Many people occasionally view pornography to enhance a masturbation experience or a partnered sexual interaction. For the most part, studies have indicated that recreational pornography use is not associated with any form of sexual dysfunction or sexual difficulties.

Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when she permanently stops having her period. Specifically, it occurs 12 months after a woman’s last period, but most women go through a transition called perimenopause that lasts several years.

Aphrodisiacs are foods or substances that are thought to increase a person’s sexual desire, arousal, performance, or pleasure. The name is derived from Aphrodite, who was the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

The BDSM (bondage-discipline, dominance-submission, and/or sadism-masochism) community has often faced stigma for their sexual preferences. In fact, past and present medical literature has described BDSM (or kink) as “bizarre,” “unusual,” and even indicative of a mental disorder or dysfunction.

Peyronie’s disease is a medical condition in which scarring develops on the penis, causing it to bend or curve during erections. It occurs in two phases: the acute phase and the chronic phase. These two phases have distinct characteristics and should be handled differently, so it is important to know how to tell one from the other.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, have become an increasingly popular method of consuming nicotine in recent years, especially among young adults. Designed to look similar to actual cigarettes, e-cigarettes are electronic devices that hold a solution containing nicotine and other flavored ingredients. This solution is turned into vapor when people activate the device and inhale, which is why the practice is known as “vaping.”

Orgasm is an enjoyable outcome of sexual encounters. However, there are several myths around orgasm that should be debunked. Here are some of the most common myths around orgasm as well as the facts:

Phalloplasty is a surgery in which the surgical team creates a penis and scrotum for the patient, the creation of which is known as a neophallus. This surgery may be used for men who have lost their penises due to injury or illness, but it is also a type of gender-affirming surgery for transgender men who wish to transition their genitals to align with their gender identity.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted government-mandated lockdowns and social restrictions in countries all over the world. While lockdown measures helped to reduce the spread of this highly contagious virus, they also had an effect on many individuals’ mental and sexual health.

A penile implant (prothesis) is a device that is surgically inserted into the penis as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). There are two main types of penile implants: the malleable implant that contains semirigid rods and is therefore always firm, and the more commonly used inflatable implant that is manually filled with fluid to achieve an erection.

Many women experience changes in their sexual function as they undergo menopause and the drop in estrogen that menopause causes. Estrogen is one of the main female sex hormones that supports vaginal lubrication and healthy vaginal tissues. As such, postmenopausal women may be more prone to vaginal dryness, decreased vaginal elasticity, vaginal itchiness, and discomfort or pain during sexual activity due to their decreased levels of estrogen.

When people think about sexual desire, they often think about spontaneous desire, which is internal arousal or desire to connect with a partner. However, the motivation for sexual activity is not always spontaneous. In fact, it often occurs in response to starting sexual activity or sexual stimulation. This is known as responsive desire.