If you’re a sexually active person— or even if you’re not right now—you probably have questions about your sexual health. Like, should I be tested for STIs? Which ones? Or what are my options for preventing pregnancy? You also might have questions about your libido and why it’s so low…or so high, and whether that’s normal. Or why sex is painful, or getting an erection is so difficult. It’s not always easy to bring these topics up, and it may not be clear exactly what questions you should be asking about your sexual health. 

So how do you overcome your own hesitancy or embarrassment and start that conversation with your healthcare provider? That’s what we’re talking about on this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast. To help us out with this conversation we have two sexual health experts—Martha Kempner and Logan Levkoff.

Talking about Sexual Health: Getting the Care You Need

In this episode we chat about HPV and head and neck cancers, specifically those of the oropharynx (the area of the throat just behind the oral cavity, so the base of the tongue, soft palate, the tonsils and the walls of the throat) with none other than SupermanHPV himself, Jason Mendelsohn. Listen as Mr. Mendelsohn shares his experiences as a patient with stage 4 HPV-related tonsil cancer - chemo, radiation, surgery, and a crash course in dealing with a head and neck tumor – along with his advice for patients and caregivers.

HPVSuperman and HPV-associated Head & Neck Cancer

In part one of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, about sex education. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals, parents, and individuals to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators.
Links: 
Organization: https://www.elevatustraining.com/
Resources: https://www.elevatustraining.com/resources-2/

Disability and Sexual Health Series: Part 1 - Sex Education

In part three of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Laura Graham Holmes, Ph.D., about health disparities, sexuality, and research. Dr. Laura Graham Holmes is a clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor at CUNY Hunter College in the Silberman School of Social Work. She is a nationally recognized expert on sexuality and relationships for autistic people. She has published 30 peer-reviewed papers. Her passion is co-designing peer-facilitated interventions with and for autistic people on aspects of life that are important but under-supported, such as healthy relationships, sexual health, LGBTQIA+ identity, and substance use. 
LINK:
https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/staff-members/holmes-laura-g/

Disability and Sexual Health Series: Part 3- Health Disparities, Sexuality, and Research

On this episode of the Sex+Health podcast we talk with Jaylan Daniels, who tells us all about doxy PEP and why he chose to include it as part of his health care regimen. 

Doxy PEP in Real Life

More than 2.4 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2023. Still, the numbers show the cases of reportable STIs tended to decrease, or at least saw a sharp decline in the rate by which they increased. In this episode of the Sex+Health podcast, we talk with Bradley Stoner, MD, PhD, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of STD Prevention, for his thoughts on what's driving the epidemic and why the latest data show there may be cause for optimism.

*STI Fact Sheets: https://www.cdc.gov/sti/communication-resources/index.html
* Free, Confidential Testing: https://gettested.cdc.gov/
* STI Statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/index.html
* How to prevent STIs: https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/index.html
* About congenital syphilis: https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/about-congenital-syphilis.html
* Preventing STIs with doxy PEP: https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/doxy-pep.html
* Conversation tips: https://www.cdc.gov/sti-awareness/pbyt/conversation.html
* The conversation badge: https://www.cdc.gov/sti-awareness/pbyt/badges.html

Is the STI epidemic slowing? A conversation with Dr. Bradley Stoner

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment. 

In this episode we speak to Selena Rushton about her survivorship story, and the many complications she experienced during her treatment. After her cancer returned. Selina was told she only had months to live. That was eight years ago.

To learn more about Selena's cancer journey, watch the short video "Surviving Metastatic Cervical Cancer - Selena's Story" on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CCkxXDQAbM.

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at https://www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Selena Rushton

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment. 

In this episode we speak to Cherlya Thompson about the wonderful support she received during her cancer treatment, which took place far from home, and how that experience inspired her to help others. Cherlya also tells us about how she had to teach her grandchild's pediatrician about the importance of the HPV vaccine.

Learn more about Cherlya and her NCCC chapter at http://www.nccc-online.org/nccc-south-carolina-goose/

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Cherlya Thompson

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this episode we speak to Shaundra Hall. Shaundra tells us that her very first Pap test came back abnormal, but she still didn't know anything about cervical cancer when she was diagnosed. She also talks about how this experience changed the course of her life, both personally and professionally.

To learn more about clinical trials, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov. 

Learn more about Shaundra and her NCCC chapter at http://www.nccc-online.org/nccc-arizona-southwest-regional/

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Shaundra Hall

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this episode we speak to Jen English. Jen had a lot of experience in sexual health, and was comfortable talking about the topic, but she realized how much she didn't know about HPV and cervical health when she was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer. Her experience inspired her to become an NCCC chapter leader.

Learn more about Jen and her NCCC chapter at https://www.nccc-online.org/nccc-iowa-cedar-rapids-chapter/

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Jen English

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this episode, we speak to Aisha McClellan. Aisha went to a clinic with symptoms, and was sent home with antibiotics for an STI she didn't have. It took three visits before she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Aisha had to be her own advocate for health care, which inspired her to become an advocate on TikTok, where she has over 25,000 followers.

Follow Aisha on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@aisha_the_advocate

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Aisha McClellan

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this episode we speak to Barbara Moscicki, a pediatrician and HPV expert. Dr. Moscicki explains cervical cancer screening in detail and helps us understand the follow-ups we may need if we have an abnormal result. She also talks about the importance of the HPV vaccine and the possibility that we could eliminate cervical cancer.

Learn more about cervical cancer prevention at the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website at www.nccc-online.org/

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Barbara Moscicki

There's a new way to screen for cervical cancer with self-collection. People can take a sample of cells from their own vagina to test for HPV. The FDA recently approved this for use in providers offices. There's no pelvic exam stirrups or speculum involved. Research has shown that the results are just as accurate as when samples are collected by a clinician. Self-collection has the potential to expand testing to other healthcare settings and reach underscreened populations.

In this episode, we speak to Barbara Moscicki, MD, who has been involved in the research around HPV for decades to explain this new method to us, and how it might help us reach the goal of eliminating cervical cancer.


Learning about HPV Self Collection with Barbara Moscicki, MD

There's a new way to screen for cervical cancer with self-collection. People can take a sample of cells from their own vagina to test for HPV. The FDA recently approved this for use in providers offices. There's no pelvic exam stirrups or speculum involved. Research has shown that the results are just as accurate as when samples are collected by a clinician. Self-collection has the potential to expand testing to other healthcare settings and reach underscreened populations.

In this episode, we speak to Jennifer S. Smith, PhD, who has been involved in the research around HPV for decades to explain this new method to us, and how it might help us reach the goal of eliminating cervical cancer.


Jennifer Smith and the Promise of HPV Self Collection

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this episode we speak to gynecological oncologist, Brad Monk. Dr. Monk leads clinical trials and has authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications on cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and other gynecologic cancers and also sees patients. We talked to Dr. Monk about finding a cancer expert and possible treatment options.

National Cervical Cancer Coaliton

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series: Bradley Monk, MD

In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition presents the Cervical Cancer Survivor Series. Across eight episodes, we share stories from cervical cancer survivors across the country, touching on topics including diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as well as advice for others whose lives are impacted by this preventable disease. We also talked to providers in the field to answer questions about screening prevention and treatment.

In this final episode, we hear from all of our survivors from this series—Jen English, Shaundra Hall, Aisha McClellan, Selena Rushton, and Cheryla Thompson. We talked to them about a range of topics, including advice they’ve received and would offer others after a diagnosis, how family and friends can best offer support to loved ones dealing with cancer, what they would say to anyone considering the HPV vaccine, and why they decided to become involved in advocacy.

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National Cervical Cancer Coalition

Cervical Cancer Survivor Series—Advice from Survivors

Doxy PEP—or doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis—is a sexual health strategy that involves taking an oral antibiotic after sex to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Doxy PEP is the first new prevention method for bacterial STIs, and many experts believe it will be an important tool in our fight against this epidemic.

In this episode, we speak to Oscar Alexis to get the patient's perspective on doxy PEP. They share their experience, offer tips for others considering doxy PEP, and explain how they've helped educate providers about this new prevention method.

Learn more about doxy PEP at https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/doxy-pep-is-a-new-strategy-to-help-prevent-stis/

Hear more from Oscar on their podcast Liquorice Chix at https://linktr.ee/liquoricechix

A Patient Perspective on Doxy PEP

In this episode of our doxy PEP series, we continue the conversation with Maxfield Haynes, discussing how to talk with your provider and how to know if doxy PEP is right for you.

Doxy PEP—or doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis—is a sexual health strategy that involves taking an oral antibiotic after sex to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Doxy PEP is the first new prevention method for bacterial STIs, and many experts believe it will be an important tool in our fight against this epidemic.

Learn more about doxy PEP at https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/doxy-pep-is-a-new-strategy-to-help-prevent-stis/

Continuing the Conversation on Doxy PEP

Is romance dead? Is sex passé? How do we even start talking with our partners about intimacy and pleasure? Let’s add a convo about STI testing and prevention to the mix, too. Who can guide us to talk about all this? Julia Fowlkes, aka Sex Ed Miss Frizzle, that’s who! Join us for a humorous and informative journey with our guest, who describes herself as “Just a broad who wants to talk about the stuff no one taught us.”
 
Resources
 
SexEdMissFrizzle for Julia on TikTok 
YesMeansTest.org to find STI testing resources and prevention tips

Sex Ed Miss Frizzle

Compared to the U.S. overall, Native Americans/Alaska Natives have higher rates of syphilis but the disparity is most shocking with congenital syphilis (when newborns contract the infection). What’s driving these infections in Native communities, and what can we do to reverse the tide? We explore this with our guest, Meghan Curry O’Connell, a citizen of the Cherokee nation, who’s a physician and the Chief Public Health Officer with the Great Plains Tribal Leaders'Health Board, which represents18 tribal communities across South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. 

Show Notes:

Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board: https://www.greatplainstribalhealth.org/

ASHA’s Syphilis Hub: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/syphilis/

CDC’s Syphilis Page: https://www.cdc.gov/syphilis/about/index.html


So That The People May Live

We have an abundance of accurate, relatively inexpensive tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but the trick is engaging patients and health professionals so the proper tests are given to the right individuals.

In this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast we chat with J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS, professor of pediatrics and medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, about barriers to STI testing and what we can do to empower patients and providers alike.

Understanding STI Testing

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common sexually transmitted infection. So common that most (~80%) of sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point. While it is often harmless, it can cause genital warts and even lead to cervical cancer. In this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast, Fred Wyand talks to Ina Park, MD, assistant professor at University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, about HPV, from genital warts, cervical cancer vaccines, the stigma associated with warts “below the waistline,” talking to partners about HPV, and more.

All about HPV with Ina Park, MD

Most sexually active individuals are estimated to have one or more infections in their lifetime with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and, not surprisingly, ASHA receives countless HPV questions like:

What should I tell a partner?
Will I always have it?
How are HPV tests used?
How well do vaccines work?

In this episode, H.  Hunter Handsfield, MD, covers these and other common questions about HPV. Dr. Handsfield is Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD, and former director of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Program for Public Health—Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington. He recently completed six years as a member of ASHA’s Board of Directors.

HPV FAQs

Cervical cancer screening used to all be so simple—women were told just go for your annual Pap. But now we have new tests to screen for cervical cancer, plus updated guidelines that, for most women, mean routine screening is done every few  years rather than annually.

The changes are confusing not only to women but their healthcare providers, too. So to sort all this out, we’re talking today with Dr. Warner Huh, Division Director and Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.


Cervical Cancer Screening

There are many misconceptions around men, sex, sexuality, and just what men want from relationships.  Guys are seen as always turned on, selfish in the bedroom, and not all that interested in their partner once the carnal tango ends. Is that fair? 
 
To find out we chatted with men’s sexual health expert Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor at Harvard Medical School, the director and founder of Men’s Health Boston, and a member of ASHA’s board of directors. He’s also the author of The Truth About Men and Sex: Intimate Secrets from the Doctor’s Office.

Men's Sexual Health

We’re frequently asked about websites touting unlicensed, off-the-grid vaccines and supplements that claim to cure HPV and related diseases. In this episode, H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD, breaks down the more common HPV “miracle cures” and also answers the most common questions about legitimate, approved HPV vaccines.

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HPV “Miracle Cures”

“[Girls] have told by society that sex is great but that’s not their experience. They don’t know how to talk about that disconnect, there’s a certain amount of shame that shuts down their voice….for me, sexual empowerment for girls is helping them to find a voice in their sexual relationships.” 

In a compelling TED Talk video, nurse practitioner Jane Epstein makes the case that our efforts are sadly lacking with it comes to talking to teen girls and young women. In this episode of ASHA’s podcast we delve deeper into the topic with Ms. Epstein on not only what to say when talking to young females about sex, but how to help them speak up for themselves. 

Jane Epstein is a Yale graduate and a clinician who sees teenagers at a high school-based health clinic where, as part of comprehensive health care, she provides sexual health care including contraception services to teens.

Talking to Girls and Young Women about S-E-X

Female sexual difficulties are more common than you think and impact couples inside and outside the bedroom. When sex isn’t easy how do you even begin this conversation with your partner or, for that matter, your healthcare provider? Sociologist, sexologist and relationship expert Dr. Pepper Schwartz joins our Sex+Health podcast for a three-part discussion on the range of female sexual difficulties and offers practical advice and resources for women (and their partners). You’re not alone! 

Episode One: How do female sexual difficulties (FSD) affect relationships in and out of the bedroom?

Episode Two: Concerned your partner is no longer in the mood? It may be more than you think.

Episode Three: Diving deeper into the most common female sexual difficulty (FSD), Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), and the other types of FSD that may be affecting your relationship.

Concerned your partner is no longer in the mood? It may be more than you think.

In this episode we chat with Dr. Logan Levkoff on the value of pleasure not only in a relationship but as part of our overall well-being. Whether alone or with a partner, sexual pleasure is good for you! Listen in as Dr. Levkoff dishes on everything from not only having more sex but better sex, and why sexual pleasure doesn’t need to involve a partner!

Sexual Pleasure beyond the Big “O”

A Two-part Conversation on Herpes with Terri Warren, RN, ANP (Part 1: Diagnostics)

A Two-part Conversation on Herpes with Terri Warren, RN, ANP (Part 2: Psychosocial)

Since our last update on HPV and cervical cancer some big changes have occurred: HPV vaccination has been approved for use with males and females through age 45 and updated cervical cancer screening guidelines now include an option for HPV primary testing (translation: an HPV test done alone without a Pap as a co-test).  In this episode Ina Park, MD, breaks all of this down and peeks at a future where we might actually be able to discuss the elimination of cervical cancer. Dr. Park is an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Big Changes! New HPV Vaccine Protocols and Update to Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

In this episode, we're talking about bacterial vaginosis, or BV, the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44. Dr. Noor Abualnadi, a gynecologist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, helps break down the basic facts about BV, including why women get BV, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. Most importantly, though, she talks about why self-diagnosis and home remedies can do more harm than good. So listen and learn why “less is more” should be the motto for vaginal health.

Bacterial Vaginosis and Vaginal Health

You don’t even have to buy us dinner. The Quickie is ASHA’s latest podcast series looking at current issues in sexual health in a short (less than five minute) format so you can get your fix get a move on. We’ll debut a new episode each week during September so stream or download here. 

Week one: “Just say no” is lousy advice for a number of things, including sex!

YouTube Audio Library

The Quickie: World Sexual Health Month

"Why are we waiting to begin discussing consent as young people enter college? It's important to begin young so kids learn to recognize abusive behaviors. This also allows consent to be instilled as a value rather than a lesson to be taught when they become sexually active" - ASHA intern Olivia Whitcomb on sexual assault and learning consent

The Quickie: Sex and Culture on Campus

The Sex+Health podcast from the American Sexual Health Association covers all aspects of sexual health. Featuring interviews with medical professionals and experts in the field of sexuality, Sex+Health aims to offer information and resources to with the goal of helping people take charge of their sexual health and understand its importance to overall well being.

Popular tracks by Sex+Health