? Rape/Sexual Assault.
What is sexual assault? What is rape? (Resources below.)
Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention.
What do I do if I’ve been sexually assaulted?
Sexual assault prevention and awareness.
Resources for sexual assault victims: United States.
Resources for sexual assault victims: Canada.
Resources for sexual assault victims: United Kingdom.
More international resources.
Is sex supposed to hurt the first time?
"While it’s common for [some] to feel pain or discomfort with sex, it’s not “normal” in that it has to happen or there isn’t an alternative. Sex is not supposed to hurt: it’s supposed to feel very good.”
[Inside the link above, it does explain what to do to make sure sex is not painful.]
Are there benefits to having sex?
10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex.
Top 11 Benefits of Having Sex.
14 Unexpected Benefits of Having Sex.
Marginalized Orientation, Gender Identity, and Intersex.
It’s a synonym for LGBTQIAP+ and is inclusive for people who don’t have or don’t want labels, rejects allies, and uses no reclaimed slurs.
What is a sexual orientation?
"Sexual orientation describes to whom a person is sexually attracted. Some people are attracted to people of a particular gender; others are attracted to more than one gender. Some are not attracted to anyone.”
“Affectional orientation is a term that describes to whom a person is romantically attracted, acknowledging that for many people there are more components to attraction than just sexual desire.”
“The ways in which a person identifies and/or expresses their gender, including self-image, appearance, and embodiment of gender roles. One’s sex (e.g., male, female, intersex, etc.) is usually assigned at birth based on one’s physical biology. One’s gender (e.g., man, woman, genderqueer, etc.) is one’s internal sense of self and identity.”
Some more gender identities.
Genderqueer and Non Binary Identities.
Resources for most Gender Identities.
(Resources for understanding gender identity, figuring out yours, how to come out to parents and friends, transitioning resources, local supports, and more!)
"Some people who identify as asexual do not experience sexual attraction to other people, while others experience sexual attraction but no desire to act on these attractions.”
“Asexuality and Celibacy are not the same. Many people who are asexual live a celibate life, meaning that they do not engage in sex with others. But while Celibacy is a choice, asexuality is not.”
“Asexuality is not a dysfunction, and there is no need to find a "cause” or a “cure.”“ [x]
Are all people who identify as asexual sex repulsed? No!
Asexual Visibility and Education Network.
What does transgender mean? (Resources below!)
"Transgender – or trans – is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth (e.g., the sex listed on their birth certificate).” [x]
“Transgender may be used to describe someone who was assigned female or male at birth, but later realizes that label doesn’t accurately reflect who they feel they are inside.”
Resources for transgender people.
More resources for transgender people
Trans Health Matters: Trans Women
Trans Health Matters: Trans Men
Top 10 Trans-Friendly Colleges
“Intersex” is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.
Intersex Society of North America.
Resources for intersex people.
What are STIs, how do you get them, and what are the symptoms?
“A sexually transmissible infection (STI) is any infection or disease that can be passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Sexually transmissible infections include chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, scabies, pubic lice (crabs), hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).”
Why do we call them STIs now and not STDs?
Everyone is at risk of obtaining an STI, but some are more at risk.
STIs that can be contracted through non-sexual contact.
How do you protect yourself from STIs?
Female / male condoms and dental dams.
Finger cots (finger condoms).
Post-exposure prophylaxis, is a short-term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure.
Know the signs and symptoms of an STI. If you notice a symptom that worries you, get checked out!
How do I get tested for STIs?
What treatments are out there for STIs?
What is pregnancy? When are you considered to be pregnant? How do you get pregnant?
To be pregnant is to have an embryo/fetus developing in your uterus. “A pregnancy is considered to be established only after implantation is complete.”
"When engaging in unprotected vaginal intercourse during which ejaculation of sperm occurs in the vagina. The sperm can then travel up through the cervix, into the uterus, and, if an egg is present, the sperm may fertilize it.”
“It is also possible — but less likely — for a person to become pregnant through any kind of sex play in which semen, or ejaculate, comes in contact with the vulva. The sperm can travel through the moisture on the vulva into the vagina.”
WebMD’s Online Pregnancy Center.
What to Expect: Pregnancy.
What are my options if I get pregnant?
If you’re pregnant you have three options; parenting, adoption, and abortion.
Only you can decide what is right for you, definitely take some time to go over your options, but remember, the sooner you decide the more options you’ll have.
Resources for Decision Making and Low Income Parenting.
Abortion funds and Judicial Bypass.
How do you prevent pregnancy? (Check out birth control masterpost below.)
“Birth control allows us to prevent pregnancy and plan the timing of pregnancy.”
Birth control is not a “one size fit’s all deal” there are all different kinds of birth control out there from hormonal to non hormonal, methods to medicines, and so on. The best way to figure out which birth control works best for you is by doing research and speaking with your doctor.
****Contraceptives Masterpost****
^^ Lists many birth control options (and links you to more information about these options), goes over emergency contraceptives and FAQs, birth control FAQs, options for people with allergies or personal preferences, and debunks myths about birth control.
Lubricants that should not be used on condoms.
Where can I obtain birth control/contraceptives?
Guide to getting privacy under parent’s health insurance.
10 Ways to save on Birth Control.
The 5 Steps of a Breast Self Exam: Checking for Breast Cancer.
Sex Ed for physically, emotionally, and mentally disabled youth.
Sex Ed for Youth with disability or chronic illness.
