Teen sex is all up in my Google Reader this week and not because the characters in Glee were getting it on.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention released new statistics that the U.S. teen birth rate is declining. Between 2009 and 2010 the rate dropped nine percent to a record low. It’s dropping not because less teens are having sex (it’s staying about the same), but because — surprise, surprise — because teens that are having sex have started using contraceptives.

And for all you pro-lifers out there, relax, because teens are not only having less babies, but they’re also having less abortions. Being able to prevent pregnancies means teens are less apt to put themselves in a situation where they would want an abortion.

While cross-country the teen birth rate average is dropping, the University of Georgia released a study showing the correlation to higher birth rates and abstinence-only education. Fact: when people know how to use contraceptives (and have access to them) they are no more likely to have sex, they’re just less likely to get pregnant. So can we all just agree that abstinence-only isn’t work. Please.

Sticking to the topic of teen sex, concerned parents of American can stop fretting that popular culture is hurting their children. The Associated Press and MTV combined forces to do a study on teen sexting. Survey says only one percent of kids 10 to 17 are sending racy photos of themselves (either online or via text). A similar survey done in August showed that five percent of 14 to 17 year olds had sent nude photos of themselves.

While it does get higher for older youth, it still isn’t representative of the ALL TEENS ARE SEXTING message which is often painted. Parents, what you might want to be asking yourself, is why your 10 year old needs a cellphone with a camera. Or have their own laptop. Seriously.

Dear decision makers of the world, let women make their own decisions about their bodies, okay?

A new report from the United Nations says this, just in a lot more words. The UN Special Rapporteur on Health, Anand Grover, informed member states that states should be providing safe and legal abortion for all of their women, and that not doing so is messing with women’s rights.

His views are highly unpopular (surprise, surprise) within the UN. Many officials are going as far as to say Grover was overstepping his mandate as special rapporteur. In case you didn’t know what the heck a special rapporteur does, I’m here to inform you. They are appointed through the United Nations but operate independently to address human rights problems globally. They do research, write reports and make suggestions on how countries can improve their human rights.

Yes, abortion is a highly controversial issue, but it can’t be ignored. Globally, Grover estimate 44,000 women die as a result of illegal abortions each year. Some people are questioning this figure, but it’s really not that surprising. For as long as women have been getting pregnant, they have been finding ways to not be pregnant. Regardless of whether abortion is legal or not, if a women truly wants an abortion she will find a way to have one. When I was in Ghana (coincidentally Grover was touring the country while I was there), I talked to an NGO that educates women on safe abortions, and learned about the measures women go to to not be pregnant. Teenage girls take herbal concoctions until they bleed (thinking they’ve gotten their periods) and women sometimes resort to swallowing glass. It’s not a happy picture in any way. Here’s what the report says:

Criminal prohibition of abortion is a very clear expression of State interference with a woman’s sexual and reproductive health because it restricts a woman’s control over her body, possibly subjecting her to unnecessary health risks. Criminal prohibition also requires women to continue unplanned pregnancies and give birth when it is not their choice to do so.

Yeah, so you could have your women searching out back alley abortions, or you could protect them and provide safe, medical environments for them. Another point Grover makes, is the need for governments to fund family planning services. This can prevent women from needing abortions in the first place, because an abortion is not family planning.

I know there’s going to be a lot of comments agreeing with the countries who are arguing with Grover, many of which will be about morality. Well my man has a point for that too. He believes public morality shouldn’t trump human rights and public health shouldn’t be regulated by criminal law.

Gettin' some doesn't come cheap.

With the latest events surrounding Planned Parenthood, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much it costs to be responsibly sexually active. Birth control, condoms, PAP smears, STI tests, and Plan B — it adds up fast!

In Canada, the cost of medical tests are usually covered under our provincial health care. As far as birth control goes, my school’s health insurance plan covers the vast majority of the cost every month, leaving me to pay a tab that usually ends up anywhere between $3 and $5.

But for Americans without access to insurance or an institution like Planned Parenthood, the cost of having a healthy active sex life can be huge. Prices tend to vary from place to place, but according to the Planned Parenthood website, here are some ball-park figures of how expensive it is to get sexy:

Standard medical exam (needed in order to receive a BC prescription): $35-$250

The Pill: $15 – $50 per month

NuvaRing: $15 – $70 per month

Depo-Provera: $35 – $75 per injection (4 injections per year)

Ortho Evra (the patch): $15 – $70 per month

Birth Control Implant: $400 – $800, effective for up to 3 years

IUD — $500-$1000, implanted once and effective for up to 12 years

Condoms: Though you can often receive condoms for free from sexual health clinics, a 12-pack of condoms can cost anywhere from $5 to $15

Pregnancy Test: Up to $20

Plan-B (morning after pill): $10 – $70

PAP smears and STI Tests: Sliding scale depending on income and state

The bottom line is, this sh*t can get expensive, and having a place like Planned Parenthood or other sexual health clinics that take into consideration that we all might not have $50 a month to spend on birth control is very important.

And honestly, as expensive as it is to be responsibly sexual — even with places like PP giving a helping hand — it’s even more expensive to raise a child or treat an STI. (Just ask CC writer Donyae, a college student and mother.) So maybe you should put off buying those fancy shoes and instead invest in your sexual health. It’s worth it.

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I used to spend nights watching Talk Sex (which was called The Sunday Night Sex Show here in Canada) on the TV in my room with the headphones plugged in. I learned so much from watching this awesome old lady talk frankly and honestly about sex that I often found myself correcting my health teachers on the intricacies of sex ed.

For those of you who don’t know much about her, I highly recommend visiting her site or YouTubing some of her videos. From the “parental advisory” page on her website:

It is our belief that all human beings have a right to honest answers about their reproductive systems, the same way that they have access to information about respiratory systems or any anatomical function. As far as we’re concerned, the more information that one has, the better one is equipped to protect oneself from physical and emotional harm.

She is obviously a woman who has my heart.

During her stop at Sheridan, she covered a variety of topics, focusing mostly on the basic ins-and-outs of sex education — the things they didn’t teach us in school. And here are three things I took away from my evening with Sue:

Nice girls DO do that.
According to Sue, five minutes after a baby boy is born, he discovers he has a penis. Five minutes later, he finds out it feels good to touch it. Little girls, on the other hand, don’t have the advantage of being able to see their genitals just by looking down, and for many young women, the first time they explore their vulvas is during their first attempt at using a tampon.

We’re told our genitals are gross; from being told that “nice girls don’t do that” to seeing commercials about feminine hygiene products, it’s not the easiest thing for girls to love their bodies. After all, how many of us got the chance to see a full-frontal picture of female genitalia in sex-ed? Or learned about female orgasms? Many of us aren’t even taught the language to use when describing our own genitals (pro tip: the outside is called the “vulva,” the vagina is only the “tunnel.”) It’s all very mysterious, but that doesn’t mean female masturbation or exploration doesn’t (or shouldn’t) happen — just take a look at the popularity of sex toys.

Anal sex is scary.
During the question and answer period, there were a lot of questions about “bum sex,” as Sue called it, and according to the expert, it’s some seriously risky behavior. During her days as a sex educator, Sue got a visit from a girl who was having a bit of a problem — some “weird bumps on her bum hole.” If that’s not bad enough, Sue went on to describe those “weird bumps” as a cauliflower-like growth of genital warts that were so bad, they had to be surgically removed.

Moral of the story: don’t even think about having unprotected anal sex. Yikes.

Everyone should know how to put a condom on with their mouth.
The trick, Sue explained, was taught to her by prostitutes on the streets of Toronto as a way of sneakily putting a condom on their customer without him knowing. While it might not be a trick one needs to know for the same reasons, it’s still a good trick to have up your sleeve. Sadly, she didn’t want us taking pictures or videos of her demonstration on Tuesday, BUT, thank God for YouTube. You’re welcome.

Feeling frisky? Get more Sexy Time right here.

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, like our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – like how to deal with HPV

Q: I just started having sex and all of my friends tell me I have to pee after. They say that if I don’t pee I can get a UTI. The problem is that I never have to go. I try every time – I run to the bathroom and sit there but nothing ever happens. Is that bad? Do you HAVE to go after? Is there something wrong with me that I can’t go?

A: Your friends are giving you good advice. In general, it’s a good idea to pee after sex. Sex can introduce bacteria where it shouldn’t be, up inside the normally sterile urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside world). Urinating flushes out an bacteria that may be lurking near the opening to the urethra, just dying to crawl inside and wreak havoc with a urinary tract infection (UTI).

That said, if you don’t have to go, you don’t have to go. Although I would question why you don’t. Assuming you spent more than 5 minutes in the sack, a well-hydrated person would have likely collected at least a wee bit of urine in the bladder. If you never have to pee after sex, you may not be hydrating enough. In general, you should be drinking the equivalent of about eight 8oz glasses of water (or other healthy liquid, such as herbal tea or green juice) per day. If you’re not drinking enough, this also increases your risk of UTI’s. Drinking a glass of water before sex should fill up your bladder and help you flush things out.

So, no. There’s nothing wrong with you. But it sounds like increasing your fluid intake would be a good preventative health strategy for you. Drink up- and try to pee afterwards. And if nothing comes, don’t stress out. You’ll likely be just fine, girlfriend!

- Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, like our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – like performance anxiety

Q: I just recently started having sex with my boyfriend. It always feels fine (great, actually) when we’re in the act, but everything just feels…weird the next day. It sorta hurts when I go to the bathroom (mostly when I’m…er…cleaning up), when I sit, and the muscles in my inner thighs hurt. And I’m just so sore down there that I need a couple days before I can even do it again.

Is that normal? Is it something I’ll get used to? Should I be worried?

A: Sex can be uncomfortable in a variety of ways, especially for women. What you’re describing sounds more like the result of a serious sexual workout than any medical condition.  Most people with sexual pain disorders, such as vulvar vestibulitis (inflammation of the vestibule) or vaginismus (involuntary tightening of the muscles in the vagina), experience pain during intercourse. The fact that you’re enjoying the act itself is good news.

If the muscles in your inner thighs hurt, it’s probably because you’re using them to cling to your partner during sex- and just like any workout, they can ache afterwards, especially if you’re using muscles you’re not used to using. Try taking ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) to help the aching you feel. And just like spin class or lifting weights, chances are, the more you do it, the less it will hurt. (Which I’m sure your boyfriend will enjoy…)

As for the hurting when you’re cleaning yourself up, I’m a little vague on what you mean by that. Does it burn afterwards? If so, you could be sensitive to the acidity of the sperm. Or in rare cases, people can be allergic to sperm. Try using a condom. If that doesn’t help – that’s not it. It’s possible you could have a vaginal infection, like a yeast infection, and sex is triggering symptoms. Or it’s possible that the act of sex itself is irritating to such a sensitive area; if that’s the case, try using lube. That should help make things go a little more smoothly.

Since it’s not quite clear to me what the problem is, I’d recommend seeing a gynecologist. You may feel embarrassed talking to someone about sex, but I swear- it’s what we do all day. Don’t be shy. We can help.

Wishing you pain-free bliss,
Dr. Lissa

- Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).

As you may or may not know, there was a recent recommendation made regarding how often women should be getting pelvic exams. Since most of us are used to getting them yearly and the new recommendation is to get them every 3 years, I asked Dr. Lissa Rankin what she thought. Here is what she has to say:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently announced new recommendations that cut back on Pap smear screening. Why are we recommending cutting back on women’s health screening? Let me fill you in on the news.

New Pap Smear Guidelines:

1. Instead of recommending that Pap smear screening begin after you’re sexually active, new guidelines say that even a sexually active 13 year old should wait until 21 for her first Pap.
2. After 21, Pap smears are recommended every 1-2 years until age 30.
3. After 30, if you’ve had three consecutively normal Pap smears with no history of a seriously abnormal Pap, new guidelines say you only need to do Paps every three years.

Why the Change?

There is evidence to support the changes.  The truth is that you’re unlikely to go from having a normal Pap smear to having cervical cancer in 3 years, even if you contract HPV. Because cervical cancer grows slowly, it’s still likely to be precancerous by the time it gets picked up. And yearly screening does increase the number of procedures performed, and some of those procedures can affect fertility and pregnancy in rare cases.  Plus, cutting back on Pap smears saves health care dollars. And if we’re not saving lots of lives and potentially causing harm by implementing procedures that may not be necessary, why do annual Pap smears?

I understand why they’re recommending pushing back the age of first Pap smear.  HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer and abnormal Pap smears, is almost ubiquitous among teens. As such, doing Paps will lead to many abnormal results that would require colposocopies, biopsies, and other possible treatments. If left untreated, the issues would resolve themselves, meaning these procedures (and potential risks) are not necessary.

BUT (and this is a gigantic BUT) there is a GINORMOUS problem here that carries far-reaching consequences for women’s health. Though women come to the gynecologist under the guise of their annual Pap smear, they actually come for WAY more than that.

Here are some examples of issues I handle under the guise of an annual Pap smear exam:

* Sexual problems that threaten your relationship
* Debilitating depression and anxiety
* Chronic fatigue that prevents you from living vitally
* Menstrual disorders like hemorrhaging or menstrual cramps that cause you to miss important life functions.
* PMS/PMDD that may be hampering a happy life

And that doesn’t even include the oh-so-necessary annual breast exam, internal pelvic exam to check for ovarian tumors and such, and the opportunity to make sure a woman is up to date on other cancer prevention procedures, such as the HPV vaccine for teens.

If women don’t come in for their annual pap smear, how will they ever fix the other problems that may exist?

The Bottom Line
Based on the information presented, it is totally up to you if you want to get an annual pap smear or stretch it out a few years. Regardless of what you decide, though, please don’t stop seeing a doctor every year. That is the only way to sort out any issues you have, especially those you don’t even know about.

–Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).

Statistics show that 1 in 10 women over the age of 18 (which includes all of us college ladies) experience a decrease in libido.

Yeah, you read that right: a decrease.

Now, like you, I’m thinking that there must be some depressed, unemployed grads dragging down our reputation because most of us are ready to hop on it the minute we see some chiseled abs and bulging biceps. But that’s beside the point. The real story here is that in reaction to this statistic a new “desire drug” is being created to reawaken the sexual desire in women.

Researchers are arguing that a lack of sexual desire may not be caused by the fact that women aren’t attracted to their prospective partners (because men are never to blame for these sorts of things), but that it is a chemical problem in the brain. The drug, then, will work by lowering inhibition through triggering the release of Dopamine, which, among other things, helps stimulate desire.

Obviously, men are behind this little research project.
And even more obviously, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Is it just me or does this sound like some sort of new and improved date rape drug, without the whole “blacking out” component? This drug will alter chemicals in the brain and thus alter a woman’s actions. Leave that power in the wrong person’s hands and it could be incredibly dangerous.Soon Trekkies across the country will be slipping this thing into our drinks and – BAM – against our will (well, our will when we weren’t wearing desire-drug-goggles), we’ll be jumping their hairy, pudgy little bones like they’re a bunch of McDreamy look-a-likes.

And is this drug really even necessary? Is it possible that maybe the problem isn’t in our brains? Perhaps we just aren’t turned on by back hair and a beer gut. And maybe sometimes we just aren’t in the mood. That’s allowed, isn’t it?

Maybe instead of coming up some miracle pill to get women in the sack (Editor’s Note: Isn’t that what Jager is for??) men should head to the gym to make themselves more attractive. Oh and some romance wouldn’t hurt either. A nice dinner and an 8-pack is really all we need to get our Dopamine flowing.

Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is probably the most common cause of painful sex, but it’s also the easiest to deal with. Vaginal dryness can be caused by the pill or antidepressants (both lower libido) or by inadequate arousal. To remedy the problem, indulge in more foreplay before the act (easy enough) and use a water based lubricant.

Vaginal Infection
If pain is severe or you feel itchy and irritated down there, it could be an infection (like of the yeast variety).  If you think you have an infection you should see a doctor. Over-the-counter medicine like Vagisil can help with itching or pain.

Vaginismus
Vaginismus is involuntary tightness of the vagina due to contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. If penetration is regularly painful enough to make it nearly impossible, it’s time to see a doctor. There’s no known cause or quick cure for vaginismus; according to Google Health, “treatment involves extensive therapy that combines education, counseling, and behavioral exercises. Such exercises include pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation (Kegel exercises).”

Uterine Problems
If the pain feels like it’s coming from deep in the pelvis, or if you feel like he is bumping into something in there, the pain is likely caused by the uterus. Uterus pain can be caused by fibroid growths, tilting of the uterus, or a prolapsed uterus. Again, you need to see a doctor if this pain is consistent and severe.

All in all, one instance of pain during sex probably isn’t anything you need to worry about, but if sex is consistently painful and adding foreplay and lubrication into your routine don’t help, you should be seeking medical advice. After all, sex should be pleasurable, not punishment (no matter what your Sunday school teacher taught you).

"Hm. That doesn't smell right..."

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – like the ultimate cure for a hangover! – so ask away. Leave your question in the comments or send it over to us. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: After unprotected sex I noticed my urine becoming really smelly on a consistent basis, which is a new thing for me. There are no other symptoms-no burning or itching or anything, just the smelliness when I pee. Could this be an STD??

A: Usually, healthy urine has almost no odor (unless you’ve been feasting on asparagus or other foods or vitamins that are known offenders).  If you are dehydrated, your urine will be more concentrated and may have a stronger smell. Also, if bacteria have contaminated the normally sterile urinary system, which happens when you have a urinary tract infection, you may notice an odor.

Most of the time, when women approach me complaining of foul-smelling urine, they’re actually smelling their vagina. If you have a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomonas vaginalis, you may notice that your vaginal discharge, when it mixes with your urine, smells icky.

While it could be a sexually transmitted disease, such as trichomonas infection, which causes a vaginal infection characterized by a foul-smelling odor, most STD’s do not cause your urine to smell. Sex however, can trigger urinary tract infections, and infected urine may smell icky.

I would suggest a visit to the gynecologist. Make sure they check out your vagina, as well as your urine, to make sure there are no infections either place. And if you’ve had unprotected sex, go ahead and get tested for everything while you’re there. You can set a good example for your partner and feel more secure about next time.

–Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).