Progestins 101
Progestins are used in hormonal birth control, menopause therapy, and more. Here’s what you should know about the different types and potential side effects.
Nicole is a science content producer and a writer at Clue. A former personal trainer, naturopathic doctor, and pelvic exam model, Nicole is passionate about making bodies the best and healthiest they can be. In her spare time, Nicole loves board games, sewing, dogs, and puns.
Preferred birth control: Condoms & FAM
Favorite reproductive health fact: Using your own saliva to masturbate may actually be protective against the development of vulvovaginal candida, in contrast to receiving oral sex, which may actually increase your chances of getting a vaginal candida infection
Progestins are used in hormonal birth control, menopause therapy, and more. Here’s what you should know about the different types and potential side effects.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause? Here’s the research on estrogen, progestin, and the benefits and risks of treatment.
Menopause signs & symptoms, how long it lasts, the average age of menopause, menopause treatment, and more. Here’s how you can be prepared
The emergency contraception pill is not a replacement for traditional birth control options, but it is probably okay to take it more than once in...
You may have noticed changes to your skin—particularly the skin of your face—starting around puberty. Your skin responds to many signals including your hormones
How many eggs do women have? How long does sperm live? And more answers to your sex cell questions.
Most antibiotics will not interfere with your hormonal birth control. Here’s what you need about rifampin, which can make your contraception less effective.
Causes and treatment of menstrual migraines and headaches.
Synthetic Estrogen: What is it? Side Effects, Endogenous Estrogen vs. Exogenous Estrogen, and More
What you need to know about Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels, low SHBG, the relationship between SHBG and birth control, and how it affects...
What the latest research says about the effects of ovulation, medications, herbal supplements, and BMI on the morning-after pill.
How pregnancy changes your hair: before birth, after birth, and more.
Tracking your period and daily symptoms such as cramps, cravings, and energy levels can reveal how your menstrual cycle affects your body and mind.
People choose to skip their periods by using hormonal birth control pills for reasons such as convenience, symptom relief, or just personal preference.
What you need to know about estrogen levels, low estrogen, estrogen dominance, birth control, and how it all affects your body.
Hormone therapy, fertility, birth control options, finding a trans-friendly healthcare provider
HIV is transmitted between humans through the exchange of certain types of bodily fluids including blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluids.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can make you more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia.
Chest binding is a common practice among transgender men, nonbinary, and genderfluid people. It can improve mental health, but also cause negative symptoms.
A step-by-step guide to using external (male) condoms and internal (female) condoms.
Breast anatomy, what’s normal, and when to see a healthcare provider.
STIs are very common, but can be prevented by using barrier methods, being in a monogamous relationship, and getting tested before sexual contact.
Female orgasms most commonly come from the clitoris or clit—the primary source of female sexual pleasure. Where is the clit? Here is how to find...
Vaginal dryness symptoms may include a burning sensation, vaginal discomfort or itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, or pain during sex or masturbation.
Hormonal birth control, like the pill, increases your risk of blood clots, but most premenopausal people have a low risk of developing clots.
One-night stands can be a natural, healthy form of sexual expression. Here’s how to avoid STIs and pregnancy, and protect your physical and emotional health.
The vagina changes: during sex, throughout the menstrual cycle, and with age and different life stages.
Your skin and scalp change in response to hormonal variations occurring throughout your cycle. Some people report more bad hair days around their period.
What ovulation pain feels like, which side it's felt on, and how to tell if you experience it.
Everything you need to know about menstruation when you're vegan or vegetarian
Ejaculation has long been associated with penises. But ejaculation from the vulva or vagina can also happen—before, during, after, or without orgasm.
The female condom can be inserted into the vagina up to eight hours before having sex and doesn’t require an erection for use.
Trans men and nonbinary people who take testosterone as a form of gender affirmation therapy often believe they can’t get pregnant, but this is not...
The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which slows down of many of the body’s functions, and can lead to changes in the...
Chlamydia often has no symptoms in women. It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and/or infertility.
Everyone knows that condoms prevent STIs, but do different forms of hormonal contraceptives have an effect on STIs?
In moderation, alcohol probably won’t affect your menstrual cycle, but there is a lot of conflicting research.
Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis. It can cause frothy, odorous green-grey discharge and vulvar pain/itchiness.
Answering all of your menstrual cup questions.
Stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS directly harms people’s health. Here’s a look at the discrimination caused by HIV stigma, and what people are doing to...
Hyperthyroidism can cause an acceleration of the body’s functions and changes in the menstrual cycle.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It can cause blister and ulcers on your mouth or genitals.
How does a menstrual cup work? Here are step-by-step instructions for inserting any menstrual cup.
Dr. Virginia J. Vitzthum is changing how we think about hormonal levels and the menstrual cycle.
A quarter of women over 20 years of age are estimated to suffer from urinary incontinence. This trend increases with age.
My experiences being a gynecological model for students to practice their female pelvic examination skills on.
Stress has also been shown to impact fertility—affecting estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. Meditation can help with that.
Gonorrhea is an STI and is often asymptomatic. It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.
The monthly release of an egg from the ovary is a fascinating process. It’s often something people first learn about when they are trying to...
We asked the Clue community about how they manage and treat their endometriosis.
For many people, the symptoms of endometriosis can be managed through different forms of treatment including hormonal, non-hormonal, and/or surgical options.
Comparing water, silicone, and oil personal lubricants to determine which lube is best for you.
Copper IUDs may make bleeding heavier and more painful and hormone-releasing IUDs may make bleeding lighter.
For many reasons, it is difficult to know how common endometriosis is, just as it is difficult for even a single person to get a...
Eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, can impact your menstrual cycle and even cause your period to stop.
A pelvic exam is an inspection of your genitals and a health assessment of your reproductive system. Pap tests screen for cancerous changes on your...