For our January Q&A with Dr. Zhana Vrangalova, we’re talking about Sexual Health.
How much sex is necessary to keep a balanced, healthy sexual relationship?
This is a remarkably common question that I get. There’s no one right answer. How often you and your partner should have sex really depends on how often the two of you want to have sex in order to feel fulfilled. That is going to differ from person to person.
Why is it that some women are very sexually active and some don’t give it a second thought?
For the same reason that some people (men, women, nonbinary folks) might be more outgoing or intelligent or more anxious than other people – a mix of genetic predispositions and a whole host of environmental and experiential factors.
I’m dealing with a lack of vaginal self-lubrication due to testosterone hormone replacement therapy (FtX, female-to-nonbinary)
There are a lot of different reasons why vaginas might not self-lubricate or might not do so enough – age, various medications, dehydration, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menopause, and so on. Testosterone HRT is a common cause of vaginal dryness. Luckily, there’s a pretty simple solution for this regardless of what’s causing it – lube!
How to make anal a pleasurable experience for those without prostates? Are anal orgasms real?
Anal orgasms are definitely real and a lot of us without prostates are having them on a regular basis. The key to pleasure is going as slow as you need to, using lots of lube, and incorporating vibrating toys like BILLY 2, for example.
What can you do about redness and irritation after too much sex?
It’s not uncommon for vaginas, especially, to get a little sore and irritated after long and vigorous sexual activity. It will usually just go away on its own. There’s not much you can or need to do about it. Maybe, you can use an ice pack externally if it’s really bothering you, or some Vaseline to soothe the skin. Unless it’s an STI, you likely don’t need to see a doctor.
How do you discuss an STI with a casual hookup?
How and when to disclose an STI to a casual hookup depends on a lot of different factors – what STI, how and when you met this person, what kind of sexual activity you’re going to engage in, what kind of protection you’re going to use, what your level of comfort with sexual risk taking is, and so on. Each person and situation is different, which is why it is so important to have all the information you need to have about STI risk exposure, prevention strategies, and your unique personality so you can make individualized, smart decisions about your sex life.
Interested in discussing non/monogamy-related topics with curious and open-minded folks from all over the world? Register for FREE for Dr. Zhana’s monthly Open Smarter Social virtual event. February topic: Are Women More Monogamous than Men?
Watch the recording of our latest event by joining Dr. Zhana’s mailing list.