The Science of Sex
November 2021, we’re exploring the different processes in the body that play a role when it comes to sex: erections, orgasms, pregnancy, periods, and more fun stuff that we all should have learned about in school; we’re talking about The Science of Sex. Whether the inner workings of your body aren’t something you’ve explored much or even if you’re well-versed in anatomy and physiology, this newsletter will provide you with some fresh perspectives and beneficial resources to appreciate these below-the-surface functions in a digestible way.
Why The Science of Sex?
“Your body is your vehicle for living – a means to express your sexual identity and needs, to feel pleasure and to communicate with others. The more in touch you are with your body (literally), the more likely you are to take care of it and enjoy it.”
— Centre For Sexuality, Sexuality and Your Body
Put simply, you deserve to KNOW your body. Being intimate with our (and our partners’) bodies’ natural rhythms can help guide our sexual life (and reproductive choices) along the path of pleasure and satisfaction which is ultimately a way to build inner peace—and extend that peace to our communities.
Periods
Womb owners experience them every month during fertile years, with each cycle meant to prepare the body for pregnancy. While menstruation only lasts a fraction of the month, the cycle as whole affects nearly all aspects of an individual’s well-being and understanding it can help one make better choices both when it comes to sex and in everyday life.
Pregnancy
The evolutionary purpose of sex, yet not the only reason why many of us are having it: pregnancy is a very elaborate process—many developments need to take place to result in the birth of another human being. Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not, knowing the inner workings of this process is crucial in commanding your sexuality.
Penises
Even in the modern era, there are so many things popularly misunderstood about male sexuality. For starters: rather than being interlinked, “Orgasm and ejaculation are two separate physiological processes” and “Erections aren’t required for orgasm.” More on these below:
Did you know that… According to Sexuality Educator Remi Newman, “Male fetuses can experience erections in the womb”?
The G-Spot
There has been much controversy about the G-spot over the years. Do women have a G-spot? Where is it? Is it a magical spot you touch that suddenly causes orgasm? Explore these questions and more with the resources below:
Did you know that…many of the studies made to explore whether or not the G-spot was an actual structure within the vaginal cavity of females were performed on dead bodies?
Contraceptives
Parenthood should be a choice. Contraceptive methods are one of the best ways to ensure this happens. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that “The number of women desiring to use family planning has increased markedly over the past two decades, from 900 million in 2000 to nearly 1.1 billion in 2020.”
In this section, you will find resources to learn what contraception options are there available for you. Remember that each body is different, and the same method, or even the same brand of the same method, might not work as well for you as it might for others (and vice versa). The best way to make sure you are getting on the proper method is by paying a visit to the doctor.
Did you know that… According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), there are 5 main types of contraception: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), Hormonal Methods, Barrier Methods, Emergency Contraception and Sterilization. Lots to choose from! ;-)
Carnal Theory
“Sex should be our first vital sign.”
“Our body learns how to connect across anything.”
“So much of sex ed should be about how does this relate to YOU?”
— Dr. Catalina Lawsin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Click here to listen, and here to watch her episode.
When was the last time your healthcare provider asked if you were sexually satisfied? Ever? Have you asked yourself any of these questions recently: How sexually fulfilled am I? Am I connected to my needs and desires? What defines ‘pleasure’ for me?
We address these inquiries and more with returning guest Dr. Catalina Lawsin. Together, we explore Dr. Catalina’s research and ideas about how sexuality can inform our overall health and what a pleasure-based approach to human health (vs. a pain-based one) could look like. We consider the connection of mind, body and self, learning how awareness (or lack thereof) about our sexual selves can affect us psychologically.
Our Blog
Have you heard British Filth is back?! October was all about Sex Work, and we had the opportunity to chat with Reddit’s Audio Erotica creator of choice, who has returned and plans to continue creating after some years of silence.
Whether you’ve just heard of him or are excited to know he’s officially back, his new content is sure to pique your curiosity. Learn all the details in our exclusive blog interview with him.
“I considered myself a libidinous bloke flirting with creative expression and
enjoying being part of a community of like-minded types.”
“The key to meaningful, deeply arousing self-pleasure
really is self-acceptance.”
(NSFW: If you’re unfamiliar with his work, you can listen to ‘The Menu,’ a piece featuring a little of everything for you to choose from.)
Writing Prompts:
Talking about our bodies is a great opportunity to explore our relationship with them and the past that shaped them. The best way to build the life we’d absolutely love to wake up to every day is by reflecting on it; reflecting on whether our actions and habits support our desires and goals.
Understanding our unique sexual development and healing our past hurts are essential parts of this process. We invite you to ask yourself today:
📝 Could Sex Ed have prevented an unfortunate event in my past? 📝
Is there something I would like to have been told before having my first sexual encounter?
Which contraception methods did I know about by then?
Did I know what Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were before my first encounter? Did I use any form of contraception to avoid contracting an STI?
📝 Was Sex Ed taught at my home and/or school? Yes/No. Why? 📝
Was sex an openly discussed topic in my family? How did that affect my daily life?
Did my parent(s) or legal guardian(s) receive sex education in any context? How?
If I was a parent or legal guardian, would I teach Sex Ed to my kids? Why?
These voluntary monthly prompts invite you to explore your sexual biography.
Tips on exploring: Set aside 20 minutes with your phone on silent and relax in a comfortable space with a pen and paper. Go slow. Start with what comes to mind from your first read of the prompt. Continue writing from your stream of consciousness.
Mantra of the month
My body, like my pleasure, is my project. I will connect with the inherent wisdom of my body to embrace myself fully.
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