The termination of thousands of federal grants that fund clinical trials threatens to reverse substantial progress in understanding and treating the health challenges of marginalized populations, particularly children and adolescents who are already underrepresented in research.

22 Oct 2025

Mediterranean-style diets improve pelvic floor function and sexual health, review finds

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 studies reveals that healthy, anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean and DASH diets, are linked to improved sexual function and reduced incontinence symptoms in pelvic floor dysfunction. However, prospective evidence for incontinence improvement remains limited, suggesting that benefits may be mediated by metabolic and inflammatory pathways, especially in individuals with obesity or metabolic syndrome.

19 Oct 2025

Gaps in sex education can have lasting impacts throughout adulthood, study finds

A new Kinsey Institute study has found gaps in sex education can have lasting impacts throughout adulthood, including relationship struggles, lack of confidence, and reduced quality of life.

10 Oct 2025

Perlmutter Cancer Center experts shine light on the rise of breast cancer in younger adults

Currently, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women age 20 to 49 in the United States. Compounding this concerning issue, younger patients are being diagnosed at more advanced stages, according to doctors at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, and this points to a greater need for screening, prevention, and breast cancer education.

9 Oct 2025

Mastectomy may contribute to worse sexual health, psychosocial outcomes

While mastectomy is often a necessary and life-saving treatment option for many women with breast cancer, the surgery may contribute to worse sexual health, body image, and several other physical and emotional challenges after surgery, according to a new systematic review on the effects of mastectomy in women with breast cancer.

3 Oct 2025

Breaking the silence on sexuality after gynecological cancer

For many women who survive gynecological cancer, the desire for sex and intimacy disappears. The healthcare system rarely asks.

5 Sep 2025

Androgen deprivation therapy lowers satisfaction after penile prosthesis surgery

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among men, with over 160,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States.

1 Sep 2025

Inconsistent state laws undermine sexual education across the United States

While the majority of states require public school students to take at least one sexual education course, a patchwork of state-level provisions that mandate inaccurate, outdated, or politically motivated curricula may inhibit students from receiving essential information for their sexual health and well-being.

22 Aug 2025

Maryland taps Affordable Care Act fund to help pay for abortion care

Maryland is the first state to tap into an old fund connected to the Affordable Care Act to help solve a new problem: helping pay the expenses of patients who travel to Maryland for an abortion.

17 Aug 2025

New study highlights overlooked sexual health concerns in older women

Adults aged 65 years and older are becoming the fastest-growing demographic, yet, the sexual health of older women is often understudied and untreated.

13 Aug 2025

Tribal groups assert sovereignty as feds crack down on gender-affirming care

At the Two Spirit Conference in northern Nevada in June, Native Americans gathered in support of the LGBTQ+ community amid federal and state rollbacks of transgender protections and gender-affirming health care.

30 Jul 2025

Study debunks "No Nut November" claims: Abstinence shows no health benefits or harms

A new study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that participating in “No Nut November”, a month-long abstinence challenge, had no measurable effect on sexual well-being. The only significant difference was that participants reported higher sexual flexibility, likely reflecting a pre-existing trait.

29 Jul 2025

Funding cuts threaten decades of progress in the fight against HIV

Countries worldwide must step up to support the fight against HIV or face the “ticking time bomb” left by the wholesale withdrawal of US funding, warns UNAIDS.

22 Jul 2025

Louisiana upholds its HIV exposure law as other states change or repeal theirs

When Robert Smith met his future girlfriend in 2010, he wanted to take things slowly. For Smith, no relationship had been easy in the years since he was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

21 Jul 2025

Blood sugar levels found to impact sexual health in aging men

Metabolic health factors, including small increases in blood sugar, are the main drivers of change in the reproductive systems and sexual functioning of aging men, according to a study being presented Saturday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

12 Jul 2025

Research highlights an increase in informal use of doxyPEP/PrEP among key populations in the Netherlands

New research analyzing an online survey of 1,633 respondents found 15% recent use of doxycycline post- and pre-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP/PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender diverse people in the Netherlands according to a recent study published by Eurosurveillance.

4 Jul 2025

Regular sexual activity can reduce problematic menopause symptoms, study suggests

It's no secret that women often become less interested in sex with age. However, orgasm and satisfaction have been shown to not decline significantly with age.

25 Jun 2025

$Men face silent threat of weak bones and fractures$

Men face silent threat of weak bones and fractures

Weak bones can have deadly consequences. Women often get bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis, yet many men don't even realize they are at risk until they suffer a major fracture.

25 Jun 2025

Plant-based diets may help prevent erectile dysfunction

A narrative review in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that whole-food plant diets may help prevent or improve erectile dysfunction (ED) by supporting vascular health and reducing risk factors such as LDL cholesterol and inflammation. However, most evidence is observational, and more clinical trials are needed.

25 Jun 2025

Study highlights the lasting toll of colorectal cancer on women's sexual health

A new University of British Columbia-led study is shedding light on a long-overlooked consequence of colorectal cancer: the lasting toll it can take on women's sexual health, even years after treatment ends.

4 Jun 2025

Sexual Health

Overview

Feature Articles

HIV in Pregnancy and During Breastfeeding

STD Incidence

Semen Allergy

Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria

Semen and Culture

What is Vaginitis?

Diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria

Treatment for Gender Dysphoria

Vaginal Cancer Symptoms

Sex Hormones in Meat and Dairy Products

What Causes Gonorrhea?

What is Chlamydia?

Semen Physiology

Gonorrhea Treatments

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Vaginal Microbiome Variation and Bacterial Vaginosis

History of Sexually Transmitted Disease

Progress Towards a Cure for HIV

Bacterial Vaginosis

Causes of Gender Dysphoria

Vaginal Microbiome During Pregnancy

HIV and AIDS Research

What is Gonorrhea?

Vaginitis Treatment

HIV and Blood Transfusions

HIV Care During Pregnancy

Vaginitis Causes

Increasing Semen Volume

What is Semen?

Neurosyphilis

Syphilis Prevention

Gonorrhea History

Integrating Mental and Sexual Health

The Impact of Digital Platforms on the Management of STIs

Vaginitis Diagnosis

Living with HIV

Vaginal Microbiome and Premature Birth

Syphilis Symptoms

Swallowing Semen

Vaginal Microbiome and Sexually Transmitted Infections

What are Complications of Chlamydia?

How Soon Can You Have Sex After Having a Baby?

Causes of Candidiasis (Thrush)

AIDS Pathophysiology

What is Sexual Dysfunction?

Vaginoplasty in Children

What Causes AIDS?

What is Gender Dysphoria?

Chlamydia Symptoms

Chlamydia Diagnosis

Vaginal Flora

What is HIV/AIDS?

Chlamydia Infection Pathophysiology

Vaginoplasty Techniques

What is an STD?

Vaginal Microbiome Variation and Bacterial Vaginosis

STD Pathophysiology

HIV in Children

What is Vaginal Microbiome?

Syphilis Treatment

History of AIDS

AIDS Treatment

Vaginal Microbiome and Gynecological Cancer

Sexual Health Around the World

Vaginoplasty - Risks and Complications

Common Triggers for Vaginal Infections

Vaginoplasty: Medical Reasons

Chlamydia Treatment

When Does HIV Become AIDS?

HIV and Organ Transplants

Semen Health Effects

AIDS Symptoms

Condoms for Oral and Anal Sex

What is Syphilis?

HIV Risks and Risk Factors

Chlamydia Screening

Sexual Dysfunction Causes