Physical touch is one of the most important aspects of intimate human relationships. A nice warm hug can feel like a refuge at the end of a hard day. A rub on the back from your favorite person can help ease feelings of nervousness.

Spring is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest and nearly all our favorite bulbs and flowering trees have blossomed. That means summer is just around the corner!

Our bodies are complex, hyper-intelligent, and regularly communicate – if only we are attuned enough to listen. But sometimes when it comes to our vaginal health, we associate shame with signals our body sends us. 

Nearly half (44%) of people with vulvas have experienced vaginal dryness, leading to painful or uncomfortable sex. When dryness is an issue, a quality lubricant can be a lifesaver. Lubricants are a great way to increase pleasure and comfort during intimacy. But all lubricants are not alike.

Sexually transmitted infections are here to stay. In 2019, the number of STIs reported by the CDC hit historic highs and continues to climb. The threats of multi-drug resistance for bacteria like gonorrhea and the discovery of new viruses like Zika which can linger in semen for months make it clear that we need to rethink our approach to the truth that sex and sexual infections are clearly inseparable.

Have you ever started a new birth control, and then noticed that things started feeling a little…off? Turns out, you aren’t the only one! More women are noticing vaginal dryness as a result of their birth control regimen. Don’t worry, though – there are plenty of things you can do to start feeling better.

Our very first eye-opening experiences of love stay with us forever – whether they are with romantic partners, best friends, our children, or even companions of the four-legged variety. This week, we asked our community: When did the word “love” become real to you?