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Sexual and Reproductive Health
Estrogen Isn’t Just a Reproductive Hormone—It’s Critical for Brain Health Too
Everything from your memory to your mood can change alongside your hormones.
By Cassie Shortsleeve
Is Your Irritated Vagina a Yeast Infection or Bacterial Vaginosis? Here’s How to Tell
They’re both a huge drag, but they come with distinct symptoms, risk factors, and solutions.
By Erica Sloan
The Very Real Ways Stress Can Screw With Your Menstrual Cycle
And what you can do to make it less likely to affect you.
By Julia Ries Wexler
9 Reasons Why You Have Pain After Sex and How to Find Relief
Because sex should you leave you satisfied, not sore.
By Lindsey Lanquist, Korin Miller, and Julia Ries Wexler
Health
How to Know If Bleeding During or After Sex Is Normal—and When to Call Your Doctor
Read this before you freak out.
By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T. and Julia Ries Wexler
Are Cycle-Syncing Workouts Legit? Here's What the Science Says
There are a few things you should know before tailoring your fitness routine to your menstrual cycle.
By Lauren Mazzo
SELF Daily
Make your inbox healthier and happier with the latest SELF stories, delivered fresh daily.
Brooke Shields’s Nonconsensual Vaginal Rejuvenation Is More Common Than It Should Be
The “surprise” procedure, which she details in her new memoir, hit home for too many women.
By Jenna Ryu
The Best Lubes for Smooth Sailing Alone or With a Partner
Loved by both experts and shoppers.
14 slides
By Sarah Felbin and Kristin Canning
How to Safely Pause or Postpone Your Period
Yep, you can actually bypass bleeding, according to ob-gyns.
By Erica Sloan
Yep, Your Period Can Cause Awful Anxiety. Here’s How to Deal
It’s not just in your head—and there are ways to prepare each month to feel a lot better.
By Julia Ries Wexler
Why Does It Burn When I Pee After Sex?
Doctors explain why doing the right thing can feel so painful in the moment.
By Erica Sloan
How to Stop Queefing During the Worst Possible Moments
It’s a normal bodily function—but it can still be hella awkward.
By Erica Sloan
3 Major Ways Project 2025 Could Impact Your Reproductive Health
This far-right agenda could affect STI and cancer screening, as well as access to emergency contraception.
By Katie Camero
How Egg Retrieval Affects Your Body, Whether You’re Freezing, Donating, or Doing IVF
Here’s exactly what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
By Erica Sloan
How Abortion Doulas Are Helping People Get More Empathetic Care
“My job is to demystify abortion, give people good information about it, and to let people know what is fact and what is fiction.”
By Sarah Prager
We Know Scented Pads and Tampons Aren’t Good for Vaginas. So Why Do Brands Still Offer Them?
SELF asked various period-care companies why these products exist in 2024.
By Molly Longman
Jennie Garth Went Through a ‘Really Hard’ IVF Journey Before Her 2018 Breakup With Dave Abrams
In a new SELF interview, the ‘90210’ star reveals how the experience put her relationship through the wringer.
By Jenna Ryu
Trump Claimed He’s a ‘Leader on IVF’ During the Debate. His Record Suggests Otherwise
As promising as his support seems, it sure feels like a ruse at best.
By Katie Camero
Health
Here’s How to Properly Clean Your Sex Toys
Yes, you have to do this. No, it doesn’t have to be a hassle.
By Kathleen Felton and Lindsey Lanquist
Here’s What the CDC’s New IUD Pain Management Recommendations Mean in Practice
It’s a welcome, much-needed change—but you may still have to advocate for yourself.
By Jessie Van Amburg