The Changing World of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

• Shirley Fletcher
• October 17, 2020
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The world in which adolescents live has changed dramatically in the last 25 years and the response to their sexual and reproductive health and rights has evolved in important ways.

A new supplement in the Journal of Adolescent Health celebrates gains, confronts barriers, and identifies key areas of action for countries and key stakeholders to build on progress in the critical decade ahead.

The four published articles were developed by technical teams at WHO and UNFPA, along with governments, academia, civil society, and funding organizations. They were co-authored by young people from six regions around the world.

Some positive trends in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights

In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) announced the arrival of adolescent sexuality and adolescent sexual and reproductive health on the global agenda.

An additional 163 million adolescents (aged 10-19) have come of age since then. There are now …

Guide to Sexual Health

• Shirley Fletcher
• September 18, 2020
• 0 Comment

When someone hears the term, “sexual health,” they may think it refers only to avoiding an unplanned pregnancy or preventing STIs. While preventing unplanned pregnancy and staying STI-free are both parts of sexual health, sexual health is really an umbrella term that encompasses many different facets of a person’s physical and emotional well-being surrounding sex and sexuality.

On September 4th, 2012, the World Association of Sexual Health launched World Sexual Health Day to bring awareness to these issues and to help people of all sexual orientations fully understand what it all means to be a sexually healthy person.

What are the characteristics of a sexually healthy person?

The American Sexual Health Association defines someone who is sexually healthy as possessing the following characteristics, behaviors, and belief systems around sex and relationships:

• They understand that sexuality is a natural part of someone’s life, and sexuality involves more than just sexual behavior.

Health Issues For Gay Men and Men Who Have Sex With Men

• Shirley Fletcher
• September 7, 2020
• 0 Comment

All men face certain health risks. However, gay men and men who have sex with men have some specific health concerns.

Although your individual risks are shaped by many factors beyond your sexual orientation and practices — including family history and age — it’s important to understand common health issues for gay men and steps you can take to stay healthy.

Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections

Men who have sex with men are at increased risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

To protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections:

• Use a condom or other protection. Use a new condom every time you have sex, especially during anal sex but ideally during oral sex as well. Use only water-based lubricants, not petroleum jelly, body lotion or oils. Oil-based lubricants can weaken latex condoms and cause them to break.
• Be monogamous

Sexual Health For Lesbians And Women Who Have Sex With Women

• Shirley Fletcher
• July 31, 2020
• 0 Comment

All women face certain health risks. However, sexual minority women, such as those who identify as lesbian or bisexual as well as women who have sex with women, have some specific health concerns.

Although your individual risks are shaped by many factors beyond your sexual orientation and practices — including family history and age — it’s important to understand common health issues for sexual minority women and steps you can take to stay healthy.

Safeguard your mental health

Sexual minority women are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. Contributing factors include social alienation, discrimination, rejection by loved ones, abuse and violence. The problem might be more severe for sexual minority women who are not “out” to others and those who lack social support.

If you think you might be depressed, talk to your doctor or seek help from a mental health provider. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, confide …

A Millennial’s Guide to Having Sex with Millennials

• Shirley Fletcher
• March 2, 2019
• 0 Comment

As millennials, we spend nearly every waking moment looking at screens, consuming and creating content until the oceans boil, mountains crumble and the sun envelops the earth. We look at screens so much that we take it for granted. For example, what if I told you that you were looking at a screen right now? Impossible, but true. In the process of converting to an entirely screen-based existence, we’ve become isolated, and in our sad, meaningless existence, have forgotten what really matters: fucking.

According to a 2013 study conducted by the University College of London, young people averaged between 1.3 and 1.5 fucks less per month than they did a decade ago. The Guardian and Business Insider both suggested that technology was to blame for our cold, fuckless lives, a premise that, for the purposes of this article, I will agree with. I want to change that. Through my guidance, …

Sex Positions for Overweight People

• Shirley Fletcher
• February 28, 2019
• 0 Comment

Years of exposure to media that feels like it’s been conceived both by and for skinny people has morphed contemporary society’s very narrow set of beauty standards. Now, anyone who’s not extremely thin or athletically fit can feel like they’re overweight.

Even a very confident person can feel self-conscious when it comes to being naked and sexual with a partner, especially if their body shape makes certain sex positions tricky to attempt. If you’re constantly worrying about things like that, you’re not going to be in a relaxed and sexy mood.

The truth is, when it comes to having sex, having a bigger body just means there’s more of you to love. That’s why a list of helpful sex positions put together specifically for bigger people can assist in putting you and your partner at ease. Not to mention, it’ll give you both some fun new options to play …