Recently, an increased awareness among consumers surrounding the potential health and environmental impacts of “traditional” menstrual products has driven new public discourse in favor of more feasible, affordable, and sustainable alternatives. Examples of these...

It was fifth grade and we were in the middle of one of those infamous Chicago winters. I was wearing an ugly turtleneck sweater that I was super self-conscious about. I felt even more self-conscious about it while I was getting sick in the hallway of my elementary...

I still remember getting on that bus going on the “infamous” fifth grade Robert Crown field trip. Some of my friends were excited because they were so curious about their changing bodies and what was going to happen as we became teens, but not me. I was dreading it....

Recently I was with my sister and her two young grandsons.  Peggy needed to use the restroom and the boys joined her.  Two-year-old Jack said, “You don’t have a penis, right Grandma?” To which my sister replied, ”No, I don’t.“ Then Jack said, “You have a vulva because...

According to a 2020 study, half of 11- to- 13 year-olds reported having seen pornography in some way. Of the children who admitted intentionally searching for pornography, nearly two-thirds of them said they had done so for one or more of the following reasons: 1)...

Sexual health education is typically thought of as a class taught in middle school or high school with information on preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, the reality is that it's so much more. One area that has recently garnered...

According to The World Bank, on any given day nearly 800 million people are menstruating, yet many people lack the necessary sanitation products needed to manage their periods.  This lack of supplies is known as “period poverty” and affects millions of people in the...

During my years at Illinois State, I have been building my knowledge on various topics related to health, wellness, and sex education. My passion for these topics drew me into joining ISU’s Student Wellness Ambassador Team (SWAT), which is comprised of student...

There are many common myths associated with sexuality and disability such as people with disabilities are asexual, have more important things to do than sex, and people with physical disabilities are unable to have sex.1 However, people with disabilities are sexual...

The year 2020 was one that brought a number of lasting memories.  Although many of them seemed to be negative, there was a shining light of hope for the future.  For the first time since 2016, data showed that vape (e-cigarette) use among teenagers had declined. The...