Gabrielle Kassel

Over the last few years, terms like “gender binary” and “gender nonbinary” have become common lingo in certain cultural convos.
But do you know what the gender binary is, exactly? If not, you’ve come to the right spot.
At its most distilled, “the gender binary is the false idea that there are only two genders and that every single person is one of these two genders,” explains clinical social worker and gender specialist Rebecca Minor.
But it’s also more than that. Ahead, a deep dive on the ge...

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Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the public health crisis on the tips of everyone’s tongues and thumbs.
But there’s a congruent health crisis that the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention declared a growing epidemic: the rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs).
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected...

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Public service announcement: You shouldn’t have to choose between your sexual health and paying rent, your gym membership, or, heck, even your morning coffee.
There are plenty of no- and lower-cost ways to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — no matter where you live. And that means there’s no financial reason not to get tested....

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When you hear the phrase “sexually transmitted infection,” most people think about their genitals.
But guess what: That spot about 2 inches south isn’t immune to STIs. That’s right, anal STIs are a thing.
Below, sexual health professionals break down everything you need to know about anal STIs — including who needs to get tested for them, what tes...

Your genitals aren’t the only place a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can land and set up shop.
“There are many STIs that can occur in areas other than the genitals,” says Michael Ingber, MD, a board certified urologist and female pelvic medicine specialist at The Center for Specialized Women’s Health in New Jersey.
News to you? Scroll down for our nongenital STI guide.
Yes.
Anywhere there’s a mucous membrane, an STI can develop, says Ingber.
The most common of those areas include:
throa...

Maybe you saw someone wearing an enby pride T-shirt. Maybe a friend, relative, or mutual connection on social media recently came out as enby. Maybe you saw the term in an Instagram caption.
Whatever the impetus, you asked Google “What does enby mean?” looking for a definition.
You’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know.
“Enby” is shorthand for nonbinary.
As a refresher: Someone who is nonbinary has a gender that doesn’t fit exclusively into the categories “man” or “woman,” ...

There’s a lot of talk about Big Os. And for good reason: They can enable you to experience Big Pleasure.
But what is an orgasm, exactly? Are all orgasms the same? And how can you tell where an orgasm is happening in the body? Below, sex educators answer these questions and more.
Trust. With the help of this guide, you can get the Os you deserve, from the fireworks-on-display kind to the calm oh-my-gods.
“There’s not a singular and widely agreed-upon definition of orgasm,” says Caitlin V. Neal...

If you have a clitoris or have a partner with a clitoris, you’d be wise to learn about the nerve-dense body part. Nicknamed the “pleasure nub,” the clitoris can help vulva owners experience a lot of pleasure.
While the clitoris is less of an anatomical anomaly than major media outlets may have tricked you into believing, learning a few touch techniques can help.
That’s why we reached out to experts and dug through the research to put together a guide for clitoral stimulation. Below, learn how...

Friend groups, skinny jeans, zip-lock seals. These are things that are tight! But vaginas? Not so much.
Actually, the myth that vaginal canals are supposed to be narrow, compact, little, and tight are all myths perpetuated by misogynistic, sex-negative society in order to make vulva havers feel self-conscious of their bodies. Ugh.
Below, sexual health professionals bust the common myths behind vaginal tightness in more detail.
They also outline what to do if you genuinely feel that your vagin...

Given all the info online about the G-zone, A-spot, and P-spot, you’d be forgiven for assuming all the pleasure zones get decent publicity.
There’s one pleasure zone that’s been totally overlooked: the U-spot. And that’s why we’re giving it attention here. Scroll down for the U-spot need-to-know.
The “U” in “U-spot” stands for urethra. Yeppp, urethra, as in the place that pee comes out.
This itty bitty opening, as well as the sheath of erectile tissue around it, is dense with nerves, says Sar...

If you’re reading this, odds are it’s because you asked Dr. Google “what are the symptoms of HIV in men,” or you’re a man who stumbled on this article who is simply interested in becoming better informed about HIV.
The information about HIV below can be useful for people across the gender spectrum. That’s because (spoiler alert) the symptoms of HIV vary as much man-to-man, as between two people of different genders.
Read on for a complete breakdown of the most common early signs and symptoms ...

Femoral artery… Odds are you’ve heard of this big, bad blood transporter.
But unless you’re a cardiologist, you probably couldn’t explain what the femoral artery does or where it’s located. No dig intended — with over 30 combined veins and arteries in the body, you’re more than forgiven for not knowing the stats on a specific one.
This handy explainer is here to answer all your femoral artery questions. Read on for an in-depth look at all things femoral artery.
The femoral artery originates j...

It may with a little tickle, a little annoying twinge in your throat… but just as quickly it escalates into a full-blown hacking fit that keeps you up when trying to fall asleep. Not ideal!
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stop coughing at night (or any time of day, for that matter).
Read on for 20+ doctor-recommended tips for stopping your whoop ASAP. Plus, info on why nighttime coughs happen in the first place.
A cough is a bit like love, you know it when you feel it but defining it is ...

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Birth control apps — also known as cycle tracking apps, menstrual cycle tracking apps, family planning apps, and fertility apps — are designed for people who menstruate who want to be on top of their cycle and fertility.
As you might guess, birth control apps are apps you can download onto your smartphone or smart device (fancy!). But exactly what...

Your exercise routine. Your sex life. Your mindfulness practice. These are things that might need rejuvenating.
Not your vagina or vulva.
But you wouldn’t know that with all the box “beautification” procedures gaining popularity — or the slogans being used to peddle over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Below, an OB-GYN busts the myth that vaginas and vulvas need rejuvenating, and they offer answers to your top questions about vaginal rejuvenation.
Don’t roll your eyes! It sounds beyond cheesy, bu...