#sex education

[eggsandtrifles]

Here's a short list of information on PMDD for those who want to understand the physiology behind it.

[1] Bailey T.M. (2024). Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. O’Connell M, & Smith J.A., & Borgelt L.M.(Eds.), Women’s Health Across the Lifespan, 3rd Edition. McGraw Hill Education. https://accessmedicine-mhmedical-com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/content.aspx?bookid=3431&sectionid=284515994

[2] McLaughlin, J. E. (2022, April). Female reproductive endocrinology - female reproductive endocrinology. Merck Manual Professional Edition. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/female-reproductive-endocrinology/female-reproductive-endocrinology

[3] Reid RL. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (Formerly Premenstrual Syndrome) [Updated 2017 Jan 23]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Table 1, Diagnostic Criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279045/table/premenstrual-syndrom.table1diag/

[4] Iakimova, R. K., Stoimenova-Popova, M. Y., Chumpalova, P. G., Pandova, M. S., & Stoyanova, M. B. (2020a). A case report of a woman with premenstrual dysphoric disorder misdiagnosed as having bipolar affective disorder. Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research, 13(2), 144–146. https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2020-0021

When I took physiological psychology I chose to talk about PMDD for my final project that was shared with the class, because I understand how symptoms can be dismissed and taken for granted, especially by people we expect to care for and love us. Women's health is complex when we don't take time to understand it— this topic shouldn't be a taboo. There is a science behind feelings and behavior, it's not just about being in a mood. Please be mindful, these issues exist and can hurt those affected by it when we refuse to acknowledge what someone's body is going through.

I know that some folks remain undiagnosed because they can't get help due to finances or social limits, to name a few. If you are able, please seek help/medical care, and take care of yourself. If you cannot, please don't feel unheard— we know that you exist and feel your pain. 🖤

(In case anyone is interested, this is the project I made. I'm glad I came across this post, and hope we can spread some more awareness.)

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGJJ_H65b0/Dl_09Taw2ViQCuvzdh3wOg/edit?utm_content=DAGJJ_H65b0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Pre-menstrual depression is always depicted as like "He He! I had a box of icecream bars and cried while watching the Titanic!" But in reality, it's more like, "I'm standing the edge of an abyss. There is nothing good inside of me, I'm filled with rage and desperation."

It's crazy that being told how to deal with that is never a part of anyone's menstrual sex education.

[makluthecat]

Full video 👉 Watch Now

[hellyeahscarleteen]

"If your partner is a good person for you to be with, they should not make you feel ashamed. Like, ever. Shame from partners isn’t something you need to deal with – this is a situation you can get away from, and I recommend that you do. Often, if a partner is making you feel unconfident, ashamed, or otherwise bad about yourself in the bedroom, they’re likely hurting you in other ways as well. 

This might seem obvious, but ask yourself: does the person I’m having sex with actually deplete my confidence? I’ll break down some ways our sexual partners can make us feel ashamed:

They use words like “slut⁠,” “whore,” or other kinds of slurs pertaining to sexuality.

They make you feel like you’re “weird” for wanting certain kinds of sex.

They put down your appearance.

They refuse to discuss sex with you, or listen to your desires.

They don’t put much care or effort into your pleasure, and dismiss you if you imply you’re at all unsatisfied.

They dismiss you or get defensive when you give them constructive criticism. 

Your sexual partner⁠ should never, ever add to your sexual shame or diminish your confidence. It’s normal to feel unconfident or ashamed sometimes, of course – however, your sexual partner should never contribute to low self-esteem. Instead, they should work with you and help you feel good about yourself. They’re on their own journey with sex, too, and I guarantee that they’re dealing with their own hangups. You should be able to help each other out rather than hurt each other."

Samantha Benac, The Sex Goddess Blues: Overcoming Sexual Shame

[official-penis-posts]

*pinches the tip of your dick*

Ouch!

[zinepunk]

Now feels like a good time to remind people that the foundation of BDSM is consent. If there’s no consent, it’s not BDSM.

Rough sex can be done consensually.

Sadism can be done consensually.

Impact play can be done consensually.

Emetophilia can be satisfied consensually.

Even consensual non-consent is a thing.

Neil Gaiman had the money and the means to find willing partners for his sexual preferences. There are countless people out there who would be more than happy to perform the acts he wanted. If he wanted, he could have had exactly what he desired with the consent of the other party. But he didn’t look for that because, fundamentally, his interest was in assault, not BDSM.

Don’t let him trick you into thinking what he did was BDSM. It lacked the core element of all BDSM: consent. It was assault that he wanted and that’s what he did to those women.

[rongzhi]

Sex ed from a douyin account

English added by me :)

[rttlesnk]

lmaoooo shout out to the time i was sat in sex-ed and my teacher was talking about how abstinence-only education is harmful and how we can prevent getting STDs and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why abstinence-only wouldn't work bc not having sex is rlly rlly easy, like, just dont have sex? anyway turns out not everybody is ace, and they actually want sex and had sexual urges, meanwhile i was out here thinking that people chose to do it bc it soubded fun

[incognitopolls]

Anon feels like getting their first period was almost traumatic because of how deeply ashamed they felt about it, even though everything about it was normal and they knew it would happen.

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We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[victusinveritas]

When I hear the argument "but the fetus is half my DNA, I should get a say," I think, You HAD a say earlier, but once the situation exclusively involves her body, it's up to her what happens now.

[embervoices]

I saw it observed, as part of this larger discussion on another occasion, elseweb, that jobs require licensing when the customer is likely to be in danger if it's done wrong.

When it's the worker who is likely to be in danger, we unionize.

Sex workers don't need the government to regulate them nearly as much as they need it to be legal to join together to protect themselves as workers on their own terms.

Hence decriminalize - and unionize!

do people not understand that the point of legalizing sex work is regulating sex work. so that sex workers can like, be legally protected if they experience violence and such violence can be prevented by putting legal guard rails in place. instead of our current system that leaves sex workers with no recourse or protection

[vague-humanoid]

[scriptscribbles]

Ncuti Gatwa you have my undying love

[horny-mushroom]

Let’s not pretend doms don’t need after care too.

Ask them if they are satisfied, whether they came or not. Do they want to cum?

If they need anything to drink.

Perhaps they might be cramping from putting a lot of effort.

Tell them they did well and which parts you enjoyed the most.

Compliment them for their work.

Cuddle up to them.

Offer help for the clean up afterwards.

Order food together.

Sex can be something casual, but might be intense too. Either physical or mentally. Take care of each other and regularly communicate with each other. No question should be taboo. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

[jess-le-mess]

you know, as a somewhat older queer (came out as a teen in the early 2000s) one thing i struggle with is how monogamy really did become the default in our community, as least among cis queers. like there was a time when people were just kinda casually doing stuff and maybe living together and it was three people or five or whatever but as (most) queer identities became more accepted monogamy became the default (and thus a stick with which to measure and/or beat those unruly queers who just didn't want to or couldn't fall in line).

I don't know. But this is a good thing to remember. Monogamy is a choice.

Once you realize that the only reason most people are monogamous is because it’s the default you start to see that the only valid reason to be monogamous is if it’s someone’s personal choice.

Not because religion forces you to.

Not because the law makes it the only legal option.

Not because society pressures you.

Only. By. Choice.

[foldingfittedsheets]

I feel like one of the major ways sex ed failed me was the utter lack of discussion about vaginal discharge. Around 13 I started just… leaking fluids. It was on a set schedule, every day after lunch there’d be an uncomfortable wetness down the front of my underwear.

It was awful. Every movement was wet and cold unpleasantness in my pants. I’d go stuff toilet paper into my underwear and it would pill up and stick to my damp skin. That went on for a year.

I finally discovered panty liners and started wearing them daily, but with the unconscious fear that the overall juiciness of my pussy was unnatural.

I’d read people saying that cotton underwear would dissipate moisture and stop it from being a problem but no amount of natural fibers could evaporate what my crotch was producing. Since that wasn’t enough for me I worried I was abnormal.

I didn’t like wearing panty liners every day. It felt sweaty and wasteful but the alternative was to be wet and miserable. I still worried about it. But when I finally asked a doctor they just asked if it was more than my usual discharge. I said, no, it’s always been this way. They shrugged and assured me that meant my body was behaving reliably. Also if your discharge discolors your underwear that’s also normal cause of chemistry reasons

That reassurance didn’t come until my 20’s.

Finally a few years ago I discovered cloth liners. They’re reusable and clip into the crotch of underwear. I was ecstatic to finally have a non disposable option. I love them. Although the mainstream ones have polyester wings and I’m very excited to try the new all cotton ones I just got off Etsy. I think they were originally intended as light period protection but were robust enough for me.

So if you’ve ever worried about how wet your pussy is: it’s normal. It’s self cleaning, it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. You should worry when the amount changes and if you’re like me check out cloth liners, they’re excellent.

[chaneilkular]

CHANEIL KULAR as Anwar Bakshi Sex Education 2x06