Sex in the news: February edition

It’s a scary world out there, filled with fake news. And it’s not just about politics. In fact, a bipartisan group of scientists recently looked at the 100 most popular health articles of 2018 and determined that 75% of them were misleading or at least contained some false information. Don’t worry, Bedsider’s got your back, as always. 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. The Most Ridiculous Excuses People Make for Not Using Condoms (Cosmopolitan)

   Cosmopolitan recently partnered with Power to Decide (that’s us, btw) to survey young people about condom use. This article pulls from those survey results to bring you some of the most common reasons people say they don’t use condoms during sex.

2. How to Insert NuvaRing So It Stays in Place (SELF)

   The ring is relatively easy to use, though some first-time users are a little unsure about how to insert it. Here experts explain how to properly insert the ring for use and how to keep it there until it needs to come out.

3. The Biggest Wellness Trend This Year? Female Pleasure (REFINERY29)

   With many brands now marketing sexual pleasure as just another aspect of wellness, it looks like the stigma attached to female sexual pleasure is on its way out. This shift has made products (including sex toys) more widely available at mainstream retailers.

4. 7 Questions About PMDD, Answered By An Expert (Bustle)

   In this article the author discusses her experiences with PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder), including how she treated it, and talks to a PMDD expert to get answers to common questions about the disorder.

5. 6 Things That Make You More Likely To Get Pregnant If You’re Not Careful About Them, According To Experts (Elite Daily)

   We all know that the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy is not having sex at all. But since abstinence isn’t for everyone, it’s good to keep in mind the things that make it more likely for you to get pregnant. Here, experts walk through some common situations that can lead to an unplanned pregnancy.

6. Long-acting contraceptive patch gives women DIY option for birth control (NBC News)

   A team of scientists at Georgia Tech recently invented a birth control patch that won’t require you to seek a provider to administer or remove it. Once adhered to the skin, the patch’s microneedles dissolve allowing the birth control to continuously disburse throughout the month.

7. A Gynecologist Reveals The Surprising Truth About Getting Pregnant On Your Period (Elite Daily)

   Despite some persistent myths, period sex definitely can lead to pregnancy. Hear from an ob-gyn how this is possible and learn more about the potential benefits and risks of period sex.

8. Getting your second IUD might not be as painful as getting your first, here’s what to expect (Insider)

   IUD insertion and removal pain varies from person to person. The author discusses the reasons why getting a second IUD may be easier than getting the first, and she calls on experts for tips on how to reduce pain during IUD insertion.

9. How to Stop Your Period With Birth Control (SELF)

   Some people like getting a period, but some would prefer not to. If you would rather be without it, this article can help you find out how you can use birth control to stop your period.

10. Here’s How To Use Lube In Bed, Because It Makes Everything A Little Bit Better (Elite Daily)

    People use lube for all kinds of reasons—and we’re completely here for it! Here’s a further look into how lube can take your sexual experience to the next level.