Sex in the news: October edition

Trapped in the never-ending, relentless, 24-hour news cycle that makes you beg for the end to come soon? Find yourself involuntarily covering your eyes and ducking under your desk anytime you get a news alert on your phone? Don’t worry, Bedsider’s got your back, as always. This time, we’ve rounded up our 10 favorite articles about sexual health and birth control from the past month to make it really easy for you to get the facts on the things that could affect your health.

1. Why are STD rates so high in the U.S.? (Shape)

   New data from the CDC shows STI rates reached record-breaking levels for the second year in a row. Here’s why they’re on the rise and how to protect yourself from the growing health crisis.

2. Has your doctor told you about skipping your period for good? (Rewire)

   Birth control pills can be used continuously to stop getting your period. This article discusses the reasons why this might benefit some people and what the potential downsides could include.

3. 7 reasons why you’re spotting while on birth control (Bustle)

   This article describes seven reasons you might be spotting while taking the pill, including hormonal imbalance, infection, and missed or late pills.

4. How your chance of getting pregnant changes throughout your cycle (Bustle)

   You may have heard that midway through your cycle is the time you’re most likely to get pregnant—but what about the other days of the month? Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of what’s actually going on.

5. 7 sigs you should change your birth control, according to an expert (Bustle)

   Lots of people try more than one type of birth control. Here are seven signs that you may want to consider switching your birth control method.

6. Wait, can you still get pregnant on the pill? (Women’s Health)

   Yep, it’s possible for you to get pregnant on the birth control pill, but it’s very unlikely. When it’s used perfectly, the birth control pill is over 99 percent effective. With typical use, it’s about 91 percent effective. Here’s what you need to know, just in case.

7. Lube doesn’t kill sperm, but it can slow it down (REFINERY29)

   Myths about pregnancy are common, and it can be hard to tell what’s true and what’s not. One common belief is that lube kills sperm. Hear from experts on how lube may affect the motility of sperm.

8. Undiagnosed STIs can make your PMS worse, according to a new study, so that’s great (Elite Daily)

   If your PMS has suddenly become severe, it’s a good idea to check in with your provider. Recent research suggests that having an untreated STI may worsen PMS symptoms like pain.

9. Is it a good idea to wear two condoms? The answer is more complicated than you think (Bustle)

   You may have heard that “double bagging” (wearing two condoms at the same time) is not a good idea because it can increase friction that can lead to breakage. But exactly what does the research show about this?

10. We asked 226 women to tell us the biggest stigma that still exists around women’s sexual health (Bustle)

    This article introduces the findings of Bustle’s recent survey asking women about the biggest stigma that persists in the area of women’s sexual health. They also created Unashamed, a group of articles that attempts to break down the stigma around STIs.