Decades of research show that masturbation offers meaningful individual, relational, and health benefits—from stress reduction and pain relief to deeper sexual self-awareness and improved sexual functioning with partners. Yet despite this evidence, masturbation remains stigmatized across many cultures, communities, and even within healthcare settings. Female masturbation in particular is often surrounded by misinformation, silence, and lingering social discomfort.

A recent study of nearly 500 Portuguese cisgender women provides new insight into how genital knowledge, genital self-image, and early sexual experiences shape adult masturbation behavior and orgasmic functioning during partnered sex. These findings offer valuable lessons for sexual health professionals working to promote empowered, informed, and shame-free sexual development.

If you’ve ever felt called to help others explore intimacy, heal from shame, or build stronger, healthier relationships, there’s never been a better time to turn that passion into a profession. Certified sex therapists are in higher demand than ever. And not just in private practice, but across healthcare, education, research, and community mental health.

We’re living in a time of both connection and contradiction. The world is talking more openly about sexuality, yet many people still struggle with loneliness, misinformation, and barriers to care. From the ongoing “loneliness epidemic” to the challenges of modern dating and polarized debates about sexual rights, one thing is clear: our collective need for compassionate, informed conversations about sex has never been greater.

Sexual health education is evolving rapidly — from comprehensive consent programs to inclusive, pleasure-based models that emphasize emotional intelligence, communication, and respect for all learners.

At the Sexual Health Alliance, we’re not just keeping up with these changes — we’re leading them. Our Sex Education Certification Program is training a new generation of educators with the knowledge, language, and confidence to deliver relevant, inclusive, and evidence-informed sex education in every setting. Whether you’re an aspiring educator, therapist, researcher, or advocate, SHA’s certification opens the door to a meaningful, impactful career in sexual health.

No, you can’t get chlamydia from a koala. But getting tested for chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can help protect not only yourself and your community, but also the planet itself. Let’s unpack how.

If you caught this year’s season of Love Island, you might remember a contestant confidently claiming that humans can get chlamydia from koalas. While both species are affected by Chlamydia bacteria, they carry distinct strains – there’s no cross-species transmission. Still, this viral moment offers a surprisingly useful teaching tool for sexual health professionals: it highlights just how deeply interconnected human, animal, and environmental health truly are.

When Japan approved over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraceptives for the first time, it marked more than just a policy change—it signaled a global moment. While some countries continue expanding reproductive autonomy, others, like the United States, have taken steps backward.

This shift inspired me to look deeper: What is the current landscape of emergency contraception (EC), and how can sexual health professionals ensure that access and understanding continue to grow rather than retreat?

Sexual health research and education often center around youth and young adults. As people age, discussions about sex tend to fade, overshadowed by conversations about physical health, chronic illness, or caregiving. But sexuality doesn’t have an expiration date.

As sexual health professionals, we know that intimacy and pleasure are integral to overall well-being across the lifespan. Yet, most public health campaigns target younger groups, often because of higher STI rates among youth. That focus leaves older adults underserved and, often times, invisible in sexual health conversations.

From tapas to sexual health takeaways – SHA’s recent study abroad trip to Spain had it all! 

With its vibrant culture, rich history, and open-minded spirit, Barcelona proved to be the perfect place to explore what it truly means to take a progressive, inclusive approach to sexual health and education.

SHA community members learned about everything from the origins of pornographic cinema in Spain to local perspectives on LGBTQI+ rights, gender equality, and ethical pornography. Between food tours, museum visits, and sunset cruises along the Mediterranean, the trip blended cultural immersion with meaningful learning, showing how sexual health can be woven into daily life and policy.

If you missed the highlights, here’s a closer look at what SHA’s travelers discovered from European sexuality experts, and how Spain continues to stand out as a global leader in progressive sexual health policy.

Circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin, is the world’s oldest planned medical procedure, with roots in religion, culture, and medicine. Despite its long history, it remains one of the most debated topics in sexual health. Global rates vary widely, influenced by cultural norms, healthcare access, public policy, and evolving evidence on both risks and benefits.

The Kinsey Institute and Match have just released their 14th Annual Singles in America Study and it’s a goldmine of insight into how we love, lust, and connect (or don’t) in 2025. From the rise of AI-assisted flirting to post-Roe dating hesitations, the findings paint a vivid picture of what it means to look for love today.

And that’s just one look at the state of American dating. The Kinsey Institute’s own research, led by experts like Dr. Justin Lehmiller,  goes even deeper. At this year’s SHA Annual Sexological Conference, Lehmiller unpacked how shifting social norms, sexual behaviors, and technologies are redefining what it means to connect in the modern world.

Ever had a fantasy that made you blush… and then immediately wonder, “Wait, what does that say about me?” You’re not alone. In a recent post, we explored how gender and sexual orientation shape sexual fantasies. This time, we’re diving into new research from a team in Montréal that examines how sexual trauma, fantasy, and shame are connected, and what that means for sexual well-being.

At its core, sexual objectification happens when someone’s body (or body parts) is treated as if it exists independently from the rest of the person. Think: body, no personality included. 

While this review primarily focuses on women, let’s be clear: objectification doesn’t discriminate. It can (and does) affect people of all genders, especially those with marginalized identities.

You’ve probably heard of the male gaze, a type of sexual objectification that frames women as passive objects of desire. On the extreme end, objectification can include assault, harassment, and even trafficking. But it also has a much subtler, insidious side: self-objectification. This occurs when we internalize the objectifying gaze and start monitoring our own bodies, appearances, and desirability – a process researchers call body surveillance.

People are no longer using AI just for recipes, reminders, or homework help. Increasingly, AI is becoming a companion – sometimes even a romantic one. Platforms like Replika and Character.AI are specifically designed to foster emotional connection, while more general-purpose tools, such as ChatGPT, are being used by everyday users as sources of intimacy, comfort, and conversation.

This shift is happening against a backdrop of rising loneliness, declining rates of partnered sexual activity, and the increasing integration of technology into daily life. Many individuals are turning to AI companions to fill emotional gaps that human relationships cannot always meet. 

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the constitutional right to abortion through Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade. Since then, many states have implemented or enforced restrictive abortion bans. Research has continued to show the far-reaching and long-lasting impacts of this decision on public health, sexual and reproductive rights, and overall well-being.

Dobbs did not happen in a vacuum. It has reshaped the healthcare landscape in profound ways, extending far beyond immediate access to abortion. Three years later, we now see clearer evidence of its serious consequences to healthcare access, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health, which has implications for sexual health professionals.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of those topics that pops up everywhere — in group chats, Instagram stories, and whispered conversations over drinks. Clinically, ED is defined as “the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.” In everyday conversation? It’s often described simply as not being able to get it up. And here’s the thing. It’s a lot more common than people think.

Globally, ED is on the rise. In 2025, the expected number of individuals dealing with ED is over 300 million. Two decades ago, that number was roughly half,  around 150 million. This steady increase reflects more than just aging populations. It also points to modern stress, lifestyle changes, sleep quality, substance use, and underlying health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease; all of which can influence sexual function.

SHA recently embarked on a study abroad trip to Iceland, and if you missed the stunning photos and fun facts shared, here’s your chance to catch up. From Reykjavík walking and biking tours to geothermal lagoons and the dazzling northern lights, the group soaked in all the country has to offer. They even visited the world’s only “genuine” Phallological Museum (yes, an entire museum dedicated to penises!).

But beyond the adventures, the trip focused on what makes Iceland truly unique: its open, progressive approaches to sex, sexuality, and gender. Along the way, the group met 3 sexual health professionals, half of all practicing sexologists in the country (that’s right – 6 in total!).

The Netherlands is often celebrated as one of the most sexually healthy countries in the world, but what makes it so unique? From progressive policies to inclusive education, the Dutch approach to sexuality offers lessons that are both inspiring and practical for sexual health professionals everywhere.

France is redefining sexual health through progressive, pleasure-positive policy. From free STI testing and contraception to constitutional abortion rights, the country makes care accessible, inclusive, and stigma-free. With comprehensive sex education, the Nordic model of sex work, and a national roadmap linking prevention, rights, and equality, France shows how public health can be both practical and passionate. For sexual health professionals, it’s a masterclass in blending data, law, and empathy — and SHA’s upcoming France study trip offers the chance to experience it firsthand.

Menopause marks the permanent end of menstruation, confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period. This transition is a normal stage of life for people who menstruate, yet it can bring a mix of physical changes, hormonal shifts, and psychological challenges.

Common symptoms include hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, stress, and sexual difficulties. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed and highly effective, concerns about long-term risks (such as breast cancer and cardiovascular disease) have led many individuals to seek alternatives.

Sexual attraction and fantasies vary widely between individuals. As sexual health professionals, it is important to understand that context, identity, cultural norms, and social expectations all shape how people experience and express sexual attraction. This blog highlights findings from a recent large-scale study that examined how gender and sexual orientation influence patterns of attraction and fantasy.

I am thrilled to spotlight my mentor, Dr. Laura Widman, who recently presented at SHA’s Sexuality Business Summit to share how she transformed years of groundbreaking research into a successful business. 

Laura is a researcher, professor, author, psychologist, and all around badass dedicated to improving adolescent health, with an emphasis on sexual communication skill development. In much of her work she incorporates digital technologies to deliver health programming to teens and families. 

She is a co-author of the bestselling undergraduate textbook Our Sexuality, a professor at Florida State University’s Institute on Digital Health and Innovation in the College of Nursing, and founder of Teen Health Research, a woman-owned small business committed to modernizing sex education.

With nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications cited over 6,500 times, Laura’s research spans HIV and STI prevention, sexual communication, and digital health interventions. In this blog, I’ll review some of her research findings and how she translated them into real-world solutions.