Sex

Disabled and Fighting for a Sex Life

How misperceptions about disability can prevent people with physical and cognitive impairments from being able to express their sexuality

• Katharine Quarmby
• March 11, 2015

When Social-Media Companies Censor Sex Education

Health organizations can find themselves held back by the policies of sites like Facebook and Twitter, which often classify their messages of safe sex as inappropriate content.

• Amber Madison
• March 4, 2015

How Kink's Largest Social-Networking Site Fails Its Users

By protecting the identities of people with a history of abusive behavior, FetLife.com leaves members of the BDSM community vulnerable to harm.

• David Z. Morris
• March 3, 2015

Lowering the Age for HIV Prevention

The risk of infection is highest among among gay black men in their teens—but Truvada, the drug otherwise known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, is still available only for people 18 and older.

• Rod McCullom
• February 11, 2015

The Push to Destigmatize Abortion

Pro-choice activists hope that getting women to talk about their experiences will boost support for the movement.

• Julie Rovner
• January 22, 2015

BDSM Versus the DSM

A history of the fight that got kink de-classified as mental illness

• Merissa Nathan Gerson
• January 13, 2015

'A Risk of Harm': Catholic Hospitals' Ban on Tube-Tying

Sterilization is forbidden in Catholic doctrine—but many doctors in systems affiliated with the Church believe the restriction runs counter to their patients' best interests.

• Patricia Miller
• January 2, 2015

The Unexpected Home of Unintended Pregnancy

What Delaware, where a surprisingly high number of women get pregnant by accident, can teach the rest of the nation

• Olga Khazan
• December 22, 2014

Do Women Need Their Own Viagra?

Some argue that a female sexual-dysfunction drug is a matter of equality among the sexes. Others say it creates a medical problem where none exists.

• Jacoba Urist
• December 18, 2014

Alaska's Prostitution Law Isn't Working

In 2012, the state reclassified sex workers as trafficking victims rather than criminals—but a report says the new language hasn't altered the way they're treated by police.

• Noah Berlatsky
• December 17, 2014

Return of the Rhythm Method

Tired of condoms and the Pill, many women are turning to new apps that help them practice one of the oldest forms of contraception.

• Olga Khazan
• December 9, 2014

The Dutch Village Where Everyone Has Dementia

The town of Hogeway, outside Amsterdam, is a Truman Show-style nursing home.

• Josh Planos
• November 14, 2014

There Are Very Few 'Uncommon' Sexual Fantasies

But there's a difference between imagining something and wanting to act on it, a new study says.

• Serena Elavia
• November 5, 2014

The Climate-Change Solution No One Will Talk About

Studies have shown that improved access to birth control can be a valuable tool in slowing global warming, but many politicians are afraid to broach the subject.

• Jason Plautz and National Journal
• November 1, 2014

The Psychology of 'Backburner' Relationships

It's natural for humans to pay attention to all their romantic options, and new research shows Facebook helps them do that.

• Julie Beck
• October 24, 2014

Delaying Puberty With the Help of the State

Earlier this month, Oregon became the first in the country to offer puberty-suppressing drugs to transgender teens on its Medicaid plan.

• Jake Thomas
• October 22, 2014

The Team That Invented the Birth-Control Pill

Anticipating the challenges the pill would face, the biologist heading the project chose for his partner a doctor who was well-liked, good-looking, and, most importantly, Catholic.

• Jonathan Eig
• October 9, 2014

At Group Sex Parties, Strict Rules Make for Safe Spaces

Gatherings emphasize consent and respect for boundaries as much as exploration.

• Merissa Nathan Gerson
• September 24, 2014

In Relationships, Be Deliberate

For milestones like moving in together, intent (rather than chronology) determines success.

• Emily Esfahani Smith and Galena Rhoades
• August 19, 2014

The Scent of True Love

Pheromone parties say daters can find their match from the smell of a t-shirt, but the science is a little more complicated.

• Cari Romm
• August 5, 2014