Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

There are several factors to consider, as chlamydia is often overlooked in post-menopausal women because symptoms are subtle or mistaken for menopause or UTIs, estrogen-related tissue changes blur the picture, and screening practices and stigma skew toward younger ages. Testing still matters after menopause since untreated infection can cause pelvic pain, PID, and other complications, and diagnosis is simple with a urine test or vaginal swab. See below for specific symptoms to watch for, when to seek urgent care, and how to ask your clinician for STI screening that fits your situation.

Arousal in young women is an automatic mind body response to touch, thoughts, and emotions that varies widely from person to person and never equals desire or consent. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more. Below you will find practical guidance on safe self exploration, what body changes are normal, why pleasure may be uneven, red flags like pain or bleeding, when a free sexual trauma symptom check might help, and when to talk with a doctor to plan your next steps.

This guide gives parents a clear, calm roadmap for ongoing safe sex talks with teens, covering what safe sex is, how to prevent STIs and pregnancy, consent, emotional safety, and practical tools like condoms, dental dams, testing, birth control, and conversation starters. There are several factors to consider, including warning signs that need care, how to support a teen after possible sexual trauma, and when to involve a doctor; see the complete, step-by-step guidance below to understand more and choose the right next steps.

Sexual orientation is a normal spectrum of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction that can evolve over time, described by the related parts of attraction, behavior, and identity, with common terms like heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and queer, and it is distinct from gender identity. There are several factors to consider; see complete details below on how orientation develops, key myths and facts, mental and emotional health, trauma resources, and when to seek medical or counseling support, which may influence your next steps in care.

Media portrayals often get schizophrenia wrong, inflating the link to violence and nonstop hallucinations. In reality most people are nonviolent and more often victims of harm, and many can work, study, and maintain relationships when they receive early, consistent, evidence-based care for this brain-based condition. There are several factors to consider that may change your next steps, from understanding symptom types and side effects to knowing when to seek urgent care and how support improves outcomes; see the full guidance below.

There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more about sex positivity after 60, letting go of shame, and redefining intimacy on your terms while addressing normal body changes with compassion. The complete answer below also outlines when to talk with a partner or doctor, safer sex, options for pain or function changes, and tools like a free online symptom check for sexual trauma that could guide your next steps.

Shingles often begins with tingling, burning, or pain on one side, then a band-like red rash with fluid-filled blisters that scab and heal over several weeks, progressing through prodrome, active rash, scabbing, and recovery stages. Antivirals like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir work best when started within 72 hours to shorten illness and reduce complications such as postherpetic neuralgia; there are several factors to consider, including urgent signs involving the eye or face, pain control options, contagion precautions, and vaccination, so see below for complete details that can guide your next steps.

Shingles is showing up more in busy professionals because chronic stress, poor or irregular sleep, long hours, frequent travel, and delayed self care weaken immunity and let the dormant chickenpox virus reactivate. Know the early signs like tingling or one sided pain and seek care quickly, since antivirals work best within 72 hours and vaccination may be recommended to lower risks like long term nerve pain and eye involvement. There are several factors to consider, plus practical prevention steps and when to seek urgent care; see below for the complete answer, which includes details that could change your next steps.

Bleeding after sex during pregnancy is common and often harmless, usually showing up as light spotting from a sensitive cervix, and sex itself does not hurt the baby. There are several factors to consider; seek prompt care for heavy or worsening bleeding, pain, cramping, dizziness, fever, or any third-trimester bleeding. See below for trimester-specific causes, what to do next, when to avoid sex, and how doctors evaluate bleeding.

On average, married couples report sex about once per week under 40, 2 to 3 times per month at 40 to 59, and once or twice per month over 60, with an overall average of roughly 50 to 60 times per year; many satisfied couples are well above or below these ranges. There are several factors to consider, and satisfaction and health matter more than hitting a number; stress, hormones, medical conditions or medications, and relationship dynamics all influence desire, and you should speak with a clinician if there is pain, sudden change, or distress. See below for key details that can shape your next steps.

Common STI symptoms include unusual discharge, burning with urination, genital sores or blisters, rashes on the palms or soles, pelvic or testicular pain, itching or odor, rectal symptoms, and flu-like illness after exposure, but there are several factors to consider. Because symptoms overlap and many STIs are silent, only testing can confirm and early treatment protects you and partners; seek urgent care for severe pelvic pain, high fever, rapidly spreading rash, neurological changes, or sudden testicular swelling, and find the fuller visual guide with condition-specific details and next steps below.

Consent is a clear, voluntary, informed, ongoing, mutual yes that applies to touch, relationships, and online life, and teaching it helps teens set boundaries, communicate clearly, respect others, and identify red flags. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including practical scripts for saying no and asking permission, digital safety and sharing guidelines, how to recognize pressure or threats, and what to do if consent is violated, including confidential screening options and when to contact a healthcare professional.

Teaching your teen how to put on a condom before they are sexually active builds confidence and reduces risk, since condoms protect against pregnancy and many STIs only when used correctly every time. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including step by step practice, common mistakes to avoid, consent and boundaries, and when to talk with a doctor about STI testing, contraception, symptoms, or other concerns.

The 6-week rule after a C-section is a general safety guideline, not a guarantee, because internal healing, hormonal shifts, bleeding and infection risk, comfort, and emotional readiness vary from person to person. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms that mean wait or seek care and ways to return to sex comfortably; see below for complete details that could affect your next steps.

Barrier protection is the foundation of safer sex: condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, and gloves block bodily fluids and skin contact, lowering the risk of STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis and reducing transmission of herpes and HPV, while also helping prevent pregnancy when used correctly and consistently. There are several factors to consider, including proper technique, pairing barriers with testing, myths about low risk situations, emotional safety and consent, and when to seek medical advice; see below for the complete guidance that may influence your next steps.

The Bathroom Mirror approach helps you share deep sexual desires without awkwardness by getting clear with yourself first about what you want and why. Choose a calm time, use I statements, frame desire as connection not criticism, allow some awkwardness, and listen as much as you talk. There are several factors to consider, including the impact of past experiences and medical issues like pain, hormonal shifts, or medication effects, and the complete guidance below includes example phrases, timing tips, and when to see a clinician so you can choose the right next steps.

Edging is a practical arousal control technique that trains you to approach orgasm then ease off until arousal drops, which can improve stamina, reduce anxiety, and enhance satisfaction without medication. There are several factors to consider, see below for step by step guidance, partner strategies, common mistakes, supportive habits, and warning signs that mean you should talk to a clinician, since these details can change your best next steps.

Gooning is a viral trend where someone deliberately stays in prolonged sexual arousal, typically through extended porn use and masturbation without climax to feel zoned out; it is not a diagnosis, but frequent or secretive use can lead to desensitization, compulsive patterns, sleep problems, mood changes, and relationship strain. There are several factors to consider, so parents and partners should watch for life disruption and respond with calm conversation, shared boundaries, and professional support when needed, including CBT, medical evaluation, or trauma screening; key red flags, mental health links, and step by step next moves are explained below.

Enthusiastic consent is active, clear, informed, specific, and reversible, not assumed from silence, going along, past consent, arousal, or relationship status. The gray area is where hesitation, subtle pressure, power imbalances, or intoxication are mistaken for a yes, which can harm safety and trust. There are several factors to consider, including the freeze response, potential mental and physical impacts, and simple skills like checking in, pausing when unsure, and respecting a no; see below for important details that can guide your next healthcare steps.

Performance anxiety is a normal threat response, and the real solution is to work with your body to signal safety instead of forcing your mind quiet, using slow exhales, grounding, softening muscles, and shifting from self-evaluation to curiosity to return to the moment. There are several factors to consider, including past trauma, daily routines, and possible medical contributors that may require professional care; see below for step-by-step techniques, warning signs, and next steps that could meaningfully shape your healthcare journey.

You can feel completely healthy yet still carry and transmit an STI, because infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, herpes, HIV, and syphilis often have no symptoms and can spread through fluids or skin contact. Silent infections still matter since they can lead to complications such as infertility, chronic pain, pregnancy issues, and higher HIV risk. There are several factors to consider. For who should get tested, what tests involve, how to lower risk with condoms that reduce but do not eliminate risk, vaccines, and when to seek care, see the complete details below.

Early shingles often starts with one-sided burning, tingling, electric, or achy nerve pain and unusual skin sensitivity along a single strip of skin that stays on one side and does not cross the midline, usually 1 to 5 days before any rash. Recognizing this early window can allow antivirals that reduce severity, shorten illness, and lower the risk of long-term nerve pain. There are several factors to consider, including urgent red flags if symptoms involve the eye, forehead, or nose, if pain is severe, or if you are immunocompromised. See the complete guidance below for key clues, common locations, timelines, look-alikes, and the right next steps.

Certain lube ingredients can disrupt your body’s natural defenses by altering pH and pulling moisture from delicate tissues, which can set you up for recurrent BV, yeast infections, UTIs, and irritation. Common culprits include high osmolality sugars like glycerin and propylene glycol, fragrances and flavorings, parabens, chlorhexidine, and petroleum-based oils. Choosing glycerin-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, low osmolality, pH-balanced formulas, and considering silicone-based options if tolerated, can help, but there are several factors to consider, see below for important details and when to seek medical care.

Science finds there is no single G-spot or distinct G-spot orgasm; the sensitive area on the front vaginal wall is part of a broader internal network involving the clitoral complex, urethral sponge, nerves, pelvic floor, and brain-body arousal pathways. Sensitivity and orgasm from internal stimulation vary widely and are not required for sexual health, and discomfort or an urge to urinate can be normal signals to slow down or adjust. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical tips, common myths, reasons experiences differ, and red flags like persistent pain, bleeding, or sudden sensory changes that should prompt a conversation with a clinician.

Mental load from household stress can quietly kill libido by keeping your brain in constant management mode, blunting arousal and lubrication, crowding out mental space for desire, and fueling resentment when the burden is unequal. There are several factors to consider, including hormone shifts across life stages, medications and health issues, trauma, and relationship dynamics; see details below for practical fixes like truly sharing the load, embracing responsive desire, and when to speak with a clinician to guide your next steps.

Comfortable anal intimacy depends on relaxation: when the body feels safe, the external sphincter you control and the autonomic internal sphincter can soften, so slow pacing, generous lubricant, consent, and staying in control make penetration comfortable while pain is a warning to stop. There are several factors to consider. See below for practical step by step guidance, hygiene and protection tips, who should be cautious, and when to see a clinician, as these details can meaningfully shape your next healthcare steps.

Longer, gentler sessions often suit seniors best because aging bodies need more time for arousal, lubrication, and comfort, which reduces strain on the heart and joints and lowers injury risk. There is no single right time, but many find overall intimacy lasts 30 to 60 minutes or more with more focus on touch and aftercare; there are several factors to consider, see below to understand more. Key details on positions, lubrication, pacing, communication, and when to stop and speak to a doctor for symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or persistent pain can guide your next steps, and these are outlined below.

There are several factors to consider. Female desire often follows a responsive pattern, where interest grows after safety, connection, and touch rather than a spontaneous spark, and mistaking this for a problem can create stress that lowers desire. Practical steps focus on easing brakes like stress, exhaustion, pain, medications, hormonal shifts, and trauma while building non-sexual intimacy and honest communication; sudden or distressing changes should prompt a medical check. See the complete details below to guide your next steps and understand what to try, what to assess medically, and when to speak to a doctor.

Testing too soon after a possible STI exposure can give a false negative because of the window period, the time before an infection becomes detectable. Because detection timelines vary by infection and test type, treat early negatives as preliminary and plan repeat testing after the full window while using protection and aligning your testing frequency with your risk. See below for specific window ranges, which tests detect earliest, and red flags that warrant prompt medical advice.

Waiting for symptoms is risky because many STIs stay silent for months or years while causing infertility, ectopic pregnancy, certain cancers, organ damage, and ongoing transmission; routine screening and timely treatment prevent most harm. There are several factors to consider, including your exposure risk, partner testing, barrier use, and emotional or trauma related barriers to care. See the fuller guidance below for who should test, how often, which tests to ask for, and the next steps that could affect your health decisions.