lesbian health

reproductive health

love + sex

Is Vaginismus Making Penetration Painful? Here’s What It Is and How to Treat It

Vaginismus can get in the way of essential practices and pleasurable activities, like penetrative sex, penetrative masturbation, inserting tampons or menstrual cups and receiving pelvic exams. But with the right…

Ro White —

Apr 2, 2021

lesbian health

LGBT women's health

health

My Doctor Said Lesbians Don’t Need Pap Smears, but She’s Wrong

If you have a cervix, you should get pap smears regularly.

Hannah Brashers —

Oct 31, 2019

donald trump

greatest hits

first person

We’ll Have Sex Again, I Promise

The joke was that we had to have sex before the election, because if Donald Trump won, I never wanted to be touched again. It was a joke. A joke.

Heather Hogan —

Mar 30, 2017

international news

lesbian health

politics + activism

Blame Conservatives and Their Austerity Measures for Why LGBTQ Healthcare Sucks in the UK

Seven years of cuts have left the NHS on its knees, and we’re all suffering.

Heather Davidson —

Mar 21, 2017

affordable care act

lesbian health

health

Autostraddle’s Staff Shares Their Stories About Why We Need to #SaveTheACA

“Obamacare turned me from a liability into a full citizen worth protecting, and to see it roll backward instead of march forward would be a stain on our national history…

the team —

Jan 16, 2017

affordable care act

lesbian health

politics + activism

Republicans Forge Ahead with ACA Repeal, Promise to Definitely Figure Out Replacement Later

Republicans haven’t been able to figure out what they think should replace the Affordable Care Act since it was introduced in 2010, and repealing it now will leave millions of…

Rachel —

Jan 9, 2017

butch

lesbian health

first person

How Endometriosis Helped Me Become a Tenderhearted Butch

“Instead of getting medical care, I had a work colleague help me to my hotel room and pour me a tumbler of whiskey. I downed the whiskey with a handful…

Jules —

Aug 31, 2016

grown-ups

lesbian health

health

Gal Pals, Community, Money, Marriage, Bike-Riding and Acceptance Make LGBTQ Women Feel Healthier

Welcome to the first in a series of exciting discoveries from our survey of over 4,000 Autostraddle readers over the age of 29.

Riese —

Oct 7, 2015

greatest hits

lesbian health

health

The Big Queer Guide to IUDs

We’re here, we’re queer, we’re getting an IUD.

Lizz —

Oct 5, 2015

advice

lesbian health

lesbian sex

Bedroom Bloodsport: Navigating Unexpected Blood in Sexy Situations

Dating is a bloodsport unto itself, but for me it’s gotten too real — two too many times. Here’s some advice from my bleeding heart to yours on how to…

Coco Layne —

Dec 9, 2014

beyonce

fleetwood mac

playlists

Playlist: The Healing Power of Song

***Please note that ***Flawless is not available on Spotify, but if were it would probably be the only song on this playlist.

Maddie —

Nov 3, 2014

body image

fatness

health

Lesbian Obesity Study Misses the Point: We Don’t Care If We’re Fat

The NIH has spent millions to find out why lesbians are more often overweight than straight women. But is it a matter of public health, or a product of the…

Mari Brighe —

Sep 5, 2014