Menopause isn't just hot flashes, says gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist Maria Sophocles. It's often accompanied by overlooked symptoms like painful sex or loss of libido. Shedding light on what she calls the "bedroom gap," or...

What does it mean to transition? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll uncover the differences between sex and gender, and explore what it looks like when the gender assigned to a person doesn’t match who they really are.

Are penises as big of a deal as we think they are? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we break down the history, myths, and assumptions we’ve made about penises, from the “right” size to circumcision, and from erections to blue balls.

Do you know the difference between the vulva and vagina? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we shine a spotlight on the Vagina and Co., dispelling a long history of shame and mystery to actually understand our bodies.

What even is sex? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll discover that variation is the name of the game when it comes to sexuality. People differ in how they have sex, why they have sex, and how they define what sex means.

What does it mean to be kinky? In our final episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll learn that some “unusual” sexual desires are actually pretty common. We’ll talk about the differences between kinks, fetishes, and paraphilias, and the...

If almost everybody masturbates, why can’t we talk about it? In this myth-busting episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll uncover the history of how masturbation became taboo, the person who made sex toys better for everyone, and the ways...

Why and how do we orgasm? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll break down “the Big O”—its physical aspects, gendered expectations, and misconceptions. Plus, a fun cameo from a penis-camera.

Like it or not, porn exists. In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we unpack the pros and cons of pornography, its long and storied history, and how to engage with it critically and safely.

Consent seems as simple as “yes” or “no” — but is it? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll explore how affirmative consent reframed the conversation, why context matters, and the importance of checking in with your partner — and...

Abortion is complicated. In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll cover what happens during abortions, why people get them, and what people actually think about the topic.

Most sex ed tells you how not to get pregnant… but what if you want to? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll traverse the complex journey of getting pregnant, being pregnant, and going through childbirth—with all the strange...

There are so many different types of contraception to choose from. So…where do you start? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll uncover the complicated history of birth control and many of the options available today—plus, why we...

Where there’s sex, there’s the possibility for STIs. In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we unpack the most common sexually transmitted infections and how to prevent and treat them. Turns out, sexual responsibility is a lot easier...

Is virginity really a thing? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we’ll bust virginity myths and learn why women have traditionally faced stronger pressure to remain virgins. We’ll explore the ways social scripts guide what we think...

Why do we like who we like? In this episode of Crash Course Sex Ed, we explore the many facets and variations of sexual orientation, and trace the history of homosexuality to the modern day LGBTQIA+ community.

Why are school teachers tasked with teaching students about sexual education? Today, Danielle explores how sex ed ended up in America's schools!

It’s not just about sex. Sex education should be giving us the information we need to feel in control of our bodies and make informed decisions about them – but it’s failing. In episode four of Vagina Dispatches, we speak to our moms,...

I have always thought that sex ed and statistics should be the same course. There's no better way to show how vital stats is to your every day life than to look at statistics. Probabilities are so easy to misunderstand, and there are a...

Jonathan Zimmerman is Professor of Education and History and Director of the History of Education Program, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. He also holds an appointment in the Department of History of NYU's...

Christian Right groups have made big political inroads around the world in recent years and Canada is no exception. Christian commentator Michael Coren talks about how the right is changing in politics. Wendy Mesley also talks about new...

Parents will have to opt students in to every lesson about sex education, sexual orientation or gender identity under the sweeping new policies.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the legislative changes in January. The bills will prohibit minors from receiving certain types of gender-affirming care and also require that parents opt-in before their children are taught about...

Alberta’s transgender laws will prohibit minors from receiving certain types of gender-affirming procedures, require parents be notified when a child wants to use a different name or pronoun in the classroom, and also require that...