A fear of semen may be attributed to several other conditions. One common reason is related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Specifically, the contamination subcategory of OCD, in which obsessions (unwanted thoughts, feelings, urges, etc.) and compulsions (actions taken to relieve distress from obsessions) center on germs, illness, or contamination. These compulsions are fueled by disgust, which is a defensive reflex the body uses to avoid contamination. However, with OCD, that disgust is exacerbated by obsessions.

Circumcision, where the foreskin of the penis is surgically removed, is an extremely common procedure performed in both pediatric and adult urology practices. Outside of religious reasons (common among pediatric patients), adults may choose to be circumcised for a variety of other reasons such as visual aesthetic, penile cancer, and to prevent infections.

Intersex is a term that refers to individuals that were born with genitalia, chromosomes, or hormonal imbalances that fit outside of the sexual binary of male and female. For example, an individual may have genitals that are associated with being female, but at the same time have an internal reproductive system or hormones associated with being male, such as hidden testes and testosterone. They may also have variations in chromosomes, such as XXY (as opposed to the male XY and female XX), or a mix of XY and XX throughout cells, or just one X chromosome. Intersexuality does not always present at birth, and may show during puberty, adulthood, or sometimes not at all.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra and spread to the bladder. Most UTIs remain in the bladder, but if they reach the kidneys, it can become a more serious health concern. Common symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating (dysuria), cloudy or pink urine, and frequent urges to urinate, regardless of bladder fullness. Over half of all women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, and up to 2.8% will develop recurrent UTIs (rUTIs), defined as three or more UTIs in a year or two or more within six months. Roughly 60% of rUTIs are linked to sexual activity, which may introduce bacteria into the urethra, while others result from hormonal changes due to menopause.

In this episode, we dive into how dating apps are shaping female sexual behavior—are they a tool for empowerment or a trap reinforcing old stereotypes? We explore the mental health impact of casual encounters, the effects on long-term relationships, and whether sexologists should guide clients through the digital dating world.

An individual’s sexual history consists of their sexual experiences, previous partners, sexual preferences, and uses of contraceptives, amongst other things. It’s important to discuss sexual history with a new sexual partner for a variety of reasons, mainly sexual health and safety. For example, if a new partner has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that they have not disclosed, then your sexual health would be at-risk – even more so if protection such as condoms are not used.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed for a multitude of improvements in medicine. Particularly, in the field of urology, AI has been used extensively in the processes of diagnosis, treatment planning, assessing the effectiveness of surgeries, and more. Beyond that, AI has been integrated into a variety of medical fields for diagnosis, education, and patient care. Perhaps with further analysis as to the effectiveness and ethics of AI, sexual health may be able to reap the benefits as well.

Vulvodynia is a chronic condition that affects the vulva with no clear cause, causing pain, burning, or irritation that lasts at least three months. Researchers believe that the development of pain-related systems in those diagnosed with vulvodynia may be caused by alterations in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Specifically, previous research suggests the pain experienced from vulvodynia is a result of central sensitization, which is the hypersensitivity of areas in the brain that are responsible for acute pain processing.

Sensation in one's sex organs can be important for experiencing sexual pleasure, reaching orgasm, and feeling sexually healthy. That's why it can be so distressing to lose these sensations, and it may lead to sexual dysfunction, such as anorgasmia (the inability to orgasm), erectile dysfunction, or other issues. Penile and clitoral numbness can both be described as a loss of sensation in the genital area. Each can be distressing in its own right, and each has their own set of implications for sexual health.

Introduction

Concomitant insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or COMISA, means insomnia and OSA occur at the same time, whether that’s long-term, or from time to time. Both conditions on their own have detrimental effects on overall and sexual health as well as one’s quality of life. These sleep disorders can contribute to issues such as heart problems, anxiety, depression, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) revolve around chronic pain and other clinical conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the muscles involved in chewing (mouth and jaw muscles), and other structures in that region. These disorders affect around 31% of adults and can present as pain in the TMJ, limited jaw movement (lock jaw), cracking or popping noises within the joint during jaw function, and more.

According to a 2024 empirical study, there are almost no other studies pertaining to the implications of TMDs in regard to sexual health or sexual functioning. However, this research review did highlight some key aspects of TMD in relation to sexual health based mostly on patient testimonies and patient educational resources.

In this week’s episode with guest Andrea Sansone, we dive deep into how substance abuse affects male sexual health — and the answers might surprise you.

Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious — this is a must-listen.