Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) impact nearly 1 in 5 people daily in the U.S. Due to the exaggerated risks and mythology around STIs, there is a lot of misinformation out there.

I want to cover 6 of the most common STIs and how you can detect them.

Practicing safe sex and getting tested for STIs regularly is your best option for protection. Get regular sexual health screenings, including blood tests, use barrier methods during sexual activity, and lubricants to help prevent STIs in general.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male (penis-owner) reproductive and ejaculatory system. It is highly regarded by backdoor pleasure enthusiasts because of the earth-rocking orgasms it provides.

Understanding what the prostate is, where it is, and what it does can help you unlock layers of sexual pleasure you haven’t yet experienced.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Almost everyone is self-conscious about their genitals. Penis-owners tend to experience a tremendous amount of shame about the appearance, color, size, and angle of their penises.

This shame is because the myth perpetrated by magazines, pornography, and cultural stigma persists that bigger means better.

Want to know how your penis stacks up against others?

Scheduling sex could save your relationship. When life gets in the way, and you and your partner no longer have time for intimacy, you start to forget about it. It moves to the back burner, then you push it further and further until it isn't even a topic of discussion anymore.

Scheduling love making means that you and your partner are prioritizing time together and physical intimacy. It means that you both view your sex life as important and that you're willing to make real change.

So many vulva-owners only orgasm from clitoral stimulation. While this is entirely normal, perhaps some more experimentation could be beneficial. Your deep vaginal erogenous zones may help you experience penetrative orgasmic pleasure.

Learning where each of these zones is will give your solo-sex and lovemaking a new kind of depth.

You've heard all about it, but you're still not quite sure what BDSM is.

BDSM is a grossly misappropriated and misunderstood topic. It is often blown out of proportion or demonized by popular media.

BDSM groups and practices are based around mutual consent and different types of erotic experiences. They are a completely healthy expression of sexuality. Often, it doesn't involve penetrative sex.

It's all about the erotic exchange of power.

Have you ever been called "clingy"? Or "emotionally absent"? You behave these ways because your attachment style in relationships molds how you act. There are four different attachment styles, three of which are insecure, one is secure. The good news is that you can change your attachment style.

We aren't taught how to communicate when we're growing up. This lack of understanding tends to show up later in life when it is really important, like with our partners. Communication is vital to developing a secure attachment and enhancing intimacy.

You’re ready to get to the good stuff, but you want to be prepared. There are plenty of ways to do anal sex wrong on your first try.

I’m going to talk about how to do anal sex the right way your first time.

This article is the final piece in my exhaustive Anal 101 series. I strongly suggest you read the previous three parts so that you have all the information you could ever need.

If you're anxious about anal play, there is an easy way to make it more pleasurable. Anal training allows you to get familiar with the feeling of having something in your backside. It also can help stretch things out, so you're better prepared for penetration.

Anal sex is a topic filled with mystery and poor information. So is anal douching. While it isn’t 100% necessary to douche before starting with anal play, it can help you feel clean, sexy, and ready to go. Cleaning yourself can help reduce anxiety around anal play. Stress or concern about anal play is very common. Learning what you need to relax and enjoy yourself will be helpful along your anal pleasure journey.

No one wants to start anal sex with no idea of what to expect. Knowing your anal anatomy will help you prepare for training and penetration. It will also make your anal experience positive and pleasurable. I’m breaking down how to have anal sex into four key pieces. You'll become an anal expert overnight!

The clitoris is commonly called the female powerhouse of pleasure, which is for many excellent reasons.

The clitoris is found at the top of the vulva, close to where the two lips come together. It is a sensitive area right where your inner vulva lips meet. It is filled with ultra-sensitive nerve endings. This beautiful pleasure button is responsible for 75% of female orgasms. This little nub packs a powerful pleasure punch, but what you see is just the tip of the iceberg.

Sex and porn addiction seem to be in the news constantly. Many people debate whether or not they are true "addictions" in the medical sense of the word. Regardless of whether they fit the DSM's exact criteria, many people are addicted to the rush they give them.

If you or someone you love is addicted to sex or pornography, recovery is possible. First, you need to understand what sex and porn addiction are and the impact they can have.

When it comes to sex of any kind, wetter is better. However, choosing the perfect lubricant is difficult. There is so much variety available. How can you decide which lubricant is best for you?

There are five main types of lubricants. Water-based lubricants, Silicone-based lubricants, hybrid lubricants, naturally-based lubricants, and oil-based lubricants.

To choose just one, you need to know (1) is it condom compatible? (2) is it suitable for your skin type? (3) does it meet your sexual needs?

Opening a sex toy website or walking into an "adult" store can be overwhelming. There are toys of every shape and size. You may find yourself asking, "who can choose just one?" It can be much easier to choose one than you might expect. The most important thing to know is what materials are safe for your body.

When it comes to sex toys, your safety is your responsibility. The adult toy industry is largely unregulated. It is up to you to know the different options out there.

It is common to experience pain during penetrative sex. However, it doesn't always have to be painful. With disorders like dyspareunia, there is hope to recover and enjoy penetrative sex again fully.

How prevalent is it? A recent study showed that as much as 20% of females suffer from dyspareunia.

Dyspareunia and vaginismus are similar but not the same. While they both cause you pain during penetration, dyspareunia is caused by an underlying medical issue.

Everyone thinks sex should happen naturally and easily. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for many people out there. Vaginismus is one of the most common causes of painful intercourse among vulva owners. But what does vaginismus mean? What causes vaginismus? If vaginal penetration by a partner or even a tampon causes you pain, keep reading.

You've been researching how to improve your sex life. But you're not sure where to start. You know you need help, but what specialist is best for you? It may be challenging to figure out what you need with jargon thrown around. After all, what is the difference between sex coaching and sex therapy?

When it comes to erections, there is a lot more than meets the eye. You may think you know and understand penises well, but there is plenty of "fake news" out there. Let's set the record straight by answering your erection questions with simple answers.