Sexual script theory suggests that sexual behavior follows a script on a cultural, interpersonal, and individual level. In partnered sexual activities, a sexual script outlines which sexual behaviors are appropriate and/or expected in each situation, including the types of sexual activity, the person who performs them, and the order in which activities are performed.

It is natural for a person’s sexual desire to fluctuate over the course of their lifetime and/or in response to certain life events (e.g., pregnancy, changes in a romantic relationship, big life transitions, etc.) Nevertheless, having consistently low or absent sexual desire with no identifiable cause can be a frustrating problem for individuals that may be consistent with a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is a condition in which it takes an individual an unusually long period of time to ejaculate during partnered sexual activity. Some people with DE may find that they are unable to ejaculate at all during partnered sexual activity.

Vulvodynia is a distressing medical condition that is defined as vulvar pain that lasts for at least three months without an identifiable cause. People with vulvodynia often describe their symptoms as burning, itching, cutting, stinging, and lacerating. They may experience difficulty or pain with sexual activity, tampon insertion, gynecological examinations, and urination.

Gender minority individuals, including transgender people, experience higher rates of mental health problems than the general public. Discrimination, violence, and the enduring stigma around gender diversity can all contribute to the increased rate of mental health problems in the gender diverse community. This phenomenon is known in some circles as gender minority stress.

A good night’s sleep has many health benefits, and supporting a person’s sexual functioning may be one of them.

Several studies have documented differences in sexual desire between cisgender men and cisgender women, but few have differentiated between different types of desire or the sexual orientation of these individuals.

The informed consent model is the practice of health care providers sharing enough information about treatment options and/or procedures with patients for patients to make an informed decision about their health.

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is a sexual health condition in which a man takes a long time to ejaculate or is unable to ejaculate, particularly during partnered sex. It can also refer to a significant increase in the time it takes a man to ejaculate during sex compared to his previous “normal.” Often, ejaculation latency time is discussed with regard to DE, which is the time it takes a person to ejaculate during penetrative sex.

The clitoris is an organ that is central to female sexual pleasure, yet very little was known about it until recently. Unlike its anatomical counterpart, the penis, which was accurately described as early as 35 BCE by Hippocrates, the clitoris was not fully anatomically described until the year 2005. This historical neglect of the clitoris has led to some major consequences for patients, health care professionals, and society as a whole.

Historically, there has been a considerable lack of research on care for transgender individuals. Expanding on this data could go a long way toward addressing the health inequities that disproportionately affect this group as well as toward understanding and meeting their unique health care needs.

Priapism is a long-lasting, unwanted, and often painful erection. Individuals who have an erection for more than four hours should seek emergency medical care to mitigate any potential damage to the penis. Even when priapism is addressed quickly and properly, it can lead to sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction (ED), Peyronie’s disease (PD), or recurrent priapism.