Gabrielle Kassel

It’s highly unlikely for someone to develop cervical cancer if they have never had sex.
That’s because nearly all cases of cervical cancer result from an individual having a high risk strain of human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“At the end of the day, we never say never in medicine,” says Greg Marchand, MD, OB-GYN. “But it would be virtually impossible for someone to get cervical cancer unless they have had some sexual activity that could present th...

It’s highly unlikely for someone to develop cervical cancer if they have never had sex.
That’s because nearly all cases of cervical cancer result from an individual having a high risk strain of human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
“At the end of the day, we never say never in medicine,” says Greg Marchand, MD, OB-GYN. “But it would be virtually impossible for someone to get cervical cancer unless they have had some sexual activity that could present th...

Now that we’re more than 2 years into the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, you might be curious how the pandemic has impacted intrauterine device (IUD) use over time.
Read on to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic can and can’t impact IUD effectiveness, appointments, removal, and more.
If you use an IUD as your primary or only form of birth control, you can breathe easy knowing that neither a COVID-19 diagnosis nor vaccine will impact the effectiveness of your IUD.
No matter your vacci...

When folks hear the word “surprise,” parties are what often come to mind — but pregnancies can be surprising, too.
“A very, very, very high percentage of pregnancies are unexpected,” says Felice Gersh, MD, author of “PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline to Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness.”
Actually, about half of all pregnancies are not originally planned for!
If you’re reading this, and you or your partner(s) are unexpectedly pregnant, know that many people have found ...

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There are two types of condoms that are classified as “long lasting.”
Extended pleasure condoms
This first type, known as extended pleasure condoms, is made out of a thicker material than traditional rubbers.
“The thicker material condoms are basically the opposite of the ‘feel like nothing is there’ condoms,” explains Zachary Zane, sex expert for...

A common storyline in LGBT+ movies goes like this: One “out” queer person falls for one closeted queer person, and chaos (read: heartache and heartbreak) ensues!
Case in point: 2020’s “Happiest Season” starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis.
But this setup doesn’t just happen on the big screen — it happens in real life, too.
Here are tips for honoring both (or all) partners’ needs when one partner has not announced their sexuality to the world or the workplace.
The closet may be a popul...

The only way to know whether or not someone has had sex is to ask.
There are no physical examinations or tests that can reveal whether or not a person has had sex before. No, not even so-called “virginity tests.”
Ahead, learn more about the unethical, medically imprecise, traumatizing practice of virginity testing. This includes what it involves and what to do if someone tries to get you tested.
Put simply, virginity testing is the practice of trying to determine whether a person with a vagin...

“Everyone is bisexual these days!” “Is everyone bisexual???” “We’re all bisexual!”
As more and more people take to social media and text to share their (bi)sexuality, these sayings are becoming commonplace. Heck, maybe you’ve even uttered one when yet another pop star or pal, family member, or foe came out as bisexual.
But is everyone bisexual? Ahead, bisexuality experts and activists answer this question. They also explain why these one-liners — even when they come from a good place — can be...

“Having a lesbian teacher changed my life.” “I didn’t believe that people like me could BE until I had a queer teacher.” “My teacher was the first person to accept me for me.”
The idea that teachers can be life changing influences is nothing new. But the idea that (out) lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) teachers can be life-saving is.
Still, some LGBT+ teachers choose not to share their gender or sexuality with their students, peers, or administration.
In many cases, it’s becaus...

Quick, list off the top three things you look for in a partner.
If “smart,” “bright,” or “witty” made the list, you’re probably looking for someone you’re intellectually compatible with.
If, however, you said “tall, dark, and handsome,” intellectual compatibility may not be quite as important.
But what is intellectual compatibility, exactly? And how do you know if you have it with someone or not? We break it down.
Put simply, it’s the spark between people whose brains are on the same page.
“I...

Biphobia refers to the idea that monosexuality is superior.
More than just an internal, individualized belief, biphobia results in widespread intolerance of and violence against people who are bisexual — or who are assumed to be bisexual.
To understand exactly who might be the victim of biphobia, you need to understand what bisexuality means.
“By far the most popular definition of bisexuality comes from Robyn Ochs,” says bisexual activist Shiri Eisner, author of “Bi: Notes For A Revolution.”
...

Ella — also known as ulipristal acetate — is a morning-after pill. Taken orally within 120 hours of P-in-V sex, ella is designed to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. Meaning, it stops a pregnancy from ever occurring.
Pros
It’s highly effective. It can lower your chances of becoming pregnant by 85 percent if taken within 5 days of sex.
It’s safe. You may experience mild side effects, but they haven’t been linked to serious complications.
It can be taken within 5 days of sex. Other morning...

No doubt, it makes sense that you want to avoid contracting an STI like HIV.
But there’s a thin line between taking proper precautions to avoid contracting HIV and having an irrational fear of HIV that actively interferes with your quality of life, love, and love-making.
On one side of the line is a responsible sex-haver, and on the other side of the line is a person with HIV phobia.
HIV phobia can be a painful type of anxiety for both the person with the phobia and their loved ones. Know thi...

Sadly, yelling “Hey Siri, did I just come or pee???” after sex won’t give you the answer you want.
The only way to know if you came or peed during sex is to reflect on the feeling.
“The sensation of having an orgasm is actually quite different from the sensation of releasing urine either voluntarily or involuntary,” says Felice Gersh, MD, author of “PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones and Happiness.”
You can also use context clues (scent, taste, and...

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...