Bodies

If it’s about a system or a part of the human body and how they work, you’ll find it here. Anatomy, body function and whole systems explainers – about all kinds of bodies, and usually presented through a gender-neutral lens – myth and misnomer debunking, help navigating sexual, reproductive and other physical healthcare: it’s all in here.

a lovely elephant happy in their own skin

Highlighted content

Articles and Advice in this area:

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

The penis – in its unaltered state with an intact foreskin – is pretty clearly designed for sexual activity where it is inserted, and where it can move around during sexual activities without a need for any special assistance. Not only do you not have to do anything at all to your foreskin at all…

Advice
  • CJ Turett

It sounds like you’ve found an effective and pleasurable way for you to enjoy masturbation! There is huge variety in what people find pleasurable or comfortable. Lots of folks report that direct clitoral stimulation is too much or otherwise uncomfortable, and then there are plenty of others who…

Article
  • halfwish

We hear so many horror stories about first-time sex. Perhaps it might be good therapy to read about a first time that went well.

Advice
  • Heather Corinna

Let’s shift this question a little bit, because ultimately, what you’re asking isn’t just about guys. You’re asking if there is one way where orgasm or ejaculation feels better or best for any given group of people. The easy answer, and the truest answer, to that is no: just like there isn’t any one…

Advice
  • Stephanie

It’s normal for a woman’s body to respond to anything she finds pleasurable, and every woman’s body responds in similar yet different ways. What you’re really talking about here is arousal. What we know about sexual response is that there is a basic cycle – generally referred to as the sexual…

Advice
  • Lena

For starters, congratulations for seeking treatment and starting on your road to recovery. You deserve major recognition for that; it’s not easy but taking those first steps are so important, if hard, and I’m really proud of you! My quick answer to your two questions is that you are definitely not…

Advice
  • Sarah Riley

It’s really hard to say when your periods might develop a discernible pattern. In general, we would probably expect to see that happen within the first 3-5 years of menstruation. However, that is a very general guideline because there are a lot of other factors that could be at work as well. Your…

Advice
  • Stephanie

While getting an erection when it’s not necessarily wanted is not something you hope will happen, I can assure you that it’s completely normal. What you’re describing here is something referred to as reflex erection. Young people with penises have reflex erections during any time of the day or night…

Advice
  • CJ Turett

Dear Scarleteener, congratulations on being such an active participant in your own health care, and for doing your best to take care of both your physical and emotional well-being. That can be hard to do, particularly when life and school get crazy (as they tend to). I’m hoping that the gynecologist…

Advice
  • CJ Turett

Without hormones, our bodies would not be able to function! Hormones are essentially chemical messengers that deliver the memo to cells that they are supposed to change up what they’re doing. Not all hormones are sex hormones; there are lots of kinds! Many hormones are produced by our endocrine…